new music

Queer Jams of the Week: New Music From Victoria Monét, Demi Lovato, Rina Sawayama & More

In need of some new music from your favorite queer artists? We’ve got you covered — Billboard Pride is proud to present the latest edition of Queer Jams of the Week, our roundup of some of the best new music releases from LGBTQ artists.

From Victoria Monét’s long-awaited return to Demi Lovato’s rocked-out reinvention of a classic song, check out just a few of our favorite releases from this week below.

Victoria Monét feat. Lucky Daye, “Smoke”

Victoria Monét is back, and she’s ready to serve up some delicious R&B with her latest single “Smoke.” The undulating, funk-filled single picks up right where Monét left off with her 2021 single “Coastin’” — with delectable bass lines accentuating her silky smooth vocals as she compares loving her to lighting up a fat blunt. With guest vocals from fellow R&B star Lucky Daye, “Smoke” is sending off a signal that you can’t ignore; Victoria Monét’s superstar era is here.

Demi Lovato, “Heart Attack (Rock Version)”

Over the last 10 years, Demi Lovato has practically become a different person than she was when she unveiled her 2013 album Demi. Just take one listen to the new rocked-out remake of their hit single “Heart Attack” and you’ll see why. The singer reimagined every aspect of the fan-favorite single, swapping out 808s and synths for fiery guitars and pounding drums, while also giving re-recording her vocals to flex her matured pipes. It’s a recontextualization that puts the old track in a brand new light, all while delivering all the thrills you could ask for.

Rina Sawayama, “Eye for an Eye”

Ahead of her co-starring role in the new John Wick movie, Rina Sawayama would like to set the tone. “Eye for an Eye” brings the hard-rock stylings that appeared more in the background of the star’s debut album Sawayama to the forefront, as she spins a tale of revenge and retribution familiar to anyone who’s seen Keanu Reaves’ deadly hitman in action.

Billy Porter, “Baby Was A Dancer”

Put on your dancing shoes, folks, because Billy Porter wants to see you getting down to his brand new disco single. The crux of “Baby Was A Dancer” is a third-person autobiographical exploration of Porter’s own upbringing, as he recalls the preachers, teachers and naysayers who tried to shame him for being who he was. But it’s on the unavoidable chorus where the Pose star gets to the meat of the matter, resolving to be himself and dance all that pain and heartache away — a feeling we in the LGBTQ community can definitely relate to right now.

Saucy Santana, “1-800-Bad-Bxtch”

Saucy Santana’s number might be toll-free, but that doesn’t mean you’re getting away without paying up. On the rapper’s latest bop, “1-800-Bad-Bxtch,” Santana takes charge by taking calls from his prospective partners, listing off one by one the things he’s looking for from a lover. Add onto that a ferocious beat and some of Saucy’s slickest verses, and you’ve got a certified banger on your hands.

Donna Missal, “Flicker”

With her frenetic new single, Donna Missal is taking advantage of the ephemeral while she still can. From the moment it starts, “Flicker” refuses to let up — a driving beat sinks into every second of the track, providing a sense of urgency that’s only ratcheted up by the increasingly chaotic production. By the time reaches its first chorus, it has already exploded into a euphoric hyperpop symphony, before Missal’s otherworldly vocals bring you right back down to start the process all over again.

MAY-A, “Your Funeral”

Self-sabotage is a pretty surefire way to wind up alone, as indie rock artist MAY-A points out on her latest track. “Your Funeral” takes on a cynical, sardonic point of view from it’s first few bars, and spends the rest of the song proving why it’s probably not the best way to approach your own love life. The banging drums and skittering guitars further punch up the declaration that “loving me is your funeral,” before using an excellently crafted bridge to get real about self-doubt and lowered expectations.

Wrabel, “One Drink Away”

Sobriety is a life-long journey — which means that it’s also a life-long struggle. That’s the argument that Wrabel poignantly sends home on his deeply personal new song “One Drink Away.” Looking back on his life before getting sober, Wrabel perfectly communicates the mixed feelings of dread at the person he was and frustration at how hard it is to maintain the person he is now. It’s only a further testament to the singer-songwriter’s skill with his pen that in just 3 short minutes, he can translate the struggles of staying clean with such eloquence on this heartbreaking single.

