Pop
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Billboard’s Friday Music Guide serves as a handy guide to this Friday’s most essential releases — the key music that everyone will be talking about today, and that will be dominating playlists this weekend and beyond.
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This week, Chappell Roan gets the job done, Playboi Carti finally drops the album, and Haim kick off the spring. Check out all of this week’s picks below:
Chappell Roan, “The Giver”
2020s pop, meet 1990s country: “The Giver,” Chappell Roan’s long-awaited new single that was debuted on Saturday Night Live last November and has been teased for weeks, has arrived as a swirling, fiddle-filled gay anthem as well as an homage to the boot-stomping mainstream smashes of artists like The Chicks and Shania Twain, aware of the past but full of singular energy from a new superstar.
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Playboi Carti, Music
At long last, we have the follow-up to Playboi Carti’s towering 2020 album Whole Lotta Red: at 30 songs and 76 minutes, Music is a gargantuan undertaking that hides its A-list guests throughout the track list (Kendrick Lamar, The Weeknd, Travis Scott and Future are among the attendees), but the project stands as a coronation of a relentless, rabble-rousing superstar, who iterates on his past flows and rage sound while also reveling in his improbable rise. Haim, “Relationships”
Him returning a few days after we push the clocks forward, and receive more sunlight on a daily basis, couldn’t be more perfect — “Relationships” sounds like an overdue embrace from an old friend, the cozy stylings of the trio typified by a buoyant bass line, rhetorical questions about relationship statuses and a breakdown that opens the song and then happily swings back around.
Sleep Token, “Emergence”
“Go ahead and wrap your arms around me,” goes the refrain of “Emergence,” the dazzling return of the mysterious British rock group Sleep Token: a six-minute epic that combines metalcore, hip-hop, electronic and pop, the lead single to Even in Arcadia is designed to command attention but pulls off its elaborate concept, and sets up Sleep Token for a huge year.
Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco, “Sunset Blvd”
We’ve gotten a few different shades of Selena Gomez and Benny Blanca’s collaborative album before its arrival next week, and “Sunset Blvd” is by far the dreamiest: over a warm bed of synths and unobtrusive drums, Gomez reflects on her first date with her fiancé, tossing out a few sexual innuendoes and big-hearted declarations.
Lil Nas X, “HOTBOX”
Concluding a full week of new singles from Lil Nas X, “HOTBOX” offers sing-rap opulence over a sample of Pharrell Williams’ “Frontin’,” with Nas calling everybody to the dance floor while the beat wordlessly does the same thing; the other new tracks were worthy, but he saved the best for last.
LE SSERAFIM, HOT
The fifth mini-album from the K-pop quintet finds LE SSERAFIM sharpening their aesthetic over five tracks, and while the title track to HOT is the group’s latest single, “Come Over,” which plays out like an extended flirtation over a Bossa nova-esque riff, is the easy standout here, and one of the strongest songs the group has ever made.
Lizzo, “Still Bad”
If “Love in Real Life,” Lizzo’s first new music in three years, arrived two weeks ago as the opening credits to her return, “Still Bad” sounds like the main event, as an unapologetic showcase of the Grammy winner’s vocals, sense of humor and party-ready rhythmic pop flair.
Peso Pluma, “RARI”
The latest single from Peso Pluma comes back to a successful blueprint for the superstar, but “RARI” might be the most instantly catchy track he’s released in years, with a vocal hook that is woven throughout every line and emphasizes the rougher textures in his delivery.
Editor’s Pick: Charley Crockett, Lonesome Drifter
On first blush, Charley Crockett’s new album Lonesome Drifter is a traditional country project, full of hard-scrabble storytelling, strummed hooks and the singer-songwriter’s rumbling twang — but multiple listens reveal an impressive synthesis of classic and modern styles from an emerging star, as Crockett folds well-worn country tropes into charming explorations of R&B, blues and modern rock.
In an Instagram post earlier this week captioned “dirtbag girl in a dirtbag world,” Halsey fully embraced their body in pics in which the “Safeword” singer modeled a series of skin-baring outfits. The get-ups ranged from a black sweater and plaid skirt combo to a black lacy thong and push-up bra, a half-shirt reading “Breed […]
Jessica Simpson returned to the stage for her first live show in 15 years on Wednesday night (March 12) at SXSW in Austin, TX. The singer performed a live set at Owen Bradley Park for the Recording Academy’s Block Party during the annual music industry conference, playing a mix of gritty, rock-tinged and country-influenced originals and covers while rocking a fringed buckskin jacket and brown leather skirt.
