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In the midst of her Eras tour, Taylor Swift has announced a handful of new releases related to her current era: the superstar has revealed that “Karma,” a fan favorite from Midnights, would be getting a new remix featuring rising rap star Ice Spice, out this Friday (May 26). Meanwhile, a different version of the Lana Del Rey collaboration “Snow on the Beach” would also be released, as would “You’re Losing Me,” a “vault track” from Midnights — all as part of a new Midnights (Til Dawn Edition) deluxe album.
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“Um. SO much to tell you,” Swift wrote in a message to fans on Wednesday (May 24). “I’m a massive fan of this brilliant artist and after getting to know her I can confirm: she is THE ONE to watch. So delighted to say that Karma Featuring the incredible @icespice will be out TOMORROW night at MIDNIGHT ET as a part of the new Midnights (Til Dawn Edition) deluxe album that you can pre-order now at store.taylorswift.com!
“In addition to Karma Ft Ice Spice…,” Swift continued. “You asked for it, we listened: Lana and I went back into the studio specifically to record more Lana on Snow on the Beach. Love u @honeymoon 🥰😆☺️.”
“Karma” originally debuted at No. 9 on the Hot 100 chart upon the October 2022 release of Midnights, and was among the tracks that helped Swift become the first artist in Hot 100 history to dominate the chart’s entire top 10 in one week. Swift has been closing out her Eras set lists with “Karma” — which rises three spots to No. 32 on the current Hot 100 — since the stadium tour began in March.
Meanwhile, Ice Spice’s popularity has exploded since she first shot to viral fame with “Munch (Feelin’ U)” last fall. Her debut EP, Like..?, arrived in January on 10K Projects/Capitol, and Ice Spice proceeded to score top 10 smashes on the Hot 100 with the PinkPantheress team-up “Girl’s a Liar Pt. 2” and the Nicki Minaj-assisted remix to her song “Princess Diana.”
“I saw all of my supporters being like, ‘She’s the People’s Princess! She’s Princess Diana!’ ” Ice told Billboard in her recent cover story. “At first, I was confused. I was like, ‘Um, Princess Diana? Out of everybody?’ But [then] I was like, ‘F–k it, she’s iconic.’ ”
“Snow on the Beach” is the lone Midnights track with a featured guest, as Swift and Del Rey worked on the song with their shared frequent collaborator, Jack Antonoff. Midnights is back up to No. 2 on the Billboard 200 in its 30th week on the chart — and as Swift tours the U.S. performing her catalog of hits, nine of her albums chart in the top 40 of the current tally.
“But wait there’s more… for those of you going to the East Rutherford shows – we will have a new special edition CD available ONLY on site starting at 12:30pm ET on Friday!” Swift wrote. “This CD will have a never before heard Midnights vault track called ‘You’re Losing Me’!”
Swift’s Eras tour continues this Friday with three nights at MetLife Stadium outside of New York City in East Rutherford, N.J. In addition to the unexpected Midnights releases, Swifties can also look forward to Speak Now (Taylor’s Version), Swift’s third re-recorded album in her six-song project, set for a July 7 release.
BLACKPINK in your area — and also on your phones. The K-Pop sensations dropped an original mobile game earlier this week, and now, they’ve confirmed that a brand new song is on its way next. In a Thursday (May 18) teaser video on the girl group’s YouTube channel, four animated avatars of bandmates Rosé, Lisa, […]
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, Bad Bunny has a summer banger to offer, Summer Walker checks in between full-lengths, and Post Malone is working at a furious pace. Check out all of this week’s picks below:
Bad Bunny, “Where She Goes”
Bad Bunny is not satisfied with simply dominating one summer: after Un Verano Sin Ti was released last May and proceeded to take the world by storm, the superstar bursts back into view with “Where She Goes,” a new single that, unlike his recent Grupo Frontera team-up “un x100to,” is clearly designed to conjure summertime perspiration. After about 40 seconds of stormy synths and emotional crooning, the clubby percussion kicks in, and Bad Bunny morphs into a master of ceremonies, his energy never flagging even as the tempo of the track shifts around him. Bad Bunny is in a Midas-touch phase of commercial success — but even divorced from the timing of its arrival, “Where She Goes” sounds like a surefire smash, ready to pounce upon the season with hungry melody.
Summer Walker, Clear 2: Soft Life EP
At the beginning of 2019 — a year that would be momentous for Summer Walker, thanks to the October release of her Over It album — the R&B singer-songwriter released and EP, Clear, which would continue the momentum from her Last Day of Summer mixtape and set the parameters of her artistic formula. While fans await the proper follow-up to 2021’s Still Over It, Walker returns with Clear 2: Soft Life, a nine-song stopgap defined by her uncompromising perspective, whether it’s applied to yearning for company (like on the Childish Gambino collaboration “New Type”) or rejecting easy comforts (like on the spectacularly performed “Hardlife”).
Post Malone, “Mourning”
“Got a lot of s–t to say, couldn’t fit it in the chorus,” Post Malone declares at the end of the “Mourning” hook, and he’s correct, even outside of the context of the song: after 2022’s Twelve Carat Toothache marked Posty’s first full-length in three years, he’s already back next month with Austin, his fifth studio album, which was preceded by the single “Chemical.” Unlike that more pop-leaning offering, “Mourning” finds Post Malone operating within singsong rap, yelling at God and refusing to sober up while grappling with the excesses of fame; in this prolific period, the superstar is prodding at his sound and identity, and the results are intoxicating.
Kesha, Gag Order
The reinvention of Kesha’s pop career during her years-long legal battle against Lukasz “Dr. Luke” Gottwald has simultaneously been heartbreaking and revelatory: while the personal trauma that the “TiK ToK” singer has experienced during this time has been incalculable, she has mined the depths of her artistry and come up with wholly impressive sonic explorations like new album Gag Order. This album demands attention: as Kesha embraces throbbing cacophony and tries to make sense of senseless circumstances, her songwriting and vocal technique evolve with zero abandon and riveting results.
Lewis Capaldi, Broken By Desire to Be Heavenly Sent
The list of modern artists not named Adele who can guide heart-wrenching ballads to the billion-stream club is exceedingly short, but Lewis Capaldi, who earned international success with “Someone You Loved” and “Before You Go,” is on it, understanding the cocktail of vulnerable songwriting, tender production and vocal skill needed to affect the tear ducts of global listeners. On Broken By Desire to Be Heavenly Sent, the Scottish singer-songwriter doesn’t rip up the formula that made him a star — instead, he offers more stories that aim to stir, using songs like “Haven’t You Ever Been In Love Before?” and lead single “Forget Me” to reach wide and inspire as many listeners as possible to simply, effortlessly feel.
Kaytraminé, Kaytraminé
The combination of singer-rapper Aminé and production multi-hyphenate Kaytranada not only makes sense on paper as a fusion of two like-minded creatives who have worked well together over the years, but Kaytraminé, the duo’s self-titled debut album, also works brilliantly as a late spring release, primed to soundtrack Memorial Day Weekend hangouts and months of hazy beach days. With guests like Freddie Gibbs, Pharrell Williams and Snoop Dogg stopping by to buttress Aminé’s silky flow and Kaytranada’s luxurious beats, Kaytraminé is a summer essential on the same level of shorts and sunscreen.
Looking for some motivation to help power you through the start of another work week? We feel you, and with some stellar new pop tunes, we’ve got you covered.
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These 10 tracks from artists including Lauren Daigle, Daft Punk, Charlotte Cardin and more will get you energized to take on the week. Pop any of these gems into your personal playlists — or scroll to the end of the post for a custom playlist of our favorite 2023 cool pop songs.
Charlotte Cardin, “Looping”
Montreal singer-songwriter Charlotte Cardin makes the most of a sample of Barbra Streisand’s “The Way We Were,” and her own vocal loops, on a track that turns the phrases that haunt us through mental repetition into a literal refrain. Created with Mr. Hudson, Felix Joseph and Jason Brando, “Looping” fits into the soulful pop tradition that made a mark on top 40 radio near the beginning of the 2010s, but the songwriting makes Cardin’s obsessions sound thoroughly modern. – Jason Lipshutz
Victoria Anthony, “New Disaster”
The title track of Victoria Anthony’s just-released sophomore album captures a delightfully familiar teen-hang scenario: after breaking her best friend’s phone and realizing it’s time to head back to her house, the Vancouver native lingers a little too long with the wrong partner, knowing it’s a mistake but being okay with making it. “New Disaster” speeds ahead with a light pop-punk touch, as Anthony commits to her course of action with youthful energy and plenty of hooks. – J. Lipshutz
Becky Hill & Lewis Thompson, “Side Effects”
A wondrous dance song like “Side Effects” isn’t the least bit surprising when considering Becky Hill’s track record: the UK house mainstay has been scoring hits for nearly a decade, and her voice is pristinely attuned to this type of kinetic energy. Working with British producer Lewis Thompson, Hill wields her power comfortably on “Side Effects”: belting with restraint on the pre-chorus, racing alongside the beat on the hook, and injecting every stray thought about an ex with roof-rattling emotion. – J. Lipshutz
Kamille feat. Nile Rodgers, “Muscle Memory”
Part of the fun of first listening to “Muscle Memory,” the new disco strut from British multi-hyphenate Kamille, is waiting for Nile Rodgers’ main guitar riff to arrive, as if the song waits a bit before reaching another gear of groovy euphoria. Once the legend steps in, “Muscle Memory” really takes off: with Kamille guiding the action and Rodgers supporting her direction, the track invites repeat listens so that you can experience that arrival all over again. – J. Lipshutz
Local Natives, “NYE”
Indie-rock staple Local Natives have returned with “NYE,” the lead single off Time Will Wait For No One and a new balancing act for the band, as its members deliver a characteristically breezy melody with more edge and urgency. Member Ryan Hahn recalled in a statement how the song was inspired by his own wedding, during which the band continued its tradition of performing at one another’s nuptials. Once Hahn’s bandmates started to play a song by The Strokes, “I thought we had to do a fast and wild song — and ‘NYE’ was born.” — Lyndsey Havens
Lauren Daigle, “Ego”
2023 is a major year for Lauren Daigle: fresh off a label deal with Atlantic Records, the Contemporary Christian Music star has now released the first half of her two-volume self-titled album, filled with songs that highlight her brand of personal pop and soulful roots. “Ego” is situated in the sweet spot of Daigle’s register, as she sings in a low and cautionary tone: “Have we lost who we are to the pressure / Trading souls for the sake of the pleasure / I’m done wrestling with my ego / Lord knows it all feels so hollow.” — L.H.
Beverlee, “I Am a Window”
“Don’t have to open all up baby, go slow,” sings Beverlee on new single “I Am a Window.” With its playful rhythms, plinky synths and a recurrent siren, this ode to finding balance in a relationship (which comes with a “lesbian reimagining of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” music video) is an irresistible slice of quirky queer pop, reminiscent of Tune-Yards, from the L.A.-based singer-songwriter. – Joe Lynch
Tucker Nichol, “Long Story Short”
Juxtaposing sensual R&B vibes with blunt lyrical kiss-offs (“to make a long story short, I can’t stand you”), “Long Story Short” finds up-and-comer Tucker Nichol expertly demonstrating that you can move on from a toxic relationship while still feeling yourself. – J. Lynch
Daft Punk feat. Julian Casablancas and The Voidz, “Infinity Repeating”
Daft Punk’s Random Access Memories turns 10 this month, and to celebrate, the defunct French duo released a deluxe edition of the album featuring several demos from the vault — including the Julian Casablancas and The Voidz collaboration, “Infinity Repeating.” While the original version of the album will cause fans to draw comparisons to “Instant Crush,” “Repeating” serves as its jazzier B-side: Casablancas languidly sings over hi-hat drum beats and trinkling synth keys as he reflects on the fickle nature of humans. – Starr Bowenbank
Albert Hammond Jr. feat. Matt Helders and Steve Stevens, “Thoughtful Distress”
Albert Hammond Jr. rolled out the first half of his fifth studio album, Melodies on Hiatus, last week, and of its nine tracks, “Thoughtful Distress,” serves as a delightful surprise. Arctic Monkeys drummer Matt Helders and Billy Idol guitarist Steve Stevens teamed up with The Strokes member on the song, helping to flesh out its simmering yet groovy instrumental as Hammond Jr. plays tug of war with the object of his affection. – S.B.
