State Champ Radio new music
Page: 9
Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift both have a number of projects in the works at the moment, but re-doing their 2017 collaboration “End Game” for Swift’s imminent Reputation (Taylor’s Version) isn’t one of them. Not yet, anyway.
The ginger-haired pop star revealed in a recent interview on Andy Cohen’s Deep & Shallow SiriusXM podcast that he and Swift still haven’t reunited in the studio to take a second stab at “End Game,” which also originally featured Future and served as the third single from Reputation. “No, I haven’t,” he confirmed. “No. No. But 1989 (Taylor’s Version) is the next one coming out. That’s the next one.”
Swift has released three “Taylor’s Version” records so far, with 1989 set to become the fourth in October. That means that only her self-titled 2006 debut album and Reputation, the final album she released under her former record label Big Machine, are left for her to re-record. And while “End Game” is still on the to-do list, 2021’s Red (Taylor’s Version) did already bring along two Swift-Sheeran duets: “Everything Has Changed (Taylor’s Version)” and “Run,” a previously unreleased From the Vault track.
The “Anti-Hero” singer announced last week that 2014’s 1989 was next in line at her final U.S. leg 1 stop on the Eras Tour — which Sheeran says he’s hopeful he’ll be able to attend once the trek makes its way to Europe. “I would love to go and see Taylor’s show, but we’re all playing on the same dates every single weekend,” the “A Team” musician, whose currently embarked on his record-breaking Mathematics Tour, told Cohen. “I think there’s a chance next year when she’s in the UK…”
Sheeran himself is busy gearing up to release a new record of his own, which he confirmed to Cohen is coming soon. The revelation comes after the Grammy winner’s repeated “Autumn is coming” messages to fans on Instagram, which turned out to be teasers for the fall-themed LP he has in store.
Fans even recently pieced together a possible release date based on numbers printed on the jerseys Sheeran wore at a pair of recent concerts: 9/29, or September 29th. “It’s an album about Autumn and I kind of have no expectations for it,” Sheeran shared, not confirming the project’s release date. “It was the album I was trying to make, and then Subtract happened. So I kind of have finished it over the last year and, yeah, it’s ready to come out, so I’m gonna put it out.”
One thing’s for sure, though: You probably won’t ever catch Sheeran singing the new songs, or any of his music, for that matter, as a headliner at the Super Bowl. “I think it’s an American thing,” he explained. “I think I, I don’t have pizazz… I don’t, you watch Prince, you watch Michael Jackson, you watch Katy Perry, you watch Lady Gaga, you watch Rihanna, you watch Beyoncé. Like all of these amazing performers. I’m just not that, I’m not gonna have dancers on stage.”
Check out clips from Ed Sheeran’s interview with Andy Cohen below:
[embedded content]
[embedded content]
[embedded content]
Lucky fans at Lorde‘s Sziget Festival show in Budapest Monday night (Aug. 14) were treated to two very special surprises: a performance of one of the indie pop icon’s unreleased songs, as well as a guest appearance from Caroline Polachek. Lorde has been previewing two unreleased songs at her festival shows over the past week […]
Ed Sheeran can’t stop reminding fans: “autumn is coming.” And while it’s certainly possible that the pop superstar is just really, really passionate about the fall season, Sheerios are pretty sure that he’s actually teasing the arrival of a new project.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Let’s back up. Sheeran has been cryptically dropping the phrase “autumn is coming” for a couple weeks now, using it to caption a number of Instagram photos and videos. Funnily enough, one of the pictures was a meme of the musician standing in front of a fall landscape, with all of the leaves replaced with hundreds of pictures of him and his ginger hair.
Then, on Sunday (Aug. 13), the “Bad Habits” singer shared a montage of clips from his time in Minneapolis, where he recently broke U.S. Bank Stadium’s attendance record with his Mathematics Tour. In the caption, he wrote: “Had an absolute blast. Left some clues around the stadium about autumn coming. Did you know autumn is coming?”
While in Minneapolis, Sheeran also worked a shift at the Lego store in Mall of America, where he sang a surprise performance of his 2013 hit “Lego House.” He also passed out his own custom Lego figurine, which wears a shirt reading — you guessed it — “Autumn is coming.”
