Queer Jams of the Week: New Music From Halsey, Mxmtoon, Katie Gavin and More

Need some new songs from your favorite queer artists? We are here to help. Billboard Pride is proud to present the latest edition of Queer Jams of the Week, our collection of some of the best new music releases from LGBTQ artists.

From Halsey's heartbreaking new single to Mxmtoon's folk-tinged new track, check out some of our favorite releases from this week below:

Halsey, “Lucky”

Britney Spears' hit “Lucky” has always been a song about the pitfalls of public approval—now, Halsey is just updating it. With her new track of the same name, the 29-year-old singer interpolates Spears' hit into a softer, acoustic context to drive home the message of life under a modern microscope. Halsey dives deep into endless Internet speculation about her life, from her relationship breakup to her health struggles, before dropping her own twist on Spears' words like a hammer: “But I'm so lucky, I'm a star/ But I cry, cry, cry in my lonely heart.”

Mxmtoon, “I Hate Texas”

Sometimes you get your heart broken so bad that you literally have to switch genres. That's the dilemma Mxmtoon lives in on “I Hate Texas,” her new country-adjacent single that sees the singer move away from her ex to find some well-earned peace. Over shimmering, acoustic guitars, the singer declares that she may not like her current circumstances, but she'll take it another day sweating over her former flame.

Katie Gavin, “Aftertaste”

MUNA fans have known lead singer Katie Gavin's vocal prowess for years — but now, the singer is taking the spotlight as a solo act. With 'Aftestaste', Gavin's debut solo single, the singer reintroduces herself with minimal fanfare. The track features some backing harmonies and some soft acoustic guitars to enhance the true star, Gavin's amazing voice and incredible lyricism. Telling the story of meeting an old lover and letting those repressed emotions take over, “Aftestaste” is just an appetizer for what promises to be an outstanding solo project from the MUNA star.

Sophie Feat. Popstar, “One More Time”

Building on the quick acclaim of 'Reason Why', Sophie is back with another pair of posthumous singles. While “Berlin Nightmare” carries the signature, game-changing production that fans have come to associate with the iconic blockbuster's sound, it's Popstar's “One More Time” that feels like something fresh. Wavy synths and glitching beats create a mechanical fantasy on this stunning, not-so-atmospheric track, creating a song that feels both exciting and unnerving — a winning combination for the late, great Sophie.

Orla Gartland, “The Hit”

Empathy, we can all agree, is great. But up-and-coming Irish singer-songwriter Orla Gartland would like to point out that sometimes, empathy can be self-defeating. “The Hit” follows Gartland's own struggle with being a maybe very compassionate, as she becomes so tightly bound to her significant other that it becomes unsustainable. Grabbing guitar riffs and unmistakable drums create a sense of decay that matches the singer's own mental issues, making “The Hit” as punchy as you could hope for from this soon-to-be star.

Check out all of our picks on Billboard's Queer Jams of the Week playlist below: