friday music guide
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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, Lady Gaga puts on her Joker makeup, The Weeknd joins forces with Playboi Carti and Stevie Nicks meets the moment. Check out all of this week’s picks below:
Lady Gaga, Harlequin
Although Harlequin is not exactly a new Lady Gaga album — the 13-song project is largely a mix of covered show tunes and rearrangements that serves as a companion piece to next week’s big-budget film sequel Joker: Folie à Deux — the original track “Happy Mistake,” a breathtaking ballad in the same sonic universe as Gaga’s A Star is Born work, more than justifies this stopgap before the next official full-length.
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The Weeknd with Playboi Carti, “Timeless”
Two weeks after The Weeknd and Playboi Carti separately returned with highly anticipated solo tracks “Dancing in the Flames” and “All Red,” respectively, the pair of A-listers have linked up on “Timeless,” which will appear on The Weeknd’s upcoming album Hurry Up Tomorrow but pushes the superstar more towards Carti’s synth-heavy futuristic rap, courtesy in part of co-producer Pharrell Williams.
Stevie Nicks, “The Lighthouse”
Stevie Nicks wrote new single “The Lighthouse” following the overturning of Roe v. Wade last year, but the legendary singer’s voice resonates regardless of the historical context, as she sings, “I have my scars, you have yours / Don’t let them take your power.”
Tommy Richman, Coyote
Tommy Richman could have coasted on new-school R&B bangers like “Million Dollar Baby” and “Devil is a Lie” through the rest of 2024; instead, debut album Coyote (which stunningly contains neither of his first two hits on its track list) is decidedly a more bold affair, refracting funk, synth-pop, New Jack Swing and hip-hop through the lens of Richman’s singular croon.
Rosalía feat. Ralphie Choo, “Omega”
While a fair share of Rosalía’s fantastic 2022 project MOTOMAMI boasted combustible rhythms and dance hooks, “Omega,” a new team-up with Ralphie Choo, serves as a potent reminder of the singer’s vocal might, with handclaps floating her melisma here and each syllable of the chorus delivered with piercing emotion.
Luke Bryan, Mind of a Country Boy
A press release for Luke Bryan’s album describes Mind of a Country Boy as “the culmination of a career spent studying songs and living the hunting, fishing, and loving everyday lifestyle he sings about”; indeed, there’s an authenticity intrinsic to Bryan’s latest that separates the longtime star from his country brethren, particularly on tracks like “Kansas” and “Country On.”
The Cure, “Alone”
The Cure’s first new song in 16 years is essentially a best-case scenario for longtime fans of the all-time greats: “Alone” is a gorgeous, nearly 7-minute rock epic, with a sweepingly mournful arrangement and Robert Smith sounding like he never stepped away from the recording studio.
Linkin Park, “Heavy is the Crown”
If “The Emptiness Machine” reasserted Linkin Park’s rock-solid songwriting and introduced new co-vocalist Emily Armstrong into the mix, follow-up “Heavy is the Crown” fully unleashes the newly reformed band, recalling the bruising rap-rock of “Faint” and “Bleed It Out” while allowing Armstrong to unveil her own extended scream.
Editor’s Pick: SOPHIE, SOPHIE
In her too-brief time in the spotlight, SOPHIE reconstructed the very fabric of dance and electronic music with a singular verve and boundless talent; SOPHIE, a bittersweet posthumous album which her family helped cross the finish line, honors her brilliance with wondrous moments that recall her career peaks, and glimpses of what could have been.
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, Future continues his victory lap, Katy Perry dives deep into her pop bag and Bad Bunny salutes his home. Check out all of this week’s picks below:
Future, Mixtape Pluto
It’s been eight years since Future, once an absolute titan of the mixtape game, dropped an unofficial solo project, and Mixtape Pluto harkens back to the glory days of Monster and Beast Mode — 17 feature-less tracks of the superstar croon-rapping, sharpening his sword after a pair of collaborative albums with Metro Boomin kept him on top earlier this year.
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Katy Perry, 143
Katy Perry’s recent singles have invited plenty of chatter regarding their studio collaborators and chart prospects, but at its core, new album 143 isn’t concerned with critique or commercial expectation — this is a celebratory pop album, Perry’s first since becoming a mother, and guests like Kim Petras, 21 Savage and Doechii help the singer return to her candy-coated sound.
