We have already made it to the third month of the year which shouldn’t be surprising when January felt like it was forty-five days long, but it is. Going into 2024 I made a promise to myself to write more because four posts during the entirety of 2023 was a pretty poor showing. Despite this though I am proud of some of the content I put out last year, especially the posts that delved into my experience of being non-binary like, The Importance of Representation in Media and Non-Binary Awareness Week 2023: Welcome Into My Mind… It’s Messy.
The past month personally has been hard on the gender dysphoria front for too many reasons that I care to recall, topped off by someone who I don’t really know that well asking me, “Why are you non-binary?”. I’m sorry dude, you’re not my friend or my therapist so I don’t think that’s your business… but anyway.
To sum up, life has been a lot recently but instead of feeling sad and sorry for myself, I thought I would put the negative excess energy into bigging up some super talented people who deserve to be taking up room on your playlists.
So, here are ten non-binary/transgender/genderqueer artists who you should be checking out in 2024.
1. Beetlebug
Beetlebug was one of my favourite discoveries of 2023 when they were announced as a last-minute replacement on the Live at Leeds (in the park) line-up. There’s something uplifting about their sound and angelic vocals. If I feel myself getting lost in a not-so-good way, songs like ‘my dear friends’ and ‘overgrown garden’ help me get lost in a much better way. Their music radiates positivity and has the ability to transport you elsewhere aided by the gentle strum of guitar or ukulele.
Their music gives a sense of hope and 2023 single, ‘until the end’, is no different with its beautifully melancholic vibes and I cannot wait for this talented artist’s future releases.
Because every cold night ends
‘until the end’ (2023) by Beetlebug
With warmth on the horizon
2. King Princess
Probably one of the most known artists on this list, King Princess has a tune for whatever mood you’re in. Want to listen to something that is catchy with a tempo that can be danced to then ‘PAIN’ is just that. The lyrics may be morose, but the sound is very upbeat. It is the sort of contrast I can get behind in music because it makes you feel so many different things while listening.
King Princess’ most famous single, ‘1950’ is soulful with perfect synth-pop harmonies that pull you in. Insecurities shine in this track making it familiar for many, I certainly relate. Their last release is a feature spot on Boyish’s ‘Kill Your Pain’. It is a song that quickly got me hooked by the emotiveness and steady beat.
I hope that you’re happy with me in your life
‘1950’ (2018) by King Princess
I hope that you won’t slip away
3. Beth McCarthy
What is there to say about Beth McCarthy? My first reaction is to just say: “Wow!”
I discovered this talented solo artist thanks to Instagram reels because she was putting out very watchable content of her being a matchmaker for other queers in a bar. It was all promo for single, ‘IDK How To Talk To Girls’, which is also the name of her debut EP. The EP is probably one of my most listened-to releases right now. ‘She’s Pretty’ also hits with relatable lyrics and dynamic vocals, I can’t wait to dance to it on her headline tour in May.
My favourite single of hers though is ‘Omg Did She Call Him Baby?’ which is slower-paced but frankly beautiful. Beth’s stunning voice is really showcased thanks to the delicate yet powerful piano that’s throughout.
I know she doesn’t love me
‘Omg Did She Call Him Baby?’ (2020) by Beth McCarthy
But I help her through this sh*t thinking maybe
One night she’s going to fall for me too
4. Ezra Furman
The next artist on my list is Ezra Furman, someone I discovered thanks to Netflix’s hit show, ‘Sex Education’. Her versatility really stands out to me, which is very clear by the three very different tracks of hers on my playlist. There is a track for every occasion from boppy and percussion-fuelled ‘Restless Year’ to acoustic guitar-heavy and genuine ‘Every Feeling’.
One single that hits hard yet wonderfully in particular is the moody, ‘Lilac and Black’ from Ezra’s 2022 album, ‘All Of Us Flames’. It’s very empowering with a brilliant message of standing up for yourself during times of adversity, mainly against bigots who try to threaten your existence. It has had the ability to make me feel less isolated, and like I am not dealing with this complicated gender journey alone.
Tonight, tonight I’m dreaming of my queer girl gang
‘Lilac and Black’ (2022) by Ezra Furman
We who walk this deadly path
And the city that tries to kill us each night
Will soon bow before our wrath
5. Christine and the Queens
Christine and the Queens burst on the scene with his debut album a decade ago but there has been so much evolution in that time, with his sound and the themes to his music. There is a poignancy to his more recent releases that are driven by his questioning of gender identity.
His sound may have changed a lot during the years, but the electro-pop undertones remain. I do prefer his slower-paced and emotive tunes like ‘To be honest’ and ‘Tears can be soft’. My current favourite track of his is, ‘People, I’ve been sad’, which is authentic and personally resonates with me. I interpret from the lyrics that it is a song about missing out on living during low and isolating periods, which I am sure others find applicable to their own lives.
I had the pleasure of seeing Chris live when I worked his show last year and I will never forget the way he artistically owned the stage. It was also refreshing working a show where I felt sort of represented but also seen.
