With the solstice behind us, the summer creeps ever onward.It seems like the heat seeping in has everybody feeling a bit more laid back this week: Andrew Garfield showed off his beach bod, hot German film No Hard Feelings ran the festival circuit, and even Christian Walker is making his way to sunny Florida.As far as this week’s hot music drops go, it’s clear that this one’s for the girls.From Tove Lo’s slay to Moi Renee, here’s your weekly bop roundup:Not only did Beyoncé prove that she doesn’t a surprise drop to stop the world, but she paid stunning homage to the queer community while doing it.
Among the inspirations and collabs for Renaissance were beloved disco icon Donna Summer, trans personality Ts Madison, queer producer Honey Dijon, and Beyoncé’s own late gay uncle, Johnny.
Most prominently is the interpolation of drag gem Moi Renee’s legendary house track “Miss Honey” here on “PURE/HONEY”. The queen not only celebrated Blackness and queerness, but the intersection of the two and the icons who’ve paved the way.Hayley Kiyoko was dubbed “Lesbian Jesus” by fans years ago, and she has finally risen with her sophomore album, Panorama.
The uber-summery visuals of this project, from the music videos to the WMX-powered launch party in LA, fully lend themselves to the album’s energy.