But that’s not all. Fans also noticed that at his Aug. 5 Kansas City show, Sheeran sported a jersey emblazoned with the number 9 and, in place of his last name, “Autumn.” Then, one week later, at his Minneapolis show, he wore a jersey with the number 29, this time printed with the word “Variations.”
With the potential clues in place, fans online are trying to connect the dots. “Autumn Variations?” theorized one fan on Twitter. “Autumn is coming! 9/29, 29/9 aka September 29?”
“I’m throwing this out there now that Autumn Variations is coming on September 29 based on the clues given by Ed this weekend in Minneapolis,” tweeted another fan.
If fans are correct and Ed’s unconfirmed next album does come out this fall, it’ll be his second LP to drop this year. In May, he released Subtract (stylized “–“), which debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200.
See what Sheerios are making of Ed Sheeran’s “autumn is coming” mantra below:
lego house at the lego store with autumn is coming in lego? he’s having the time of his life LMAO— deka (@mendyoursoull) August 12, 2023
Ed confirmed at the show tonight that Subtract was the last album with his record label. The next one he’s releasing on his own label. A lot less promotion and no single or anything like that for this one. #AutumnIsComing— 🍁Honey Nut Sheerio🍁 (@TheIATeam) August 12, 2023
ed sheeran learned the words “autumn is coming” and never said anything else ever again— sisiii 🦋 (@edshivers_) August 12, 2023
Ed releasing autumn on his own. most likely next month. THIS CAN’T GET ANY BETTER— Ema falls in ♥︎ (@_teddyspics_) August 12, 2023
I’m throwing this out there now that Autumn Variations is coming on September 29 based on the clues given by Ed this weekend in Minneapolis.— Stooph (@St3ffffffffff) August 13, 2023
ed sheeran is so omg autumn variations september 29??? he teased us so much and now maybe we have a confirmation— tere is in the afterglow 🛰️ (@imhighwalls) August 13, 2023
Beat the summer heat with these cool new jams from some of 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.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
From Tove Lo’s latest dance anthem to Chappell Roan’s campy new summer single, check out just a few of our favorite releases from this week below:
Tove Lo, “Elevator Eyes”
[embedded content]
If you give Tove Lo the good ‘ol up-down, rest assured that she will be writing a sultry single all about you. “Elevator Eyes,” the latest track to come from the Swedish pop star’s Dirt Femme era, sees Lo embracing a moodier, more pared-down production style to her last few singles. Don’t fret, though — the song’s lyrics and the singer’s performance bring plenty of heat all on their own, as the star evaluates an interested party and looks to make her next move.
Chappell Roan, “HOT TO GO!”
[embedded content]
If you’re an adult in need of your own personal cheerleader, Chappell Roan has got you covered. With her new single “HOT TO GO!” the rising star offers up a great impression of a cheer captain as she instructs you on how to dance to the new track while also letting her future lovers know that she is ready and waiting. It’s fun, it’s camp, and it’s exactly the kind of jam that will have you dancing along in no time.
G Flip, Drummer
[embedded content]
If you’re wondering what to expect from an album titled Drummer, it’s literally right there in the title. Throughout Australian upstart G Flip’s debut album, the singer-songwriter embraces her instrument of choice, leading this pop-rock project with slamming drums leading the way. Ranging from heartbroken pop songs (“The Worst Person Alive”) to uplifting love anthems (“Good Enough”), Drummer makes good on the promise of its title, soundtracking the rising star’s love life over a killer beat.
Allison Russell, “Snakelife”
[embedded content]
It bears repeating that the world is currently a hard place to be for Black queer and trans folks — but that’s not the future that Allison Russell sees for her community. On “Snakelife,” the folk singer’s stirring new single, Russell conjures up a vision of transformation and evolution, envisioning and even conceiving a future in which “every child is safe and loved, and Black is beautiful and good.” With a voice that is simultaneously gorgeous and haunting, Russell makes certain that you feel as strongly as she does that this new world is coming, whether you like it or not.
Mykki Blanco, “Holidays in the Sun”
[embedded content]
Get ready to rave your way into Mykki Blanco’s self-described “Italian cowboy era.” The star is back with “Holidays in the Sun,” their first single off of the forthcoming EP Postcards from Italia, and they are ready to rave. Over a relentless beat and some delicious bass hooks, Blanco extolls the virtues of simply vibing in the sunshine while you can. It’s a delectable cut from the often-elusive talent, proving yet again that Mykki knows how to write a banger you can dance to.