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, Jonas Brothers are back for more summer fun, Lil Durk and J. Cole turn contemplative, and Shakira tries to continue her hot streak. Check out all of this week’s picks below:
Jonas Brothers, The Album
Happiness Begins was, for all intents and purposes, Jonas Brothers’ comeback album, a wildly successful return in 2019 after a 10-year gap between full-lengths that brought the trio to the top of the Hot 100 for the first time and launched a long-running, mega-selling arena tour. Four years later, The Album smartly does not try to recapture lightning in a bottle: instead of trying to manufacture another “Sucker,” the project moves briskly across shared ideas and throwback musical interests, as songs like “Waffle House,” “Summer Baby” and “Montana Sky” function like retro FM radio offerings stuffed with warm harmonies. The JoBros have little to prove at this point in their careers, and the looseness of The Album seems to telegraph: this is where the real fun begins.
Lil Durk feat. J. Cole, “All My Life”
“All my life, they been trying to keep me down,” a choir of children sings on the new Lil Durk/J. Cole team-up “All My Life,” a nod to the doubt that both rappers faced from hip-hop gatekeepers as they evolved their careers over the past decade-plus. Instead of a straightforward proved-the-haters-wrong anthem, Durk and Cole wisely expand their shared focus on the track, with Durk lamenting the systemic issues that forced him to turn to rap as a form of survival, and Cole sounding haunted by the violence that too often pervades his world.
Shakira, “Acróstico”
Casual fans might regard “Acróstico,” the tender new single from Shakira, as a heat check from the Colombian superstar, considering the monumental success she’s already achieved this year with her Bizarrap collaboration “BZRP Music Sessions, Vol. 53” and Karol G duet “TQG” both hitting the top 10 of the Hot 100. Yet Shakira has spent her entire mastering this sort of piano ballad as powerhouse vocal display: “Acróstico” shimmers with restrained production and technically dazzling emotion, as Shakira follows a pair of ostentatious team-ups with a gorgeously stripped-down solo showcase.
Bailey Zimmerman, Religiously. The Album
Bailey Zimmerman’s Leave the Light On EP, featuring his smash hit “Rock and a Hard Place,” is barely six months old at this point, but considering the commercial breakthrough that the country singer-songwriter has experienced since its release, it’s little surprise that his debut album has promptly arrived in time for summer streaming. Fortunately, Religiously. The Album finds cohesion in Zimmerman’s songwriting: the Illinois native supplements his husky drawl with phrases that cut right to the listener’s core, whether he’s asking rhetorical questions (“Fix’n To Break”), setting a dimly lit scene (“You Don’t Want That Smoke”), or asserting the “broken roads that I’m tryin’ to mend” (“Where It Ends”).
BTS, “The Planet”
A soundtrack single from the action-adventure animated film Bastions, “The Planet” marks a welcome check-in from BTS as the world-conquering K-pop group continues its break from group activities. And while it remains to be seen how much the BTS members can actively promote the new track, “The Planet” sounds like a hit regardless of the marketing plan: a snappy electro-pop track with a pogoing beat and playful vocal performances from all of the members, the song contains the hooks and tempo to highlight several summer playlists.