Check out all of our picks on Billboard’s Queer Jams of the Week playlist below:

Friday Music Guide: New Music From Ed Sheeran, Lana Del Rey, Luke Combs and More

Billboard’s Friday Music Guide serves as a handy guide to this week’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 honors a fallen friend, Lana Del Rey hoists up her ambitions, and Luke Combs ages gracefully. Check out all of this week’s picks below:

Ed Sheeran, “Eyes Closed” 

One year after tragically losing his best friend, Jamal Edwards, to a sudden heart attack, Ed Sheeran has returned with a poignant single that makes his struggle universal and attempts to help any listener mourning a loved one. “Eyes Closed,” which previews the superstar’s affecting new album – (Subtract), combines producer Aaron Dessner’s knack for subtly whirring arrangements with Sheeran’s gift for delivering a memorable hook; grief is a tricky subject for a top 40 mainstay to address in a non-ballad, but “Eyes Closed” provides catharsis through lyrical detail and a unifying refrain.

Lana Del Rey, Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd

“I’m a different kind of woman,” Lana Del Rey states plainly on “Sweet,” adding a few seconds later, “If you wanna go where nobody knows, that’s where you’ll find me.” The singer-songwriter has spent her career proving the former statement — taking a personalized approach to pop craft, forever valuing honesty and innovation — but Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd, her mammoth and often luminous ninth full-length, indeed exists at a wholly unique intersection in modern music, as the artist’s most singular statement to date.

Click here to read a full review and tracks ranking of Lana Del Rey’s latest album.

Luke Combs, Gettin’ Old 

As a companion piece to last year’s Growin’ Up, Luke Combs’ Gettin’ Old better plays to the songwriting strengths of the country superstar, who reflects on his experiences and the time he has left (“That hourglass we have don’t last forever / Been thinking ‘bout it more and more these days,” he sings in the opening minutes of the album) in a way that’s both gracious and entertaining. Whether he’s looking back on a lost love, his hometown, his career beginnings and the start of a more durable type of romance, Combs sounds comfortable in his own skin on Gettin’ Old, and the song quality lives up to his perspective.

Rosalía & Rauw Alejandro, RR 

It’s not every day that a couple gets to announce their engagement concurrently with releasing a highly anticipated collaborative project, but Rosalía and Rauw Alejandro are in rarefied air: RR, a three-song release that captures the flamenco pop queen’s predilection for yearning melodies and the reggaeton star’s charisma across quickening tempos, could have been a vanity project for the happy couple but instead crackles with creative chemistry. And RR sound like it’s just the tip of the iceberg — as Alejandro puts it in a press release, “I will be spending my days writing and writing many more songs about and with her.”

Jimin, Face 

It’d be easy (and a bit lazy) to place the BTS members’ solo projects side-by-side as they continue rolling out, but Jimin’s new album Face resists comparison: the tracks here represents an account of personal evolution amidst mind-boggling fame, a global pandemic, feelings of loneliness and the process of growing into the man that the singer-songwriter has become. Jimin’s gentle vocals ground songs like the sizzling “Face-off” and the ‘80s-indebted “Like Crazy,” accentuating the melodies with a light touch and expressing each lyric with impressive confidence.

Fall Out Boy, So Much (For) Stardust 

Fall Out Boy’s new album, So Much (For) Stardust, arrives almost 10 years to the day after the band returned with 2013’s Save Rock and Roll, which ended a prolonged hiatus and returned the Warped Tour breakouts to arena audiences. The group has spent the subsequent decade humming along, collecting more hits and touring the world, and their new album represents the work of a locked-in collective: on songs like “Hold Me Like a Grudge” and “So Good Right Now,” Fall Out Boy’s long-running pop appeal remains intact but the turns are pinpoint and the grooves are tighter, as if the quartet is operating with machine-like efficiency for maximum enjoyment.

Lana Del Rey’s ‘Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd’: All 16 Tracks Ranked

“I’m a different kind of woman,” Lana Del Rey states plainly on “Sweet,” adding a few seconds later, “If you wanna go where nobody knows, that’s where you’ll find me.” The singer-songwriter has spent her career proving the former statement — taking a personalized approach to pop craft, forever valuing honesty and innovation — but Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd, her mammoth and often luminous ninth full-length, indeed exists at a wholly unique intersection in modern music, as the artist’s most singular statement to date.