Bad Bunny, “Una Velita”
The devastation of Hurricane María, which made landfall on Puerto Rico in 2017, is not forgotten by Bad Bunny, as the superstar uses new single “Una Velita” to process his feelings, celebrate his home country, criticize those that did not do enough and reflect on the future as the bass steadily bumps beneath him.
Jamie xx, In Waves
Robyn, The Avalanches, Panda Bear, his own The xx compatriots — the guest list for Jamie xx’s sprawling new album In Waves resembles a round-up of Pitchfork-approved artists from the 2000s, but the full-length bursts with the same dance vibrancy as In Colour, with the producer simply providing more grooves for a new decade.
Keith Urban, High
A country veteran like Keith Urban is always going to try and locate a balance between providing more anthems for his live audiences and mining more personal anecdotes to reveal new parts of himself; High does an admirable job of walking that tightrope, with songs that stretch outward and others that share new details of a life in the spotlight.
Bon Iver, “S P E Y S I D E”
As fall officially kicks off this weekend, Bon Iver is back to provide some mournful falsetto and gentle guitar strums for the brisk weather: “S P E Y S I D E,” the first of three new songs Justin Vernon is releasing as a new EP next month, combines the sparse intimacy of For Emma, Forever Ago with the clarity of his more recent productions, and lands an affecting, autumn-ready blow.
4batz feat. Lil Baby, “Roll Da Dice”
After receiving a Drake co-sign with his breakout hit “Act ii: Date @ 8,” 4batz has corralled Lil Baby into his R&B-trap fusion on “Roll Da Dice,” which seamlessly blends both artists’ respective styles into a hazy single about pursuing love and the passion that sparks when it’s discovered.
Editor’s Pick: Gwen Stefani, “Somebody Else’s”
The cowboy hat that Gwen Stefani sports on the cover of upcoming solo album Bouquet suggested a pivot towards Nashville, but new single “Somebody Else’s” actually nods back to No Doubt’s brand of new wave and radio-ready pop, with Stefani leaning into the rollicking guitar as she sings about lost romance with spunk and spirit (“Now that you’re dead to me / I feel so alive!”).
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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See latest videos, charts and news
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This week, The Weeknd brings us back to the dance floor, Playboi Carti is still seeing red, and Charli xcx extends Brat Summer. Check out all of this week’s picks below:
The Weeknd, “Dancing in the Flames”
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The Weeknd triumphantly returns with “Dancing in the Flames,” the first single from forthcoming album Hurry Up Tomorrow, that continues the synth-pop fantasia of Dawn FM but offers an even meatier chorus and more vocal fragility; it’s a big swing that would work well in an ‘80s radio block or any collection of modern streaming hits.
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Playboi Carti, “All Red”
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The hip-hop world has been eagerly awaiting Playboi Carti’s next album, and the release of “All Red” not only suggests that the follow-up to Whole Lotta Red is right around the corner (and a thematic continuation, natch), but that the MC is as locked-in as ever, as he tosses out catchphrases and ad-libs over a combustible beat.
Charli xcx feat. Troye Sivan, “Talk Talk” remix
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We may be past Labor Day and beyond the glories of Brat Summer, but Charli xcx is not done gifting us compelling remixes to her lauded full-length — this time, her pal and tour partner Troye Sivan offers perfect balance on a new version of “Talk Talk,” with his soulful tone complementing Charli’s elastic bounce amidst the song’s constant motion.
Tate McRae, “It’s ok I’m ok”
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Continuing a breakthrough year in which she’s been able to show off pinpoint choreography and smashing hooks, Tate McRae positions new single “It’s ok I’m ok” as a collection of breathless melodies that work well for dance routines; we’re hearing a pop singer find her sound and style in real time.
Miranda Lambert, Postcards From Texas
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For her first album with new label partners Republic and Big Loud — and since entering her forties — Miranda Lambert returns to her roots on Postcards From Texas, with one of country music’s smartest storytellers utilizing her home state as inspiration for stories of singular characters, post-betrayal revenge and women who are underestimated while being experts in their craft.
Katy Perry feat. Doechii, “I’m His, He’s Mine”
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One week before unveiling new album 143 and a few days after her Video Vanguard showcase at the MTV VMAs, Katy Perry is lending some of her pop prowess to rising star Doechii on “I’m His, He’s Mine,” who in turn injects the track with ample amounts of confidence, as they play a pair of queens who can beguile any stray man.