Lauren Daigle, Lauren Daigle
Nearly five years have elapsed between Lauren Daigle’s 2018 album Look Up Child, which turned the singer-songwriter into one of the most successful artists in contemporary Christian music in recent memory, and this year’s self-titled follow-up, during which Daigle signed a new label deal with Atlantic Records, teamed up with veteran producer Mike Elizondo and generally pushed her artistry into several exciting new directions. Instead of doubling down on the stately balladry of her breakthrough hits, Daigle explores ‘60s pop, folk, jazz and R&B on the project, creating a fantasia of inspiration powered by her mammoth vocal takes.
Jonas Brothers fans had to wait four long years for a new album — although, that’s nothing compared to the ten-year gap between 2009’s Lines, Vines and Trying Times and the band’s 2019 comeback record Happiness Begins. Nevertheless, Friday (May 12) certainly gives major cause for celebration, the trio’s long-awaited sixth studio record The Album […]
Adam Levine is making his returns to music and to The Voice, all within the span of a few days. On Thursday (May 11), the members of Maroon 5 announced that their new single “Middle Ground” — the band’s first release since 2021 — is set to arrive later this month, which they’ll celebrate with […]
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, Ed Sheeran makes a bold left turn, Lil Baby unearths an old hit, and Megan Moroney presents her first full statement. Check out all of this week’s picks below:
Ed Sheeran, – (Subtract)
In early 2022, Ed Sheeran’s world was upended — so he decided to examine his feelings through his craft. As suggested by muted lead single “Eyes Closed” and a rollout focused squarely on the acoustic nature of the project, – is not your typical Sheeran album, and doesn’t contain the no-brainer radio hits that have colored his full-lengths over the past five years. Yet if – marks a searing left turn in Sheeran’s recording career, his songwriting has long been working up towards an unfiltered, emotionally intelligent statement like this. A superstar who grew from busking on the street to playing stadiums — with just himself onstage — over the course of a decade, Sheeran has been gradually improving his song construction without relying too much on pop machinery, and sounds ready to meet this moment.
Click here to read the full review and track ranking of Sheeran’s new album.
Lil Baby, “Go Hard”
While Lil Baby is currently impacting the charts with a years-old song, “Low Down,” that went viral during March Madness, another fan favorite has been revived for streaming services: “Go Hard” has floated around the Internet for roughly three years as “Again” and “Again (Go Hard),” but now, the official song is here, and hasn’t lost any luster. “I’m not into losin’, I go hard as I can go to win,” Baby declares, providing a mantra — along with the track’s quickened pace — that can be motivation for a top-notch workout.
Toosii feat. Khalid, “Favorite Song (Remix)”
Toosii scored a viral hit on his own this year with the undeniable groove “Favorite Song,” but before his TikTok flare-up, the North Carolina artist had been known for his guest spots on projects by Latto, Lil Tjay and DaBaby. Now, he gets to play host to Khalid, who hops on the “Favorite Song” remix and expertly navigates its woozy vibe with some well-placed crooning; Khalid has been a radio fixture in the past, and this rework will hopefully get some run on rhythmic formats.
Megan Moroney, Lucky
Georgia native Megan Moroney’s voice possesses an earthy rasp that grounds her vulnerable songwriting in a sense of hard-earned reality — it’s part of the reason why she’s become one of country music’s breakout stars of this year. Debut album Lucky makes good on the promise of recent hits “Tennessee Orange” and “I’m Not Pretty,” showcasing Moroney’s storytelling panache and technical skill over the course of 42 satisfying minutes; expect this project to garner lots of love from the country awards, and for Moroney to keep rising.
