Sapphic Serenades
The lesbian experience is beautiful, chaotic, messy, and magical–and what better way to express the complexities of sapphic love than with a playlist? I compiled a list of lesbian and sapphic tracks that encompass the angst of first love, the thrill of a secret rendez-vous, and the exhilaration of a forbidden crush (Peach PRC, I too have fallen for a girl with a boyfriend.)
Sapphic Serenades is the perfect blend of dreamy indie pop to blast in your bedroom while kissing the girl/enby of your dreams, or if you’re me: swiping on Hinge, whilst narrowly avoiding couples in search of a unicorn.
Inspired by artists from Chappell Roan to Clairo, this playlist explores sapphic desire through both contemplative ballads and glitzy pop anthems. Here are a few standout tracks from the playlist:
“Naked in Manhattan” — Chappell Roan
I listened to this song for the first time in 2023, on a flight to JFK, romanticizing coming home to my shoebox apartment in Greenwich Village. The sapphic references in this track range from David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive-–arguably one of the best films of all time—to Mean Girls’ Regina George (who is definitely a lesbian in my mind). Chappell Roan’s lush vocals took me back to my first experiences with women and the excitement and newness that accompanied those early trysts. Even after my relocation to Los Angeles, whenever “Naked in Manhattan” comes on, I’m reminded of that 250 square foot studio in New York City where I had so many of my formative encounters with women.
“Ta Reine” — Angèle
After having gained an elementary-level understanding of the French language per my high school language classes, I decided to dive into les chansons Françaises. “Ta Reine,” which translates to “Your Queen,” is an ethereal ballad in which Angèle laments being in love with a woman who has not yet accepted her sexual identity. The lyrics, “Mais tu voudrais qu'elle soit ta reine ce soir / Même si deux reines, c'est pas trop accepté,” express the desire for to be with la femme tu aimes, even if the relationship is not deemed socially acceptable. “Ta Reine” was my anthem at 16; the perfect track to encapsulate my sapphic yearning at a time when only my closest friends and family knew of my queerness.
“Sofia” — Clairo
Though “Pretty Girl” was my introduction to Clairo, it was once I listened to “Sofia” that I knew she was here to stay. The track itself is bright and nostalgic, with dreamy vocals that linger on the potential of a burgeoning sapphic romance. At the time of its release, I was a junior in high school with a fleeting crush on a girl of the same name, and as a result, I often listened to it on repeat, whilst my imagination concocted innocent fantasies of a first romance. Though I never told her how I felt and my crush faded in time, whenever I hear “Sofia” I am reminded of the butterflies in my stomach as I stared across the classroom at her, praying she would return my gaze.
“Blondes” — Peach PRC
The summer I graduated from NYU, I was introduced to Peach PRC by my best friend, who suggested attending a concert of hers in Brooklyn. After witnessing her stellar performance, I downloaded most of her discography, with “Blondes” quickly becoming a favorite. This glittery pop track chronicles a crush on a woman with a boyfriend. Its lyrics cheekily suggest that she should break up with him, and tell him that he’s no longer her type; she prefers blondes. Rather than lamenting that the object of her desire is taken, Peach PRC takes action and gets the girl. How could you not be inspired by such femme excellence?
Give the playlist a listen here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/64pNY8xHw5gbTvpXy2SR8w and if you’re feeling extra lesbian, check out our clothing line!
Written by Ruchika Bist <3