Shawn Mendes, “Nobody Knows”
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In his rustic return, Shawn Mendes has shrugged off pop bombast in favor of guitar strums and unguarded vocals — and “Nobody Knows,” a swaying new anthem that allows Mendes’ upper register to hoot, holler and fully bloom, sounds like the most naturally rendered track released so far from his upcoming album.
Editor’s Pick: FKA Twigs, “Eusexua”
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Like most of FKA Twigs’ hypnotic tunes, “Eusexua,” the title track from her next album, juxtaposes the gentle contours of Twigs’ voice with jarring production elements — this time, skittering beats that grow and threaten to burst before congealing into a dance-floor throb, then unexpectedly evaporating. Breathtaking and accessible, “Eusexua” is a dazzling return from a one-of-a-kind creator.
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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See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
This week, Linkin Park is back with a new frontwoman, Halsey suffers a hard-earned ego death, A$AP Rocky is swagged out on his way to church, Camila Cabello makes a return trip to Magic City and much more. Check out all of this week’s picks below.
Linkin Park, “The Emptiness Machine”
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Yes, Linkin Park are back — with a new tour, a new singer, and a new single, “The Emptiness Machine.” You can read all about the story behind their remarkable comeback here, including how they connected with frontwoman Emily Armstrong of Dead Sara, and you can hear the first sounds of the partnership now with the hard-charging “Machine.” If longtime fans were worried the band’s new lineup would feel too far removed from their classic sound, they should be pretty easily won over by the time of the new song’s chorus, which could not feel more textbook LP as Armstrong belts: “Let you cut me open just to watch me bleed/ Gave up who I am for who you wanted me to be/ Don’t know why I’m hopin’ for what I won’t receive/ Fallin’ for the promise of the emptiness machine.”
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Halsey, “Ego”
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With an October 25 release date now set for her The Great Impersonator album, Halsey is giving fans at least one more advance taste of the new LP with this week’s “Ego.” The dizzying pop-rock blast is absolutely prime Halsey, a lyrically frenetic plea to “go back to the beginning, when it all felt right… didn’t give a f–k if I was winning,” with a brutal refrain admitting “I’m really not as happy as I seem… I’m really not that happy being me.” It’s a welcome reminder that 10 years into their career, Halsey remains one of the most vital songwriters and performers in either pop or rock.
Megan Thee Stallion feat. RM, “Neva Play”
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Following the exciting LP releases from both earlier this year — Right Place, Wrong Time in May and Megan in June — RM and Megan Thee Stallion link up for the first time this week for the one-off “Neva Play.” The song’s speeding-up geiger counter of a beat prompts both artists to keep coming harder, as Megan spits “Money talks, and it’s my first language,” and RM meets her with “We just bossin’, pour out the sauces in the face of the big bosses.” The all-star collab has an anime-inspired music video, because of course it does.
A$AP Rocky feat. J. Cole, “Ruby Rosary”
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The slow drip of new songs from A$AP Rocky’s upcoming Don’t Be Dumb continues with the slow piano creep of the Alchemist-produced “Ruby Rosary,” with the rapper spitting about his jewel-encrusted religious necklace and generally phenomenal swag (“They ain’t seen drip like this since Rick the Ruler”). Last year’s assist king J. Cole also comes through for a guest verse, but don’t ask him for him to repeat his previous highlights: “When they ask for the old you, ignore ’em,” he advises. “Goin’ backwards is borin’, b–ch, and I’m not Michael Jordan, I don’t do the retro.”
Camila Cabello, C,XOXO – Magic City Edition
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Camila Cabello released fourth solo album C,XOXO back in June to somewhat mixed critical and commercial reaction — though even its biggest critics would have to admit the album was pretty interesting, if nothing else. It’s even more fascinating now in its extended Magic City Edition reissue, which tacks on four new songs, including the pulse-racing “Baby Pink,” the frisky “Can Friends Kiss?” and the thundering now-closer “Godspeed.” These new pieces don’t necessarily make the C,XOXO puzzle feel complete, but they do make the final image even more sprawling, weird and beautiful.
Fred again.., Ten Days
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Prolific U.K. dance sensation Fred again.. released three installments in his Actual Life LP series in about an 18-month period over 2021 and 2022, but it’s been almost two years now since his latest full-length. The (very minor) drought is now over with this week’s release of Ten Days, with a loaded guest list featuring Sampha, The Japanese House, Anderson .Paak, country legend Emmylou Harris and of course, supertrio producer buds Skrillex and Four Tet. Like Fred’s previous albums, it’s a huge album built around small moments, like Irish singer-songwriter SOAK admitting of a revelatory romantic experience, “I remember thinking to myself… don’t you dare get used to this,” on early highlight “Just Stand There,” or the producer himself singing “You’re further away now than you used to be/ But darling I saw you and you saw me” on album centerpiece “I Saw You.”