YoungBoy Never Broke Again, Dermot Kennedy & Bailey Zimmerman, “Won’t Back Down”
Only Dominic Toretto and co. could bring together YoungBoy Never Broke Again, Dermot Kennedy and Bailey Zimmerman for a shared mission: “Won’t Back Down,” from the soundtrack to the upcoming Fast & Furious entry Fast X, finds the three artists’ disparate sounds coming together for some surprisingly effective high-speed inspiration. In particular, Zimmerman’s country warble balances out YoungBoy’s singsong rhyming, helping “Won’t Back Down” speed up and achieve a feeling of multiplex grit.
As the world breaks out their NSYNC “It’s Gonna Be May” memes, we’re breaking out ten of our favorite new releases in R&B and hip-hop from the last seven days. This week R&B dominates, with a handful of tracks to daydream to from Amaria, ASTN, rum.gold, Baby Rose and more. But rap lovers, don’t fret. We’ve got vibe-worthy cuts from Jharrel Jerome and KAMAUU, while Rico Nasty and Lola Brooke are here to hype you up for the week.
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Don’t forget to pay it forward by sharing our Spotify playlist, linked below.
Freshest Find: Rico Nasty, “Turn It Up”
Rico Nasty is here to wake you up. On “Turn It Up,” the rambunctious rapper draws on her early style, delivering gut-punching bar after bar in her signature raspy delivery. The single doesn’t miss a beat, as Rico trespasses, cleans and trashes a family’s home in the 1950s flashback music video.
Amaria, “Will It Last Forever?”
Singer-songwriter Amaria shows that there’s power in the calm. On her second EP, All for You, the burgeoning artist, producer and instrumentalist displays the vastness of her artistry, with closing track “Will It Last Forever?” making us wish it would.
Donalee, “Lifted”
Let Jamaican-born, South London raised singer Donalee put you in a trance with “Lifted.” True to its title, the single exudes elevating energy through Donalee’s ethereal tone, atmospheric layers and visual lyricism.
Baby Rose, “Water”
Possessing one of the most unmistakeable voices in today’s R&B scene, Baby Rose sets the tone for the summer’s quiet moments on her latest album, Through and Through. The perfect accompaniment for summer downpours and early morning showers, “Water” captures the steady fluidity of life’s most precious liquid through Rose’s touching lyrics and melodies.
rum.gold, “Forever in a Song”
Mastering the art of simplicity, “Forever in a Song” stays true to rum.gold’s sound and bold messaging. The track features earthy piano, a simple drum pattern and airy harmonies leaving plenty of room to soak in the melancholic nostalgia.
Jharrel Jerome, “Chinatown”
Emmy award-winning actor Jharrel Jerome is in his music bag. “Chinatown” is an airy and thoughtful rap offering from the rapper-actor’s upcoming project Someone I’m Not, which is slated to release later this year.
ASTN, “How Soon”
“How soon is too soon to move on?” That’s the million dollar question for ASTN who, on his new single, is ruminating about how to move on post-breakup. Leading with vulnerability, the 24-year-old sings with pure emotion over a guitar-laden instrumental laced with fluttering synths.
Aáyanna, “Won’t Cry”
Like ASTN, Atlanta-based singer Aáyanna is also getting over a breakup. On “Won’t Cry,” she grapples with her emotions, questioning if her relationship was ever real and promising to hold back tears. “I wrote ‘Won’t Cry’ after a breakup with someone I thought I’d spend the rest of my life with. I questioned our relationship, and if we were just idealizing each other,” she says in a press statement. “I even questioned myself, because I only acted in the way I thought love was supposed to look like. I didn’t grow up seeing a healthy version of that in a romantic relationship, so all I could do was guess.”
Lola Brooke, “Just Relax”
Lola Brooke says “Just Relax.” Flipping Black Sheep’s “The Choice Is Yours,” the Brooklyn rapper comes out with her booming, gritty vocals as she bridges generations. The song’s video also pays homage through Lola’s street style seen throughout different shots. There is also a cameo by Black Sheep member Andres “Dres” Vargas Titus.
KAMAUU feat. Tobe Nwigwe, “don’t play with my money”
Maryland artist KAMAUU makes it known that things will get ugly if you play with his money, his art and/or his heart. Teaming up with Tobe Nwigwe, the two join forces for the uptempo rap song that appears on his latest debut album Lacuna in the House of Mirrors.
