10 Big Things That Happened in Music the Week of July 12, 2024
After a quieter period of music releases last week due to the 4th of July holiday, it felt like the industry more than made up for it this week with twice as many incredible releases. While that makes it even tougher to narrow down our weekly favorites, we're not complaining!
With new EPs and albums from Hak Baker, Tayla Parx, Cat Burns and Megan Moroney, plus new singles and music videos from other top stars, there's so much to listen to as we bask in the summer heat. Curious about what we're listening to? Keep scrolling to discover the 10 biggest things that happened in music the week of July 12, 2024.
('Bad Dream' via Atlantic Recording Corporation)
1. Sacha Shares Resilience Anthem,'Hey Mom I Made It'
Rising country artist Sacha has been making quite the name for herself in the genre, and she just dropped her first single since signing with Sony Music Entertainment Canada. "Hey Mom I Made It" is an inspiring and enchanting acoustic track that's already become a viral sound for those who've overcome the struggles of their pasts, sharing moments of growth, healing and resilience. The autobiographical single speaks of persverence in the face of adversity and is accompanied by a powerful music video taking us through Sacha's own journey as both an artist and a human being.
2. Polly Money Tackles Imposter Syndrome on 'Anything'
As a live guitarist and vocalist for The 1975 on tour, singer-songwriter and musician Polly Money is no stranger to the spotlight—but that can come with both its advantages and disadvantages. She just dropped the dreamy indie pop track, "Anything,"as a solo artist, and it's a deeply personal song tackling a sense of imposter syndrome she's encountered since rehearsals with the band. Even as she sings about not being sure she's deserving of the success and luck that have come her way, we love that she's becoming a pop star in her own right, and we're looking forward to seeing where her musical journey takes her next as a soloist.
3. Hak Baker Tries to Put Away the Past for a Better Future With Nostalgia Death Act I
English musician Hak Baker's music has been literally everywhere this summer, and he offers even more of his signature raw poeticism, with a cockney twist, on his new EP Nostalgia Death Act I. It's a collection of five tracks giving a glimpse into Hak's life as he hopes to overcome his worst habits and stop clinging to the past in order to better himself for the future. "I am a man that's plagued by bad habits," Hak shared in a press release for the EP. "So are all my friends and most of the people I meet. We search each other out subconsciously. We know each other. My friends and strangers are dosed in past detriments that we fool ourselves into thinking they were cool and worthwhile. Maybe they were at the time, but as I grow I realize these choices were of necessity of the time and our ferocious rebellious habits. I want to have conversations with my friends that concentrate on our futures and how great we can be, not tunnel into hubs shrouded in 'nostalgia.' Bury The Nostalgia obsession for a sec and head to the future. Plan and s***. So this is my letter to myself that we are moving on. I've been trying to get here for a while. Me and the boys and the girls are gonna make it, even if I have to set the trend first. Death to Nostalgia and onward to fruition. Let's have it large man."
4. Tayla Parx Tells Another Chapter of Her Story With Third Album, Many Moons, Many Suns
If you're not already in love with Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter and Taylor Parx, prepare to be with the release of her third album, Many Moons, Many Suns. The 13-track LP is out now on her own label, TaylaMade Records, serving as a diary sorts as she recounts the last two years, showcasing her recent musical evolution. It's an album about reclaiming her power after a difficult and unexpected heartbreak, learning to establish boundaries and embracing a path of growth, with evocative pop vocals that have us instantly entranced. "Many Moons, Many Suns captures the essence of my last two years—a period marked by an unnoticed depression, hidden beneath moments so vibrant they masked my internal struggles," Tayla shared in a press release. "Despite always wearing a smile, I've learned that it can manifest in way more ways than a tear. This album was born from the challenges of an unexpected breakup while deeper exploration into self-love and companionship. It reflects my curiosities and the ways they lead me to redefine intimacy and connection. This album is a chapter in my story, narrated through the cycles of many moons and many suns."