Del Rey’s voice has always been unmistakable, but no other artist could have come close to showcasing this 77-minute set of ideas, sometimes mysterious and occasionally shambolic, but always exciting and brimming with integrity. The adventurous spirit of this album flirts with a gleeful recklessness: Del Rey has explored her thoughts on sex, devotion, family and American decay in the past, but never with so many unexpected guests, songs mashed into each other and restless detours. In an era of the music industry that rewards TikTok-ready hooks, Del Rey has sprinted in the opposite direction: the songs here proudly stretch out, dismissing verse-chorus structures so that Del Rey can travel across another bridge or three.

Yet Del Rey’s pen holds Ocean Blvd together. Writing primarily with Jack Antonoff, Mike Hermosa and Drew Erickson, Del Rey conjures images that continue to haunt her and presents lyrics that jangle around the listener’s brain. From the boarded-up past of the title track to the post-grief forward motion of “Kintsugi” to the giddy friendship of “Margaret,” Del Rey roams across topics and deftly handles them all. For an album that clearly challenges its creator, Ocean Blvd once again concludes that Del Rey is different, in the best way possible.

While all of Lana Del Rey’s new album is worth digging into, we already have some early favorites after several listens. Here is our preliminary track rankings for Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd:

Queer Jams of the Week: New Music From Doechii, Joy Oladokun, Princess Nokia & More

Get your St. Patrick’s Day weekend off to the right start with some new tracks from your favorite queer artists. Billboard Pride is proud to present the latest edition of Queer Jams of the Week, our roundup of some of the best new music releases from LGBTQ artists.

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From Doechii’s pitch-perfect new collab with Kodak Black to Joy Oladokun’s life-affirming new anthem, check out just a few of our favorite releases from this week below.

Doechii feat. Kodak Black, “What It Is (Block Boy)”

Simply put, Doechii has never sounded better than she does on “What It Is (Block Boy).” On her bouncing new track, the rising singer lets her voice loose over an instantly-catchy backing track complete with light guitar riffs, chunky piano chords and a killer beat. Add into it a verse from “Super Gremlin” superstar Kodak Black, and you have a certified banger on your hands.

Joy Oladokun feat. Noah Kahan, “We’re All Gonna Die”

Existentialism has never sounded quite as good as it does on Joy Oladokun’s new anthem. The aptly-titled “We’re All Gonna Die” sees the singer-songwriter taking on a “f–k it, let’s see what happens” approach to just about everything has to offer. While the lyrics might occasionally dip into a slightly more pessimistic worldview than fans of Oladokun are used to hearing, the sweet, churning production immediately casts away all doubt — “We’re All Gonna Die” is truly about having fun with what little time you’ve got in this world.

Princess Nokia, I Love You But This Is Goodbye

There’s something about I Love You But This Is Goodbye, the sparkling new EP from Princess Nokia, that is deeply endearing. Throughout the project, which sees the star switching up her hip-hop stylings for a pop-rock-meets-electronica vibe, Nokia charts a full journey from love to loss and back again. Her pen is fully intact with some A-plus songwriting on tracks like “Angels & Demons,” while others like lead single “Closure” let you bask in their delicious production. It’s a remarkable EP from an artist in need of much more recognition than she’s already earned.

ODESZA feat. Claud, “To Be Yours”

For their very first collaboration together, electronic duo ODESZA and indie star Claud prove to be a perfect match. “To Be Yours” perfectly toes the line between each of the artists’ respective worlds, employing the crystal clear production work of the sought-after dance pair as well as the confessional songwriting of the fast-rising bedroom pop singer into one gloriously fun single. If you’re in search of a good song to simply vibe out to this weekend, look no further.

Greyson Chance, “Herringbone”

Greyson Chance would like his jacket back please — and if you could bring his heart back with it, that would also be very helpful. “Herringbone,” the heartbreaking new single from the alt-pop singer-songwriter, is an ode to all things lost as Chance begs his lover to please come back after their breakup. With a gentle touch and some very well-written lyrics, Chance owns every ounce of his own anguish on this gorgeous new song.