The energetic six-song set opened with the live debut of two new songs, the gospel country-tinged “Breadcrumbs” and “Leave,” followed by a gritty cover of the Dusty Springfield classic “Son of a Preacher Man” that found Simpson, 43, belting the song with enthusiasm while accompanied by a full live band featuring stand-up bass and two powerful back-up singers.
“Last night, was my first performance in 15 years. It was an emotional coming back home to the best part of myself,” Simpson wrote on Instagram in a post that featured footage of the set. “Thank you for embracing me. You know that I have so much to say, but this lucky voice gets to soar again tonight. I love y’all. More to come.”
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In addition to the Springfield cover, Simpson also took on the Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 Nancy Sinatra hit “These Boots Are Made For Walkin’” — which she covered for the 2005 Dukes of Hazzard soundtrack — along with the live debuts of the bluesy “Blame Me” and boot-scooting country pop tune “Use My Heart Against Me“; the new songs are slate to appear on Simpson’s upcoming Nashville Canyon, Part I EP. Simpson recently released “Use My Heart Against Me” and “Leave” in advance of the EP’s March 21 street date, marking her first new music since a 2010 Happy Christmas album. Simpson’s last studio album of new music was 2008’s Do You Know.
Speaking to the audience at the top of the set, Simpson explained, “This time I needed to remember who I was and why I wanted to sing in the first place and all the music that inspires me. And I need to forget who they told me to be.” The last time Simpson performed live was at the 2010 Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting ceremony.
In one of the videos from her SXSW show, Simpson described how therapeutic her Nashville writing and recording sessions were to the audience. “The songs kept coming, I was so inspired, it was such a beautiful moment. But within that moment, my life turned upside down and there was no way I was going to let it keep me from my purpose,” she said to whoops from the audience. “There was no way I was going to let the light go dim. I’ve done that before and it really only held me back and made me so insecure. And I can say today that I love myself, I love the woman that I am, I love the mother that I am, I love the friend I am and I know that heartbreak… you write some good music when you go through heartbreak… so, I guess take advantage of it?”
In January, Simpson announced her split from husband of 10 years, former NFL tight end Eric Johnson. “Eric and I have been living separately navigating a painful situation in our marriage,” Simpson — who shares three children with Johnson — said in a statement at the time. “Our children come first, and we are focusing on what is best for them. We are grateful for all of the love and support that has been coming our way, and appreciate privacy right now as we work through this as a family.”
Doubling down on her country pivot, Simpson was also a surprise guest at Thursday night’s (March 13) annual Luck Reunion at Willie Nelson’s ranch in Luck, TX, where she performed “Use My Heart Against Me,” “Breadcrumbs” and another new song, “Sunday Lover,” as well as the “Boots” cover. This year’s show also featured sets from Willie Nelson & Family, Charley Crockett, Shane Smith & the Saints, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Julien Baker & TORRES, Taj Mahal and others.
Check out Simpson’s performance below.
Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco’s joint album I Said I Love You First is arriving in just a week, and the pair unveiled the latest single from the project, “Sunset Blvd,” on Friday (March 14). The title is inspired by the Los Angeles street where the duo, who got engaged in December, had their first […]
The Midwest Princess is heading back to her roots. Chappell Roan unveiled her newest single, “The Giver,” on Thursday (March 13), putting her own spin on country music. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news In the fiddle-heavy track, she declares in the cheeky chorus: “Take it like […]
Lizzo is continuing the rollout of her upcoming musical era with a video for her latest single, “Still Bad.” The clip seemingly continues the story from her comeback track, “Love in Real Life,” released in February. That video ends at nighttime, with the superstar dancing in the street with zombies as a white car pulls […]
Mayhem, Lady Gaga’s long-awaited new studio album finally arrived on March 7 via Interscope Records, and within a week, fans have already decided on their favorite tracks. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Billboard shared a poll earlier this week asking the Little Monsters to vote for […]
The Jonas Brothers announced the release date for their upcoming single, “Love Me to Heaven,” on Thursday (March 13). The follow-up to the sibling trio’s recent singles with Marshmello (“Slow Motion”) and Rascal Flatts (“I Dare You”) is due out on March 21. They announced the news in an Instagram post in which all three modeled Canadian tuxedoes while flipping and jumping through the sky.
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The band previewed the uptempo pop tune during their 20th anniversary celebration show in Toronto last month, busting out the live debut of the track on which they sing, “Could give me everything, but it ain’t enough/ You can’t put a price on the human touch/ I could be down, but you love me to heaven/ Love me to heaven, babe.”
