10 Big Things That Happened in Music the Week of August 18, 2023
We may be more than halfway through August, but we still consider the summer season to be in full swing—and this week's fiery new hits are helping us keep that energy alive.
These last seven days were full of iconic collabs, whether we're talking imaginative team-ups between rising artists like Knox and Charlotte Sands, East-meets-West moments like Sabrina Carpenter's feature on the latest version of FIFTY FIFTY's biggest hit or the show-stopping new collaboration between Michaël Brun, Anne-Marie and Becky G—and all of that is just scratching the week's surface. For more on the newest music we love, keep scrolling to discover the 10 biggest things that happened in music the week of Aug. 18, 2023.
1. Shamir Explores Uncertainty in From-the-Vault Track, 'Obsession'
Philadelphia-based singer-songwriter Shamir has a truly unique voice and a compelling story to tell, and we can't wait to hear it all unfold with the release of their upcoming album, Homo Anxietatem, out Aug. 18. Until then, we just got a final taste of what's to come with the buzzy alt-rock single, "Obsession." Driven by crunchy guitar, it's a song about dealing with self-doubt, confusion and imposter syndrome as you try to find yourself. "I love how this song is rooted in uncertainty and not self pity," Shamir explained in a press release, 'The truth is that I didn't know myself back then, and I certainly was not ready for that level of exposure, but I knew I could be." The track also comes complete with a horizontal music video with three parallel narratives, reminiscent of TikTok videos made for people with short attention spans, which further drives their point home.
2. Colby Acuff Looks Forward to a New Future in 'Movin"
We've always adored country artist Colby Acuff for the honesty of his lyricism and his heartfelt vocals, and his first music since the release of his latest album, Western White Pines, may be our favorite track yet. The new single, "Movin'," sounds sweet and simple while capturing the complexity of leaving behind the place you've always called home to pave a new future for yourself. "Starting the process of actually moving to Nashville from Idaho, my very supportive girlfriend decided she wanted to make this journey with me," Colby shared in a press release. "I wrote this song with Ben Roberts and Ben Chapman and they helped bring this idea to life. Her and I have never not lived in Idaho and this song tells the story about our new journey in Tennessee. The write was at Ben Chapman's house and was one of my very first writes in Nashville and one of my very first co-writes ever. It came at a time when I was debating on whether I should leave Idaho and make Nashville my new home. Some of the songs on the record were a little more complex from a production sense, but we kept this song really simple and wanted to drive home the message."
3. Knox and Charlotte Sands Team Up for Breakup Duet 'We're Not In Love Anymore'
Prepare to have your heart broken by "We're Not in Love Anymore," the soaring yet searing new collab from Knox and Charlotte Sands. The emotional pop single showcases both sides of a breakup, telling the tale of a relationship that slowly fizzles out and dies, and the realization that eventually falling out of love is much more painful than a sudden and dramatic breakup.
Also read about: Knox on His Viral Anthem 'Love Letter' and Writing Songs to Perform Live
4. Thomas Day Finally Sings of True Love in New Single 'Gravity'
TikTok sensation-turned-pop superstar Thomas Day is best known for his emotional and evocative pop hits detailing loss, heartbreak and yearning, but his newest single, "Gravity," proves he's just as talented at portraying the greatness of true love within his music. He considers the new piano-driven track his first real love song, and the purity of his feelings comes across in every note of the stunning ballad. "I feel like I've been searching for someone or something my entire life, but every time I've fallen for someone, I've ended up getting my heart broken," Thomas shared in an interview with Sweety High. "Ever since I experienced my first heartbreak, I've learned to become cautious with love. This song was inspired by meeting someone who made me feel, for the first time, like I didn't have to be cautious. It's just different. It's hard to explain, but real love is one of the rarest things to come by. Words can never be enough to describe it, but this love is the type of love you live for."
Also read about: Thomas Day Shares How He Wrote His First REAL Love Song, the New Single 'Gravity'
5. Zoe Wees Finds Her Inner Strength in 'Lightning'
We've never heard a voice quite like that of German singer-songwriter Zoe Wees, and on her latest single, "Lightning," it's clear that she's coming to recognize her power. Highlighting Zoe's soulful vocals, the track is anthemic and visceral, showcasing the artist growing into her strength as she promises to overcome any obstacles that get in her way. It's also our first tease of her highly anticipated debut album, Therapy, which drops Nov. 3. "This record has been a long time in the making, and I have found writing it to be such a healing experience," Zoe shared in an Instagram post. "I hope you feel the same comfort when you hear it. I cannot wait to share this with you Wingz."
