Reader's Choice: The Best Queer Country of 2024

Howdy cowpokes – and happy new year!

We're kicking off 2025 with your favorite queer country albums! Thanks to those of you who voted – and here's to a joyfully defiant 2025.

Top 10 Queer Country Albums of 2024

As you can see, there wasn't a lot of consensus among the readership – but there was a clear number one! Congratulations to Adeem the Artist! Read our reviews at the links below. Check back in tomorrow for my picks.

1. Adeem the Artist – Anniversary
2. Amythyst Kiah – Still + Bright and Lizzie No – Haflsies (tie)
3. Hurray For the Riff Raff – The Past is Still Alive, Melissa Carper – Borned in Ya, and Willi Carlisle – Critterland (tie)
4. Sarah Shook and the Disarmers – Revelations
5. Jake Blount and Mali Obamsawin – symbiont and Katie Pruitt – Mantras (tie)
6. Joy Clark – Tell it To The Wind and Yasmin Williams – Acadia (tie)
7. Aaron Lee Tasjan – Stellar Evolution, Chris Housman – Blueneck, and Denitia – Sunset Drive (tie)
8. Creekbed Carter Hogan – Creekbed Carter and Otto Sky Hall – While We're Here (tie)
9. Jett Holden – The Phoenix and Madi Diaz – Weird Faith (tie)
10. Middle Sattre – Tendencies and Paula Boggs Band – Live at Sweetwater Hall and Sarah King – When It All Goes Down

This Year's Biggest Queer Country News Stories – According to You

• "The high number of queer songwriters and performers on Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter album."
• "The rise of Flamy Grant. (also that Orville Peck was included on an Opry Christmas special)"
• "Shawna Virago - made it on Billboard's Top 50 albums of the year!"
• "Probably Willi Carlisle! Or how both country and queerness crept into and retreated from mainstream pop in perhaps equal measure."

And, of course, Chappell Roan's song "The Giver"

The Biggest Stories of 2025 – According to You

• "Growing acceptance, visibility, artistic and commercial success for a wider range of queer country artists."
• "I don't know if excited is the right word for me, but I am curious to see how queer country artists will be included/received (or not) in mainstream circles this coming year."
• "More queers, more country! And to see how queer country artists keep bringing the light and the rage in continually challenging times"
• "Continued exposure for artists being their true selves, not held back by ancient ingrained prejudices!"
• "Package tours, political defiance"

Thanks for your support, everyone! Here's to a queerer and more country-er 2025!