5. Jagwar Twin and lovelytheband Join Up for New Anthem, 'tomorrow [ANGLE OF ETERNITY]'
Chances are that you know viral sensation Jagwar Twin from his TikTok hit "Bad Feeling (Oompa Loompa)," and he's offering something entirely new with his latest single, "tomorrow [ANGLE OF ETERNITY]," with lovelytheband. It's a rousing and anthemic track about connectedness and the understanding that comes from sharing our experiences with the people we love, and it comes complete with a captivating AI-generated music video. "I've been friends with Mitchy for many years," Jagwar Twin said in a press release of working with lovelytheband. "We grew up around the same music scene and Mitchy played me the original demo of 'Broken' and the first lovelytheband songs in my garage. Mitchy has always been an incredible songwriter and the whole band is so talented. It was such a pleasure to be able to do something together."
Also read about: Jagwar Twin on Going to the Circus in the New Music Video for 'Bad Feeling (Oompa Loompa)'
6. d4vd Lets Go of the One He Loves in 'There Goes My Baby'
19-year-old singer-songwriter d4vd never misses, and his latest single, "There Goes My Baby," is as sweet as it is heartbreaking. It's a stripped-back acoustic love song about caring about someone so much that he has no choice but to them go as they fall for someone else. "This is a song I wrote about letting go of someone you love and letting them become their own person," d4vd revealed in a press release. "Watching them become that person and realizing that you may have been the problem, but also being happy for the person they've become. It's a mature view on losing someone to someone else."
7. Cat Burns Navigates Growing Up on Debut Album, early twenties
We've been fully hooked on the music of Cat Burns since her viral single, "go," and the track is even better as just one element of a much more sweeping narrative on Cat's eagerly anticipated debut album, early twenties. The album consists of a whopping 17 tracks providing a peek into Cat's life beyond her teens as she navigates living as a queer Black woman and growing into herself. early twenties explores love, loss, anxiety and joy—and everything in between. This is Cat's unique brand of soulful pop-R&B at its finest, reminding us at every step why we fell so hard for her in the first place.
Also read about: Cat Burns Shares the True Story That Inspired Her Breakout Song 'Go'
8. Megan Moroney Lets Us Into Her World With Confessional Album, Am I Okay?
Megan Moroney is one of the biggest rising names in country music, and her new sophomore album, Am I Okay?, further cements that status. Over 14 striking tracks, the album is equal parts honest, playful and heartbreaking, often funny and always vulnerable as she relates the ups and downs of figuring out life as a young country star. From the surprisingly upbeat title track to the devastating "Hell of a Show," each and every song deserves a spot on this album. "After putting Lucky out and getting to a point where my fans and I know each other so much better, I felt like I could open up and discuss things I've never talked about in my music before," Megan shared in a press release. "Sometimes it almost feels like oversharing, but I feel like I have a responsibility to all the people who send me DMs or talk to me at shows and tell me how my songs helped them through a breakup or a bad time in their lives. If I can write about my heartbreak and make someone else feel like there's a way out, then of course I'm going to keep doing that."
9. keshi Teases His Upcoming Album With Groovy New Single, 'Say'
Pop singer-songwriter keshi has a lot on his plate with the moment as he gears up for a worldwide arena tour and the release of his newly announced album, Requiem, dropping on Sep. 13. We just got a taste of what's to come with the release of his latest single, "Say." The track is something entirely new from the beloved artist, with an emphasis on a cool dance beat and keshi's soulful falsetto's driving the sultry narrative. "In all my attempts to make meaningful music, I overlooked songs that were built to just get people to move," keshi explained in a press release. "I remember touring on the road and really craving to play songs that just felt good to groove to. 'Say' is my answer to that. It's got a moody sort of cadence with an admiration for city-pop baked into it."
Also read about: Keshi Talks About the Indulgence of Romance in His Song 'TOUCH'
10. Wallows Share New Music Video for Fan Favorite Track, 'Bad Dream'
Alt-rock trio Wallows have been on a roll in the wake of their massively successful third studio album, Model—and one of our favorite tracks, "Bad Dream" just got its own irresistible music video. It's a moody, melodic track about unrequited love, and it really comes to life in the cinematic video. The band is also currently preparing for a massive global headline tour, hitting 45 cities acround the world and kicking off next month, and we cannot wait to hear this one performed live.
Missed our favorite tracks last week? Click HERE to check out our top 10 favorite releases for the week of July 5, 2024.