friday music guide
Billboard’s Friday Music Guide serves as a handy guide to this Friday’s most essential releases — the key music that everyone will be talking about today, and that will be dominating playlists this weekend and beyond.
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This week, Joe Jonas gives us a long-awaited solo project, Reneé Rapp returns on her own terms and Alex Warren is far from “Ordinary.” Check out all of this week’s picks below:
Joe Jonas, Music For People Who Believe in Love
Fourteen years after the last album released under his own name, Joe Jonas is a lifetime (and several new hits) removed from the rhythmic pop of 2011’s Fastlife, and that personal and artistic growth is the foundation of Music For People Who Believe in Love, an earnest and surprisingly personal pop-rock project that includes both radio fodder (“Honey Blonde,” “Work It Out”) and a few unexpected collaborations, like the touching family reflection “Hey Beautiful” with Louane and Tiny Habits.
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Reneé Rapp, “Leave Me Alone”
Even if you didn’t know that Reneé Rapp’s “Leave Me Alone” is the first taste of an upcoming sophomore album titled Bite Me, you could probably deduce that the riotous new single represents a new beginning for a singer-actress who’s found her artistic footing: “Leave Me Alone” has made headlines for the tossed-off lyric about The Sex Lives of College Girls, but the real story here is Rapp’s embrace of slightly heavy guitar-rock, with the feedback buzzing as she forgoes all pop norms.
Alex Warren with Jelly Roll, “Bloodline”
A lot is riding on “Bloodline” for Alex Warren, considering that the song is his first new music since “Ordinary” conquered the charts around the world — so to ensure that his next step forward was a successful one, the singer-songwriter tapped Jelly Roll, one of the more reliable presences in popular music, for a stomp-clap anthem with the same reassuring tone as Warren’s current smash.
Burna Boy feat. Travis Scott, “TaTaTa”
As Burna Boy preps for the July release of new album No Sign of Weakness, fans have been given a thumping new Travis Scott collaboration to kick off their summer: “TaTaTa” is all slick rhymes and layered drums, with both MCs exuding star power and playing off of the beat by using the chorus as a percussive tool rather than a catchy refrain.
Jessie Murph feat. Sexyy Red, “Blue Strips” remix
“Blue Strips” has been one of the surprise hits of the year, thanks in part to Jessie Murph’s force of personality and a killer hook; now, Sexyy Red is jumping in on the fun, with a remix that actually shortens the song’s length but makes room for the rapper to warble the chorus and drop vehicular ad-libs over the original track’s still-simmering beat.
Karol G, “Latina Foreva”
Karol G knows that summer is right around the corner, and “Latina Foreva” functions as a warm-weather banger for the ladies: the superstar’s first new single of 2025 celebrates femininity with a fierce reggaeton arrangement, as Karol sounds more than comfortable navigating the speed-ups and slowdowns of the production before letting the beat work its magic at the end of the track.
Rob49, Let Me Fly
The viral hit “WTHELLY” has earned New Orleans rapper Rob49 newfound attention in popular hip-hop after years of grinding on the edges, and Let Me Fly sounds like a well-time artistic triumph, brimming with unhinged energy from the ominous piano keys that open the 22-song project and stretched across various collaborations (Meek Mill, Fridayy, Sexyy Red and Quavo are among the guest list).
Editor’s Pick: mgk, “Cliche”
After dabbling in country-fried songwriting following his pop-punk pivot, The Artist Formerly Known as Machine Gun Kelly has located a sleek little intersection of the two sounds: “Cliché,” along with its accompanying choreo-heavy music video, is an utterly charming new chapter in mgk’s winding story, all Warped Tour-ready hooks and nervy energy aimed at those of us still blasting his Tickets to My Downfall hits on the regular.
Billboard’s Friday Music Guide serves as a handy guide to this Friday’s most essential releases — the key music that everyone will be talking about today, and that will be dominating playlists this weekend and beyond.
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This week, Rihanna unveils a summer Smurf jam, Morgan Wallen pulls back the curtain and Jin continues his solo momentum. Check out all of this week’s picks below:
Rihanna, “Friend of Mine”
While Rihanna is no stranger to the soundtrack single, “Friend of Mine,” from the upcoming Smurfs film, does not function like a shiny product for kid’s movie — instead, the song thumps and shimmers with club-ready propulsion, as Rihanna lets the percussion take center stage and serves up what sounds like a long-lost, long-awaited summer jam.
