10 Big Things That Happened in Music the Week of January 19, 2024
If you're as much of a music lover as we are, chances are that you're having a very good year so far.
2024 has absolutely spoiled us in terms of new releases, and this week, there was so much goodness that cutting our favorites down to just 10 actually hurt. Between a massive collaboration between K-pop powerhouses IVE and rapper Saweetie, new songs by Benson Boone and David Kushner and so much more, our new music playlists for the weekend are positively packed. To discover our brand new faves, keep scrolling for the 10 biggest things that happened in music the week of Jan. 19, 2024.
(Image courtesy of Columbia Records)
1. Wyn Starks Tackles 'Daddy Issues' in New Single 'Where Are the Giants'
America's Got Talent alum Wyn Starks has some big things in store for us this year, and he's kicking it all off with the release of his powerful new single, "Where Are the Giants." With a shimmering atmosphere, meshing retro soul and R&B sounds with modern pop, the emotional track is about the struggle of missing a parent in your life and working to discover yourself in spite of it. Despite everything, it feels triumphant as he overcomes that pain. "This is my 'Daddy Issues' song," Wyn revealed in a press release. "It tells the story of an absent father figure (or parent, etc.). It's about learning how to be okay without and knowing their absence doesn't relate to our self-worth."
2. Ashley Anne Celebrates Her Idol Dolly Parton With dear dolly
Today, Jan. 19, marks Dolly Parton's birthday, and rising country artist Ashle Anne is celebrating in a big way with the release of her new dear dolly EP. The 19-year-old singer-songwriter and TikTok sensation might be best known for her viral tracks "she ain't texas" and the titular "dear dolly," and with the addition of new songs "mary jane" and "american dream," it's full of everything that makes Ashley Anne so beloved, from her clever and heartfelt lyricism to her smooth voice. We especially adore "american dream," a love song about how a single person can be your everything, encapsulating all of the beauty you imagine in the classic idea of the American dream. "dear dolly the EP stems from a really authentic, raw, vulnerable place in my heart," Ashley Anne shared with Sweety High. Beginning with 'Dear Dolly', a song I wrote when I was 17, it introduces the project as a starting point to my career—the song that changed everything. As you go through the songs, it takes you through my journey as an artist this last year. With each song weighing heavy on who I am as a person, how I love (or don't hahaha), my morals, my perspectives and my outlook. I hope this project showcases who I am to a T, and I hope the listeners feel like they've made a friend."
3. Rachel Chinouriri Learns to Put Herself First in 'Never Need Me'
As longtime fans of English indie-pop artist Rachel Chinouriri, we couldn't be more delighted that she's just announced her debut album, What A Devastating Turn Of Events, and its release date of May 3. We're anticipating lots of Rachel's diaristic storytelling and anthemic pop sound, and her new single, "Never Need Me," feels like the perfect peek into what's to come. It's a bouncy, electronic-tinged track about the contradictory nature of learning to prioritize your own needs after being the one who always helped the ones you love. We also can't stop watching its music video starring Academy Award-nominated actress Florence Pugh, who appears as Rachel's loyal best friend. "I made this song with a sense of heartbreak but empowerment," Rachel explained in a press release. "It's about taking your power back the moment you realize that helping someone is actually hurting you because they aren't willing to change. Sometimes you end up enabling someone instead of actually helping them and carrying their load is tough. 'Never Need Me' is the moment you wish them well but can't continue to harm yourself by helping them. It's always a tough decision to make but once you make it, it's a weight lifted off your shoulders for sure."
Also read about: Alex Sampson Puts a Chapter of Blinding Love Behind Him With His Debut EP, Blurry Vision
4. UMI Shows Her Strengths as an Independent Artist With talking to the wind
L.A.-based singer-songwriter UMI ended 2023 on the right note with the stunning "wherever u r" featuring BTS's V, and is also beginning the year with a band with her highly anticipated talking to the wind EP. Serving as her first independent project, talking to the wind is a four-song collection about joy, love and embracing your authentic self. With its melodic, R&B-infused pop sound, it positively oozes with everything we love about the star. "talking to the wind is an EP that has felt like a leaf in the wind," UMI explained in a press release. "Each of the songs were created at a time where I didn't know exactly where I was going or what I was creating for. The only thing I knew for certain was that in the moment of creating it all I was happy. It's okay to create without a map and to live without one, too; to breathe out and let the wind of life take you where you're always meant to be."
5. Millaray Overcomes a Broken Heart in 'Contigo No Regreso'
Chilean artist Millaray may not be a household name in the States—yet—but with the release of her new single, "Contigo No Regreso," we think she's well on her way there. The song is essentially a farewell letter to an ex love, with an emphasis on staying strong, despite the anguish it leaves you with, and Millaray's silky, vulnerable vocals are beautiful regardless of whether you understand a word of Spanish.
6. Benson Boone Refuses to Let Go of Love in 'Beautiful Things'
We have never met a Benson Boone track that didn't effectively tug on our heartstrings, and of course, his latest single, "Beautiful Things," is no different. It's been viral since well before today's release, thanks to TikTok, with more than 130 million views, and the full song delivers on the promise of its addictive teaser clips. It's a bold pop-rock anthem about the type of love so powerful that you're left terrified of losing it. Believe us—this track isn't going away any time soon.
7. David Kushner Explores the Duality of Love in 'Skin and Bones'
David Kushner is already gearing up for a massive 2024 with Hangout Festival, Boston Balling and Bonnaroo on the horizon, and he's giving us a first taste of the year's new music with his haunting new song "Skin and Bones." If you loved his viral hit "Daylight," prepare to fall in love with the indie-folk artist all over again with this ethereal track about the paradoxical nature of love. "Skin and Bones captures the electric tension of desire and redemption, exploring the thin line between ecstasy and salvation in the duality of love," David shared in a press release.
Also read about: How David Kushner Explored the Darkness and Gave Into the Light in Viral 'Daylight'
8. Lil Dicky Drops Sophomore Album, PENITH (The DAVE Soundtrack)
It's hard to believe it's been eight years since rapper and actor Lil Dicky released his debut album, and the follow-up, PENITH (The DAVE Soundtrack) does not disappoint. It consists of 22 songs from three seasons of his hit series, DAVE, representing his journey as an artist over the last few years in more ways than one. It also comes complete with a striking music video for "HAHAHA" starring actor James D'Arcy, and Lil Dicky even touted it as his favorite music video he's ever made on Instagram.
9. Kygo Enlists Ava Max for a New Take on a Shakira Classic With 'Whatever'
Anytime producer and DJ Kygo drops a new collab, you know it's going to be good, and when we heard he'd enlisted pop sensation Ava Max for his latest track, we had high expectations. "Whatever" meets all of them. The new song interpolates Shakira's "Whenever, Wherever" while turning the original track on its head, transforming it into an emotional acceptance of the end of a failed relationship. The energetic production immediately draws the listener in, and the second it's over, you'll want to hear it all over again.
10. IVE and Saweetie Join Forces to Reimagine Icona Pop's 'All Night'
Icona Pop's "All Night" truly hasn't left our heads since it first released back in 2013, and we've fallen in love all over again thanks to this reimagined version of the track. K-pop girl group IVE and rap sensation Saweetie have teamed up to bring new life to the single, with a sweet new chorus and iconic Saweetie rap breakdown. If you want to let loose this weekend and leave your troubles behind you, this is the song to blast out the window, and the music video effortlessly captures the fun of making the most of things with your best friends.
Missed our favorite tracks last week? Click HERE to check out our top 10 favorite releases for the week of Jan. 12, 2024.