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, Big Sean puts in the work, A$AP Rocky has a gift for fans and Muni Long is back with more R&B gems. Check out all of this week’s picks below:
Big Sean, Better Me Than You
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“Back to the basics, back to the work,” Big Sean raps in the opening minutes of his new album Better Me Than You — and the Detroit star’s first album since 2020 indeed carries a sense of head-down purpose, with guest artists like Gunna, Syd, Kodak Black and Bryson Tiller lending a hand as Sean carries the torch of no-frills hip-hop.
A$AP Rocky, “Tailor Swif”
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A previously leaked track that A$AP Rocky has properly released as a gift to fans, “Tailor Swif” finds the rapper quickly jumping between come-up stories and double-entendre boasting: “Even when I was po’, I was out here, eatin’ goats,” he spits, as the flute-laden production urges him to keep going.
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Muni Long, Revenge
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After waiting many years for her solo moment, then achieving it with the top 20 smash “Hrs & Hrs,” Muni Long has happily returned sooner than later with Revenge, which follows 2022’s Public Displays of Affection: The Album as another R&B songwriting showcase, highlighted by the electric recent hit “Made For Me.”
Tommy Richman, “Thought You Were the One”
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After “Million Dollar Baby” zoomed into the top 10 of the Hot 100 and “Devil is a Lie” continued his upward trajectory, Tommy Richman shows off his vulnerable side on “Thought You Were the One,” which molds his new jack swing riffing and falsetto croon into a more heartbroken pose.
Zedd, Telos
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When you revive Jeff Buckley’s “Dream Brother” for a dance remix, you know you are taking some big swings — and Zedd, the veteran EDM star who has scored hits by taking chances in the pop world, spends new album Telos pushing his style into intriguing new territories as a wide smattering of guests (Muse! Dora Jar! John Mayer!) swing by to help.
Noah Kahan, Live From Fenway Park
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At long last, Noah Kahan has left the road after spending multiple years gradually growing his fan base and venue size — but before wrapping up a tour that eventually made him a stadium headliner, the singer-songwriter recorded Live From Fenway Park, a live album that captures Kahan beaming through his catalog at the hometown gig.
Victoria Monét & Usher, “SOS (Sex on Sight)”
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Continuing a fruitful year in which Victoria Monét won the best new artist Grammy and Usher headlined the Super Bowl halftime show, “SOS (Sex on Sight)” allows both artists to warble about desire and showcase their abilities as master collaborators — some of their strongest respective work has been alongside other artists, and “SOS” is another winning team-up.
Editor’s Pick: Fireboy DML, Adedamola
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For casual fans who only know Nigerian singer-songwriter Fireboy DML’s global smash “Peru,” new album Adedamola is both a sumptuous listen and personal new entry into his discography, building upon his global success with anecdotes about his journey and engrossing relationship musings; this album simmers, and never loses your attention.
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, Sabrina Carpenter releases her new full-but-not-too-full-length, Lainey Wilson captures two years’ worth of career hubbub on her latest LP, Coldplay leads a global All-Star prayer circle and much more.
Sabrina Carpenter, Short n’ Sweet
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The wait is over: Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet is here, on the backs of the consecutive smashes “Espresso” and “Please Please Please,” with 10 additional pop confections. Those range from the delectable obvious third single “Taste” to the rollicking acoustic betrayal of “Coincidence” to the frisky soft ’80s pop-funk of “Bed Chem.” For fans hoping for a coherent mix of the hooky confidence and slinky seductiveness of Carpenter’s latest singles with the clever detail and revealing lyrics of Emails I Can’t Send should have no complaints about Short n’ Sweet — outside of the brevity, anyway.
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Lainey Wilson, Whirlwind
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“Whirlwind” is the too-appropriate title to summarize Lainey Wilson’s career since 2022 breakthrough LP Bell Bottom Country, with the past two years being a blur of hits, gigs, cameos and accolades for the always-rising singer-songwriter. The mania has most recently led to her fourth studio album, in which she sounds more self-assured than ever on tracks like the strutting victory lap “Country’s Cool Again,” the Jerry Reed-inspired kiss-off “Ring Finger” and the rip-roaring lead single “Hang Tight Honey.” But she allows she probably won’t be able to do it forever, pleading “I can’t keep trying to keep up with Jones” on the album’s George Jones-referencing opening track.