It’s true that people, I’ve been sad
‘People, I’ve been sad’ (2020) by Christine and the Queens
It’s true that people, I’ve been gone
It’s true that people, I’ve been missing out
Missing out for way too long
6. NOAHFINNCE
Quite the juxtaposition to Christine and the Queens is NOAHFINNCE, who uses his own experience to create punchy pop-punk anthems – and there is plenty of room in the world for some pop-punk.
It was ‘LIFE’S A BIT’ that got me into liking Noah’s material. It is instantly very appealing, and I can imagine it sounding awesome live. In fact, I bet he’s great on the gig scene in general, I can easily envision the crowd moshing along to his music. He released his debut album, ‘GROWING UP ON THE INTERNET’ last week and there is a lot to love about it. Huge riffs, catchy choruses, and also a lot of honesty about what it has been like for him on his personal journey including dealing with transphobia.
That honesty shines through on what is probably my favourite track, ‘3 DAY HEADACHE’, which may not even be two minutes long, but it is mighty. He speaks his mind about taking on too much accompanied by a beat that slaps.
Can’t help but think we’ve been overdosing
‘3 DAY HEADACHE’ (2024) by NOAHFINNCE
Tryna eat up all the serotonin
7. Kanaya
Singer/songwriter Kanaya pours their soul into their craft, whether it is in their art (which they’re very talented at) or their music.
With limited resources, they have managed to create beautiful and thought-provoking songs. This can be heard through their stunning vocals and dreamy melodies in singles such as, ‘MONOLOGUE’ and ‘if i leave early’. They’re a storyteller, something that really shines through on song ‘Marionettes’ from their debut album, ‘November 16th’. There is something about the plucking bass line and the characterful piano that makes it easy listening, and simply highlights their musical talent.
Corrupted souls stay silent
‘if i leave early’ (2022) by Kanaya
But the poison’s suffocating
8. Egg
It is Egg’s hauntingly wonderful version of the Plain White T’s ‘Hey There Delilah’ which put them on my radar. They perform covers very well, and I am sure that I’m not alone in that this is what drew me in. However, what has kept me there and listening to their work are actually their original releases.
If you ask anyone who knows me, they will probably tell you that I am bad at messaging and Egg has created a song that’s about that very topic. There is something very charming about ‘sorry haha i fell asleep’, assisted by the delightful base provided by the ukulele. You naturally take a deep breath when listening to ‘sparks’. There may be a strong emotiveness behind the lyrics that are sung by their ethereal voice, but somehow it is still uplifting, perhaps because of the relaxing chord progression or harmonisations.
I’ll always look out for you
‘sparks’ (2023) by Egg
Yeah, that’s what I’ll do
9. SOAK
With vocals that are somehow soft and powerful simultaneously, SOAK creates gorgeous dream-pop with feel-good guitar and melodies that you want to dance to. SOAK already has three albums under their belt that perfectly illustrate their journey from being a star of BBC Introducing at just fifteen, to where they are now. Experience that is obvious in their art.
It was clear though that success was coming when they managed to write incredible tunes like ‘Sea Creatures’ and ‘B a noBody’ as a teenager. Authentic music that tells the world what it is like to have insecurities but also ambition at the same time, which I can guarantee makes listeners relate to them. I do.
‘Knock Me Off My Feet’, a single about how you can be your own best friend but also your own worst enemy, has the feel-good energy I mentioned previously but with multi-layered lyricism that I could spend an age dissecting. I really hope that we get new music from them soon.
Dying trapped between
‘B a noBody’ (2014) by SOAK
The main blanket and new sheet
We’ll never amount
To anything
10. Freddie Lewis
The first track from singer/songwriter Freddie Lewis that I heard was ‘Prettiest Secret’ and straightaway I was like yes, yes, and more yes. I challenge you to listen to this song and not want to dance along with the pop beat. It already has a massive seal of approval from me, but then in comes the synth-brass and I really am sold. I love the positivity it radiates.
Other favourites of his are quite a different vibe in, ‘Growing Pains’ and ‘Heed My Warning’. The pace is brought down so you can focus on his brilliant vocals and the truth behind them. Being honest about the difficulties gender dysphoria can cause a person I believe will resonate with anyone who has similar struggles whilst potentially educating those who can’t relate. His music brings me hope.
Freddie is a self-proclaimed “transgender pop princess”, and I can tell you that the label is very appropriate. What an incredible guy.
The mirror’s looking at me funny
‘Growing Pains’ (2021) by Freddie Lewis
Flutter feeling in my tummy
How the hell do I become me?
So, there we have it. Ten totally awesome artists who are definitely worth your time to check out. You can find the playlist here.
It was Elton John who said, “Music has healing power. It has the ability to take people out of themselves for a few hours.”, which is a quote that I believe is very true. These artists who I have written about in this post, have all helped me be kinder to myself and accept myself for who I am, and for that, I really appreciate what they’ve given to the world.
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