HoneyLuv feat. Cakes da Killa, “Bring It Back”
[embedded content]
Speaking of a banger you can dance to, we simply must talk about DJ-producer extraordinaire HoneyLuv’s latest team-up with rapper Cakes da Killa on “Bring it Back.” Dripping with Cakes’ laid-back confidence and HoneyLuv’s razor-sharp prodcution, “Bring it Back” is exactly the kind of homerun you think it’s going to be, moving you to get up out of your seat and start grooving to the fiery new song ASAP.
Check out all of our picks on Billboard’s Queer Jams of the Week playlist below:
Fans are gearing up for a new Lorde era, all thanks to a cryptic post the 26-year-old singer shared to Instagram on Thursday (Aug. 10). “After the show we went swimming.. these times are beautiful and they freak me out and there’s so much to tell you,” Lorde wrote alongside a series of snaps of […]
As we move toward the end of summer, there’s still time for you to find your song of the summer 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.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
From Kali Uchis’ team-up with El Alfa and JT to Demi Lovato’s collaboration with LE SSERAFIM, check out just a few of our favorite releases from this week below:
Kali Uchis feat. El Alfa & JT, “Muñekita”
[embedded content]
Get ready for your new sexy summer anthem. Kali Uchis invited Dominican dembow superstar El Alfa and City Girls member JT for her flirty new single “Muñekita,” where the trio strut their way down a delicious Latin beat, spitting Spanish bars about how truly fabulous they all are. On her own, Uchis could have made an excellent Spanish-language anthem — but with Alfa and JT in tow, it’s a party you’ll never want to leave.
LE SSERAFIM feat. Demi Lovato, “Eve, Psyche & the Bluebeard’s Wife”
[embedded content]
How should a K-pop act like LE SSERAFIM capitalize on a viral banger like “Eve, Psyche & the Bluebeard’s Wife?” Their answer is to invite pop-rock icon Demi Lovato onboard for a verse. The bones of what made “Eve” such a great song remain fully intact — from the house-inspired production to the delicious vocals from each member. But with the addition of Lovato, jumping back into her dark-pop era for a bossed-up verse, “Eve” ascends to even greater heights.
Towa Bird, “This Isn’t Me”
[embedded content]
Just three singles into her career with Interscope, Towa Bird is already proving to be one of the most exciting new artists on the scene. “This Isn’t Me” only adds to her already prestigious discography with a tender but gritty indie rock anthem about finding yourself stuck in a social quagmire where you simply do not belong. Fuzzy guitars, chunky drums and an expertly restrained vocal all make “This Isn’t Me” a perfectly-crafted ode to social anxiety.
Teddy Geiger, “Never Enough”
[embedded content]
With her latest single “Never Enough,” Teddy Geiger just can’t stop thinking about consumption. Over a delirious and often hypnotic melody, the singer-songwriter examines our insatiable craving for more and more of just about everything. “Once you have a little bit of something, it’s never quite enough; when the show has been binged, you want more of it,” she told Billboard of the new song. “You’re always left feeling like there’s something lacking, unless you can come to peace with the feeling itself.”
Durand Bernarr, “Kiss from a Rose” (Seal Cover)
We didn’t know that we needed to hear one of the most uniquely talented voices in music covering a ’90s soul staple — yet here we are! Durand Bernarr took on Seal’s iconic “Kiss from a Rose,” opting to keep what works about the soft-rock-meets-soul anthem, and letting his unbelievable voice do the work. Throughout this marvelous cover, Bernarr proves again why he is perfectly situated to become the next big star in R&B — all you have to do is press play to find out why.
Check out all of our picks on Billboard’s Queer Jams of the Weeks playlist below:
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, Doja Cat leaves you on red, Halle make a heavenly solo debut, and Demi Lovato links up with LE SSERAFIM for uptempo fun. Check out all of this week’s picks below:
Doja Cat, “Paint the Town Red”
[embedded content]
One could reasonably expect for Doja Cat to snap back at faux supporters trying to constrict her to one sound or style; a bit more surprising is Doja Cat delivering a belated tribute to recently passed musician Burt Bacharach. Yet she does both on crackling new single “Paint the Town Red,” which utilizes the Dionne Warwick classic “Walk On By” as a foundation for the audacious multi-hyphenate superstar to declare, “Yeah, bitch, I said what I said.” While stans will pore over every line and innuendo, the entirety of “Paint the Town Red” sounds more dynamic than Dojo’s previous single, “Attention”: she’s naturally in the pocket during the rap verses, and the extended hook is a pop-rap triumph, brimming with self-assured skill.