Siena Liggins, “3 Bad”

Siena Liggins is ready for some experimentation. On “3 Bad,” the singer’s latest track, Liggins manages to take hyper-pop sounds (pitched-up vocals, plinking percussion and blown-out bass drums, to name a few) and make a deeply introspective, chaotically sad breakup song. While she promises self-destruction to her old flame, Liggins doesn’t implode — she expands her sound and dives into a new era of her career headfirst.

Shelly Fairchild feat. Shamir, “Fist City” (Loretta Lynn cover)

There is something so deeply engaging about artists as different as Shelly Fairchild and Shamir teaming up to tackle a Loretta Lynn classic like “Fist City.” The pair don’t lean away from the distinctive sounds of the country superstar — instead they lean in, bringing a folksy twang to every beat of this delicious cover. With a set of voices uniquely suited to one another, Fairchild and Shamir shine on this gorgeous tribute to a late icon.

Check out all of our picks on Billboard’s Queer Jams of the Week playlist below:

First Stream: New Music From Taylor Swift, Kx5, Hozier and More

Billboard’s First Stream 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, Taylor Swift unveils some secret songs, Kx5 points toward the dance floor and Hozier makes a long-awaited return. Check out all of this week’s First Stream picks below:

Taylor Swift, “All of the Girls You Loved Before” 

To celebrate the kickoff of her Eras stadium tour on Friday (Mar. 17), Taylor Swift has cracked her vault open and given fans a few unexpected goodies: the “Taylor’s Version” takes on previously released tracks “If This Was a Movie,” “Safe and Sound” and “Eyes Open,” as well as “All of the Girls You Loved Before,” an unreleased gem from her Lover era. Like the best moments on that 2019 album, “Girls” crackles with rhythm and romance, as Swift sings about how past mistakes have created a better reality and concludes on the swaying chorus, “Every dead-end street, led you straight to me.”

Kx5, Kx5 

“It was literally a product of us saying, ‘F–k it,’” deadmau5 told Billboard of the formation of Kx5, his superstar team-up with Kaskade. “I’m not saying we don’t love it, but we don’t need it, financially speaking. It’s just something we want.” That carefree desire is imprinted across new album Kx5, as the duo of dance music titans use these 10 tracks try things out in the context of their respective styles, and more often than not — from the breathless groove of the AR/CO collaboration “Bright Lights” to the strobing, dance-siren emotion of “Escape” with Hayla — that process of saying “f–k it” pays dividends.

Hozier, Eat Your Young EP 

Hozier has been able to transcend the success of breakthrough smash “Take Me To Church” due to his songwriting panache — it’s the reason why he’s headlining Madison Square Garden later this year instead of being relegated to one-hit wonder status. Eat Your Young, a new three-song EP that precedes his upcoming third album Unreal Unearth, references Dante’s Inferno and the sins of gluttony and heresy, but does in a way that draws in the listener without preening like a college paper: the title track, for instance, charms with a strings-laden, bluesy chorus, letting its message seep in slowly and effectively.

Melanie Martinez, “Death” 

Melanie Martinez is the type of artist that does not drop by between album cycles for one-off singles and tossed-off collaborations: the avant-garde pop auteur instead creates bold, expansive worlds with each project, and when one is complete, she stows away for a few years to make another. “I’m back from the dead, back from the dead,” Martinez declares on the chorus of “Death,” the lead single to upcoming album Portals, and while the dramatic five-minute track can be connected to her artistic reawakening with every project, the kinetic drums and electronic elements will also make listeners feel reborn, too.

Avenged Sevenfold, “Nobody” 

On their first new single since 2016, hard-rock veterans Avenged Sevenfold try to make up for lost time by seemingly deploying all of their finely crafted skills in six minutes — guitar chugs morph into searing solos, pummeling verses lead into sky-high hooks, and the groove conveys a nervousness before all of the tension is eventually released. “Nobody” evolves around M. Shadows’ philosophical prodding, his voice heavy with the weight of his life questions — but that man can howl like no other, and his vocals still take hold of the listener after a long layoff.

