Queer Alt‑Pop Artist Evann McIntosh Marks New Era With “Free Ride” and “Blue Movie Magic”

At 21, queer and non‑binary artist Evann McIntosh is entering a new chapter in their career, releasing the singles “Free Ride” and “Blue Movie Magic” after a three‑year gap since their last project. The tracks follow McIntosh’s 2021 EP "Character Development", which helped establish them as a distinctive alt‑pop voice blending funk‑infused grooves with diaristic lyrics.

In an interview with DIVA, McIntosh describes this new phase as a chance to share music that feels closer to who they are now, noting that their last release before the current singles was “about three years ago.” Their earlier EP "Character Development" drew attention for its introspective songwriting and genre‑blurring production, with "Happy Mag" highlighting McIntosh’s approach to “queer artistry” and the way funk and soul elements underpin their personal storytelling.

McIntosh, who began releasing music as a teenager, has been discussed in coverage as part of a rising generation of LGBTQ+ artists using digital platforms and independent releases to reach global audiences without relying on traditional industry pathways.

Speaking to DIVA, McIntosh explains that “Free Ride” grew out of their early experiences moving to Chicago and being “college‑aged and the only person in a friend group with a car,” using that everyday scenario as a starting point for the song. They cite guitarist and songwriter Madison Cunningham’s album "Revealer" as a key influence during this period, saying that listening to it heavily at the time “bled into the writing process” for the track.

The collaboration behind “Free Ride” also reflects McIntosh’s expanding creative network. According to the DIVA interview, producer Abe Rounds approached Cunningham about playing on the song, and she contributed what McIntosh describes as “sweet guitar magic” to the final version. McIntosh adds that the music video for “Free Ride” was made with friends and filmed while driving around Chicago, emphasizing a DIY ethos and a focus on queer and gender diverse community.

Alongside “Free Ride,” McIntosh has released the single “Blue Movie Magic,” with DIVA Magazine noting that the music video is available to stream on YouTube. While the article centers more heavily on “Free Ride,” it frames both tracks as part of McIntosh’s “much‑awaited return” to releasing music, signaling a cohesive new era rather than isolated singles.

McIntosh’s visual work has been a recurring point of praise, with DIVA describing their music videos as “delightful” and asking how they nurture their sense of joy. McIntosh responds that they are at their happiest when engaged with “smart things like books, movies and music instead of garbage media,” and that spending time with friends and being “out in the world” are central to that joy.

In the feature, McIntosh is introduced as a “queer and non‑binary star” who has been credited as an “artistic shapeshifter” in the alt‑pop space. Their work often engages implicitly with queer experience, joining a landscape of LGBTQ+ musicians whose lyrics and aesthetics carve out space for gender‑diverse narratives in mainstream‑adjacent pop.

McIntosh discusses astrology in the interview, mentioning that they are an Aquarius sun with Libra moon and Libra rising, a detail that has informed songwriting such as their track “BULL$HIT,” previously described as inspired by their astrological compatibility with people who have Taurus traits. When asked about LGBTQIA+ artists they currently listen to, they mention Chappell Roan, Adrienne Lenker and Tracy Chapman, and also reference Liza Minnelli while noting that her identity does not align with “gay in the way you mean.”

These listening habits highlight how McIntosh situates themself within a broader continuum of queer and queer‑adjacent artistry, drawing from established and emerging musicians whose work has resonated across lesbian, bisexual, queer and gender diverse audiences.