Spectrum South’s Best of Queer Music 2018

By the Spectrum South Staff

Innovators, advocates, and revelers in the weird—queer artists often create the work that impacts society the most. Eye-opening, thought provoking, and sometimes even unsettling, it’s often art that turns tides. This year, we asked our staff for their personal nominations for best song by a queer artist in 2018. We’re excited to share with you our top picks—and few runners up! We won’t judge if you’re suddenly compelled to dance around your apartment in your underwear to the Spotify playlist below (we know we certainly did).

Megan Smith, co-founder and editor-in-chief

“What I Need” (feat. Kehlani) by Hayley Kiyoko

Hayley Kiyoko’s debut album, Expectations, was definitely the soundtrack to my summer this year. Through the good and the bad, 2018 forced me to reexamine my priorities and needs, relearn self-love, and to emerge stronger and with a happier heart. “What I Need” (and Hayley Kiyoko, in general) embodies this for me—you’re deserving of love; don’t settle; and if something doesn’t work for you, leave it behind. Plus, lez be honest, Hayley is bae.

Runner up: “1950” by King Princess

Literally unleash all of the queer feels. “1950” is the queer love anthem that I needed as a teenager and, if I’m being honest, still need today. It’s about the chase, the longing, and the surprise that hits you when you realize that she might just like you back. It makes me believe that we, as queers, can have that happy ending too. And it doesn’t hurt that King Princess is cute AF. Call me, girl.

Kelsey Gledhill, co-founder and chief creative officer

“Animal” by Troye Sivan

I’m a sucker for love songs and this ‘80s-inspired pop ballad is definitely that. Sivan’s lyrics and overall sound are raw and glide between love and lust—something we all know and have experienced in some form or fashion. The song is an emotional confession about not only yearning for your partner, but connecting with them. It’s simply majestic.

Kirby Squires, social media director

“High Hopes” by Panic! At The Disco

Panic! At The Disco has been making waves since being emo was all the rage back in high school. They’ve come a long way since then—and so have I—but what’s stayed the same is their catchiness. This song in particular encompasses my vibe for 2019: high hopes.

Dani Benoit, photographer

“Sleepover” by Hayley Kiyoko

My first listen to Hayley Kiyoko’s album Expectations was an emotional one—specifically the song “Sleepover.” I had never heard a song so accurately depict a scenario so specific to my queer experience. There was no translation needed, it was my truth too. It’s a song that I could have really used as a teenager. Queer pop stars singing about queer problems was something I could only fantasize about in my youth. It’s been an affirming experience to watch this become the reality in 2018.

Aubrey Burghardt, writer

“Nameless, Faceless” by Courtney Barnett

I like heavy rock, psych rock, alternative/math rock, and some old school jazz. Right now though, I’m re-obsessing with Courtney Barnett—queer, 30, Australian, and a total left-handed guitar goddess.

I think her most pertinent song for 2018 is “Nameless, Faceless” from her Tell Me How You Really Feel album. This album sounds more poppy, but the lyrics are very serious about tackling misogyny and the patriarchy. There is a line that alters a Margaret Atwood quote, “Men are afraid that women will laugh at them; women are afraid that men will kill them.” She uses sweet pop rock and darkness disguised as humor to shine light on the ways that people who are not men have learned to cope with an oppressive society.

But if you’re going to listen to anything by her, listen to “Depreston” and “Kim’s Caravan” (both released in 2015).

Russell Etherton, writer

“My My My!” by Troye Sivan

We’re all looking to bring love into our lives and improve on our relationship with ourselves and with others. This song is about finding love and wanting to talk about it, being excited to share it with the world. It’s an invitation to be in the freedom that comes with living authentically. Love is too beautiful to be hidden in the closet.

Kelly Marshall, writer

“It’s Easier” by Nimmo

This queer AFAB duo from London emerged with a dark and sultry pop EP, crowned with the single “It’s Easier.” A hard jungle synth baseline anchors a shared vocal quality reminiscent of Annie Lennox. Sarah Nimmo and Reva Gauntlett’s lyrics tell a sapphic story of drowning one’s sorrows in an all-night bender.

Runner up: “Palo Santo” by Years & Years

British electropop doesn’t get better than this lush and intricate ballad about a toxic relationship. Olly Alexander croons over subterranean rhythms, swirling effects, and haunting piano chords, simultaneously reveling in and repulsed by memories of an old flame. We’re in love with the sin of this holy hymn that honors a pain we can all relate to.

Laura McGuire, writer

“Pynk” (feat. Grimes) by Janelle Monáe

As a lifelong queer, female feminist, this song is both a party anthem and battle cry. Janelle Monáe, being the goddess that she is, managed to write a song that is equal parts subversively sexual, completely humanistic, and not hypersexualizing. While very vaginally focused, from the lyrics to the imagery, she also includes messaging about not all women having vaginas, body positivity, and pride. I could listen to this song every day for a hundred years and never grow tired of it.

Josh Watkins, writer

“1950” by King Princess

With queerness and the queer community constantly growing and evolving, it’s so important to remember our history. King Princess wrote this song as a homage to those who had to keep their love private for so long, recognizing how they had to express love in society through coded art forms. It’s a homage to our history and community and it hits all the feels!

Barrett White, writer

“Americans” by Janelle Monáe

This year has seen so much turmoil politically and, as a queer black woman, Janelle Monáe released this absolute banger to assert that, despite who is running the country, she absolutely is an American. This song not only puts a seat at the table for disenfranchised people like queer WOC, but it slams the chair down, backward, so she can straddle it—because she means business.

Runners up: “Plain” by Space Kiddettes

This song exemplifies the witty, tongue-in-cheek humor surrounding the celebration of suburban monotony that defines the Space Kiddettes’ album Domestic Adventures. Deep synth beats glue together the cry-out lines and celestial choruses. It makes you want to purse your lips, shimmy your shoulders, and own the fact that you drive a sedan and can’t remember your spouse’s name.

“Re•volve” by Wade in the Sonic Joy

Nonbinary artist Wade in the Sonic Joy brings us easy listening that one can effortlessly sink into with “Re•volve,” off of their 2018 debut album, Sexspells. But while you’re floating through their sublime scoring, you’re slapped with a profession of love that not only bolsters the narrator, but affirms the subject. It’s selfless, beautiful, and solidly an earworm.

What were your favorite 2018 releases by queer artists? Let us know! And because we love you, we’ve included a playlist of our favorites for you to enjoy. Cheers, queers!