10 Cool New Pop Songs to Get You Through The Week: d4vd, Hatchie, Christine and the Queens & More

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.

These 10 tracks from artists including d4vd, Hatchie, Christine and the Queens 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 all of our pop favorites for 2023!

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d4vd, “Worthless” 

Quick-rising newcomer d4vd continues his hot streak of successful singles, including “Romantic Homicide” and “Here With Me,” with “Worthless,” an exasperated alt-rock song that shows the artist’s vocal range. “It’s easier said than done / I’m trying to find my purpose,” the Houston teen sings — but to those on the outside looking in, it’s clear he already has. — Lyndsey Havens

Christine and the Queens, “To be honest”

French indie-pop auteur Christine and the Queens is gearing up for an epic 20-track album titled PARANOÏA, ANGELS, TRUE LOVE, co-produced with Mike Dean. Yet for as ambitious as the project sounds, lead single “To be honest” doesn’t over-exert itself — its genius is in the subtle, ominous pull of the production, which creates a perfect canvas for honest confessions like “I’m trying to love, but I’m afraid to kill.” — L.H.

Angel Olsen, “Nothing’s Free”

Acclaimed singer-songwriter Angel Olsen’s latest is familiarly chilling, as “Nothing’s Free” showcases what she does best: create space. For as soft as the song is, it’s equally intimidating in the way in which it takes its time, leaving plenty of room for big breaths and horn solos galore. — L.H.

Softee, “Isn’t Enough”

DIY pop artist Softee — the moniker of singer-songwriter and actress Nina Grollman — will soon release her second album, Natural, much of which she wrote while recovering from a breakup over Christmas. Current single “Isn’t Enough,” a slinky and intimate mid-tempo track, puts listeners right there with her, encouraging an empowered sing-along on lines like, “All along, I loved you, oh it wasn’t fake / But I need to love myself in my space.” — L.H.

Hatchie feat. Liam Benzvi, “Rooftops”

“I watch the sunset melt from the rooftop,” Hatchie and Liam Benzvi sing together on “Rooftops,” “Smile as the clouds roll over the sea.” It’s a serene image, and the song around those words is just as breathtaking: a new track from the deluxe edition of Hatchie’s great 2022 album Giving the World Away, “Rooftops” embraces a ‘90s alternative jangle and lush, languid harmonies to become a highlight of an expanded project. – Jason Lipshutz

Nation of Language, “Sole Obsession”

Brooklyn trio Nation of Language has previewed their upcoming album Strange Disciple with the hard-knocking, jittery “Sole Obsession,” which cloaks its emotional vulnerability in an avalanche of synthesizer and a rapid tempo. The hooks satisfy, but the song’s true power comes in the slow fade, as all of the neon-colored noise dissipates into a silence that begs to be broken. – J. Lipshutz

Echosmith, “Hindsight”

A decade removed from “Cool Kids,” Echosmith is still releasing highly enjoyable pop-rock, and a single like “Hindsight” demonstrates just how much Sydney Sierota has evolved as a vocalist since the group’s breakout single. “Reminisce too much to look forward / I get out of reverse when I know it’s true,” she sings, her melancholy enveloping every word as an electric guitar pokes its head up into the mix. – J. Lipshutz

Nicole Han, “Nerve”

Over spacey, pillowy beats, Nicole Han delivers pointed post-breakup barbs (“I don’t know how / you’re happier than you deserve / I’m a lesson that you never learned”) in a soft but resolute cadence on “Nerve.” The Orange County singer-songwriter’s pen recalls Olivia Rodrigo’s diaristic lyrics, but the ethereal chorus is pure Taylor Swift. – Joe Lynch 

Misha Biork, “In Your Head”

Little is known about Misha Biork, who released a string of singles throughout 2022 before returning at the top of the year with new material. His latest offering, “In Your Head,” uses the elements of nature to provide an atmospheric instrumental, heightened by D’n’B and breakcore bits to match the frantic pace of an overthinking mind. – Starr Bowenbank

Baby Storme, “Painkillers”

“If I pause my breathing, would that make it stop?” Baby Storme opens her latest track, “Painkillers.” The emotive track sees the New York native grappling with an overflow of emotions that she’s unable to cope with, while the track’s sparse instrumentals — gossamer-like synth, thumping beats and delicate piano — complements her soft vocal delivery, as her feelings fall to the floor in delicate ribbons. – S.B.