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Morgan Wallen, I’m the Problem
At 37 songs and nearly two hours, I’m the Problem pushes Morgan Wallen’s mega-sprawling approach to full-length projects to a new limit — but if it ain’t broke, then the decade-defining, stadium-commanding country superstar has no reason to fix it, as his latest marks another rustic, self-examining storytelling extravaganza brimming with multi-song runs to be appreciated by different types of listeners.
Jin, Echo
Six months after making his solo bow with Happy, Jin has quickly returned with Echo — but instead of feeling like a continuation of that debut project, the BTS member has already moved on to vibrant new sounds and ideas, ranging from the stately romance of opener “Don’t Say You Love Me” to the punk-inflected YENA collaboration “Loser,” the latter making good use of the cowbell.
Lola Young, “One Thing”
“Everbody wants to know ya / But me? I only want one thing,” Lola Young declares on new single “One Thing,” a slinky sex jam that showcases Young’s ability to oscillate between commanding and yearning; following the smash confessional “Messy,” the ascendant pop star wields this follow-up with hedonistic glee, as if she’s ratcheting down the stakes to have some hard-earned fun.
Avicii, Avicii Forever
Avicii’s 2018 passing still feels crushing all these years later, yet his musical legacy has remained towering in his absence; Avicii Forever — a new compilation featuring the producer’s biggest hits, essential tracks and one unreleased single, “Let’s Ride Away” featuring Elle King — underlines his sonic impact and acts as a handy first step for casual fans looking to dive deeper.
Sebastian Yatra, Milagro
The title of Sebastian Yatra’s new album, Milagro, refers to a miracle that can occur thanks to a slight change in perspective; the idea defines the follow-up to 2022’s Dharma +, as the singer-songwriter tweaks his lyrical approach to dig deeper into ideas of faith, emotional availability and communication across generations, while still providing plenty of melodic heft.
Laufey, “Tough Luck”
“I wanted to reveal an angrier side of myself — a side that this unfortunate relationship brought out in me,” Laufey says of her new single, “Tough Luck,” in a press release. To preview upcoming album A Matter of Time, the rising singer-composer lets her frustration simmer above sighing harmonies and ornate string arrangements, producing a beautifully mad opening shot.
Editor’s Pick: Rico Nasty, Lethal
After spending the majority of her career exploring the ways in which rock music can inform her hip-hop, Rico Nasty pushes toward full-throated pop-rock at times on Lethal, displaying her voice with a newfound vulnerability and expanding her aesthetic in impressive ways; considering that several songs on the new album don’t reach the two-minute mark, Lethal zips by with verve and energy, and sets up an exciting future for Rico.
Billboard’s Friday Music Guide serves as a handy guide to this Friday’s most essential releases — the key music that everyone will be talking about today, and that will be dominating playlists this weekend and beyond.
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This week, Miley Cyrus returns with a ballad, Sleep Token unveil an opus and ROSÉ joins the F1 fun. Check out all of this week’s picks below:
Miley Cyrus, “More to Lose”
As she collected pop smashes over the course of her career, Miley Cyrus has also demonstrated a richness as a balladeer — and with “More to Lose,” a stirring new sample from her upcoming album Something Beautiful, Cyrus drifts above a complex tangle of classic pop production and smashes home the emotion as the song ramps up, making for a song that’s going to sound spectacular whenever it’s performed live.
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Sleep Token, Even in Arcadia
Whether you’re steeped in the lore, headbanging through the breakdowns or both, the masked British alt-metal group Sleep Token has turned its singular combination of detailed backstory and rock ambition into arena-headliner status — and with Even in Arcadia, the group is not only poised to have its biggest commercial moment to date, but will do so with a sprawling, uncompromising collection of songs.
ROSÉ, “Messy”
One week after Don Toliver and Doja Cat dropped “Lose My Mind” to kick off the rollout of the F1 soundtrack, ROSÉ has gotten in on the racing-drama fun with “Messy,” a cinematic love ballad in which the BLACKPINK star declares “If it’s messy / Then you know it’s really love,” while learning to understand her partner’s flaws, on a song that sounds primed to play over a contemplative second-act montage.
Kali Uchis, Sincerely,
On her first full-length since becoming a mother last year, Kali Uchis slows down the tempo from 2024’s Orquídeas and offers the most intimate glimpse of her mental and emotional state yet: Sincerely, revels in its personal flourishes, a new stance from a genre-hopping singer-songwriter who has written anthems in English and Spanish but has never navigated her own feelings this deftly.
