Born in East Tennessee, Levi Kreis broke into the music business as a Christian singer/songwriter. His last album, The Gospel According to Levi, ushered listeners through the complicated and painful past of a young man growing up under the grip of religious fundamentalism. His new album, Where I Belong, will be released this month and is a complete 180 of his past work. In fact, the album is the most positive, upbeat music we’ve heard from the talented piano-man. And its gospel and country flavor is a sweet departure from the house and dance tracks preferred by most other out artists.

Adam Joseph, the artist, may appear to be a pink, glittery princess but don’t be fooled. Adam Joseph, the businessman, is a true warrior.

After graduating Boston’s prestigious Berklee College of Music, Joseph battled to become one the first openly queer artists to sign with Sony BMGs all-gay label, Rainbow with a Twist. It was the break artists dream of until the label folded and dropped its entire queer roster.

Joseph was determined that he wouldn’t fall to defeat. He formed his own independent label and released the smooth R&B grooves “You’re Mine” and “Flow with My Soul.”

But it was the music video to his campy track, “Faggoty Attention” that shined the brightest spotlight on the young artist. A little bit Michael Jackson (“The Way You Make Me Feel”), a little bit Madonna (“Music”; at least the part where she is dancing in her limo), the video depicted Joseph and his gaggle of gays luring a vulnerable straight boy. It was a YouTube hit but criticized by some as merely a lucky break.

Adam Joseph, however, has said in interviews that the so-called lucky break was intentional; the result of hard work and tactical marketing. This spring, he aims to prove he’s got staying power when he releases his new faggoty track: a cover of Kool and the Gang’s ’70s disco hit, “Fresh.”

Raphael Solomon has overcome many struggles. The 28-year-old sex muffin has been used, abused, spit out and hung to dry. The best thing is he airs all of his deliciously dirty laundry on his captivating debut album, Beautiful Dancer.

In “Sex with My Sex”, the first track from the album, Solomon reflects on the good and bad of making whoopie with an old flame. It’s an intriguing song – one that demands attention with its unique subject matter and captivates with its beat and memorable hook. It’s important to note that in the end, Solomon decides that sex with a former lover is not a bad thing, as long as you go into it with no expectations. Living for the moment is a running theme in Solomon’s album and probably says a lot about the artist himself.

Even when at his lowest – like when he admits in “Brand New Dime” how he can’t pay his rent – Solomon’s the ultimate optimist. The former model knows how to pick himself up, dust off, and have a little fun – like the night he dressed as Tarzan for a performance and his loincloth came undone on stage. Raphael Solomon’s Beautiful Dancer is available on i-Tunes now.

On the surface, Barton’s music may sound like dance music, but there’s a lot more going on musically and lyrically for those who listen more deeply. The Euro-based singer-songwriter doesn’t rely on common clichés. He draws from his personal life experience; adding an authenticity that is hard to find in much of today’s pop music.

His Formative album has already yielded two dance floor hits: “Take Me Up” and “To call My Own,” a song that climbed to No. 1 on Sirius Radio. This spring he will release one more track form the LP, “Valentine,” a sensitive number about longing for love. “I went back and forth about releasing Valentine,” he admits. “Ultimately, I realized I needed to give it the attention it deserved.” It was a smart move. The track has quickly become a crowd pleaser.

Barton’s next full-length album, Lessons Learned, is scheduled to hit stores this summer. The first release will be “On the Beach.”

Joey Salinas’ 2008 ballad “All of Me” yielded the young artist a Billboard magazine award. This spring, he releases …And Then There Was Alexander, a provocative album that continues Salinas’ voyage into the complicated adventures of his young life.

Salinas penned The first single from the album, Bedtime, inspired by a booty call. He says that while waiting for his hook-up to show up, he allowed the urgent, erotic energy he was feeling to spill over into a tune. Basically, his horniness wrote the song.

The ups and downs of Joey’s rollercoaster emotions bleed into his music. He reveals and explores every aspect of his self: his sensitive side, aggressive side, sexual and moody sides. It is that personalized touch that critics say makes the young artist relatable to fans.

Playgirl model Joel Evan’s debut album, Enjoy the Sadness was released under his stage name Jet Kanashi, which means “sorrow” in Japanese. The album explored Evan’s ideas on turning sadness into pleasure. Just as he physically stripped for the magazine, he emotionally stripped for the album.

Two years – and many months in deep meditation – later, Evan is back with his next album, Embracing the Light…and then some. With this release, the artist decided to go back to his real name because while writing the songs, he realized Kanashi no longer suited the material. The new tracks explore Evan’s need to break from sadness and find inner peace.

Standout tracks include the moody opener, “A Lighter Shade of Sorrow,” “Never Ending Universe,” and “Rule the World,” a frisky dance confection complimented perfectly by Evan’s melancholy vocals. Embracing the Light…and then some is available now.