Halle, “Angel”
[embedded content]
Unlike most debut singles, “Angel” arrives after its creator, Halle Bailey, has already made a significant impact on popular culture — first as one-half of the acclaimed R&B duo Chloe x Halle with her equally talented sister, and then as a rising star in Hollywood, leading the live-action The Little Mermaid and coming soon in The Color Purple remake. “Angel” could have been a quick check-in for hungry music fans, but Halle infuses the rhythmic, piano-led track with vulnerability and heart, sharing her insecurities while declaring that she will ultimately fly above the sentiments trying to weigh her down.
LE SSERAFIM feat. Demi Lovato, “Eve, Psyche & The Bluebeard’s Wife”
[embedded content]
Demi Lovato continues a particularly adventurous streak by hopping on a new remix to K-pop group LE SSERAFIM’s viral B-side “Eve, Psyche & The Bluebeard’s Wife,” leaping into the boundaries of the megawatt song and proceeding to nudge them just a little bit farther outward. The track was already a thumping, quick-moving flirtation, and Lovato’s voice provides another powerful siren cry: “I see it written on your face, yeah / I know you want a little taste, yeah,” Lovato sings with a world of confidence.
Grupo Frontera, El Comienzo
[embedded content]
The story of Mexican music’s global breakthrough in 2023 cannot be told without Grupo Frontera, the Texas group who fully transitioned from releasing viral covers to scoring their own smashes this year. Debut album El Comienzo acknowledges the songs and co-stars that helped the collective conquer the charts — “No Se Va” and their Bad Bunny team-up “un x100to” are the first two songs on the track list, after all — yet Grupo Frontera have plenty of new tricks up their sleeves on the project, as they bring new collaborators into their universe and shine on their own with tracks like the emotionally heightened “Cansado De Sufrir” and the airy, charming “Me Gustas.”
Usher feat. 21 Savage & Summer Walker, “Good Good”
[embedded content]
Modern R&B is rife with euphoric love songs and devastated heartbreak songs; less common are the post-breakup anthems in which both sides are pleased with the split and can newly coexist as friends. “Good Good” finds Usher exploring that rare terrain while sounding especially spry: maybe it’s the fresh subject matter, or maybe the presence of 2020s A-listers 21 Savage and Summer Walker have pushed the veteran to step his game up, but regardless of the reason, Usher is downright reinvigorated on these vocal runs and sumptuous hooks.
Editor’s Pick: ††† (Crosses), “Invisible Hand”
[embedded content]
Nine years after Deftones leader Chino Moreno and producer/multi-instrumentalist Shaun Lopez released Crosses, the debut album of their project †††, we’re finally getting a proper follow-up — Goodnight, God Bless, I Love U, Delete. will be released Oct. 13 and feature guest spots from Robert Smith and El-P. Their official return as a duo is cause for excitement in the hard rock world, and lead single “Invisible Hand” is only going to heighten expectations for the rest of the album: the track locks in on a blindingly bright electro-rock groove before jerking the listener in different directions, and Moreno’s voice, driving and emotive as ever, serves as a guide to each pivot.
After sending fans into a clue-finding frenzy, Olivia Rodrigo has now ended their suffering by at last unveiling the official tracklist to her upcoming sophomore album, Guts. In a second teaser video Tuesday (Aug. 1) — which followed one day after Rodrigo shared a mysterious clip filled with hidden song titles for fans to decode […]
Summertime may be in full swing, but it’s never too late to find your song of the summer. Billboard Pride is here to help with the latest edition of Queer Jams of the Week, our roundup of some of the best new music releases from LGBTQ artists.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
From Sam Smith’s new collaboration with Calvin Harris to Anne-Marie’s new album, check out just a few of our favorite releases from this week below:
Calvin Harris feat. Sam Smith, “Desire”
[embedded content]
Each time Calvin Harris and Sam Smith have teamed up to make music, the results have been blissful — whether it was the cooled-down stylings of 2018’s “Promises,” or the disco euphoria of this year’s “I’m Not Here to Make Friends.” Their latest collaboration “Desire” follows in those same footsteps; a thundering trance beat and a set of stuttering synth lines perfectly match with Smith’s delicate vocal, as they declare that just “the thought of you is keeping me awake.”