PinkPantheress, Fancy That
From the super-short pop tracks of To Hell With It to the commercial breakthrough of “Boy’s a Liar Pt. 2” to the sonic exploration of Heaven Knows, PinkPantheress has darted through different eras with lightning speed — and Fancy That, a bright, engrossing mixtape that riffs on ‘90s dance and garage, sounds like an artistic reset in the best way, taking the UK pop star back to the effervescent songwriting of her beginnings.
Kid Cudi, “Neverland”
Kid Cudi is a stylistic godfather in modern hip-hop, but that doesn’t mean the veteran is resting on his laurels: “Neverland,” a new single that precedes a short film of the same name, aims at summer-anthem territory, with Cudi gently crooning in the verses and then singing his lungs out on the chorus as trap drums sizzle beneath his full-throated cries.
Maren Morris, Dreamsicle
Maren Morris has described fourth album Dreamsicle as “a love letter to myself,” which explains the new set’s healing aura: Morris has changed up her style and spoken openly about her process of self-discovery over the past few years, and her latest full-length complements that journey with warmth and optimism, briskly moving forward as Morris does the same.
Editor’s Pick: Halsey & Amy Lee, “Hand That Feeds”
During the same week that Evanescence was back in the news — thanks, The Rehearsal! — band leader Amy Lee has released a harrowing new collaboration with Halsey that accentuates both artists’ respective talents: “Hand That Feeds,” from the upcoming Ballerina soundtrack, harkens back to Halsey’s alt-rock streak while giving Lee a much-deserved new platform to showcase her soaring delivery, resulting in what sounds like a no-brainer rock-radio staple.
Billboard’s Friday Music Guide serves as a handy guide to this Friday’s most essential releases — the key music that everyone will be talking about today, and that will be dominating playlists this weekend and beyond.
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This week, Maroon 5 and LISA aim for the charts, Ed Sheehan stumbles through memories and Don Toliver and Doja Cat are ready to race. Check out all of this week’s picks below:
Maroon 5 & LISA, “Priceless”
From Christina Aguilera to Cardi B, Maroon 5 have teamed up with A-list solo stars on singles that have reached the top of the Hot 100 over the years; they’ll attempt to do the same with “Priceless,” a lightly funky, easy-listening pop track featuring LISA, hot on the heels of her debut album and Coachella performances, balancing out Adam Levine’s romantic crooning with airy sing-rapping.
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Ed Sheeran, “Old Phone”
After kicking off his new era with the global anthem “Azizam,” Ed Sheeran returns to the wistful, emotionally piercing pop-rock of previous eras with “Old Phone,” on which the singer-songwriter keeps strumming as he stumbles upon a long-dormant phone and gets flooded with the photos, texts and memories stored inside, searching for resolution within the discovery.
Don Toliver feat. Doja Cat, “Lose My Mind”
The upcoming Brad Pitt-starring racing drama F1 will boast one of the most high-profile soundtracks of 2025, and the compilation rollout gets kicked off with “Lose My Mind,” a shimmering, synth-drenched club track (courtesy of producer Ryan Tedder) that showcases Don Toliver’s silky melodic streak and Doja Cat’s chest-thumping rhyming, a few years after the latter scored a top 10 hit with her Elvis theme “Vegas.”
Bailey Zimmerman feat. Luke Combs, “Backup Plan”
“Getting back up — that’s the only backup plan you need,” Bailey Zimmerman declares on “Backup Plan,” the empowering new single that seems tailor-made for end-of-workout playlists to give you that extra bit of motivation. After Zimmerman teamed up with BigXThaPlug on the top 10 hit “All the Way,” Luke Combs serves as his co-pilot here, with the fellow country star’s rumbling voice turning into the perfect foil.
Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco, I Said I Love You First… And You Said It Back
In addition to a few stray tracks and remixes, the real appeal of I Said I Love You First… And You Said It Back, the deluxe edition of Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco’s collaborative full-length from March, is “Talk,” a cheeky new single that reanimates Cake’s beloved 1998 single “Never There” for a new generation of pop fans, complete with halting lyric delivery and slinky alt-rock arrangement.
