10 Big Things That Happened in Music the Week of February 2, 2024
January seemed to come and go in a flash, and we're celebrating the start of the shortest month of the year in style with some sizzling hot new musical releases.
The last seven days had a little bit of everything, from instant classics from up-and-coming artists to a bold Bella Poarch collab and unforgettable new music from both (G)I-DLE and TWICE. If you're curious about the tunes we loved best, just keep scrolling to discover the 10 biggest things that happened in music the week of Feb. 2, 2024.
1. The Drives Explore Complacency in 'Maybe I'm a Masochist'
Indie-rock trio The Drives have been releasing some stellar singles leading up to their upcoming sophomore EP, including their first drop of 2024, "Maybe I'm a Masochist." With a chill rock sound and bass riff reminiscent of Pixies, the track is about getting too comfortable in a bad relationship and doing nothing about it. "This song is essentially about becoming complacent in a failing relationship," frontman Andrew Levin explained in an interview. "In my last relationship, I had become so comfortable with being a part of an unhealthy dynamic that I didn't even realize how unhappy I was. I was constantly focused on fixing a bunch of little problems that I never stepped back and saw how messed up everything had become. This song is basically about the guilt and regret I had for not realizing how bad things were."
2. EFÉ Can't Take the Lies Anymore With 'Truth☆Truth'
Irish indie pop artist EFÉ isn't quite like any other musician out there, and she just shared her first new music since 2022's VITAMIN – C in the form of new single "Truth☆Truth." The new track is moody and playful yet angsty as she sings about losing feelings in a deceitful relationship, complete with a music video that contracts everyday scenes with fairytale imagery. "It's about feeling so caught up in a relationship and not wanting to be there for that person anymore," EFÉ shared in a press release. "Wishing that the person would just tell the truth as they just kinda get tangled in their own lies. It's an indie cool song haha."
3. Anna Graves Demands More With 'Made to Love Someone'
Rising singer-songwriter Anna Graves is one to watch in 2024, and the new single "Made to Love Someone" will have you positively hooked. The song is folksy and warm, yet dark with yearning, as she sings about being willing to le someone go because they aren't giving her the authentic love she knows she deserves. It's a song about self-discovery and self-worth, with stripped-back production that puts Anna's luscious vocals front and center. "In 'Made to Love Someone,' I delve into the honest pursuit of love, navigating through the sometimes-painful twists of life," Anna said in a press release. "This song encapsulates the essence of becoming vulnerable and is a heartfelt invitation to join me on this introspective exploration."
4. Adia Victoria Reimagines Radney Foster's 'Went for a Ride' for My Black Country
Alice Randall is a legendary New York Times bestselling author, as well as a country songwriter who's penned numerous No. 1 hits, though as a Black writer, she's never taken a Black artist to that coveted spot. This spring, she'll be releasing an album called My Black Country, along with a memoir of the same name, consisting of all of her biggest hits re-recorded by Black artists. This week, we got a taste with Adia Victoria's reimagining of Radney Foster's "Went for a Ride," making it darker, bolder and more emotional than ever, and we truly can't wait to hear what else the album has to offer when it comes out on April 12.
5. Darius Martin Basks in the Moment in 'Like We Used to Before'
If you're lamenting a long, cold winter, Darius Martin's new song "Like We Used to Before" just might be the slice of summer love that you need. This pop-R&B love song feels like a breezy vacation, with good vibes and an infectious atmosphere. It's all about living in the moment and sharing your most precious times with the one you love, and we can't get enough. "This song represents all the wonderful times and memories you've had with someone; knowing that even though the road we chose brought us here, those very same roads will always lead us home." Darius revealed in a press release.
6. Kate Peytavin Wants What She No Longer Needs in 'whole heart black'
Alt-pop sensation Kate Peytavin is exploring a brand new musical style in 2024, and we're fully here for it. Her new single "whole heart black" draws from the alt-rock sounds of the '90s and early '00s to tell a woeful tale of being addicted to bad love, and craving the attention no matter how badly you're treated in return. "'WHB' means being addicted to a feeling, not necessarily the person," Kate shared in an interview with Sweety High. "I want to feel admired, loved and accepted. Gain your respect because I don't feel like I have it. I'm going back to you to feel a high—feel a rush. You're fun, attractive and treat me like s*** and maybe that's okay with me."
Also read about: Kate Peytavin on the Rush and Frustration of Young Lust in 'whole heart black'
7. Nicole Zignago Is Right on Time in '26 (Ni Tarde, Ni Temprano)'
Peruvian singer-songwriter Nicole Zignago is one of those artists whose music transcends language, and her new single, "26 (Ni Tarde, Ni Temprano)," is proof. The title translates to "neither late nor early" in English, with delicate, inviting pop vocals that remind us that we're always precisely at the point in our journey that we need to be. In a press release, Nicole explained that the song "talks about how important it is to make peace with time and how life never ends up happening like you wrote it down in your diary when you were 16. Society is always trying to make us fit in an agenda that is not healthy to follow…that's why I wrote this song. To remind myself I'm never early or late, I'm always on time."
8. (G)I-DLE Drops Their Sophomore Studio Album, 2
(G)I-DLE made quite the statement with their debut album, I NEVER DIE. How is it possible to have multiple addicting hits, like "MY BAG" and "TOMBOY," on your first record? Well, they didn't let down with their second offering, either.
Their sophomore LP, fittingly titled 2, features eight new empowering tracks that exude the quintet's usual aura of sass and confidence. All five members—Miyeon, Minnie, Soyeon, Yuqi and Shuhua—participated in songwriting or composition, so you can bet the project is their most authentic yet.
Also read about: 'Girls of the Year' VCHA on Finding Their Voice at JYP, Performing With Twice and More
9. Bella Poarch Claims She 'Don't Like Anybody' but Her Partner on Her Wavy New Collaboration With 6arelyhuman
It seems like Y2K and scene aesthetics are returning, and Bella Poarch's new single with 6arelyhuman, "Don't Like Anybody," might prove it. This electronic, crunk-inspired track features all those fast-paced beats and feel-good synths you'd recognize from any 2007 Myspace page, made complete by 6arelyhuman's low vocal tone.
In a press statement, Bella revealed, ""DLA' is such a fun song, and I personally can't get the chorus out of my head. It also resonates deeply with me as an introvert. I hope my fellow introverts relate to this feeling of not wanting to be around literally anyone except for that one comfort person who just gets you and makes you feel like you're not alone." Yes, Bella. Yes, we do.
10. TWICE Has Your Back on New Single From Their Anticipated 13th Mini-Album, With You.
After a show-topping year—led by their last studio album, Ready to Be, and various unit and solo debuts—TWICE is ready to return together with a new single, "I Got You." It's a hypnotic, soft rock-pop fusion that reminds their fans, Once, that they will always be there for them: "No, we'll never fall apart/ Even million miles apart."
Twice will perform one last show at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas to showcase the new music on Mar. 26. It's already slated to be a very special performance; their newest labelmate, VCHA, will have their concert debut as an opener.
Missed our favorite tracks last week? Click HERE to check out our top 10 favorite releases for the week of Jan. 26, 2024.