10 Big Things That Happened in Music the Week of March 15, 2024
When ZAYN made a surprise guest appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon earlier this week to tease his new single, we knew it was going to be a momentous week in music. With today's release of "What I Am," I proved us right in the best way possible.
The new single also came with an album announcement, and with a new track by WILLOW, the release of Kacey Musgraves' fifth studio album and so much more, that was only the tip of the iceberg. For everything we loved best over the last seven days, keep scrolling to discover the 10 biggest things that happened in music the week of March 15, 2024.
(Photo credit: Daniel Prakopcyk)
1. Julia Pratt Laments the Loss of a Place Once Known as Home in 'Carolina'
Rising singer-songwriter Julia Pratt is gearing up to release a highly anticipated EP, and we just got our first taste with the stunning new single "Carolina." The angst-ridden folksy indie tune comes to life with Julia's soaring vocals against a delicately plucked acoustic guitar as she sings about the complexity of identity and going back to something that once felt like home but has since become unrecognizable. "'Carolina' is about returning to a person/place that was once called home and realizing that it is no longer that," Julia shared in a press release. "The song that spawned this project, 'Carolina' recounts a moment when I returned back to North Carolina, the place where my family ended, and was hit with the true realization that it was all over. I struggled to accept that I am not who I was then, and it pained me to think that this place, that has held so much significance in my life, may not even recognize me anymore. 'Carolina' is about belonging, loss, grief and the concept of home, told through the eyes of a woman who feels she has no place in this world."
2. Peyton McMahon Feels Stuck in Time With 'These Days'
Louisiana-based artist Peyton McMahon got his start posting YouTube covers that garnered the attention of everyone from OneRepublic to Shakira and Kelly Clarkson, but he's since developed into one of our favorite up-and-coming songwriters, with emotionally vulnerable lyrics and flawless vocals to match. He just released his first single of 2024, the ethereal "These Days," backed by an acoustic guitar and driven by Peyton's gentle yet urgent falsetto. It's a track about feeling trapped and stagnant, like everyone but you is moving forward in life—and we can certainly relate. "I wrote this song at a pretty low point in my life," Peyton revealed in a press release. "I was watching everyone around me make big moves in their lives and it felt like everyone was on the up-and-up, but I felt frozen. I felt far from my dreams coming true, my day-to-day life was starting to feel like Groundhog Day, and my soul wasn't being fed the way it needed to be. I felt like I was just going through the motions every day and the light in me was fading. It's a little scary to share a song that came from such a vulnerable place, but I hope anyone who can relate to it feels less alone when they hear it."
3. ROREY Commits to Getting Better in 'Stand By'
Bedroom pop artist ROREY is gearing up to release her sophomore EP, Dysphoria, on May 17, and after hearing its new single "Stand By," we can't wait to see what else the EP has to offer. Six of its eight songs were written around the time of ROREY's bipolar disorder diagnosis in 2021, with this powerful EP acting as the artist's expression of the ups and downs of her mental health journey. "Stand By," in particular, feels spacey yet poignant, backed by acoustic guitar as ROREY sings about recognizing that she's stuck, and it's up to her to make a change. "I wrote this song during a manic episode in 2021," ROREY shared of the release. "It was my ultimate epiphany in understanding that my healing process wasn't going to happen instantaneously, I couldn't just 'stand by' waiting for it to happen. I had to take action and commit to getting better, no one was going to do that for me. I had two choices to accept the help offered to me or continue lamenting that everybody was living life and I was stuck getting nowhere."
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4. Walt Disco Get Burned Out on 'You Make Me Feel So Dumb'
Scottish post-punk quintet Walt Disco is a group that should be on everyone's radars in 2024, especially as they prepare to release their sophomore album, The Warping, on June 14. The queer rock group just shared their new single "You Make Me Feel So Dumb," inspired by the social burnout that often comes as a result of touring and trying to get out there into the world. It's reminiscent of groovy '70s David Bowie in the best ways, with a lively bass riff and playful saxophone that makes it feel retro and very modern all at once. "With The Warping we explore themes of change, growth and dealing with the complex struggles that feature in anyone's life," the band said in a press release. "It feels like our most biographical body of work yet, listening to it now is like looking at a snapshot of a moment in time for us as people and as a band. This album is a roadmap of our vulnerabilities in a way, but it feels good to be so honest with our music and lay everything on the table with both our lyrics and arrangements. That acceptance of one's emotions and honesty with oneself is what we'd hope people can take away from listening to The Warping."
