10 Big Things That Happened in Music the Week of June 28, 2024
There's something about New Music Fridays in the summertime that hits harder than any other time of the year.
This week, we're celebrating Camila Cabello's eagerly anticipated fourth album, C,XOXO (which lives up to all of the hype), an exciting new movie theme from Lil Nas X and so, so much more. If you're curious about what we loved best, keep scrolling to discover the 10 biggest things that happened in music the week of June 28, 2024.
(Photo credit: Jason Nocito)
1. King Isis Abandons Conformity With 'Dissonance'
King Isis is kicking off the summer by throwing away the urge to conform and getting comfortable with being at odds with the world with the grungey pop single, "Dissonance." The non-binary artist's latest song is an anthem to learning to accept your situation and finally finding catharsis in processing your feelings and letting them go while reflecting on how they've made you you. "'Dissonance' is a song about embracing the differences that make us whole, that make us who we are," King Isis shared in a press release. "It leans into the 'other,' a celebration of the pieces of selves that we may feel adverse to or are socially rejected. I've spent a lot of time trying to conform and present in ways that were outside of myself to appease the perceptions of others. So this is a song about being happy and full in my own, however that shows up. It's embracing the tension and uneasiness in self and communal discovery, just loving yourself fully and those around you who embrace that difference."
2. Sam Williams Continues the Family Legacy With Act I: Scarlet Lonesome
Sam Williams comes from a long line of incredible artists, with his grandfather county legend Hank Williams and father Hank Jr. coming before him, and we think he's keeping up the legacy in a beautiful way. His new project, Act I: Scarlet Lonesome, is just the first chapter of a three-part trilogy that will be his sophomore album (coming in 2025), with seven tracks putting his heartfelt vocals and soul-baring lyricism on full display, with a bold theatrical theme tying the experience together. We truly can't wait to see where Acts 2 and 3 take us next.
3. Remy Enlists Jean-Benoît Dunckel for Playful Seasonal Ode, 'Summer Song'
19-year-old English artist Remy is really setting the scene for diving into the summer season with her latest single, "Summer Song," featuring Jean-Benoît Dunckel of French duo AIR. It's appropriately airy and atmospheric, with dreamy vocals and instrumentation as she yearns for the romance and drama of real summer love. The hazy music video, directed by 16-year-old Jagger Blue, channels the late '60s through a nostalgic lens. "It's very much an American song lyrically, reminiscing on the essence of the late '60s and early '70s," Remy explained in a press release. " I have endless love for Sharon Tate and the American sweethearts of the time, but I didn't want it to be so super apple pie, so I reached out to AIR, which bought in rich new elements and sounds, as well as my British producers, who really brought a seasoned perspective to the project."
Also read about: cignature Share the Themes of Young Love on Their New Sweetie but Saltie Mini-Album
4. Daniel Nunnelee Celebrates Living in the Moment With June, Baby
After penning a number of viral tracks, folk-pop Daniel Nunnelee has released his debut album, June, Baby, with a warmth and vibrance that perfectly captures the start of the summer season. Its 10 tracks are existential yet upbeat, vulnerable yet optimistic, reflecting a duality that befits his Gemini (June baby) zodiac sign. Though the album is a collection of different stories and experiences, one throughline is the importance of presence and living in the moment—something that Daniel holds close to heart. "There's a lot of opposing ideals within these songs, where one moment I'm singing about just wanting an ordinary life with someone I love and the next I'm talking about wanting the freedom to be totally spontaneous," Daniel revealed in a press release.
5. Global Girl Group KATSEYE Introduce Themselves With 'Debut'
With the release of their first single, "Debut," KATSEYE is making history. They're the first-ever global girl group formed using the same development methods as K-pop artists, and their infectious first single "Debut" is the perfect introduction to DANIELE, LARA and MEGAN from the U.S., MANON from Switzerland, SOPHIA from the Philippines and YOONCHAE from South Korea. Their debut EP will be out in August and we also can't wait to check out their Netflix docuseries, Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE, following the year-long process of how the group was formed, coming later this summer.