Quavo feat. Takeoff, “Dope Boy Phone”
The tirelessly prolific recording run of Migos in the 2010s and early 2020s has resulted a slew of unreleased material seeing the light of day following the tragic passing of Takeoff in 2022, and “Dope Boy Phone,” Quavo’s new single featuring a posthumous appearance by his nephew and group mate, sounds as fresh as any of the rap group’s earth-rattling hits, including those on the pair’s underrated joint project Only Built for Infinity Links.
Fuerza Regida, 111XPANTIA
A press release for Fuerza Regida’s 111XPANTIA describes the new project as “pure Fuerza from start to finish”: with 12 songs and zero features, the album does indeed offer an unadulterated version of the Mexican music superstars’ aesthetic, full of carefully constructed arrangements and harmonies that encourage the listener to join in after a few listens.
Editor’s Pick: Key Glock, Glockaveli
Key Glock’s excellent new album may include an update of Three 6 Mafia’s “Stay Fly” on the single “Blue Devil,” but the rapper was already carrying on the tradition of Memphis hip-hop long before Glockaveli: through his recent mixtapes and particularly his critical work with Young Dolph, Key Glock has demonstrated an unflappable delivery and ear for effective production, and his new album feels like the mainstream arrival for an artist who’s already been putting in the work.
Billboard’s Friday Music Guide serves as a handy guide to this Friday’s most essential releases — the key music that everyone will be talking about today, and that will be dominating playlists this weekend and beyond.
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This week, Lorde shakes us awake, Megan Thee Stallion is ready “whenever” and Benson Boone shows off a different side. Check out all of this week’s picks below:
Lorde, “What Was That”
Lorde has made a habit of returning every four years with a bold new solo statement, and with “What Was That,” the pop auteur circles back into our orbit in her late twenties, chasing new highs in New York City and feeling a little more bruised by breakups; the subtle, slightly twitchy production and subject matter draw a line back to 2017’s Melodrama, but Lorde is evolving her feelings, sharpening the specificity of her lyrics and treating a much-anticipated new single like a too-honest piece of poetry.
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Megan Thee Stallion, “Whenever”
Megan Thee Stallion blacks out in the second verse of her new single “Whenever,” rattling off lines like “I love when I hear that a b—h don’t like me, stalk my IG / This pretty face on her FYP,” in a way that recalls her ferocious early mixtapes — it’s a moment that reminds us of Meg’s effortless drive when she wants to pick up the pace, and stirs up even more anticipation for her next project.
Benson Boone, “Mystical Magical”
Unless you’ve spent the past year under a rock, you know that Benson Boone possesses the type of soaring vocals that can startle listeners, and serve as the engine of a smash. Unlike “Beautiful Things,” however, new single “Mystical Magical” peppers that force into a more delicate arrangement, with Boone delivering the titular phrase in a blissed-out falsetto as the bass pops beneath him.
Young Thug feat. Future, “Money on Money”
After a few guest spots in recent months, Young Thug has unveiled his first proper single since leaving jail on a plea deal last year, and it’s a doozy: “Money on Money” is opulent Atlanta rap, with a killer beat switch, a reinvigorated Thugger calling out those who doubted him (and declaring that he’s “blowing money fast like a cheetah”), and Future supporting his frequent collaborator on the back end.
Coco Jones, Why Not More?
Coco Jones has already translated legions of Disney fans into R&B listeners, scored a crossover hit in “ICU” and taken home a Grammy, yet the release of her long-awaited debut album Why Not More? feels like a momentous occasion — as well as the proper full-length showcase that her voice deserves, as Jones spends the first half of the album sans guests and letting her sensual delivery commanding our attention.
Tucker Wetmore, What Not To
The reason why Pacific Northwest singer-songwriter Tucker Wetmore has broken through in Nashville involves his adeptness at emotional storytelling as well as party-ready singles; debut album What Not To boasts both across its 19-song track list, from the finger-snapping viral hit “Brunette” to the searing title track.
D4vd, Withered
Throughout his short career, D4vd has refused to trade in viral success for mainstream pandering, instead using the platform afforded by his early hits to keep exploring his sonic interests — and Withered, his first proper album, sounds like a young singer-songwriter comfortable in his own skin, drifting toward dreamy rhythmic pop that should be a natural springtime soundtrack.
Editor’s Pick: Samia, Bloodless
Bloodless is the sound of a talented artist achieving clarity: Samia Finnerty has released intriguing albums before, but nothing comes close to the stylistic command and singular point of view she demonstrates on her third album, which oscillates between alt-folk and indie-pop to study gender norms in modern society and present Samia’s full self without compromise.
