10 Big Things That Happened in Music the Week of July 5, 2024
Thanks to the Independence Day holiday, we're gearing up for one of the biggest holiday weekends of the year—but that hasn't stopped all of our favorite artists from dropping sizzling summer tunes to celebrate with.
After a long, steamy night of barbecues and fireworks, we're observing this New Music Friday with some of the hottest songs of the summer, from a dreamy new collab between Quavo and Lana Del Rey to an electric new BABYMONSTER single and so much more. Just keep scrolling to discover the 10 biggest things that happened in music the week of July 5, 2024.
(Photo credit: Wyatt Spain Winfrey)
1. Madisyn Gifford Feels Like a Kid With a Crush in 'Seventeen'
We adore Canadian indie-pop singer-songwriter Madisyn Gifford for her ever-relatable and catchy pop tracks, and her latest, "Seventeen," offers something fun and fresh as she returns to her roots. It's a country-tinged folk-pop track about how crushing hard on someone can make us feel like kids again, no matter how much we grow up. "'Seventeen' is a song about that middle school feeling we all get when we're first falling for someone of wanting to walk up to your crush, poke them and then run away," Madisyn revealed in a press release. "Through writing it, I was essentially exploring the fear, excitement and also embarrassment of having a crush on someone now as an adult instead of as teenager, feeling like I'm 'seventeen' again. My producer Jared Manierka and I also explored a lot more country and folk influences on this track which is something I was so excited to do because I've been wanting to make music like this for so long! This song makes me smile big time in all of its earnestness and I'm so excited to share it!"
Also read about: Madisyn Gifford Dishes on 'The Self-Deprecating Pop Song of [Her] Dreams,' 'Hospital Beds'
2. ALL(H)OURS Further Demonstrate Their Power With Second Mini-Album WITNESS
K-pop group ALL(H)OURS have made quite the impression since their debuted with the release of their first mini album, ALL OURS, earlier this year. Their second mini-album, WITNESS, shows just how far the seven-member boy group has come, featuring five bold and high-octane tracks that are sure to get the heart pumping. "The audience will witness another perspective of ALL(H)OURS through our second mini-album, WITNESS," the group's KUNHO shared in a press release. " Our title song, '도깨비 (SHOCK),' has a unique combination of Drift Phonk and K-pop, which definitely projects the color of ALL(H)OURS. The main difference from our first mini-album, ALL OURS, is that in WITNESS, we will be expressing our ambition in a rough way, with the strong ambition of a rookie group. As the lyrics from our song 'Blah Blah,' ALL(H)OURS is incomparable. We will make a new wave with WITNESS. We hope the audience enjoys our album as much as we do."
3. Minke Embraces Vulnerability With 'Favorite Part'
Critically acclaimed English indie-pop artist Minke is back this week with the new single, "Favorite Part" a vibrant, atmospheric synth-pop anthem to vulnerability. It's a song of optimism and hope, with Minke learning to face her fears, let down her walls and finally live more openly and authentically. It's something that all of us can learn something from.
4. Caleb Hearn Shares an Undying Declaration of Love With 'Last Breath'
Singer-songwriter Caleb Hearn is known for his pure vocals and authentic, evocative storytelling, both of which are on full display with his new single, "Last Breath." The quiet yet resonant piano ballad is an undying declaration of love written for his fiancée, and by far his most romantic track yet. "Alex Borel came up with a beautiful chord progression and then the melodies came easily after that," Caleb revealed in a press release. "I was heavily influenced by my own relationship with my fiancée, Michal Leah. I wanted to write a song that confessed this unconditional love for her and match it to a beautiful melody to complement that." It will also appear on his newly announced debut album, Left on McKinney, releasing on Sep. 6.
