10 Big Things That Happened in Music the Week of December 1, 2023
It hasn't taken long for us to discover that there is no such thing as a slow music week. In fact, these days, the weeks are so jam-packed with excellence that it's hard to keep up.
Take the week of Dec. 1, for example. On top of Taylor Swift being announced as Spotify's top artist, she dropped a new From the Vault track—and that's on top of a new surprise single from Beyoncé, the release of Part 1 of Dove Cameron's debut album and so much more. Ahead are the 10 biggest things that happened in music this week.
1. VENUS Reflects on Romance in 'If (This Is Love)'
We're new to the musical stylings of SoCal-based artist and producer VENUS, but with just one track, her dreamy and evocative vocals have us completely transfixed. Today, she dropped the music video for her new song "If (This Is Love)," adding a sense of visual peace to the gorgeously soothing sounds of the introspective track. In a press release, VENUS shared that the song is "a soft declaration of love and hoping that it stays." It will also appear on VENUS's upcoming EP, and we cannot wait to hear what else it has to offer.
2. VALÉ 'the homesick song (xmas version)'
Last month, Colombian singer-songwriter VALÉ dropped her luscious single "the homesick song," and today, she delivered a reimagined "xmas version" that fully has our hearts. The song, sung in English and Spanish about love, longing and loneliness away from home, feels perhaps even more poignant as the weather gets chillier, with its lyrics about Christmas and the sound of jingle bells twinkling away. "'the homesick song (xmas version)' is my way of hugging everyone that might have a tough time during the holidays," VALÉ shared in a press release. "The original version is near and dear to my heart, so I thought it'd be a nice gift for everyone who tuned into my world this year!"
3. Haiden Lets Go of His Inner Child in 'killed the kid'
We first fell in love with viral pop singer-songwriter Haiden thanks to his song "flight attendant" earlier this year, and he's rounding out 2023 strong with the release of his latest single, "killed the kid." The acoustic-backed track puts the emphasis on his pure, clean vocals to create a sound that's laidback yet more dynamic than ever, contrasting his soul-baring lyricism. It's a powerful song about letting go of the innocence of his inner child and hardening himself so as not to be hurt in the future. "This song was written as I lightly sobbed on my best friend's couch (lol) over a person that didn't care about me as much as I did them," Haiden explained in a press release. "I was frustrated by the child-like part of me that trusts people without fear or reason—the part that falls too easily—and suddenly 'I killed the kid inside of me this morning' fell out of my mouth as I played the opening chords."
Also read about: Haiden Talks 'flight attendant' and How It's 'The Breakup Letter [He] Never Wrote'
4. Corey Kent Finds Reflection Back Home in 'Southeast Oklahoma Pines'
Platinum-selling country singer-songwriter Corey Kent has a way of taking his most authentic experiences and transforming them into tracks that make them feel like a piece of home, and he's captured that magic again in his latest single, "Southeast Oklahoma Pines." It's a stripped-back acoustic track about going back home, where time stands still, and how that can help you step away from the struggles and preoccupations of everyday life. "Broken Bow, Oklahoma just might be my favorite place in the world," Corey explained in a press release. "It's where my family has been for generations running lumber mills and cattle. It's where I learned to hunt and fish. It's where I fell in love with the outdoors. To me, southeast Oklahoma is more than a place. It's a home cooked meal. It's a hug when you walk through the front door. It's heritage. It's a nudge to slow down. To remove the distractions. When I make my way home to those Southeast Oklahoma Pines, it's a reminder that even at its worst, life ain't all that bad."
5. Toby Gad Recruits Camylio to Breathe a Different Life Into Demi Lovato's 'Skyscraper'
You may not immediately recognize the name of Grammy-winning songwriter and producer Toby Gad, but we guarantee that you're familiar with his music. He's lent a hand to artists including Kelly Clarkson to Carrie Underwood, John Legend, Calum Scott, Josh Groban, Weezer and so many more, and with Piano Dairies – Volume One, he's remaking some of his biggest hits and reimagining them with epic piano backing and new voices to create a completely different version of the classics. For his most recent release, he teamed up with Camylio on a rousing cover of Demi Lovato's "Skyscraper," channeling the rawness of Camylio's voice to create something special. "I was honored when Toby asked me to be a part of his Piano Diaries project, especially with a song like 'Skyscraper' that became such an empowering anthem for a generation in which mental health is such a prevalent issue," Camylio shared in a press release. "I make music to help people feel understood in whatever they're going through, so with a song like 'Skyscraper' that has meant so much to so many people, it's really special to now be a part of that and help give the song new life."