5. Sheppard Are Willing to Go the Distance in 'Edge of the Earth'
We can always count on the Australian sibling pop band Sheppard to get our hearts pumping and to make us feel like chanting along with them, and the new single "Edge of the Earth" is no exception. The upbeat and anthemic new single is all about willing to go the distance for the people you care about, and it comes complete with a jet-setting music video that travels around the world and beyond into space. "In an era where fleeting viral moments often overshadow enduring artistry, the value of longevity and a repertoire of memorable songs that resonate deeply with fans becomes immeasurable," said the band's George Sheppard in a press release. "For us, 'Edge of the Earth' isn't just another single release. It's a heartfelt anthem that crystalizes a pivotal chapter in our lives, inspired by the unwavering support and trust of our partners who have moved with us to Nashville in support of our dreams. This incredible act of faith and unity is at the heart of 'Edge of the Earth,' symbolizing that home is wherever we are with the ones we love. It's quintessentially Sheppard—bold, anthemic, and brimming with uplifting energy, carrying a message that resonates far beyond the music. While viral success has its allure, crafting a meaningful career, one that truly connects and leaves a lasting impact, is what we cherish the most. We're excited to bring 'Edge of the Earth' to fans around the globe, sharing a song born from genuine love and the courage to follow it to the ends of the earth." This one's truly just as catchy as their hit single "Geronimo," and one we expect to hear everywhere this spring.
6. Kat Cunning Learns to Put Themself First in 'Heart of Gold'
Holding on to hope isn't always a positive thing, and artist Kat Cunning knows this very well. The actor, dancer, model and singer-songwriter just released their first single of 2024 in the form of "Heart of Gold," a reflective and heartfelt pop track about the power of learning to let go of the hope you have for a bad relationship and learning to prioritize yourself. "It may come as no surprise that I'm a romantic," Kat shared in an interview with Sweety High. "But when I think of the word, I think more of like Roman and Greek tragedy. I wrote 'Heart of Gold,' which I almost named 'HOG,' coming out of a breakup from one of those epics. The song is about becoming attached to people who bring out the worst in you, but holding onto hope in spite of your health. I fall, even though 'I should know better,' and I just barely declare it's over when I say, 'we're not dancing anymore.' It's about genuinely wanting to see the good in people even when a relationship turns sour and learning how to separate that appreciation for someone from justification to stay. I have so much compassion for people who love hard, learn through love and for relationships that seek to heal trauma. But this song is about giving yourself permission, even when you have operatic-level feels for someone else, to put your health first."
Also read about: How Kat Cunning Learned to Accept Loss and and Put Themself First With 'Heart of Gold'
7. Esteman and Villano Antillano Sing of Summer Love on 'Noches de Verano'
Colombian artist Esteman and Puerto Rican rapper Villano Antillano are two of Latin music's most prominent LGBTTTIQA+ icons, and it's clear they're even more powerful together after they've joined forces on the energetic new single "Noches de Verano." The title translates to "summer nights" in English, telling a Spanish-language tale of the excitement of summer love, with an energetic sound and unforgettable rap bars to match. In a press release, Esteman explained that "Noches De Verano" is "an intense summer story alongside an accomplice who allows the wild and endless nights to be unleashed… In the midst of hot days, the night becomes a refuge for the most curious spirits."
Also read about: Esteman and Villano Antillano Join Forces for Powerful New Collab 'Noches de Verano'
8. Kacey Musgraves Shares Her Introspective 5th Studio Album, Deeper Well
Seven-time Grammy winner and country sensation Kacey Musgraves just released her fifth studio album, Deeper Well, and it has to be our favorite release from the star yet. It consists of 14 powerful tracks, including "Too Good to Be True" and our personal favorite, the title track, "Deeper Well," about learning to be more present and choosing every aspect of her life more wisely to live her fullest life. "Sometimes you reach a crossroads," Kacey shared of the track in a press release. "Winds change direction. What you once felt drawn to doesn't hold the same allure. You get blown off course but eventually find your footing and forage for new inspiration, new insight and deeper love somewhere else." She's also heading to the stage, headlining on her Deeper Well World Tour beginning in Dublin on April 28 and ending at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena in December, and we'll definitely be there.
9. WILLOW Seeks the Deepest Truths in 'symptom of life'
WILLOW never fails to surprise us with new musical approaches and sounds, and her latest single, "symptom of life," is sure to turn plenty of heads. With its unusual beat, it's a jazzy dark pop tune about aiming to find yourself while seeking the truth. Perhaps there are answers along the way, but we find it's just as mysterious in its conclusion as it was when it began. "The song has a very beautiful whimsical nature but holds a lot of mystery," WILLOW shared in a press release. "There's this beautiful light coming in through the piano, but also this syncopated rhythm of the bass bringing in that mysterious element. A juxtaposition of light and dark."
10. ZAYN Teases a New Era of Music With 'What I Am'
This has been a very exciting week for ZAYN fanatics everywhere. First, he appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to tease the new song, "What I Am," before doing a Hot Ones interview, and today, we all get the chance to listen to his most vulnerable and personal song to date. "What I Am" is a soulful, R&B-tinged declaration of self, encompassing love, pain, loss and everything in between. Even better, ZAYN's next album, ROOM UNDER THE STAIRS, is also on the way, with a due date of May 17. "This is my favorite album that I've made to date, mainly because it comes from a place of sheer honesty and vulnerability," ZAYN said of the upcoming album in a press release. "I wanted each song to feel as if it was just me sitting beside you telling you how I feel, singing directly to you. It's raw and stripped back and the type of music I always hoped to make." We've already started counting down the days.
Missed our favorite tracks last week? Click HERE to check out our top 10 favorite releases for the week of March 8, 2024.