First Stream: New Music From Miley Cyrus, TWICE, Calvin Harris & Ellie Goulding and More

Billboard’s First Stream 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 makes summer last forever, TWICE prepares for their biggest year yet, and Calvin Harris re-teams with a pop-star pal. Check out all of this week’s First Stream picks below:

Miley Cyrus, Endless Summer Vacation

Miley Cyrus’ new album, Endless Summer Vacation, is many things: a self-described love letter to the city of Los Angeles, a full day in two distinct halves (the track list is divided into “AM” and “PM” songs), a fresh start on the new label home of Columbia Records, a commercial comeback thanks to lead single “Flowers” becoming Cyrus’ first Hot 100 chart-topper in nearly a decade. Above all, however, Endless Summer Vacation is an apotheosis. After spending the decade following her Disney Channel rise by trying on different styles of popular music, from hip-hop to country-pop to guitar-rock, Cyrus positions her latest full-length as a culmination of her experiences and strengths, with a variety of sonic approaches folded into the mix. Cyrus, one of the more gifted pop artists of her generation, knows exactly who she is, and Endless Summer Vacation reckons with both where she’s been and where she might be headed next.

Click here for a full review and preliminary track ranking of Cyrus’ Endless Summer Vacation.

TWICE, Ready To Be 

Although Ready To Be marks TWICE’s 12th mini album, the K-pop stars have been making notable recent strides as both a commercial unit and recording group: as they make the rounds on U.S. television and prepare to embark on a world tour next month, TWICE is expanding the boundaries of their pop aesthetic and delivering some of their strongest hooks to date. Ready To Be highlights like “Set Me Free,” “Blame It On Me” and the previously released hit single “Moonlight Sunrise” will get stuck in your head, but more importantly, they’ll pull you into TWICE’s world by showcasing what they do best as individual members and a cohesive unit.

Calvin Harris & Ellie Goulding, “Miracle” 

After previously conjuring dance magic with “I Need Your Love” in 2012 and “Outside” in 2014, Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding have once again teamed up on “Miracle,” a trance track that instinctively plays to the best qualities of both artists. Goulding is able to inject warmth into the heart of the song’s intro before sending her voice skyward on the chorus, and Harris provides the throbbing blueprint — when the drop arrives on “Miracle,” the listener feels overwhelmed with movement, and unable to resist.

Lauren Daigle, “Thank God I Do” 

With her 2018 album Look Up Child, Lauren Daigle became of the biggest breakout stars of the contemporary Christian music scene in recent memory; then, she stepped away, taking multiple years to finish her follow-up. “Thank God I Do” not only previews that self-titled full-length, due out on May 12, but also suggests an evolution of Daigle’s approach: the piano ballad features the signature soar that fans have been waiting to return, but her voice has deepened with time, matching the epic sweep of the strings on the track and readying the masses for a prolonged showcase this spring.

Fever Ray, Radical Romantics

As one-half of The Knife and within their Fever Ray project, Karin Dreijer has made some of the most urgent electronic music of this century — and on Radical Romantics, the follow-up to 2017’s Plunge, they are able to both recall some of their career’s most indelible moments (Siren Shout fans are going to love this project) as well as forge ahead with provocative new questions. Dreijer contemplates legacy, identity and the contours of love, with tempos shifting and then collapsing, and pop exercises giving way to experimentation; Radical Romantics builds upon a towering career with one of the most well-rounded projects in Dreijer’s catalog.

Miley Cyrus’ ‘Endless Summer Vacation’: All 13 Tracks Ranked

Miley Cyrus’ new album, Endless Summer Vacation, is many things: a self-described love letter to the city of Los Angeles, a full day in two distinct halves (the track list is divided into “AM” and “PM” songs), a fresh start on the new label home of Columbia Records, a commercial comeback thanks to lead single “Flowers” becoming Cyrus’ first Hot 100 chart-topper in nearly a decade.