6. Victor Ray Yearns to Reconnect With 'Popcorn & a Smoothie'
Ugandan-born, London-based singer-songwriter Victor Ray has made quite the name for himself with his viral street performances on TikTok, and his pure voice and vulnerable storytelling are a massive part of his undeniable talents. His new EP, i felt, releases on Sep. 6, and will include his brand new single, "Popcorn & a Smoothie." The track is a gorgeous blend of R&B, soul and pop as Victor imagines reconnecting his broken family, from the half-brother he barely knows to the father that was never in his life. "'Popcorn & A Smoothie' was initially written about my relationship with my little brother that I never got to know," Victor revealed in a press release. "This song, whilst a message reaching out to my half-brother, also felt like something I would've wanted my absent father to have said to me at that age."
7. Renée Rapp Makes an Iconic Album Debut With Snow Angel
Reneé Rapp may be best known for her work as an actress in The Sex Lives of College Girls, but she's also a talented musician, and we can't imagine a better introduction to her artistry than her new debut album, Snow Angel. Across 12 hypnotic pop tracks, Renée showcases her angelic voice while taking us through all of the ups and downs of young queer love, and while it's never predictable, it always takes audiences precisely where they need to go.
Also read about: 16 Vulnerable Lyrics From Reneé Rapp's Snow Angel to Use as Your Next Instagram Caption
8. Hozier Explores the Darkness and the Light in New Album Unreal Unearth
Irish singer-songwriter Hozier has been a household name for nearly a decade thanks to his hit single "Take Me to Church," and though expectations have been astronomically high for his third album, Unreal Unearth, he manages to meet each and every one of them. This is a narrative epic as much as it is an album, with listeners digging deeper with every track as Hozier goes to hell and back. The album truly showcases his greatest strengths, pairing his rich and gravelly voice with a tale of the highest highs and the lowest lows to create his best body of work yet. "It's with no small amount of pleasure and pride that I get to share my third album #UnrealUnearth with you today," Hozier wrote in an Instagram post. "This album represents a reflection on the journey through the last few years, and all that was reckoned with in that time. I'm proud of the work and look forward to taking all that I've gained in its making into projects to come. Thank you for all your incredible support for my music and for me as an artist. I can't wait to see some of you at shows soon and to play this music live! I feel incredibly lucky to have your support!"
9. FIFTY FIFTY Put a New Spin on Their Smash 'Cupid' With Help From Sabrina Carpenter
We've had FIFTY FIFTY's "Cupid" stuck in our heads since we first heard it back in February, and it just got even more infectiously sweet thanks to a brand new version, featuring pop icon Sabrina Carpenter. We can't resist a song about feeling dumb in love, and Sabrina's heavenly verses somehow make the track more fun and heartbreaking in equal measure. FIFTY FIFTY were already the fastest K-pop group to ever enter the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart, and this track is sure to make an even bigger impact.
Also read about: FIFTY FIFTY Take Love Into Their Own Hands in Dreamy Comeback Single, 'Cupid'
10. Michaël Brun, Anne-Marie and Becky G Join Forces for Sizzling End-of-Summer Anthem 'Coming Your Way'
Looking to dance away the end of the summer? Look no further than "Coming Your Way," the new collab between producer and DJ Michaël Brun, English hitmaker Anne-Marie and Becky G. This sizzling party anthem truly feels like a melding of cultures, creating an electronic-Caribbean fusion with a sound that's impossible to pin down, and it feels like the perfect track for living the end of summer to the fullest. "I wanted to cap the summer off with one of my favorite songs I've ever produced," Michaël shared in a press release. "'Coming Your Way' is a mix of so many genres that have influenced me across the years, from electronic music to Caribbean and Latin sounds. It's also an honor to have global superstars Anne Marie and Becky G present on this one. It feels like a global anthem."
Missed our favorite tracks last week? Click HERE to check out our top 10 favorite releases for the week of Aug. 11, 2023.