Billboard’s Friday Music Guide serves as a handy guide to this Friday’s most essential releases — the key music that everyone will be talking about today, and that will be dominating playlists this weekend and beyond.
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This week, Morgan Wallen once again finds some help in Post Malone, Addison Rae comes back strong and Lana Del Rey’s country tour continues. Check out all of this week’s picks below:
Morgan Wallen feat. Post Malone, “I Ain’t Coming Back”
The follow-up to “I Had Some Help,” last year’s summer-dominating team-up between Morgan Wallen and Post Malone, was always going to generate a ton of attention from casual country fans and Nashville diehards, and “I Ain’t Coming Back” functions like a strong big-budget sequel, with Wallen playing anti-hero and Post shrugging, “Go throw your pebbles / I’ll be somewhere gettin’ stoned.”
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Addison Rae, “Headphones On”
A song like “Headphones On” goes a long way towards dismissing the notion that Addison Rae’s pop artistry is superficial in the slightest; the former social media star’s latest single not only synthesizes ‘90s rhythmic pop with passion and scholarship, but she tucks revealing admissions — “Wish my mom and dad could have been in love,” “I compare my life to the new it girl” — in between sumptuous refrains.
Lana Del Rey, “Bluebird”
Regardless of how closely Lana Del Rey’s upcoming country-leaning album follows Nashville touchstones, songs like “Bluebird,” a breathtaking anthem about escape under uncertain circumstances, nods to the power of Del Rey’s songwriting — particularly when her sprawling hooks get squeezed into more traditional structures, as she repeats “Find a way to fly” to the titular subject and herself.
Davido, 5ive
A press release for Davido’s latest full-length describes 5ive as a “culturally fluid album,” and indeed, the Afrobeats titan has never sounded so expansive: pop, R&B, rock, reggaeton and dancehall are all represented on these 17 tracks, although Davido’s effervescent personality serves as the project’s center.
Tommy Richman feat. Sexyy Red, “Actin Up With Sexyy Red”
Tommy Richman and Sexyy Red have each enjoyed their share of viral moments that impact the pop charts, and with this new version of Richman’s single “Actin Up,” they inject the existing mixture of sensual crooning and steel drums with some of Sexyy’s boisterous energy, turning Richman’s brooding posture into more of a party atmosphere.
Wiz Khalifa, Kush + Orange Juice 2
Fifteen years ago, Wiz Khalifa’s Kush + Orange Juice represented a breakthrough mixtape for a quick-witted MC just months away from topping the Hot 100; now, Kush + Orange Juice 2 serves as a particularly inspired check-in from a beloved veteran, with Gunna, Juicy J and Ty Dolla $ign among the guests stopping by to pay homage.
Xavi & Netón Vega, “Hija de Papi”
Following the Xavi-assisted collaboration “Cuando Me Ocupes,” which was featured on Netón Vega’s debut album Mi Vida Mi Muerte earlier this year, “Hija de Papi” continues to build out the chemistry between two of the fastest-rising stars in modern Mexican music, with harmonies leading into quick spoken-word exchanges over extended instrumental breaks.
Editor’s Pick: Isabel Larosa, Raven
Annapolis singer-songwriter Isabel Larosa has been a buzzed-about name in online pop discourse for months now, and debut album Raven makes good on the promise of her early singles: with a breathy vocal delivery as a signature and a knack for choosing propulsive, alternative-leaning production, Larosa stands out in a crowded field, and should be moving upward from here.
Billboard’s Friday Music Guide serves as a handy guide to this Friday’s most essential releases — the key music that everyone will be talking about today, and that will be dominating playlists this weekend and beyond.
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This week, Lana Del Rey giddies up to country, Bon Iver finds the love and Jelly Roll discovers new “Dreams.” Check out all of this week’s picks below:
Lana Del Rey, “Henry, Come On”
“All these country singers / And their lonely rides to Houston / Doesn’t really make for the best / You know, settle-down type,” Lana Del Rey concludes on “Henry, Come On,” a poignant reflection on the dissolution of a romance with plenty of Southern iconography that would fit into the singer-songwriter’s long-teased country album; the song is more swaying ballad than Nashville anthem, but Del Rey sounds magnificent over the finger-picked acoustic guitar as she presents her spin on the country heartbreak standard.
