JoySauce Radio: A Pride-Themed Playlist to Keep the Party Going

June may be coming to a close, but you'll want to listen to these LGBTQ+ artists all year

Words by Anjana Pawa

JoySauce Radio: Consider JoySauce Radio our own personal song recommendations—from the tunes and videos our writers love to DJ-produced mixes of dance floor bangers—all from Asian and Pacific Islander artists around the world. 

With the Asian music scene growing across the globe and many new artists entering the mainstream, we’re seeing more musicians of Asian descent expand across genres, filling the spaces we haven’t historically seen in the past. Whether it’s an artist from the Asian diaspora, a new K-pop or C-pop release, or the latest Bollywood banger, it can get overwhelming to try to keep up with everything that’s being released, so we’ve put together a list of new songs by Asian artists that you’ll want to add to your playlist and keep your eyes and ears out for, this time, featuring Asian artists that belong to the LGBTQ+ community for Pride month.

"mona lisa" by mxmtoon

In the vast world of indie pop, mxmtoon is a standout. Born as Maia in 2000, the young starlet began penning songs at age 13 in her bedroom in Oakland, California. As her career has blossomed into stardom, she’s honed her songwriting skill and does not hold back when it comes to her lyrics, citing the likes of Arctic Monkeys, The Black Keys, and Sufjan Stevens as her biggest musical influences. The plucky strings in “mona lisa” make this song a beautifully bouncy track, and a perfect fit for your summer picnic playlist.

"Love Overgrown" by Raveena

“Love Overgrown” is a song from Raveena’s 2022 album Asha’s Awakening, which is a concept album that she says is told from the perspective of a “Punjabi space princess.” This mellow, meditative tune is quintessential Raveena. What sets the Indian American singer apart from her contemporaries is her commitment to creating music that reflects her spirituality, cultural heritage, and personal experiences with the two. The ethereal vocalist shines on a track like this where her raspy, soft voice is accompanied by a tender guitar melody. The accompanying video is a visually stunning retelling of a love story between two young girls against the backdrop of a melancholic tune.

"Stay" by MRSHLL

MRSHLL is breaking the status quo, one song at a time. The Korean American singer is a beacon of representation, being the first openly gay K-Pop artist when he debuted in 2017. His music has always been about self-expression and authenticity. In his illustrious career, he’s forged his way into the global scene, having done collaborations with the likes of BIBI, Tiger JK, and Vardaan Arora. The song “STAY” is an R&B track that will fit perfectly onto a playlist that prioritizes chill and cozy vibes.

"Call Me Home" by SASAMI

Former member of the band Cherry Glazerr, SASAMI has carved a path for herself in her solo career. She’s constantly experimenting with new sounds, whether that be heavy electric guitar to create a rock sound or synths to bring more dance music influence into her already versatile repertoire. She’s a bit of a chameleon, genre-bending to fit her current mood and aesthetic. That doesn’t stop the L.A. native from still being vulnerable though. Her lyrics are introspective and raw, letting listeners into her world to follow her journey. “Call Me Home” is an earworm track and SASAMI is definitely one to watch in the indie-rock space.

"Never Ending Song" by Conan Gray

Conan Gray is on his way to becoming a household name. The small-town boy turned big-city star has carved out a path in the young indie pop space with hits like “Heather,” “Maniac,” and “The Cut That Always Bleeds.” “Never Ending Song” is his latest and it checks all the boxes: a coming-of-age song with heavy hitting beats accompanied with a fun, nostalgic video. We can’t get this song out of our heads and we’re definitely adding it to the playlist we’ll be blasting all summer while driving with the windows down.

Published on June 28, 2023

Words by Anjana Pawa

Anjana Pawa is a Brooklyn-based culture reporter who regularly covers music, entertainment and beauty. You can find her on Twitter at @apawawrites.