A Message Of Hope For Queer Youth With Louis Dunford’s New Single

Louis Dunford prepares us for his upcoming album with the deeply personal single ‘Queer’. The album is appropriately due to be released on Valentine's Day this year, as it is a collection of songs of love for those who have helped him through his darkest times.

Dunford is most well known for his song ‘The Angel’, which, in 2022, became an anthem for Arsenal Football Club. Similarly, ‘Queer’ retains his intimate storytelling, akin to fellow troubadour Beans On Toast, though this single is far more melancholic.

With just the mournful piano accompanying his smooth and rich vocals, the lyrics come as a sucker-punch to the listener. His rhymes “You feel the sting of his sovereign ring” almost gloss over the impact of what is being said, much like the person within the song saying that they are “okay”. It adds to the emotion of the song as the abusive behaviour is normalised for both Dunford and the other person referenced in the song. The connection created through these lyrics, to the listener, is one of profound tenderness and, for many, relatability.

With the increase of queer artists in the mainstream, as well as the rise in people’s human rights being lost across the world, this song comes at the perfect time to highlight both these issues within society, and empowerment of the queer humans Dunford sings about. 

‘Queer’ is deeply sincere, raw and straight from the yearning heart. Within the darkness, the message “There is nothing wrong with being queer” resonates, creating a safe space. Dunford uses this song to take back control, with lyrics such as “I’ll shoot him through the heart”  symbolising what true love is and how it can’t be tamed, and if it is it inevitably ends in a metaphorical death. 

This song is an embrace to everyone who needs to hear that there isn’t anything wrong with them and their identity. They are not alone. It is an anthem for the whole queer community to stand up for ourselves and overcome adversity. It is reminiscent of youth, with hope for the future and alternatively a reminder of the past and even the violence of queer history. 

Marty Rigby

@M4rtyPhotography

Image: ‘Be Lucky’ Official Album Cover

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