Above all, however, Endless Summer Vacation is an apotheosis. After spending the decade following her Disney Channel rise by trying on different styles of popular music, from hip-hop to country-pop to guitar-rock, Cyrus positions her latest full-length as a culmination of her experiences and strengths, with a variety of sonic approaches folded into the mix. Cyrus, one of the more gifted pop artists of her generation, knows exactly who she is, and Endless Summer Vacation reckons with both where she’s been and where she might be headed next.

“Flowers” previewed the ‘70s haze of the album’s overarching pop-rock approach, but Endless Summer Vacation also includes nods to the psychedelica of the Dead Petz era, the sturdy rock of Plastic Hearts and the trap beats of Bangerz, as Cyrus revisits relationships that didn’t work out, peaceful blips that should have lasted longer, and personal truths that have led her to this moment as a fully self-assured 30-year-old. The themes are presented confidently, and the guest list is limited; Brandi Carlile and Sia appear on “Thousand Miles” and “Muddy Feet,” respectively, but their voices are mostly used to buttress Cyrus’ own, which has always been a remarkable instrument but has developed even greater nuance. She sings with purpose throughout the album, imbuing lines that could be delivered in any standard pop track with enough personality to convince the listener that, no, only Miley could sing this.

That’s always been Cyrus’ calling card — there’s no one else in pop music quite like her. And with Endless Summer Vacation, an irreplaceable talent pulls together all of the ideas she’s previously explored into a single, grand statement.

So which songs are the early standouts? Although all of Cyrus’ new album is worth exploring, here is a preliminary ranking of every song on Endless Summer Vacation.

Queer Jams of the Week: New Music From Halsey, Adam Lambert, Reneé Rapp & More

As we hurdle closer to spring, there’s no better time to start freshening up your playlists with new tracks from your favorite LGBTQ artists. Billboard Pride is proud to present the latest edition of Queer Jams of the Week, our roundup of some of the best new music releases from LGBTQ artists.

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From Halsey’s solo rendition of a popular collab to Adam Lambert’s full cover song fantasy, check out just a few of our favorite releases from this week below.

Halsey, “Die 4 Me”

It’s been four years since Halsey made a surprise appearance on Post Malone’s “Die For Me,” delivering a scathing verse on a deep-cut off the superstar’s Hollywood Bleeding album. Today, they’re finally ready to share the full, only-Halsey version of that track, much to her fans’ delight. The new “Die 4 Me” sees Halsey still owning the anger that defined their first pass at the track, now unleashing it with expert precision to make a killer pop song. Her biting verses perfectly fit within this new context, re-establishing a 2019 track as 2023’s newest breakup anthem.

Adam Lambert, High Drama

Time and time again, Adam Lambert has proven himself as a master of the cover song. Whether it was on American Idol or the Kennedy Center, the superstar knows how to take a song and make it entirely his own, which he proves yet again on his new LP, High Drama. Covering everyone from Bonnie Tyler to Billie Eilish, Lambert revels in his glam-rock sensibilities to deliver pure entertainment at every given opportunity on this delectable album of tasty updated classics.

Reneé Rapp, “Bruises”

Following her musical breakthrough with her stellar EP Everything to Everyone, Reneé Rapp is ready for a victory lap. With the release of her deluxe version of the project, Rapp is treating fans to “Bruises,” the emotionally-devastating song that didn’t make it to the original project. With a tender guitar line accompanied by her delicately-placed vocals, “Bruises” sees Rapp trying to open up emotionally, but ultimately shutting down out of her fear to get hurt — a feeling that, even if you’ve never felt it, you’ll be able to relate to the second she starts singing.

Channel Tres, Real Cultural Shit

Hope you’re ready to dance this weekend, because Channel Tres’ stunning new EP Real Cultural Shit is here to turn the heat up at every club night. The long-awaited follow-up to the artist/producer’s self-titled 2018 EP, Real Cultural Shit follows through on the promise of it’s title delving straight into Tres’ own modern take on house music, funk, and disco. Whether he’s slowing it down for some real talk on “Sleep When Dead,” or cranking it up to 11 with dance banger “All My Friends,” Tres is here to show you a good time with this new project.