6. Greyson Chance Retells a True Story of Family Turmoil in 'Haymaker'
Singer-songwriter Greyson Chance has entered a new musical era in 2024, and following up last month's piano-driven "Rearview Mirror," he just released his latest single, "Haymaker." The new track flows with folk and county influences to create the rousing and resonant rock track telling a true story of a family falling out that ended in a punch. It's a story of loss but also love, with a hopeful sound that also serves as a reminder to those in similar situations that they're not alone. "I come from a pretty traditional American family," Greyson shared in an interview with Sweety High. "Grew up in Oklahoma, close to my parents, and was always extremely close to my two older siblings, even into adulthood. 'Haymaker' is about my brother and I's relationship completely collapsing during the pandemic. After a few months of fighting, things got physical between us. Emotionally, I had never experienced anything like that before; it was a really dark time. Besides a few words here and there, him and I haven't spoken in around three years."
Also read about: Greyson Chance Explores the Complexity of Family and Love in 'Haymaker'
7. Towa Bird Explores Identity on Debut Album, American Hero
Over the last few years, alt-rock singer-songwriter and guitarist Towa Bird has made a big name for herself on TikTok, where she has more than a million fans. If you're not yet among them, her debut album, American Hero, is the perfect place to start. The first track, "Intro," sets the scene, creating an environment channeling the electricity of a live stadium show, followed by 12 more deeply personal and hazy, garage band-tinged rock tracks exploring queerness, identity and young love. "These songs are me being completely honest about queer love and all its essence; there's a lot of yearning and vulnerability and dealing with difficult emotions," Towa explained in a press release. "I grew up listening to so many male-gazey love songs, and it was important to put something out into the world that felt like the music I wanted for myself when I was a kid."
8. Mckenna Grace Celebrates Her 18th Birthday With New Single, 'LOSER'
This was a big week for actress and singer-songwriter Mckenna Grace, who celebrated her 18th birthday on June 25 by dropping her latest pop-punk single, "LOSER!!" It's an angsty anthem we can all relate to, working as a stream-of-consciousness internal monologue about feeling and out of place among her peers, and realizing she's responsible for her own anxiety about the world. It's prom-inspired music video is also especially infectious. "I wrote this pretty much just about feeling like a Loser, haha," Mckenna shared in a press release. "Feeling like a wannabe, unoriginal. I wanted to write something fun and rocky, as that's how I got my start in music, and rock is where my heart lives. This song is just meant to be fun and self-aware, wishing I was a cool '90s rock chic. The line 'rot on my couch thinking bout everything I'm not' is quite literal. I literally broke my own heart, got sick, and rotted on my couch crying while watching The Bachelor for a week (on the week of Valentine's Day too, yikes) then got in the studio and wrote this. Hahahha. I hope you love this as much as I do (also sorry to my grandpa for cursing in my music again!!!)."
Also read about: Mckenna Grace on Her Upcoming Album and Beginning a New Chapter With 'Casual Kisser'
9. Lil Nas X Makes a Beverly Hills Cop Theme for a New Generation With 'HERE WE GO!'
The new Netflix sequel to the beloved comedy action series, Beverly Hills Cop, Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, hits the streaming platform on July 3, and we couldn't think of anyone better to create a theme song for this new iteration than rap sensation Lil Nas X. His newest track is called "HERE WE GO!," interpolating the iconic and instantly recognizable "Axel F" theme song from the 1984 original film, with daring and confident lyrics befitting the staple series.
10. Camila Cabello Reinvents Herself With Fourth Album, C, XOXO
Camila Cabello has had quite the career as a solo artist since her departure from girl group Fifth Harmony, and with the release of her fourth album, C,XOXO, her independent identity has never been stronger. These 14 new tracks demonstrate her powerful versatility as she pushes the boundaries of her own musicality, pulling from her Miami roots to explore new genres and push well beyond her usual pop sound. It's Camila at her most ambitious and most Camila, and the collaborations with Playboi Carti, Drake, Lil Nas X and more bring the story full circle.
Missed our favorite tracks last week? Click HERE to check out our top 10 favorite releases for the week of June 21, 2024.