Anne-Marie, Unhealthy
[embedded content]
Trying to encapsulate what Anne-Marie’s Unhealthy is all about is like trying to grab a fish with your bare hands — just when you think you have a good grasp, it manages to wriggle away. But that’s part and parcel of the accomplishment in the pop singer’s latest LP; Unhealthy is about embracing chaos and learning to accept what can’t be fully understood. The sonics match that theme — Anne-Marie oscillates between gorgeously-sung ballads (like “You & I” featuring Khalid), angsty pop-rock anthems (“Haunt You”), and pure pop anthems (“Trainwreck”), the British phenom refuses to just be one thing, when she can be everything.
CHIKA, Samson
[embedded content]
Much like the titular Bible character, Chika is ready to find strength in what makes her vulnerable. On her full-length debut Samson, the rapper goes beyond proving why she deserves recognition for her pen game, and acknowledges the emotional turmoil that has plagued her life for the last few years. Embracing blatant honesty to devastating effect, Chika burns bridges (“Mad”), flexes her skills (“Prodigy”), and weaves a compelling narrative web of an artist rejecting her position as an overlooked superstar. Chika didn’t mince her words, so we won’t either; Samson is a masterpiece.
Shamir, “The Beginning”
[embedded content]
Looking for a throwback to the late ’90s? Shamir has got you covered with “The Beginning,” a scrumptious pop-rock jam that’s ready to transport you straight back to the age of Savage Garden and Third Eye Blind. It’s fitting, then, that the lyrics to the delectable new song are all about looking back on the good old days of a relationship, and realizing that maybe they weren’t as “good” as you thought they were. “The Beginning” is just another reason why Shamir remains a vital voice in the indie pop-rock scene.
Kidd Kenn, “Coming”
[embedded content]
That’s Mr. Kenn, if you’re nasty — and “Coming” will certainly encourage you to access your nasty side. With his latest single, rising rap star Kidd Kenn is happy to go full “WAP,” but this time for the gays, flexing all of the various way that he can get his lover hot over an entrancing melody and booming beat. Yes, “Coming” is exactly what it sounds like — a hip-hop banger for you to press play on immediately.
MAY-A, “Something Familiar”
[embedded content]
When Hamlet said that we would all “rather bear those ills we have than fly to others that we know not of,” MAY-A felt that. On her latest single “Something Familiar,” MAY-A gives into comfort over consistency, basking in knowing the person she’s with well, even if she doesn’t really like them all that much. Add in her updated, rocked out sound to give the song a boost of adrenaline, and you’ve got yet another jam from the rising star.
Jaboukie, “not_me_tho”
[embedded content]
If you want to work yourself to the bone to get ahead, that’s just fine — just don’t expect Jaboukie Young-White to join you. On his latest single off of his upcoming new album, the comedian-turned-writer-turned-actor-turned-musician is skewering hustle culture with a carefree, shrugged-off anthem. Throwing up a middle finger to late-stage capitalism, “not_me_tho” is Jaboukie at his most effortless, laughing at the social climbers sweating their way to the top as he casually waves at them from his self-made pedestal.