Coldplay, Little Simz, Burna Boy, Elyana & TINI, “We Pray”
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Few would expect Chris Martin & Co. to lead off a New Music Friday single featuring an All-Star global cast of singers and rappers — but Coldplay have extended their pop-rock superstardom into its third decade largely due to their willingness to embrace younger artists and new sounds. So it’s not exactly shocking — and decently rousing — to hear Martin belting “We’ll be singing, Baraye!” over a booming Max Martin-co-produced beat as voices from around the world support him in hoping for simpler and safer times. “We Pray” will be featured on the band’s upcoming Mood Music album, due in October.
Central Cee, “Billion Streams Freestyle” & “Bolide Noir”
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“Said that my b–ch was gay, got a billion streams,” U.K. rapper Central Cee boasts about his breakthrough hit “Doja” apparently passing the 10-digit mark in online plays. The hitmaking MC, whose takeover continues to make its way across the pond, releases two new songs this week to celebrate his achievement, both the gleeful “Freestyle” and the more downbeat “Bolide Noir,” featuring Paris rapper JRK 19, in which a bleary-eyed Cench raps, “When you’ve been through all the things that I have/ Everything else is a walk in the park.” Another rewarding release from one of the decade’s most exciting new rappers.
Mk.gee, “Lonely Fight”
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In a year of major pop breakthroughs, bubbling up below the surface has been singer/songwriter Mk.gee, whose acclaimed debut album of emotional, intimate guitar ballads Two Star & The Dream Police has already earned him a fairly devoted cult following. That album only came out half a year ago, but the artist born Mike Gordon is already back with a new song: the gorgeous “Lonely Fight,” another transmission of aching guitar and warm fretless bass tied together by Gordon’s evocative but open-ended crooning. If you haven’t gotten on the bandwagon yet, be sure to hop on before LP2.
New Radicals, “Murder on the Dancefloor” & “Lost Stars”
The New Radicals hadn’t released any new music since their cult classic 1998 debut LP Maybe You’ve Been Brainwashed Too spawned one of the most enduring pop-rock gems of its era, the recently DNC-featured “You Get What You Give.” Last night, however, they debuted two quasi-new songs, along with an open letter to Kamala Harris’ “super fan” husband Doug Emhoff, and a stated hope “to rally the cause of democracy and encourage all artists to get out the vote.” The “quasi” is due to both of the songs being covers of originals already penned by frontman Gregg Alexander — Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s Saltburn-revived “Murder on the Dancefloor” and “Lost Stars” from the 2013 film Begin Again — so not quite enough to raise hopes for any kind of full Brainwashed sequel, but long-Radicalized fans will still undoubtedly be very grateful for the new releases.
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, Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars link up for a surefire hit, Post Malone tries on a cowboy hat and LISA brings in a friend for a pop banger. Check out all of this week’s picks below:
Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars, “Die With a Smile”
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The superstar collaboration “Die With a Smile” apparently came together when Bruno Mars invited Lady Gaga over to his studio one night, played her the bones of the track, and the two stayed up until dawn finishing it; that backstory is befitting of an epic duet about not wasting the finite time we all have, as Gaga and Mars let their melodies ricochet off of Andrew Watt’s guitar snarl.
Post Malone, F-1 Trillion
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Posty may have brought in Nashville’s varsity squad to help him craft his debut country project — Tim McGraw, Morgan Wallen, Blake Shelton, Dolly Parton and Hank Williams Jr. all appear on F-1 Trillion, and that’s just the first five tracks! — yet the pop-rap polymath is also a songwriting savant, and knows precisely how to translate his storytelling into a new form.
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LISA feat. Rosalía, “New Woman”
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After launching her new solo era with “Rockstar,” Blackpink’s LISA has summoned more firepower for “New Woman,” a multi-lingual electro-pop track featuring Rosalía oozing charisma, sleek production courtesy of Max Martin and Ilya, and ample room for LISA to showcase her attitude and spirit.
Tinashe, Quantum Baby
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Tinashe may have recently revived her mainstream fortunes with the viral smash “Nasty,” but she’s been releasing danceable, self-assured R&B for a decade — and Quantum Baby, a sumptuous new 8-song project full of immediately likable beats and flirtations, simply continues the positive momentum.