Also read about: Everything You Wanted to Know About 'It's Always Been You' Singer-Songwriter Caleb Hearn
5. Camylio Explores Duality in His in the light and shadows EP
22-year-old singer-songwriter, instrumentalist and producer Camylio is beloved for his signature deep, soulful vocals, and they've never been more expressive or versatile than they are on his new EP, in the light and shadows. It consists of seven captivating and vulnerable tracks, including hits "trouble" and "angel," to explore the themes of the lightness and darkness within him, as well as in life. The music video for "angel" also beautifully portrays the concept. "This project feels like a homecoming creatively," Camylio explained in a press release. "My entire musical upbringing was listening to a weird combination of artists like The Weeknd and Hozier, but also Ed Sheeran and Shawn Mendes etc. Truly a combination of light and dark. To get to make the music I've always wanted to make and have the reaction from my fans be so positive has been really inspiring, and I can't wait to feel that interaction live. Love is gentle and beautiful, but it can also be exhilarating, dark, and passionate. This project to me represents the light and dark sides of attraction and love."
Also read about: Here's Everything to Know About Singer-Songwriter, Producer and TikTok Sensation Camylio
6. Tanner Adell Makes Heartbreak Fun With 'Cowboy Break My Heart'
Country singer-songwriter Tanner Adell has been everywhere this summer, recently becoming the first female country artist to perform at the BET Awards, and her new single, "Cowboy Break My Heart," makes it clear why she's so beloved. It's an upbeat country-tinged pop track about getting revenge on an ex who's wronged her, once again demonstrating her incredible cross-genre appeal with irresistible fiddle segments and R&B sensibilities. "This song is simply a bop," Tanner shared in a press release. "Though it is a track I want my fans to have fun with, I think it also shows how powerful heartbreak can be and how it doesn't go away just like that. This guy—who was a massive Dallas Cowboys fan, hence the title—did some damage to my heart, but it led to some great songs of mine like 'I Hate Texas' and 'Whiskey Blues.' Safe to say I'll be leaving that 'Cowboy' in the past, but what an empowering moment to be able to debut the song on the BET Awards stage."
Also read about: Everything You Wanted to Know About 'Love You a Little Bit' Artist Tanner Adell
7. beabadoobee Captures the Euphoria of Taking the Stage in 'Ever Seen'
Indie pop sensation beabadoobee is rapidly on the rise, and her gorgeous new single, "Ever Seen," was actually written while she was on tour with Taylor Swift. The folksy and nostalgic track captures Bea's euphoric feelings before taking one of the biggest stages in the world at Glastonbury, with a sometimes blissful, sometimes chaotic, but always optimistic sound. It will also appear on her eagerly anticipated third album, This Is How Tomorrow Moves, out Aug. 16.
Also read about: 36 Emotional Lyrics From beabadoobee's Beatopia to Use as Instagram Captions
8. Childish Gambino Shares a Taste of His Upcoming Film With 'Lithonia'
It's about to be the end of an era, with Childish Gambino planning to release his sixth and final album under the Childish Gambino moniker, Bando Stone & The New World—the soundtrack to his upcoming sci-fi thriller film of the same name—on July 19. We just got our first taste with the new track, "Lithonia," a rock-tinged reflection on apathy and how sometimes you can give your all to something without it making any difference in the end.
9. BABYMONSTER Release Confident New Anthem, 'FOREVER'
K-pop superstars BABYMONSTER are showing no signs of slowing down, and they're at their most confident and empowered on their latest single, "FOREVER." The anthemic track is a high-energy summer pop anthem, bouncing between different sounds to create something truly celebratory as they sing about pursuing their dreams and not letting anything get in their way. It's about endless optimism and living life like there's no end in sight. It also sets the scene for their upcoming debut album, slated to release this fall.
10. Quavo and Lana Del Rey Join Forces to Celebrate Perseverance With 'Tough'
Grammy-nominated artists Quavo and Lana Del Rey are a bit of an unlikely duo, but their unexpected new collab, "Tough," effortlessly fuses their musical styles to create something completely fresh. Fusing country-pop and trap music, it's a powerful track about triumphing even in the face of adversity, no matter who you are or what you come from, with the message made even stronger with Quavo and Lana's voices coming together in perfect harmony. We also love its striking music video shot against a rural backdrop to really send the point home.
Missed our favorite tracks last week? Click HERE to check out our top 10 favorite releases for the week of June 28, 2024.