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Bon Iver, SABLE, fABLE
We’ve come a long way from the desolate cabin of For Emma, Forever Ago with Bon Iver, as band mastermind Justin Vernon has preceded the release of long-awaited new album SABLE, fABLE with a press campaign detailing his newfound happiness — and the album does indeed radiate a new type of warmth for the singer-songwriter, whose recent collaborations with Taylor Swift have expanded his profile but whose joy is captured here in quiet, contained bursts.
Jelly Roll, “Dreams Don’t Die”
Jelly Roll is making his acting debut on the CBS hit Fire Country, and to mark the occasion, the country superstar dropped a new single: “Dreams Don’t Die” functions as the type of lump-in-throat croon-along that Jelly Roll has excelled at in the past, motivating the listener to reach for their long-held goals (regardless of whether or not they involve primetime dramas).
Shaboozey & Myles Smith, “Blink Twice”
Shaboozey has announced the upcoming release of the “complete” version of his 2024 album Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going — a different way of describing a deluxe edition, but an apropos one, considering that the original album came out before “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” had grown into a record-setting smash. “Blink Twice” gives Shaboozey the opportunity to iterate on his sonic and personal success, while also roping in Myles Smith, the singer-songwriter who had a breakout hit of his own with “Stargazing.”
Cynthia Erivo, “Worst of Me”
The time is right for a high-profile Cynthia Erivo album: after Wicked gave her multiple talents a gigantic platform, “Worst of Me,” which previews the June full-length I Forgive You, presents her vocal theatrics in front of cinematic rhythmic pop, her voice spinning down through the verses before defying gravity on the high-powered chorus.
Rauw Alejandro, “Carita Linda”
“Carita Linda” and its accompanying music video may be a heartfelt tribute to Puerto Rico, but the graceful single finds Rauw Alejandro looking outward and finding new musical territory to cover — as his first release since Cosa Nuestra, and arriving at a moment in which Alejandro is performing his first tour with a live band, “Carita Linda” is the sound of a star admirably widening his aesthetic.
Rema, “Bout U”
After releasing “Baby (Is It a Crime),” which featured an affecting Sade sample, earlier this year, Rema has offered a follow-up that sounds more ready-made for a packed Coachella set this weekend: “Bout U” gives the Nigerian star a playful dance atmosphere and lets him wander around, tossing out vocal runs and flirtations as the production glides forward.
Editor’s Pick: Jessie Murph, “Blue Strips”
At the age of 20, Jessie Murph has already hopscotched through multiple genres while always sounding confident in her approach and effortlessly mining interesting lyrical territory; “Blue Strips,” which quickly follows last week’s “Gucci Mane,” starts out as a vocals-only showcase, then segues to a piano ballad before pivoting to a combustible head-knocker just 30 seconds in, but Murph’s voice prevents whiplash, and remains compelling throughout the exercise.
Billboard’s Friday Music Guide serves as a handy guide to this Friday’s most essential releases — the key music that everyone will be talking about today, and that will be dominating playlists this weekend and beyond.
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This week, Miley Cyrus seeks friends for “End of the World,” Ed Sheeran goes global and ENHYPEN drop their first single of the year. Check out all of this week’s picks below:
Miley Cyrus, “End of the World”
The three songs that Miley Cyrus has released this week, culminating in sparkling new single “End of the World,” have included members of indie darlings like Alvvays, The War on Drugs and Model/Actriz in the liner notes — but instead of Cyrus pivoting to the Pitchfork set, she has synthesized their attributes for her most effervescent collection of songs in years, with “End of the World” sounding primed to shimmer on top 40 radio and stoking anticipation for the upcoming album of the same name.
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Ed Sheeran, “Azizam”
Place the wistful, finger-picked melancholy of – (Minus) and Autumn Variations squarely in the past: Ed Sheeran is back to crafting stadium-sized anthems, and with “Azizam,” a relentlessly catchy mash-up of the singer-songwriter’s Irish folk sing-along instincts and Persian pop production, Sheeran has kicked off his next era with global ambitions.
Elton John and Brandi Carlile, Who Believes in Angels?
“My ambition for her with this album was to break her internationally,” Elton John told Billboard recently about working with Brandi Carlile on Who Believes in Angels?, a rollicking rock project that pushes Carlile out of her Americana sound and towards more mass-appeal songwriting; the pair play off each other well, and the project could indeed open new doors for the Grammy winner.
