Listen, I’m a huge proponent of summer vibes. I believe that summer vibes can happen regardless of the season, and Hayley Kiyoko—that’s right, Lesbian Jesus herself—fully agrees with me. At least, that’s the message I’m getting from the pop singer’s newly-dropped bop, “Cherry,” featuring queer artist FLETCHER.
Now just in case it wasn’t queer enough to make a song about how cherries are sexy and queer-coded, we get a full video of Kiyoko and FLETCHER kiking it up over a retro baking session. It’s…very lesbian. Like, very. The color palette, the mood, the hair, the preponderance of maraschino cherries. I’m getting a Carol vibe but like, summer? It works.
The fashion is likewise excellent. The girls are giving Alana Haim in Licorice Pizza and it is everything. The lyrics “I’m waiting to see if you’re real/if you’re sweet/if you taste just like a cherry” represent possibly the best sapphic come-on since Demi Lovato crooned “don’t tell your mother/die for each other/kiss one another” in 2015’s “Cool for the Summer.”
Basically this is giving the humble cherry a makeover, and let me tell you it has been a long time coming. Cherries are gay now, and they always have been, but whatever you do, DON’T tell the early 2000s about it. Also, everyone knows those Haribo cherry gummies are a full vibe by themselves. Pair them with “Bitter” singer FLETCHER and Kiyoko and boys, we’re got a gay emergency. Drop everything you’re doing and focus on Kiyoko’s fresh new cut and enjoy an utterly wonderful bop in the meantime.
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