Grupo Firme & Demi Lovato, “Chula”
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Demi Lovato has a long history of singing in Spanish on her own projects and as a collaborator, and with “Chula,” the pop veteran links up with Grupo Firme to explore the regional Mexican sound that has exploded over the past few years, as well as toss out an anthem that works well in the waning summer days.
Hozier, Unaired
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Continuing a huge year that has included the first Hot 100 chart-topper of his career (“Too Sweet”) and packed arena audiences, Hozier has unveiled Unaired, a three-song EP that toasts the success of his Unreal Unearth album on its one-year anniversary as well as finds a home for the rollicking new soul-rock single “Nobody’s Soldier.”
Halsey, “Lonely is the Muse”
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Although Halsey didn’t work with Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross on new single “Lonely is the Muse,” the spiraling rock track recalls the work that the trio created on 2022’s excellent If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power, with crashing guitars failing to wash away the pop star’s insecurities or blunt her anger.
Benson Boone, “Pretty Slowly”
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“Oh, how come all the best things fall apart?” Benson Boone wonders on “Pretty Slowly,” a stomping folk-rock track that examines a breakup from all angles and allows the singer-songwriter’s falsetto to heighten the drama; after the breakthrough of “Beautiful Things,” Boone may have another hit on his hands here.
Foster The People, Paradise State of Mind
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“Pumped Up Kicks” may forever be their biggest hit, but Foster The People have fashioned an impressive decade-plus run out of the opening provided by their smash single, and Paradise State of Mind, their Atlantic Records debut, is a jaunty mix of disco, rock, psychedelia and retro pop that showcases Mark Foster’s pinpoint songwriting instincts.
Editor’s Pick: Wishy, Triple Seven
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Indianapolis quintet Wishy revel in being unclassifiable, with their songs ranging from anthemic pop-rock to hard-guitar emo to bleary shoegaze — but debut album Triple Seven is so captivating in its shaggy charm and searing hooks that you won’t care which genre lines it does or doesn’t cross.
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, Latto keeps hip-hop fans on their toes, Shawn Mendes returns on his own terms and J Balvin brings a ton of friends to the party. Check out all of this week’s picks below:
Latto, Sugar Honey Iced Tea
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Time and again over the course of her career, Latto has zagged away from expectations, lobbing out pop tracks as an underground star then turning in ferocious verses instead of catering to radio; similarly, new album Sugar Honey Iced Tea abides by Southern rap touchstones but refuses to be pigeonholed, as Latto offers up old-school bars while tinkering with her own image and that of popular hip-hop.
Shawn Mendes, “Why Why Why”
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“I stepped off the stage with nothing left / All the lights were f–king with my head,” Shawn Mendes admits on “Why Why Why,” a highly compelling piece of folk-pop that finds the singer-songwriter vulnerable to the point of sounding haunted, two years removed from cancelling a tour due to mental health purposes — lucky for us, the next line goes, “But here I am, singing songs again.”
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J Balvin, Rayo
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Only four of the 15 tracks on J Balvin’s new album Rayo are solo cuts, with the guest-heavy project boasting visits from Feid, Carin Leon, Zion and Bad Gyal, among many others — yet Balvin never gets overshadowed as he hopscotches across genre exercises, keeping the tempo up and sounding at ease within trap, reggaeton, Mexican and electro-pop compositions.
Katy Perry, “Lifetimes”
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Katy Perry teased “Lifetimes” as a new single aimed at listeners who “want to rave,” and indeed, the follow-up to “Woman’s World” contains a more club-ready thump and outsized hook — but “Lifetimes” also marks the return of Perry’s emotional intensity, with her passion and undying devotion now directed at her daughter, Daisy.
Asake, Lungu Boy
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Nigerian superstar Asake has put in quick work to become one of the biggest Afrobeats artists in the world, and Lungu Boy, his third album in three years, is designed to keep his momentum intact: the Travis Scott team-up “Active” is a deserving mainstream shot that will get plenty of party spins, but the quieter moments on songs like “My Heart” and the Wizkid collaboration “MMS” make for a more well-rounded project.
Ravyn Lenae, Bird’s Eye
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After grabbing hold of R&B diehards on 2022 debut HYPNOS, Ravyn Lenae has honed her approach on Bird’s Eye, which features Childish Gambino and Ty Dolla $ign but is defined by the airiness of Lenae’s melodies — from the excellent opener “Genius” onward, she sounds like a sorceress, conjuring hooks out of the atmosphere around her.