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, Jack Harlow grows from boy to man., Niall Horan keeps his cool, and Kesha takes a bold step forward. Check out all of this week’s picks below:
Jack Harlow, Jackman.
Jack Harlow didn’t have to release a new album in 2023: after all, his 2022 LP, Come Home the Kids Miss You, spawned a No. 1 smash in “First Class,” and in a few weeks he’ll be starring in the White Men Can’t Jump remake. Instead of resting on his laurels and focusing on Hollywood, however, Harlow is back with Jackman., a semi-surprise release and a surprisingly urgent showcase of his technical skills as an MC. Rapping over soul samples and veering away from radio-ready choruses, Harlow treats the 24-minute project as a quick simplification of his craft — after becoming a star, he’s gone back to basics to illustrate his skills before the spotlights arrived.
Niall Horan, “Meltdown”
“When it all melts down, I’ll be there,” Niall Horan promises on new single “Meltdown” — addressing a romantic partner, most likely, but also serving as a beacon of support to the millions of listeners who have leaned on his voice throughout his solo career and time in One Direction. “Meltdown” finds Horan biting off a jumpy pop-rock production and swaggering through some ooo-ooo-ooo melodies; the heartbeat of the song is steady, and the singer-songwriter underlines the reliable pop presence that he was born to inhabit.
Kesha, “Fine Line” / “Eat the Acid”
Anyone who’s been paying attention to Kesha’s output over the past few years won’t be surprised about the sparse sound and unflinching attitude of her two new singles, “Fine Line” and “Eat the Acid” — yet even as she roamed farther away from the turbo-pop sound of her career beginnings, the singer-songwriter has never approached her craft with quite this much unfiltered lyricism and musical fragility. Both songs capture the bitter exhaustion that Kesha has documented during her years-long legal battle with former producer Dr. Luke, and both are striking in their intimacy, as if the listener is sitting next to Kesha during a breathtaking, two-part confessional.
Labrinth, Ends & Begins
Earlier this month, Labrinth scored one of Coachella’s biggest flexes when he brought out Billie Eilish during the first weekend to duet on “Never Felt So Alone,” then welcomed Zendaya onstage for weekend 2 for a pair of songs from the Euphoria soundtrack. The singer-songwriter has long been a highly respected collaborator and well-connected studio presence, and while new album Ends & Begins may be arriving during a particularly high-wattage moment in his career, the project highlights what he’s always been doing: utilizing his sparkling voice to find personal redemption, tinkering with the seams of modern R&B, and playing well off of others (especially Zendaya, who appears uncredited on the searing opener “The Feels”).
Eslabon Armado, Desvelado
As regional Mexican music experiences a frankly astonishing explosion across the U.S. mainstream, “Ella Baila Sola,” the collaboration between Eslabon Armado and Peso Pluma, is helping to lead the charge, pushing into the top 5 of this week’s Hot 100 chart and setting up the California trio’s new album, Desvelado. For both longtime genre supporters and curious new fans, Eslabon Armado’s latest project functions as the perfect flash point: not only do rising stars like Grupo Frontera and DannyLux stop by along with Pluma, but the trio carve out a unique lane within regional Mexican on their own with songs like “Dame Otro Beso” and “Gracias a Ti.”
The National, First Two Pages of Frankenstein
Although The National’s ninth full-length is certainly the indie-rock stalwarts’ most star-studded affair to date — Taylor Swift, Phoebe Bridgers and Sufjan Stevens all stop by, with guest appearances that will surely cause some rubbernecking streams from unfamiliar listeners — First Two Pages of Frankenstein is not some overdue play for mainstream adulation. If anything, The National have never been this hushed before: the 11 songs here sprawl out artfully, providing subtle reflections on the evolution of relationship details and corralling the band’s famous friends into their quiet, graceful atmosphere.