When Maude Latour shared “Lola” in 2022, she dimmed the lines between female friendship, capturing a “blurry, indescribable love” that can get complicated. It’s this exact murkiness that Latour excels at with her music — creating ultra-relatable, unabashedly queer confessionals that toy with the boundaries between romantic love and friendship. Since then, Latour has dispensed a series of affecting pop cuts, and now as she prepares to release her debut album, Sugar Water, she’s unveiling another enticing preview in the form of “Whirlpool.” “This song is a trippy meditation on love, life, and loss. It’s a release of control and a surrender to the waves,” Latour told us in the days leading up to its release. Indeed, the track is another slice of her bold pop, beaming with conviction and the idea of surrendering to new possibilities. In tandem with her latest song, Latour told us about her essential queer anthems — from the “confidence-boosting magic” of the Pom Poms to the explosive, dance-inducing pop of Kylie Minogue.
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Maude Latour – “Lola”
Oops, it’s my own song. This is forever my tribute to queer friendships, aka confusing, beautiful love. It’s about protecting each other, protecting queer people, trans people, and protecting survivors of assault. It’s the most important song I’ve ever made.
Kylie Minogue – “Padam Padam”
Last year this song exploded. I still literally can’t get enough. Come on, Kylie!
Charli XCX – “Move Me”
This song isn’t about a queer love, but for me it was. Last time I fell in love, this song was the soundtrack. It’ll always be that for me, too.
Maude Latour – “Heaven”
This is the song I wrote while I was falling deeply in love. It’s about wanting to do everything with someone. It feels exactly like the first few months of falling in love to me.
Swank Mami – “I Saw U”
This song has been my favorite thing for months. I love it.
OPAL – “France”
This is the coolest song ever. I’ve never heard anything like it. It’s perfect to get your body moving and also to challenge the typical structures of songs by creating something absolutely different.
Young Miko – “wiggy”
This song is so cool. An incredible queer artist. Let’s go.
Kari Faux – “Mo’ Liquor”
When it’s time to party and dance, this is the song that needs to come on. Love it.
The Pom Poms – “Watch Me”
This is the most energetic song, filled with the confidence-boosting magic that every good song has.
DBBD and Miss Bashful – “Ride That Beat”
This is an incredibly iconic song — it’s perfection. It’s perfect for the club. It’s exactly what summer is all about. I’ve heard this song played at underground queer raves, and it is absolutely a smash. Gay people have the best taste. We literally define culture!
