“Get ready to kick off the weekend with a soundtrack that’s guaranteed to get you moving! Friday is here, and with it, a fresh batch of new music to obsess over. This week, we’re excited to dive into the latest releases from some of the biggest names in the industry. From the electro-pop sweetness of Tate McRae to the sultry R&B vibes of Benny Blanco and Selena Gomez, there’s something for every music lover in this week’s Friday Music Guide.
But that’s not all – we’re also diving into the bold and edgy collaboration between JENNIE and Doechii, which is sure to get your adrenaline pumping. And with new tracks from a range of other talented artists, this week’s playlist is packed with an infectious energy that’s sure to see you through to the weekend and beyond.
Pop Prowess: Tate McRae, Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco, & JENNIE
Tate McRae’s Triumphant Return
Tate McRae’s success story is one of perseverance: the Canadian pop star has spent grinding out singles and projects, honing her sound and point of view, and collecting enough crossover hits to build palpable buzz around her latest full-length. “So Close to What” doesn’t deviate too much from McRae’s proven aesthetic — the 15 tracks rarely exceed the three-minute mark — but also features a more mature perspective, as McRae asserts her fears and desires within each slick hook. This evolution in songwriting showcases McRae’s growth as an artist and signals a potential shift in her career trajectory, solidifying her position as a major force in the pop world.
Heartbreak Harmonies
Longtime Selena Gomez fans understand the appeal of her stream-of-consciousness pop — verses blurted out, vulnerabilities on full display — and Gomez (alongside fiancee Benny Blanco and her pal Gracie Abrams) releases a winner in that template with “Call Me When You Break Up,” as she and Abrams play ride-or-die friends and emotional foils. The track’s confessional lyrics and poignant melody are likely to resonate deeply with fans who connect with Gomez’s authentic portrayal of heartbreak and resilience.
Given the proven success of both Gomez and Abrams in the pop landscape, “Call Me When You Break Up” has the potential to become a chart-topping hit. Its themes of friendship, heartbreak, and personal growth are universally relatable, making it a strong contender for widespread appeal.
Girl Power Anthem
While the latest preview of JENNIE’s forthcoming solo album “Ruby” features a delightfully aggressive performance from the BLACKPINK star and a bullet-time guest verse by Doechii, the female empowerment anthem is highlighted by a refrain peppered throughout the song, and sure to elicit shout-alongs at clubs in the coming months: “Do my ladies run this?” This bold statement, coupled with JENNIE’s commanding vocals and Doechii’s fiery verse, positions “ExtraL” as a rallying cry for female empowerment and further cements JENNIE’s status as a global pop icon.
The release of “ExtraL” generates significant anticipation for JENNIE’s solo album, “Ruby,” which is poised to showcase her artistic versatility and solidify her position as a leading figure in the global music scene.
Hip-Hop Heat: Don Toliver & Speedy, Lil Baby, & More
Pharrell’s Parisian Pop
“LV Bag,” which premiered at Pharrell Williams’ menswear show during Paris Fashion Week, boasts a stacked lineup — Don Toliver headlines the affair, and he corrals J-Hope of BTS to navigate the opulent opening verse — but the melody that snakes throughout the track is a classic Williams earworm, as undeniably catchy as some of his early Neptunes smashes. The blend of hip-hop, pop, and a touch of global flair in “LV Bag” has the potential to transcend genre boundaries, appealing to a wide range of listeners and further cementing Pharrell’s legacy as a musical innovator.
Lil Baby’s Extended Reign
A week after making his return with the concise, rock-hard “WHAM,” Lil Baby has added four new tracks to the album by way of a deluxe edition, with the sizzling Future team-up “99” serving as both the highlight of the new collection and an instant follow-up to “Dum, Dumb, and Dumber,” the Baby-Future-Young Thug summit challenging for a strong Hot 100 debut next week. This strategic move of releasing an extended edition demonstrates Lil Baby’s commitment to providing his fans with fresh content and maintaining momentum for the album, extending its lifespan and solidifying its impact on the charts.