NIKI, Buzz
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88rising breakout NIKI has earned a large following with subtly drawn pop songs that swell up in front of sprawling festival crowds; Buzz, her latest full-length, tweaks her atmospheric approach and drills down on its personal touches, revealing more from the rising star even on instances in which her voice is distorted or evaporating.
Beabadoobee, This is How Tomorrow Moves
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Light years removed from her breakthrough thanks to Powfu’s “Death Bed (Coffee For Your Head),” Beabadoobee continues carving out a singular alt-rock path on third album This is How Tomorrow Moves, with Rick Rubin helming the new full-length and helping streamline the guitar chug and wistful hooks on songs like “California” and “Beaches.”
Oso Oso, Life Till Bones
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Whether he’s working in the emo, indie-rock or pop worlds, Jade Lilitri remains a towering songwriting force — and Life Till Bones, his latest Oso Oso project, may be his finest moment to date, an accessible update to the aesthetic that made 2019’s Basking in the Glow so essential while also reflecting on personal tragedy and the strength that can unexpectedly result from such sorrow.
Editor’s Pick: Amos Lee, Transmissions
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After settling into his skin on 2022’s Dreamland, Amos Lee continues operating in a winning mode — with even more introspection — on Transmissions, a collection of gentle, jazzy Americana-pop amalgamations that include some of Lee’s strongest songwriting to date, particularly the poignant self-examination of “Beautiful Day” and “Carry You On,” a lump-in-throat tribute to a fallen friend.
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, Charli xcx and Billie Eilish take a “Guess” together, Jack White has plenty of new riffs and A$AP Rocky returns with an unexpected guest. Check out all of this week’s picks below:
Charli xcx feat. Billie Eilish, “Guess”
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Charli xcx’s spectacular Brat era continues with a new remix of “Guess,” in which Charli’s sultry delivery is paired with Billie Eilish’s soft-spoken sexual earnestness — the result is an explosive chemical reaction, that should have groups of partygoers shouting out Eilish’s line “Charli likes boys, but she knows I’d hit it” well beyond summertime.
Jack White, No Name
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Do you love the White Stripes, want to explore more of Jack White’s solo oeuvre but aren’t quite sure where to start? No Name, which was recently sneaked out to Third Man Records consumers before arriving on digital, may be White’s sixth album, but most closely resembles his former band’s bluesy garage-rock anthems, and should bring any casual listener up to speed.
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A$AP Rocky feat. Jessica Pratt, “HIGHJACK”
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During a recent chat with Zane Lowe for Apple Music, A$AP Rocky describes how Jessica Pratt’s music “kind of gave me this kind of Portishead meets Stevie Nicks vibe a little bit”; that explains how the hip-hop titan ended up corralling the indie songstress for one of the year’s more unexpected collaborations, on which Rocky’s boisterous flow collapses into Pratt’s gorgeous warbling.
Khalid, Sincere
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Khalid released his debut album, American Teen, a few days after his 19th birthday; now 26, his soothing tone remains intact but has naturally deepened on Sincere, his first full-length in five years and a revealing R&B exploration of heartbreak, fighting for peace and growing up within the music industry’s spotlight.
Jelly Roll, “Liar”
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Between his appearance on Eminem’s latest album, his contribution to the Twisters soundtrack and his John Denver-honoring team-up with mgk, Jelly Roll is on quite the prolific streak — but “Liar,” his first solo single since June’s “I Am Not Okay,” doesn’t dilute his appeal, functioning as a venomous farewell with unsettled guitar strums.
Maren Morris, Intermission
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In the past year alone, Maren Morris announced her decision to leave country music, filed from divorce from singer-songwriter Ryan Hurd and came out as bisexual during Pride month; the highs and lows of her journey are given a five-song snapshot in the form of Intermission, a compelling stopgap on which her fears and flirtations are given a technicolor pop sheen.
Justin Quiles, Permanente
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Puerto Rican hitmaker Justin Quiles wrapped up his visual song trilogy with “Te Perdió” last fall, and has moved on to more quick-hitting jams on Permanente, crafting rumbling hooks and commanding listeners’ attention while rarely allowing his tracks to stretch beyond the two-minute mark.
Jessie Murph feat. Teddy Swims, “Dirty”
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The raw, wounded way that Jessie Murph sings the words “I’ve got no mercy / You don’t deserve me” on her new Teddy Swims team-up “Dirty” allows her hurt to scan as authentic, and her voice powers her through such woe; after scoring hits with Koe Wetzel and Jelly Roll, Murph continues to shine as a collaborator and storyteller.
