Love, Lust, and Latin Beats: Stewart Taylor Unveils His New Single ‘Emilio’
It’s hump day, and we’ve got just the thing to shake up your midweek playlist. Out today via Sapphire Records, Stewart Taylor’s brand-new single Emilio brings a bilingual twist to the pop scene. And trust us, it’s one you’ll want to dance to.
Far from your typical pop track, Emilio fuses glossy 80s-inspired grooves with Latin rhythms and an emotional core that hits right in the feels. It’s bold, it’s magnetic, and it’s unapologetically queer—just like the man behind it. As the lead single from Taylor’s upcoming debut album (arriving in 2026), Emilio already has us convinced next year’s going to be huge for queer creators.
Inspired by a real-life connection that sizzled but couldn’t spark, Emilio captures the ache and allure of forbidden attraction. “Emilio is very much a real person,” Taylor shares. “We were working together at the time and there was definite chemistry between us. I’ve always had a soft spot for Latin men and Emilio was no exception. But because of stupid business politics, we couldn’t date. That didn’t stop us from flirting all the time though!”
That flirtation eventually transformed into a song, one Taylor playfully describes as “soulful white boy goes eighties pop with a bilingual twist.” Drawing from Latin pop icons like Selena and queer storytellers like Chappell Roan, Emilio pairs vulnerability with a pulse designed for the dance floor. “I’m a very emotional person who writes from the heart, and I also really love to dance,” Taylor says. “That fusion of energy mixed with years of singing in Spanish turned into an upbeat multicultural pop song.”
Alongside the single, Taylor drops a vibrant music video that brings Emilio to life inside Los Angeles’ legendary queer nightclub, Jewel’s Catch One. The venue’s deep LGBTQ+ history made it the perfect backdrop for Taylor’s directorial debut. “The queer history that’s lived between those walls since the 1970s felt so inspiring to me. Making it the backdrop to tell my story and direct my first music video seemed kismet,” he says.
The video stars Armando Eleazar as the titular Emilio, fresh off performing on Saturday Night Live with Bad Bunny and dancing alongside Jennifer Lopez in Kiss of the Spider Woman. “It’s crazy to think that my song was influenced by Selena and the JLO biopic—and that my leading man is working with the queen herself!” Taylor adds.
You can watch the Emilio music video below:
Produced by Stephen Beerkens of Australian rock band The Faim, Emilio found its final form after months of experimentation. “My producer and I made so many different versions before we really got it right. I love eighties music, Latin music, U2, and Lady GaGa. Eventually all of those influences found their way into the song,” Taylor explains.
For Taylor, Emilio continues his mission to center queer love and self-expression in pop. “‘Emilio’ is another unapologetic love song that happens to be about queer people,” he says. “Queer love is a major part of life, whether people want to accept it or not. Our voices need to be heard now more than ever. Watching queer artists like Chappell Roan finally break through to the masses proves that there is still a place for our community in pop music.”
And while Emilio may have been born from a love that never quite began, it’s a powerful reminder of what it means to feel deeply and love fearlessly. “Even if you don’t end up with the person you’ve fallen for, hopefully this song will remind you that everyone goes through these highs and lows on the path to finding love,” Taylor reflects.
With its addictive beat, bilingual heart, and celebration of queer love, Emilio isn’t just a new single, it’s an anthem for anyone who’s ever fallen for the wrong person at the right time.
Emilio is available to stream on all major music platforms. Follow us on X and Instagram for all queer stuff!
Featured Image: Image Courtesy of Sapphire Records. Photo by Shaun Vadella.