ENHYPEN, “Loose”
ENHYPEN’s first new music of 2025 is a throwback to boy band days of yore: “Loose” carries a funky groove and boasts plenty of high-falsetto harmonies, with moments that recall classic Motown but the K-pop group steeping the single in modern sensibilities. “Loose” will thrill ENHYPEN diehards, but there’s plenty of crossover potential with this one.
Sexyy Red, “Hoochie Coochie”
With one minute remaining on a two-and-a-half minute track, Sexyy Red sits back and lets the ominous piano line rock for a few seconds, before tossing out some ad-libs and returning to the chorus; that’s how efficient she is on the raunchy, riotous “Hoochie Coochie,” dressing down her competition so thoroughly in the first half of the new single that she can take a break to shine midway through.
Djo, The Crux
While Joe Keery’s musical project scored a viral smash last year with “End of Beginning,” Djo is a long-term investment that’s already paying dividends: new album The Crux stretches its creative ambition outward, as Keery tinkers with alt-pop idiosyncrasies, makes room for moments of hushed beauty, and upends anyone pigeonholing him into one song, sound or medium.
Lainey Wilson, “Bell Bottoms Up”
“Bell Bottoms Up” is already a set highlight on Lainey Wilson’s tour in support of last year’s Whirlwind album, and the studio version of the single captures its live energy, with the rising country star declaring, “I’m fillin’ up these jeans like I do my cup / Throwback, throw down, bell bottoms up!” before a heel-kicking guitar solo crashes in.
Editor’s Pick: Scowl, Are We All Angels
The tension between pop bliss and hardcore rage makes Scowl’s new album, Are We All Angels, an immediately intoxicating listen — the way that the Santa Cruz band construct songs on their Dead Oceans debut, the next scream or hook is always lurking around the corner, but band leader Kat Moss serves as the connective tissue between Scowl’s two modes and achieves a true breakthrough.
Billboard’s Friday Music Guide serves as a handy guide to this Friday’s most essential releases — the key music that everyone will be talking about today, and that will be dominating playlists this weekend and beyond.
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This week, Ariana Grande’s Eternal Sunshine gets brighter, Lil Durk shares his story and Selena Gomez finally releases a fan favorite. Check out all of this week’s picks below:
Ariana Grande, Eternal Sunshine Deluxe: Brighter Days Ahead
While Ariana Grande’s Eternal Sunshine album already feels like ages ago — thanks in part to a wildly successful Wicked campaign, which netted the pop superstar an Oscar nod — this deluxe edition not only adds six new top-notch cuts to her most recent full-length, but also serves as a reason to revisit one of Ari’s most accomplished artistic statements, one year later.
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Lil Durk, Deep Thoughts
Lil Durk’s ninth studio album exists in a singular context from the rest of his catalog, as the Chicago rap star is currently in prison and awaiting trial while facing murder-for-hire charges, but Deep Thoughts turns that uncertainty into a compelling listen, with Future, Lil Baby and Jhene Aiko all stopping by to support Durk as he works through his fears and doubts behind bars.
Selena Gomez, “Stained”
One week after she and fiancé Benny Blanco unveiled their collaborative album I Said I Love You First, Selena Gomez has given fans a thank-you gift with the studio version of “Stained,” a smoky standout that originally leaked in 2017 during an exciting creative run and, with its echoing harmonies and trap drums swirling around Gomez’s haunted words, still sounds fresh today.
Lucy Dacus, Forever is a Feeling
Lucy Dacus’ personal and professional circumstances have changed since her last full-length — she’s signed to a major label, the success of Boygenius has greatly elevated her profile, and she recently confirmed a relationship with Julien Baker, which serves as the basis of her new album’s romantic slant — but her distinct songwriting flair remains intact, and helps connect Forever is a Feeling to the rest of her oeuvre.
Playboi Carti, Music – Sorry 4 Da Wait
After flooding the Hot 100 with all 30 tracks from his long-awaited new album Music, Playboi Carti has tossed four new songs onto the project as a means of apologizing to fans for the prolonged gap between Whole Lotta Red and its follow-up; the final song, “FOMDJ,” is a tough-as-nails highlight, with the type of juxtaposition between crunchy production and elastic flow that Carti often embraces.