The Smashing Pumpkins, Aghori Mhori Mei
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There are moments across Aghori Mhori Mei, The Smashing Pumpkins’ thirteenth studio album, that harken back to their mid-‘90s heyday, and those callbacks are purposeful: Billy Corgan, James Iha and Jimmy Chamberlain have simplified their formula after some grander recent experiments, resulting in some refreshingly straightforward rockers.
Editor’s Pick: Kacey Musgraves, Deeper Into the Well
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Five months after its release, Kacey Musgraves’ charming Deeper Well has received a deluxe edition that boasts new collaborations with Leon Bridges and Tiny Habits, as well as “Irish Goodbye,” a wistful kiss-off that’s among the most emotionally resonant moments on the project.
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.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
This week, Ice Spice makes their full-length bow, Post Malone brings in another country superstar, and Halsey nods to Britney and Monica. Check out all of this week’s picks below:
Ice Spice, Y2K!
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Ice Spice’s boisterous personality and no-holds-barred approach to New York drill made her a star in 2023, and this year brings Y2K!, the summation of months of single releases that still congeals into a singular full-length. Travis Scott and Gunna swing by new tracks, but Ice’s solo power on songs like “Papa,” “Plenty Sun” and “TTYL” make Y2K! worth turning up in the back half of the summer.
Post Malone feat. Luke Combs, “Guy For That”
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Post Malone’s chart-topping country music exploration continues with “Guy For That,” a hearty team-up with Luke Combs that leans on both artists’ vocal strength to achieve anthem status; both Posty and Combs are currently promoting bigger hits, and seem to use “Guy For That” to tinker with their respective images and have a down-home blast.
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Halsey, “Lucky”
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Interpolating both Britney Spears’ “Lucky” and Monica’s “Angel of Mine,” Halsey utilizes past hits to tell her own tale of complicated fame and effectively tugging on heartstrings with bare emotion: “And I told everybody I was fine for a whole damn year / And that’s the biggest lie of my career,” she laments.
MGK with Jelly Roll, “Lonely Road”
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The artist formerly known as Machine Gun Kelly has reinvented himself a time or three since launching his career, and a track like “Lonely Road,” which corrals Jelly Roll and puts a modern spin on a John Denver classic with plenty of soaring harmonies and acoustic strums, demonstrates his range while forging yet another new path.
Fuerza Regida, Pero No Te Enamores
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Although “Harley Quinn,” Fuerza Regida’s hit team-up with Marshmello, is not included on the track list to Pero No Te Enamores, the full-length fusion of regional Mexican music and thumping EDM is indebted to that earlier single, with artists like Major Lazer, Afrojack and Gordo swinging by to contribute to the party.
Calvin Harris with Ellie Goulding, “Free”
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Fans of “I Need Your Love,” “Outside” and “Miracle” are going to wrap their arms around “Free,” the latest collaboration between Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding that builds upon their long-standing chemistry and pushes the tempo with a straightforward but powerful catchphrase: “When I’m with you, I’m free,” Goulding declares.
Mustard, Faith of a Mustard Seed
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Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” was momentous enough to both land a knockout blow in a rap feud and revitalize producer Mustard’s mainstream career, and the star-studded Faith of a Mustard Seed, featuring everyone from Travis Scott to Kirk Franklin to Ella Mai (who teams with Roddy Ricch on the “911” rework “One Bad Decision”), functions as an extended, well-earned victory lap.
XG, “Something Ain’t Right”
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The retro bounce of XG’s “Something Ain’t Right” goes beyond feel-good and achieves downright giddiness, as the Japanese girl group preview their forthcoming second mini-album (due out Nov. 8) with a killer hook and ‘90s-indebted production that could feasibly reach a whole new listenership in the U.S.
Central Cee, “gen z luv”
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On the same day that his “Did It First” collaborator Ice Spice unveils her new album, Central Cee has a New Music Friday banger himself: “gen z luv” is a sparse, surprisingly vulnerable tale of social-media-age romance, but the pummeling percussion also makes the song work in a club setting.
Editor’s Pick: Wand, Vertigo
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Over the course of Los Angeles rock group Wand’s decade of activity, frontman Cory Hanson’s vocal affectation has drawn endless comparisons to that of Thom Yorke; with its ambitious, psych-adjacent sprawl, new album Vertigo is great enough to evoke peak Radiohead, and enough of a sonic leap forward to serve as a breakthrough.