Genre-Bending Gems: Coco Jones, Sam Fender, Burna Boy, and More
Coco Jones’ Pop Panache
Ahead of her newly announced debut album, “Why Not More?,” due out in April, Coco Jones has established herself as an effortlessly talented star in the R&B world — but new single “Taste,” which is built around an interpolation of Britney Spears’ “Toxic,” serves a nice reminder of her pop panache as well. This clever blend of R&B and pop elements, coupled with Jones’s undeniable vocal talent, showcases her versatility and potential for crossover success. “Taste” strategically positions her for a strong debut with a track that is both familiar and fresh.
Sam Fender’s People Watching
The title “People Watching” should be taken literally — for Sam Fender’s third studio album, the British rock star shifts his perspective toward his family and friends as well as strangers, perceiving the world (and himself) as they might — but the songwriting exercise yields some of Fender’s most accessible tracks yet, including standouts like “Little Bit Closer,” “Nostalgia’s Lie” and the title track. This shift in perspective broadens Fender’s fanbase, attracting listeners who may have previously been drawn to his more introspective work. The album’s accessibility, coupled with its lyrical depth, has the potential to propel Fender into mainstream recognition.
Burna Boy’s Afrobeats Fuse
A few months after Kendrick Lamar sampled the club classic “When I Hear Music” on “Squabble Up,” Burna Boy has returned, ahead of upcoming eighth studio album “No Sign of Weakness,” with a similar approach on “Update,” re-contextualizing Soul II Soul’s “Back to Life (However Do You Want Me)” as the foundation of a effervescent Afrobeats track. This innovative blend of genres, combined with Burna Boy’s signature energetic performance, has the potential to further popularize Afrobeats globally, exposing a wider audience to the genre’s infectious rhythms and captivating melodies.
Editor’s Picks: Gems You Shouldn’t Miss
Anxious’s Evolving Emo
If Anxious’ 2022 debut “Little Green House” sounded like a breath of fresh air from the punk-leaning emo scene, the Connecticut quintet’s follow-up represents an exciting artist achieving greatness: “Bambi” sharpens the band’s formula in every conceivable way, with songs like opener “Never Said” fine-tuning the band’s defiant cries, “Some Girls” and “Next Big Star” offering spectacular pop hooks, and the entirety of the project’s lyrics capturing the growing pains leading up to this moment. This marked evolution showcases Anxious’s growth and maturity, solidifying their position as a leading voice in the emo genre.
Blondshell’s Indie Brilliance
Sabrina Teitelbaum’s next album as Blondshell promises to be a major leap forward from a songwriting and production standpoint, and lead single “T&A” hints at the evolution to come: with glum recollections of a regretful hook-up, an anthemic chorus that asks unanswerable questions and electric guitar work that charges up the song’s energy, “T&A” is a home run of an opening statement, and the sound of Blondshell becoming an indie star. This strong debut single positions Blondshell for a breakout year, showcasing her talent for crafting memorable melodies and relatable lyrics that resonate with a younger generation.
Conclusion
So, there you have it, folks – a Friday overflowing with fresh sounds from the hottest names in music. From Tate McRae’s raw vulnerability to Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco’s infectious pop, and JENNIE’s electrifying collaboration with Doechii, this week’s releases prove that the music scene is anything but stagnant. Each artist brings their unique perspective and talent to the table, pushing boundaries and shaping the soundscape of tomorrow.
But the significance goes beyond just catchy tunes. These releases reflect a broader cultural shift – a desire for authenticity, vulnerability, and diverse voices. As music continues to evolve, it’s exciting to witness artists like these embracing their individuality and paving the way for a more inclusive and representative industry. What new sounds will emerge next week? Who will be the next breakout star? One thing’s for sure: the future of music is bright, bold, and brimming with endless possibilities.
So crank up the volume, explore these new releases, and let the music move you. Because in a world that often feels chaotic, the power of music to connect, inspire, and uplift remains timeless.
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