Joe, Nick and Kevin Jonas will continue their celebration of two decades of familial pop rocking with the upcoming one-day JONASCON at the American Dream mall in their native New Jersey on March 23. The event will feature live performances, DJ sets, Q&A panels, fan activations, pop-up surprises, retail takeovers, a Jonas trading post, trivia, games, immersive experiences, an interactive art installation, keynote event, karaoke, a Camp Rock bar, special guests, mini golf and exclusive merch. “From their early beginnings to global pop icons, JONASCON will honor the band’s incredible journey while also showing their appreciation to the fans who have been with them from the beginning,” a statement promised.
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While no specific information has been released about where the new single will land, earlier this year the trio promised that their 20th anniversary celebrations will include a “year of music,” featuring new songs, a live album, soundtrack, solo music and a holiday movie for Disney titled Jonas Brothers Christmas Music.
They will also be featured on Rascal Flatt’s upcoming duets album, Life Is a Highway: Refueled Duet via “I Dare You,” which was written by Nick Jonas with Dan + Shay’s Shay Mooney (as well as Dewain Whitmore Jr and Tommy English) and currently sits at No. 37 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart after peaking at No. 24.
Check out the “Love Me To Heaven” announcement below.
Rag’n’Bone Man‘s emotional video for his breakthrough 2016 hit “Human” has hit one billion views on YouTube. According to YT, the visual for the bare-bones blues pop song that has had a second, and third, life as the theme song for a variety of TV Shows, movies and video games has been averaging more than […]
Folk legend Joan Baez was having a ball sitting on the couch with an eclectic group of fellow guests on the season debut of John Mulaney’s new Netflix series Everybody’s Live With John Mulaney. But the “Joe Hill” singer whose songs of protest and social justice were a staple of the 1960s folk scene also had some serious things on her mind as well.
In a prelude to a story about “funny person” Martin Luther King Jr., Baez said she needed to “set the context” for what is going on in our country at the moment. “You said I could say anything I want out here,” Baez said to the host. “We’re all here to be silly and have fun, and as long as we recognize the fact that our democracy is going up in flames… we’re being run by a bunch of really incompetent billionaires.”
Baez did not specifically note who said billionaires are, but it appeared she was talking about Donald Trump and DOGE boss Elon Musk, who have been deeply slashing the federal government workforce over the past two months in their attempt to cut government spending in a manner that has raised alarms about the impact on the environment, American’s health and safety of the LGBTQ+ community.
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After Mulaney joked about the thought of Baez driving a Tesla, the singer noted that she actually used to own one of Musk’s all-electric cars after her assistant suggested she try one, but that she now has serious buyer’s remorse.
“I hated that thing,” Baez, 84, said. “But I thought I was supposed to like it. So I drove off in it. Within 45 minutes I had smashed it into an oak tree on my property… I was thinking, ‘That’s a sign.’” While Baez said the crash was not on purpose, the joke came amid a national, and international, backlash against Musk’s chainsaw-like slashing of federal programs that has seen Tesla vehicles and showrooms vandalized.
“I hated it,” Baez added of the car without specifying when she owned it. “It was too big… I sold it and got one-half the amount of money I paid for.”
Baez — who was portrayed by Monica Barbaro in the Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown – appeared on the re-boot of the show alongside actor Michael Keaton, SNL alumni Fred Armisen and Tracy Morgan, popular personal finance columnist Jessica Roy and Christopher Lloyd, and, of course, Mulaney’s sidekick and announcer, comedian/actor Richard Kind.
She also talked about hanging out with civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. in the 1960s, saying she heard him tell “dirty jokes” when the cameras weren’t around. “I thought, ‘I am going to get the inside story on how these guys do these marches,’” Baez said, lamenting that instead “They all start telling dirty jokes… from the airport to his favorite little restaurant.” Asked if she remembered any of the bawdy jokes, Baez said, “I do, and I can’t tell them here.”
In addition, Baez proved her ageless nature by gamely dancing along to musical guests Cypress Hill as they performed their 1993 stone cold classic, “Hits From the Bong.”
Mulaney’s series began life as the Emmy-winning, six-episode Everybody’s in L.A. last May during the Netflix is a Joke festival, with a playful live format that focused on a series of very LA.-specific subjects, including coyotes, palm trees, helicopters and the paranormal. It will now air as a series of 12 live weekly shows.