Just a few years ago, it was relatively easy to count the number of albums by LGBTQ musical acts that would make good gifts for those on your holiday gift list. Now, counting seems pointless as there’s so much cool stuff available. Here are some suggestions.
Would it surprise you to learn that musician David Byrne is on the autism spectrum? What about Bjork and Ladyhawke (aka Pip Brown), Courtney Love, and Susan Boyle? While none of these artists have addressed the subject in their music, that hasn’t stopped Canadian art-rock act 36?, led by non-binary singer/songwriter Taylor Cochrane, from addressing the subject on its new album “Finding Love/Having Autism” (North Pole). The music is as busy as the collage on the album cover, ranging from the straightforward rocker “You Will Always Be Alone In Your Mind,” to the loud-quiet-loud approach of “Wasted” and “Flower,” and the must-hear spoken word track “Song About Anxiety” and the equally notable experimental acoustic tune “I Don’t Want To Go Out Tonight.”
In 2007, queer singer/songwriter Susan Werner released the brilliant album “The Gospel Truth,” in response to a friend’s question about where they can find “the joy without the Jesus.” It was a bold and meaningful musical statement. Christian drag queen, activist, and country artist Flamy Grant is sticking with the joy she finds in Jesus on her new album “Church” (Glam & Glory). Grant’s powerful voice gives these songs gravitas, and if there were any justice, she’d get airplay with fans of religious and country music. Standout tracks include the incredible “Revenge,” as well as “How To Find The Words,” “Leslie” (a beautiful number for the late Leslie Jordan), “Old Religion” (featuring Crys Matthews), and the funky “S.P.R.K.L.”
On “A Firmer Hand” (So), Hamish Hawk makes some of the hottest and sexiest queer music you’ll ever hear, hands down! Hawk’s baritone probably has something to do with the effect his songs will have on listeners, especially the way he sings the subtly graphic lyrics. Seriously, this album should come with a cum-rag. For that special person on your gift list (you know who it is), songs such as “Big Cat Tattoos” (from which the album gets its title), “Machiavelli’s Room,” “Autobiography of Spy,” “You Can Film Me,” “Milk An Ending,” and “Men Like Wire,” are all swoon-worthy.
Queer rapper Cakes Da Killa is back with “Black Sheep” (Young Art), an album that occupies the space between the club and the street. Put on some comfortable shoes and prepare for ass-shaking cuts including “It’s A Luv Thing,” “Do Dat Baby” (featuring Dawn Richard), “Mind Reader,” “Cakewalk,” “Problems 4 Problems,” and “Crushin In Da Club.” All the while, Cakes Da Killa spits such audacious rhymes that it’s easy to feel as dizzy as you might on a Tilt-A-Whirl.
When it comes to gay music legends, one name stands out among the rest, and it belongs to Kid Congo Powers. A member of seminal bands such as the Cramps, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, and The Gun Club, Powers has been an out musician from the start. Perhaps his longest-running project, Kid Congo & the Pink Monkey Birds has returned with “That Delicious Vice” (In The Red), an album of modern rockabilly tunes, the best of which include “Silver For My Sister,” “Wicked World” (featuring Alice Bag), “A Beast. A Priest,” and the Latin beat of “Ese Vicio Delicioso.”
Following the 2024 election, and the potential disasters looming for our community, it’s more important than ever to make sure that trans voices continue to be heard. On “When I Get Through” (One Little Independent) by Breymer (who uses she/they pronouns), listeners are given intimate insight into their experience, including the subject of top surgery. It’s the kind of deeply personal musical project that sounds as if it was created to help others going through something similar. Recommend songs include “Part of Me,” “Medication,” “Better Friend,” “The Night Before,” and “Who Am I?”
On his new album “He/Hymn” (XYYX), versatile trans singer/songwriter Lenny Zenith is as comfortable performing power pop (“One Of Us Should Go,” “Lovely Things,” “Sleep”) as he is turning up the twang (“Beards of Grey,” “Party Cloudy Dog”). Zenith has also assembled a quality band that assists him in making the most of his catchy compositions.
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