Linkin Park, “Up From the Bottom”
If From Zero, the rock group’s first album in seven years and Emily Armstrong’s debut as co-vocalist, represented a band working towards a new identity last year, the pulse-pounding “Up From the Bottom” may hint at the sound Linkin Park will explore more deeply in the future, as a punk anthem with coiled energy and more natural interplay between Armstrong and Mike Shinoda.
Feid feat. Ty Dolla $ign, “DALLAX”
The flip phones and cassette players featured in the music video to “DALLAX” are not the only retro components to Feid and Ty Dolla $ign’s new collaboration: as the reggaetón and R&B veteran bounce off each other, their styles blend into a sound that harkens back to the rhythmic pop of the turn of the century, with modern flourishes but a nostalgic foundation.
Mumford & Sons, Rushmere
At a moment when folk-rock is back in vogue, Mumford & Sons, perhaps the movement’s biggest breakthrough act in the early 2010s, has returned with an album that gestures toward the band’s past while not abiding by its boundaries. Rushmere is a free-wheeling rock affair that builds upon the confidence that Marcus Mumford demonstrated on his 2022 self-titled solo album.
Jessie Reyez, Paid in Memories
Paid in Memories is the sprawling project that Jessie Reyez has been working towards her entire career, with the singer-songwriter no longer reducing her aesthetic to chase success, writing about her experiences with heightened vulnerability and ultimately producing the best songs of her career. “NYB,” “BEGGIN 4 LUV” and the 6lack team-up “6LESSINGS” are immediate highlights.
Editor’s Pick: Free Range, Lost & Found
As Free Range, Chicago-based singer-songwriter Sofia Jensen writes songs that linger in the air and rattle in your brain long after they’ve dissipated. Lost & Found, their follow-up to 2023’s Practice, contains breathtaking beauty made out of very few production tricks — a testament to Jensen’s disarming delivery, as they yearn for connection and let their voice crack over straightforward yet effective arrangements.
Billboard’s Friday Music Guide serves as a handy guide to this Friday’s most essential releases — the key music that everyone will be talking about today, and that will be dominating playlists this weekend and beyond.
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This week, Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco hoist up their love, Jack Harlow and Doja Cat have a blast collaborating, and J-Hope keeps pushing forward. Check out all of this week’s picks below:
Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco, I Said I Love You First
I Said I Love You First is a creative collaboration between two halves of a shared heart, and Benny Blanco’s sonic influence exists in direct conversation with Selena Gomez’s lyrical delivery. There’s a reason why the album artwork is a glimpse of Gomez and Blanco through a keyhole — I Said I Love You First is presented as an intimate glimpse, not big-budget spectacle. Read the full review here.
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Jack Harlow feat. Doja Cat, “Just Us”
Part of the reason why Jack Harlow and Doja Cat were able to corral top talent like Matt Damon, John Mayer and PinkPantheress for the music video to “Just Us” is because they’re both top talent themselves; their new collaboration crackles with the energy of A-listers who can toss out hooks and sexual innuendos with ease, because they’ve done so plenty of times before.
J-Hope, “Mona Lisa”
J-Hope is getting more adept at finding the intersection between pop, hip-hop and R&B: new solo single “Mona Lisa” finds the BTS star melding genres with ease, dipping into his falsetto, tossing out some whoa-oa-oa’s to punctuate his passion and offering a breezy check-in that will fit right in on summer playlists.
Morgan Wallen, “I’m a Little Crazy” & “Just in Case”
To cap off the week in which he unveiled the May release date of his album I’m the Problem, Morgan Wallen released a pair of new songs that will make its 37-song (!) track list: “I’m a Little Crazy” allows the country superstar to waxing poetic about his place in the world, “Just in Case” grows into an earnest anthem, and both tracks feature Wallen’s voice dominating the mix.
Jonas Brothers, “Love Me to Heaven”
With the Jonas Brothers kicking off their 20th anniversary tour in North America, the boys decided to cook up something new to commemorate the occasion, and “Love Me to Heaven” sounds tailor-made for the stage, a zippy pop-rock sing-along complete with falsetto runs and backing vocals that will sound even better when sung by a crowd of thousands.
Editor’s Pick: Japanese Breakfast, For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women)
If 2021’s Jubilee turned Michelle Zauner into an indie-pop star, the long-awaited follow-up For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women) is the sound of the singer-songwriter settling in to the spotlight without sacrificing any of her songwriting nuance. The new album explores moodier territory, but refracts the melancholy through Zauner’s ever-engaging lens, her voice more self-assured and trustworthy than ever.