Princess Nokia, “Complicated”

Since the start of her career, Princess Nokia has never fit into one “sound.” So with her latest songs, she decided to throw the idea of labels out the window entirely. “Complicated,” her latest single, dabbles lightly in some of the R&B stylings she’s touched on before, but focuses itself much more on an early-2000s-rave-meets-modern-hyperpop sound, marking brand new territory for this beloved talent.

Yaeji, “Done (Let’s Get It)”

On it’s face “Done (Let’s Get It)” by rising dance superstar Yaeji is a fun, vibe-fueled song that seems intentionally innocuous on its surface. But take a listen to the lyrics — sung in both English and Korean — and you’ll hear an artist intentionally trying to break the continuing cylce of generational trauma and passed-down habits. Balancing tough themes with her lighthearted musical style has always been one of Yaeji’s strengths, and “Done (Let’s Get It)” is no exception to that rule.

Dreamer Isioma feat. Redveil, “Technicolor Love”

Join Dreamer Isioma, one of the most fascinating voices in the indie songwriting scene, as they take you on a fabulous trip with “Technicolor Love.” This trippy, grooving new single sees Dreamer falling head over heels for a woman, even if that love is toxic. The blissed-out production floods your body with endorphins, which are only further heightened by guest star Redveil and his thrilling rap verse.

Ryan Cassata, “If You Ever Leave Long Island”

After a career of self-publishing heartbreaking indie tracks, Ryan Cassata is ready to make a splash with his new song, “If You Ever Leave Long Island.” The singer-songwriter’s debut single on Kill Rock Stars, “If You Ever” sees Cassata taking a sonic left turn into rocked-out heartbreak. Gone are the folksy, gentle love ballads, now replaced with amped-up guitars, pop-punk drums and an excellently angsty performance from Cassata as he ushers in a brand new era.

Allison Ponthier, “Character Development”

Growing and making changes are obviously important — but not more important than the health and well-being of the women around you. That’s the very topic Allison Ponthier expertly skewers in her new song “Character Development,” a supremely catchy and incredibly scathing indictment of misogynistic writing tropes that tend to see female characters suffer so their male counterparts can grow (a.k.a. the “women in refrigerators” phenomenon). Ponthier uses her musical prowess to take on the part of the oft-hurt female character, this time throwing a middle finger in the face of writers, characters and anyone else that would see her suffer so they can learn a valuable lesson. In short; hell yeah, Allison.

Check out all of our picks on Billboard’s Queer Jams of the Week playlist below:

Nicki Minaj Announces New Single ‘Red Ruby Da Sleeze,’ Unveils Sizzling Cover Art

Make way for the Queen of Rap. Nicki Minaj is returning with her first solo single of 2023, a track called “Red Ruby Da Sleeze” coming March 3.

The rapper announced the track Thursday (Feb. 23) with behind-the-scenes clips from a music video shoot, afterward posting the single’s official artwork on Instagram. In the photo, she poses next to a chef hard at work in a restaurant kitchen, staring down the camera as she stirs a frying pan. As usual, Minaj is the most colorful thing in the room, wearing a brightly patterned vintage Jean Paul Gaultier dress, yellow heels and split-dyed hair, half red and half pink.

In the behind-the-scenes clips for the “Red Ruby Da Sleeze” music video, the Queen Radio host raps along to her unreleased lyrics as a darkly-lit dance party unfolds behind her. Minaj later revealed the video was filmed in her home island of Trinidad and Tobago, where she’s been spending time this week amid the island’s 2023 Carnival.

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“Hunnit rounds on dat gratata,” she raps as women twerk on each side of her.

The new track is bound to be Minaj’s first solo release since last summer’s “Super Freaky Girl,” a reimagined version of Rick James “Super Freak” that debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was the “Super Bass” artist’s first ever solo song to top the chart, and the first No. 1 debut for a hip-hop song by a female artist with no accompanying acts since Lauryn Hill’s “Doo Wop (That Thing)” in 1998.

“You did it barbz,” Minaj thanked fans on social media after the track went No. 1. “You did it. I love you so much. like so so SO much. Thank you.” 

See the official artwork and music video behind-the-scenes for Nicki Minaj’s upcoming single “Red Ruby Da Sleeze” below.