What better way to kick off a weekend than with new music? Fridays are always chock full of the latest songs and albums ready to be the soundtrack to everyone’s antics, and here you’ll find some of the week’s standout releases. Whether you’re ready to spin an anticipated song from a favorite artist or just taking a look at what’s out there, there’s a whole lot of tunes to dive right into. Who knows—maybe you’ll find your next obsession.
Weezer
OK Human
In a pandemic-less world, Weezer’s OK Human wouldn’t exist at this moment in time. Originally meant to come after Van Weezer—the band’s grandiose arena rock record pushed back to May—OK Human takes the spotlight to showcase an indie-rock gem ripe with orchestral numbers and power ballads.
Porter Robinson
“Look at the Sky”
Written at his “lowest point emotionally”, Porter Robinson’s “Look at the Sky” is all about hope. You can tell from the optimistic and bubbly piano line that segues into an even brighter chorus—it’s another track from his upcoming full-length that is turning into a can’t-miss record for 2021.
A Day to Remember
Live at the Audio Compound
After nearly two years of delays, A Day to Remember’s You’re Welcome is finally approaching…but there’s still some time ’til March 5. To hold everyone over for just a bit longer, ADTR fills the concert void by releasing a Live at the Audio Compound. Along with the new track “Everything We Need”, their cover of Acceptance’s “Take Cover” makes this release worth spinning ’til the album drops.
The Killers
Imploding the Mirage (Deluxe)
If you missed Imploding the Mirage the first time around, The Killers are sweetening the deal for last year’s LP with a deluxe version that adds a few extra treats. Along with alternate versions of “Caution” and “Blowback”, the b-side “C’est La Vie” continues the record’s new-wavy vibes in style.
Hot Chelle Rae
“Tonight Tonight” (COVID Remix)
Hot Chelle Rae felt a civic duty of sorts to retool their decade-old hit “Tonight Tonight”, from a party anthem to an ode to isolation. It is kinda cool hearing an older HCR re-do the track, and some of the new lyrics are kinda sorta funny, but hopefully the original version will be appropriate enough to jam to by the end of the year.
Our Last Night
“You Broke Me First”
Our Last Night are back on their covers game with a rendition of Tate McRae’s hit “You Broke Me First”. The dark and brooding original doesn’t get a like-for-like remake here—OLN put their patented post-hardcore dressing all over their version, equipped with breakdowns and screams galore.
Lil Peep
California Girls
Though Lil Peep has his two commercial full-lengths, the late rapper had a slew of self-released material and mixtapes before his passing. His estate has slowly made those available to the masses again via streaming services with California Girls being the latest. The EP originally dropped in 2016 and is regarded as a fan-favorite among Peep fans.
Benny Blanco
“You” (feat. Marshmello and Vance Joy)
Two of the most ambitious producers in pop, Benny Blanco and Marshmello get together for “You” with the help of singer/songwriter Vance Joy. Joy’s soulful vocals do well atop Marshmello’s horn-laden production, but it’s Blanco’s hook writing that brings the track home as a superb collaboration.
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Ones to Watch:
Little Hurt
Every Second
Former Mowgli’s frontman Colin Dieden dips his feet into going solo with excellent results. The new project, Little Hurt, bleeds vulnerability as the Every Second EP explores anxiety and depression disguised as perfectly catchy alt-pop tunes.
Papa Roach x Jeris Johnson
“Last Resort (Reloaded)”
Other new releases:
Mike Posner – “Momma Always Told Me (feat Stanaj & Yung Bae)”
JoJo – “American Mood”
Rebecca Black – “Girlfriend”
PRETTYMUCH- “Parking Spot”
Joshua Bassett – “Only a Matter of Time”
FKA Twigs, Headie One, Fred again.. – “Don’t Judge Me”
Eric Church – “Heart on Fire”
Rag’n’Bone Man – “All You Ever Wanted”
Pink Sweat$ – “At My Worst (feat. Kehlani)”
Chase Atlantic – “SLIDE”
Arlo Parks – Collapsed In Sunbeams
PRETTYMUCH – Smackables
AViVA – “ANTIHERO”
NCT 127 – “First Love”
MadLib – Sound Ancestors
Andra Day – “Tigress & Tweed”
Selena Gomez – “Baila Conmigo (feat. Rauw Alejandro)”
Maluma – #7DJ (7 Dias En Jamaica)
Celeste – “Tonight Tonight”
Anitta – “Loco”
Clean Bandit – “Higher (feat. iann dior)”