Also read about: Here's Everything to Know About Singer-Songwriter, Producer and TikTok Sensation Camylio
6. MGMT Evokes the Edge and Whimsy of the '90s in 'Bubblegum Dog'
Rock band MGMT are gearing up to release their next studio album, Loss of Life, in February, and the release of their latest single, "Bubblegum Dog," has bumped it up on our highly anticipated album list. The track has a unique alt-rock sound, combined with psychedelic and whimsical lyrics that feel plucked straight from the '90s. The song comes complete with a new music video alluding to some of the band's favorite '90s music videos and alternative TV series, starring the titular leather-clad hyena man. "We all saw the video for 'Bubblegum Dog' as an opportunity to combine the charming, DIY, surreal, cardboard craft aesthetic of shows like Yo Gabba Gabba and The Mighty Boosh with these ultra-serious grunge videos we grew up watching on MTV—all that heavy, brooding angst smashed up against absurd childlike fun," the group shared in a press release.
7. Tai Verdes Sees 'Stars' in New Single
Recently, singer-songwriter and producer Tai Verdes has been showcasing an entirely different side of his artistry with tracks including "Sandman," "Sunset" and "All White," and his latest release, "Stars," continues the trend. The hip-hop track is breezy and relaxed as he confronts a relationship he's unsure of and questions whether the feeling is mutual. In a press release, Tai described his recent sound as a "second-generation Black mindset of putting culture on your shoulders and moving forward," and we can't wait to see how it continues to play out.
8. Dove Cameron Drops the First Half of Her Debut Album With ALCHEMICAL: VOLUME 1
The long wait is over—the first half of Dove Cameron's highly anticipated debut album, ALCHEMICAL, is finally upon us. Featuring singles "Lethal Woman" and "Sand," the eight-track album bounces between pulse-pounding pop tracks and soulful ballads while telling Dove's story of reflection and catharsis. "The first half of my debut album ALCHEMICAL is out December 1st," Dove shared in an Instagram post. "I am truly so excited to share these songs with you and tell stories that I haven't been able to before. I wrote Volume 1 during a period of deep healing and space to process that I had never given myself. I hope you feel yourself in these songs as much as I do. Part 1: tear down. Part 2: rebuild."
9. Beyoncé Drops Surprise Track 'MY HOUSE'
Is there anything more exciting than a surprise music drop from Queen Bey herself? Today, Beyoncé shared her defiant and confident new anthem, "MY HOUSE," and it's here just in time to commemorate the big release of Renaissance: A Film By Beyoncé in theaters everywhere. This truly has been a show-stopping year for the artist, and in the wake of her highly successful Renaissance World Tour, she's ending the year on the right note. Driven by infectious horns and electronic sounds, it serves as both a declaration of power and a thank you to the fans, and as always, Beyoncé's energy is simply impossible to ignore.
Also read about: 16 Sparkling Lyrics From Beyoncé's RENAISSANCE That Make Perfect Instagram Captions
10. Taylor Swift Commemorates Her Place as Spotify's 2023 Top-Streamed Global Artist With From the Vault Track, 'You're Losing Me'
At this point, we should be more surprised when a week doesn't include a surprise music drop from Taylor Swift. This week, Taylor was officially named Spotify's 2023 top-streamed global artist, and to celebrate, she dropped another unforgettable From the Vault track, "You're Losing Me." It was previously only a Midnights (Late Night Edition) exclusive, and now, this achingly beautiful track about watching a relationship deteriorate from within is available to all. "Um ok this is unreal??" Taylor wrote in a Twitter post. "I just wanted to say to anyone who listened to my music this year, anywhere in the world, thank you. Getting named Spotify's Global Top Artist in 2023 is truly the best birthday/holiday gift you could've given me. We've seriously had THE MOST fun this year out there on tour and now this. Are you serious. So I was trying to think of a way to thank you, and a lot of you have been asking me to put "You're Losing Me (From The Vault)" on streaming… so here you go! You can finally listen EVERYWHERE now 💋"
Missed our favorite tracks from the week before Thanksgiving? Click HERE to check out our top 10 favorite releases for the week of Nov. 17, 2023.