Because we’re bred into a heteronormative society, projections of youth, love, and growing up tend to fall under the prototype of heterosexuality. The erasure of the queer community, in many young people’s experiences, can be the most detrimental when interfering with a matter of passion and connection, and very commonly, music. Having a musical outlet for every sexuality, is an abused subject and often hidden under layers of hetero-normativity. So here’s a list of new, innovative, and not-straight artists :

Kevin Abstract

Kevin’s Sophomore album, American Boyfriend, captures a real, raw, and brutally honest perspective on the ‘American dream’. The openly bisexual, 20 year old Hip-Hop artist incorporates themes of race, sexuality and heartbreak into his music. The component of Abstract’s style and sound that I found the most compelling, is his authenticity. Listening to his music sometimes feels like intruding on something personal, because of the vulnerable, honest, and sometimes-awkward elements of himself and his art.

Willow Smith

I know, I know, you’ve heard of her since her child-debut, and probably associate her with the iconic, ‘whip my hair’. But Willow is back at it, releasing beautifully composed melodies, equal parts creative and strange. Her work can be located on her social media, Spotify, and iTunes. At only 16 years old, she has introduced some of the most underrated pop vocals of modern day, each song entirely creatively untouched and bursting with talent, and all forms of love. Willow’s music is fresh, artful, and a major player for pop music of the future.

PWR BTTM

PWR BTTM, hence their name, are unrelenting and fearless, The Punk Duo bursts with energy and embraces all forms of sexual freedom at full force. It’s an acquired taste, a rebrand of rock n roll, edgy in such a peculiar, quirky way, that liberates young gay teens by listening to the band scream about kissing boys and starting fights.

Dodie Clark

Dodie has a way of illustrating the depth of loss, love, and pain, all with just her ukulele and soft voice. She often speaks out about her struggles with mental illness and toxic relationships that have influenced her music. Dodie has perfected the impact of simplicity and the embrace of innocent questions and thoughts put into song. The bisexual British Songwriter uploads weekly to Youtube and has accumulated a study fan base through her original songs and musical storytelling.

Shamir

Picture this; jamming on the dance floor, with your crush, in the 80’s. That’s the essence of Shamir’s music. Bold, funky, and sometimes joyfully hilarious, he has a voice that bounces off of every wall, and encompasses the original appeal of disco. The motto of Shamir’s music is to not give a f*ck and be yourself, cliched, yet all seeming so transformed and new through his expression.

The Blow

Ah yes, the true icon of lesbian pop. Bouncy, relatable, and flushed with witty lyricism. The Blow has a type of flirtatious beat that makes people want to fall in love with anyone who’s willing to take them up on it. They have a clearly established style, always recognizable by the genuine emotion and upbeat choruses. The Blow is making its way into dominating electro-pop music …and our hearts.

Jonsi

Jonsi is an Icelandic artist, featured in the soundtracks of a number of films. The fluttery, sheer, score can only be described as majestic. I can count multiple occasions in which Jonsi’s music has made me cry harder than the film that it was set to. That’s the measure of this musics impact, surpassing its purpose and captivating me deeper than the main attraction. The style expands past being just cinematic, and into it’s own genre, resulting in a fairytale like experience.