Check out all of our picks on Billboard’s Queer Jams of the Week playlist below:
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 Tinashe, Lizzo, Poppy 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 10.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Poppy, “Knockoff”
[embedded content]
While Poppy is ostensibly singing about a relationship on “Knockoff,” the first single from forthcoming album Zig, it’s hard not to think about the questions of authenticity currently propelling debates about AI while enjoying its stormy, sinewy groove. “How you gonna prove to me that you’re the real thing?” Poppy sings, the synths around her constructing a metallic fortress that the soft, human warmth of her voice effectively breaks. – Jason Lipshutz
Jenna Raine, “It Is What It Is”
[embedded content]
Handclaps, hard acoustic strums, piano melodies and boisterous group vocals are all helping Jenna Raine get out of the funk of growing up on “It Is What It Is,” a brisk charmer that gives the singer-songwriter ample room to showcase her personality over a short run time. Raine eye-rolls her way through hardship before mining some positivity, deploying snappy lyrics that could feasibly blow up in the next uplifting TikTok trend. – J. Lipshutz
Rosie Darling, “Boxes”
[embedded content]
The ornately detailed post-breakup songwriting of hits like Olivia Rodrigo’s “Drivers License” and Lizzy McAlpine’s “Ceilings” is present in Rosie Darling’s “Boxes,” on which the Boston-born singer-songwriter examines the messiness that comes with a split — the changed locks, the tearful trip home, the call from an unaware family member. Darling nails those quiet moments, but also balls up her frustration in affecting big-picture questions: “What did you want from me? / I gave you everything.” – J. Lipshutz
Mitch Rowland, “Come June”
[embedded content]
Those familiar with Mitch Rowland’s work alongside Harry Styles — he co-wrote and played on multiple Harry’s House tracks, including performing drums on the chart-topping smash “As It Was,” and joined Styles’ Love On Tour world trek — should check their preconceived notions at the door when pressing play on debut single “Come June.” Instead of trying to re-create that magic, the singer-songwriter has found some of his own in a subtle indie-folk template, unfurling his own fragile voice with confidence. – J. Lipshutz
Becca Means, “My Darling”
[embedded content]
Nineteen-year-old Becca Means has accrued 3 million TikTok followers through a series of cover songs, demos and entertaining clips that showcase her personality — and while translating social media charm into a catchy song is often a tall order, Means pulls it off on debut single “My Darling.” The beguiling kiss-off pulls from ‘60s pop but feels modern and lived-in, with plenty of melodies worth returning to tucked into the verses. – J. Lipshutz
Bruno Major, “The Show Must Go On”
[embedded content]
The first verse of Bruno Major’s “The Show Must Go On” is split in half between fantasy and reality: after describing a scene of a hero triumphing, getting the girl and evoking crowd applause, Major snaps back into a more common occurrence of staring at a ceiling late at night, full of existential dread and ennui. “The Show Must Go On” demonstrates Major’s songwriting panache as a prescription for living your truth: his voice soulfully winds through ideas and scenario, dispensing advice in second person. – J. Lipshutz
The Beaches, “Me & Me”
[embedded content]
With “Me & Me,” a driving rock track about prioritizing yourself, Canadian foursome The Beaches deliver an updated take on the Beyoncé classic “Me, Myself and I”: Over a fuzzed-out riff, vocalist Jordan Miller confidently observes, “When I’m with myself, it’s honestly zen / Might as well be my girlfriend.” Elsewhere, she asks if spending time with herself is really such a sin, or more of a win; judging by the unbothered tone of “Me & Me,” it seems to be the latter. – Lyndsey Havens
Lizzo, “Pink”
[embedded content]
Unlike Dua Lipa’s “Dance the Night,” which could’ve appeared in the soundtrack to any number of summers flicks, Lizzo’s contribution to the blockbuster Barbie film features lyrics that serve as a meta commentary on the action of the film’s brilliant opening scene. Like the movie itself, the bright, buoyant tones of “Pink” set up a frozen plastic perfection that – by the time Lizzo spells out an acronym for the color, ending with ‘K’ standing for ‘cool’ – you know is bound to crack. – Joe Lynch
Tinashe, “Talk to Me Nice”
[embedded content]
With a soft, skittering rhythm and looped vocal syllable repeating throughout (courtesy of producers Nosaj Thing and Scoop DeVille), “Talk to Me Nice” finds Tinashe in her sweet spot, delivering shadowy, sensual R&B that’s hypnotic in its beauty. It’s a promising tease of the singer’s upcoming 2023 project, BB/ANG3L. – J. Lynch
NewJeans, “Get Up”
[embedded content]
After a successful run of singles (“Attention,” “Hype Boy,” “Ditto” and “OMG”) in less than one calendar year, NewJeans’ Get Up EP, released on July 21, quickly became one of the most highly anticipated K-pop project of the summer. While the first half of the EP employs Baltimore dance and UK garage beats for an energetic listen, title track “Get Up” – albeit only 36 seconds long – acts as an interlude to catch your breath. Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin and Hyein’s voices melt into airy synth instrumentals as they dabble in R&B, offering a hopeful glimpse at what’s to come from their future releases. – Starr Bowenbank
