American Idol alum Leah Marlene’s new song “Feel Like” an ode to her “Gay Love”
Singer-songwriter Leah Marlene, best known for reaching the Top 3 on season 20 of American Idol, began teasing a fresh track during the first date of her 2023 tour. Short clips surfaced on social media in the weeks that followed, offering fans glimpses of a breezy, romantic new single. Now Leah has confirmed the full song, titled “Feel Like,” will be available for streaming and download on May 12, with presave options open ahead of the release.
In previews posted across her feeds, Marlene pairs the song’s warm, summery sound with footage of herself and a red-haired partner sharing affectionate, playful moments. Her social posts included hashtags such as #songofthesummer, #indieartist, #alternativemusic, #wlw, #lgbtq, and #gaylove, making the track’s inspiration and audience clear. For the first time in such a public way, Leah explicitly embraces and celebrates a same-sex romance in her music and visuals—an affirmation of identity that many of her fans greeted with joy.
Musically, “Feel Like” leans into carefree imagery and intimate emotion. One lyrical excerpt shared in previews captures the song’s sunny, accepting tone: “You make me feel like driving around four windows down on a sunny day / You make me feel just like a kid that’s dancing in the summer rain / You make me feel like I can be all parts of me and that’s OK / You make me feel like.” Those lines highlight how the track blends nostalgia, freedom, and self-acceptance into a concise indie-pop moment.
Leah’s decision to place her LGBTQ relationship at the center of this release marks a clear moment of visibility in her artistic trajectory. While some listeners may have already suspected her orientation, “Feel Like” positions her love story as a central creative force rather than a background detail. That openness has resonated strongly with fans and contributed to an outpouring of supportive reactions online.
“LGBTQ+ happiness is everything”
Fans responded enthusiastically to Leah’s announcement, with many comments celebrating both the song and her openness. One follower wrote, “Yeeeees!!! Thank you for being so vulnerable and sharing in the visibility!!” Another fan recalled hoping Leah would embrace this direction: “Ugh so thrilled, I was holding out hope for this when you were on American Idol!!!!!!”
Messages emphasizing pride and joy appeared repeatedly in comment threads—“LGBTQ+ happiness is everything,” one admirer summed up—reflecting how the song’s personal theme has become a meaningful symbol of representation for many listeners. Season 20 alum Allegra Miles, who recently released her own ode to LGBTQ love, responded with a string of excited emojis, while other fans shared sentiments such as, “I WAS ALWAYS SILENTLY WONDERING THIS MAKES ME SO HAPPY,” and “I’m so happy to see you living out loud.”
Those reactions underline how “Feel Like” is connecting not only as a catchy indie-pop single but also as a moment of celebration for queer visibility in mainstream music. Leah’s gentle, affectionate portrayal of romance offers listeners a warm, relatable portrayal of love that many find both comforting and uplifting.
Catch Leah on tour this spring
Leah Marlene is currently on a nationwide tour that began in April and runs through the end of May. She’s performing a mix of her established material and the new, untitled snippets that have been generating buzz. Her musician father is accompanying her on the road, and she also has several summer fair dates scheduled.
For fans who want to see the songs live, tickets are available through standard ticketing platforms and her official tour listings. With “Feel Like” arriving on May 12, attendees at remaining spring shows may get a first listen to the full track during her set.
As Leah prepares to release the single, the combination of upbeat indie production, heartfelt lyrics, and visible queer joy positions “Feel Like” to be an important moment in her catalog—one that celebrates love, authenticity, and the small moments that make life feel bright. Presave links and streaming details are being shared across Leah’s official channels ahead of the release, so fans eager for the full song can secure it now and be ready when it drops.