10 Big Things That Happened in Music the Week of December 8, 2023

December is shaping up to be one of the best months for this year's music. Last week brought Taylor Swift's "You're Losing Me" to streaming services and marked a surprise drop from Beyoncé in light of her documentary's premiere. Today, we receive even more anticipated releases, including Nicki Minaj's Pink Friday sequel and Tate McRae's second studio album.

Below, Sweety High dives deeper into our favorite new music from the week of Dec. 8, from notable newcomers to household names.

1. Nicki Minaj Returns to Her Roots With Pink Friday 2

Nicki Minaj ran the early '10s with her bestselling album, Pink Friday. And it introduced us to one special character in the rap diva's story, Roman Zolanski. More than a decade later, the queen returns with a follow-up to the project, Pink Friday 2. With samples of Billie Eilish's "Ocean Eyes" and Cyndi Lauper's "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun," Nicki proves she can still produce a feel-good hit with fun beats and hilarious bars.

 

2. Tate McRae Is a Good Girl Gone Bad on Sophomore Album, THINK LATER

Say goodbye to the Tate McRae you once knew. No more ballads or heartbreak—at least not in the way you think. On this sophomore effort, the soon-to-be pop icon takes autonomy of her actions. She'll do bad things, even if she knows there will be consequences, and she'll probably break a few hearts on the way, too. The title track says it best: "Live now, think later, I do it so well."

 

Also read about: 20 Sultry Lyrics From Tate McRae's Sophomore Album, THINK LATER, as Instagram Captions

 

3. Nessa Barrett Confronts a Lying Partner on 'girl in new york'

You can't outsmart Nessa Barrett. If you two-time her, she'll find out about it, especially if she's "a girl in New York." Over an old jazz-inspired instrumental, Nessa narrates her frustration when she finds out about her partner's infidelity—"You got wanderin' eyes," she croons—only to become curious about the woman on the opposite side of the country, stealing her partner's heart.

 

4. Usher and H.E.R. Provide a Sneak Peek Into The Color Purple With New Soundtrack Single

The reboot of The Color Purple will be ours to view in a little over three weeks, and we couldn't be more excited. Helmed by a powerhouse cast of Fantasia, Ciara, Halle Bailey and more, the film is sure to be stacked with heavenly vocals. And this week, Usher and H.E.R. gave us a taste of what's to come with their power ballad collaboration, "Risk It All."

 

5. Alec Benjamin Reveals He 'Sent His Therapist to Therapy' on Latest Single

Singer-songwriter has been open with his mental health struggles on songs like "Mind Is a Prison" and "Demons." But, on his new single, "I Sent My Therapist to Therapy," the story becomes more intense: "'I tell you what, I'm sorry, but I thought I didn't see a case as bad as yours, don't think I have a remedy,'" he recounts.

 

6. Johnny Orlando Completes the Trilogy of The Ride

Since September, social media star and musician Johnny Orlando has been constructing the world of The Ride to chronicle the rollercoaster of falling in love. The sage ends with "Close to You," an alt-rock-inspired song about his inability to get over a previous lover, and "Thinking of Me," where he comes to terms with the breakup, looking fondly of the memories they shared and his well wishes for their future.

 

Also read about: 6 Addicting K-Pop Songs to Include on Your Holiday Playlist

 

7. Lolo Zouaï Finds Solace While Crying in the Carwash

The sunny weather of Los Angeles made Lolo Zouaï forget she was sad. The one place she could channel her emotions? Her local car wash. Now, it's become the catalyst for her artistic development and the inspiration behind her new EP, fittingly titled Crying in the Carwash. In a recent interview with Sweety High, Lolo shared that this project "has the theme of love, which I've never done," showcasing her creative maturity.

 

8. ELLISE Pens a Letter to Her Younger Self on 'She Ruins Everything'

As a child, all you want to be is older. Cooler. Happier. But in her new single, "She Ruins Everything," ELLISE realizes that becoming an adult doesn't solve your problems. "She cries herself to sleep/ Dies when people leave," she sings. "Little me was wondering who she'd be/ What a shame to see she ruins everything."

 

9. Jessica Baio Has Someone on Her Mind Like a 'Bad Tattoo'

After a gut-wrenching breakup, Jessica Baio would give anything to forget her ex. Still thinking about the places they used to visit and the memories they share, she can't help but feel his presence, etched on her brain and heart like the world's worst tattoo.

"Bad tattoo" joins Jessica's growing roster of blue singles, including "best friends with your girlfriend" and "glad you're settling."

 

10. Fatou of BLACKSWAN Premieres Her Debut Solo EP, Letter 1 – Adaeh

BLACKSWAN member Fatou gave us a glimpse into her true star power with her solo single album, PWAPF (Psycho With a Pretty Face). Now, she's solidified her spot as one of K-pop's most underrated rappers with her debut mixtape, Letter 1 – Adaeh. In five tracks, Fatou flawlessly spits intricate, clever rhymes over addicting trap production.

 

Missed our favorite tracks from the week before? Read HERE to check out our top 10 favorite releases for the week of Dec. 1, 2023.