10 Big Things That Happened in Music the Week of May 10, 2024
We can tell that summer is right around the corner because there's something about the season and what it draws out of people that just hits different—and that definitely applies to music.
With a new single previewing RM's upcoming solo album, an unexpected collab between Camila Cabello and Lil Nas X, a new track from David Kushner and so much more, it was one of those weeks with so much great new music it pained us to cut our favorites down to just 10. Curious about what did make the cut? Keep scrolling to discover the 10 biggest things that happened in music the week of May 10, 2024.
(Image courtesy of BIGHIT MUSIC)
1. Clean Out Louis Make a Funky Debut With 'Foreigner'
Sylvester Zabello and Mingus Runge may be best known for being the guitarist of alt-pop group Høker and drummer of Turbolens, respectively, but the Danish artist have just joined forces to create the Danish indie supergroup Clean Out Louis. The group's name was inspired by Sylvester discovering that his birth name, Louis, had been kept a secret from him until it was revealed to him at school when he was 6, and their electronics-infused pop-reggae debut single, "Foreigner," is a retelling of that story. "It's a song that sort of reminisces that anxious first day of school feeling," Sylvester shared in a press release. "A moment of alienation—to your surroundings and to yourself. But to us, 'Foreigner' also represents redemption."
2. FARR Showcase Their Musical Evolution With New EP, Blink Twice If You're Okay
Alt R&B duo FARR have become a force in the music industry since they formed in 2019, with more than 100 million streams since their debut, and they've truly never been better than they are on the new EP Blink Twice If You're Okay. Featuring five soulful and atmospheric tracks, it shows vocalist Roméo and producer Linden Jay at their top of their respective games, perfectly fusing their talents to combine evocative vocals with cool beats and orchestral strings and horns to tell their story. "Blink Twice If You're Okay is the culmination of years of work and our evolution as artists," said FARR in a press release. "Between the two of us, we've gone through love, loss and heartbreak. The songs tell that story, questioning the ebbs and flows of life—from the most exciting parts to the things that put a pit in your stomach. This is our proudest work yet, and we're so excited to share it with everyone."
3. Riah Feels Stuck in a Loop in 'Bed'
Dream pop artist Riah has a knack for relatably drawing us in to her inner world with hazy yet emotional tracks, and her new single, "Bed," resonates more than ever. With a quiet acoustic sound that slowly builds into an upbeat pop anthem, it's a song about mental health and the sensation of being trapped within yourself and unable to change. "'Bed' is really a song about my thoughts taking over," Riah shared in an interview with Sweety High. "I have struggled with anxiety for most of my life, and 'Bed' is about the tension of that. Some days there are so many things I wish I could do if only I didn't have this weight on my chest and some days I can't even explain all of the thoughts and feelings in my own head. The verses are really expressing the chaotic train of thought that comes with a mind being constantly in a million places at once, remembering really specific things but forgetting tons of little things—your mind being pulled in so many different directions that you feel stuck."
Also read about: How Riah Explored Feeling Trapped by Her Inner Thoughts in New Single, 'Bed'
4. Minke Shares the Bittersweet 'Happier Than Me'
English artist Leah Mason, perhaps best known by the stage name Minke, started out her musical career as a blues artist in Nashville before developing her experimental soul-pop sound. Her artistry is as affecting as ever on her vulnerable and insightful new single, "Happier Than Me," a song about recognizing your own unhappiness and learning to find peace and power within that understanding. "It speaks to the type of loneliness you only feel in a crowded room," Leah revealed in a press release. "I think some people would probably call it depression, but I was excited and relieved writing it, realizing everyone in the room could relate to that feeling. When you don't feel like you have a right to be sad and not really knowing why or what you can do. This was just before the pandemic hit when I was drifting, in a bit of a rut but not realizing it at the time. With hindsight comes perspective. A lot has changed since I wrote it, it's bittersweet. But happy it exists as a timestamp and to hopefully help people feel less alone."
5. BEKA Pens the Soundtrack to Trying With 'Bags Packed'
Apple TV+'s Trying is a beloved series about a couple and their quest to become adoptive parents, also known for its stellar pop soundtracks. After Maisie Peters wrote and performed the soundtrack for the second season and Bear's Den did the same for the third, it's time for English pop star BEKA to step in for the fourth season, and we're already in love. After sharing her first single for the show, "Forever," she's back with a new song called "Bags Packed," and its powerful sound and storytelling speak for itself. "'Bags Packed' was a song Tobie and I had started in a session before the Trying sessions, after long chats about letting yourself go, almost primally… unashamed, dancing, feeling, being," BEKA explained in a press release. "The moment we read the storyline for Episode 6 we both immediately knew 'Bags Packed' could work. This song felt like reaching into a safe, familiar musical space for me of something emotive and anthemic and it was one that really flowed out both musically and lyrically, in tandem with the show's story." The new season of the show debuts on Apple TV+ on Wednesday, May 22
6. Georgia Webster and Jonny Nightly Team Up for 'This Ain't a Breakup'
Just because something isn't officially a "relationship" doesn't mean it can't leave you utterly devastated, and that message comes through loud and clear in Georgia Webster's new single "This Ain't a Breakup," featuring Jonny Nightly. Despite its aching lyrics, the anthemic duet is upbeat and inspiring. It's also set to appear on her third album, SIGNS, out May 31. "I wrote 'This Ain't A Breakup' about a situationship that ended last year," Georgia explained in a press release. "This guy and I had been going on dates and doing all sorts of relationship-type things, but we never put a label on it. When he ended it with me, it felt like I was going through the worst breakup of my life. As I was feeling all the emotions, I thought of the lyric 'if this ain't a breakup, then why am I broken?' and took it to the studio with some of my friends later that week. When the song was finished, I couldn't help but feel as if something was missing—especially since Connor Moye, one of my cowriters on the track, sang on the original demo—so I reached out to Jonny (Nightly) to hop on it with me. I have been such a fan of his for a while so I am very excited that he agreed to it and cannot wait for everyone to hear how it came out."
Also read about: TikTok Sensation Georgia Webster Tells the Story Behind Her New Single, 'Push & Pull'
7. Devon Cole Becomes the Friend She Aspires to Be on 'I Got You'
If you've been hunting for a sunny summer friendship anthem for 2024, look no further than Devon Cole's vibrant new single, "I Got You." The bouncy, country-tinged pop track is essentially an ode to being a good friend—even if for Devon, it's more aspirational than realistic. "'I Got You' is a song about being a good friend," Devon said in a press release. "It's a little ironic for me to have written this song because I've historically not been the best friend. I tend to hermit and I'm literally trash at responding to anyone's texts… even my best friends. So, this song is aspirational. I have amazing friends—they are hilarious, intelligent and iconic. They deserve the kind of friend described in this song. Writing 'I Got You' forced me to confront myself and work towards doing better, which is a slay."
8. David Kushner Reckons With His Past and Childhood Scars in 'Hero'
Folk-pop artist David Kushner is an astounding artist and one of the select few members of Spotify's Billions Club, with his hit single "Daylight" racking up over a billion views. He's back at it again with his haunting new single, "Hero." The thumping, piano-driven track is an exploration of the past, learning to live with what's happened and heal childhood traumas while reckoning with the heroes and villains we make out of the players in our lives. "'Hero' is the story of acceptance towards the pain of your inner child," David said in a press release. David also also just announced a North American headlining tour this fall, and we think the new song will be especially resounding on stage.
Also read about: How David Kushner Explored the Darkness and Gave Into the Light in Viral 'Daylight'
9. Camila Cabello and Lil Nas X Join Forces for 'HE KNOWS'
Camila Cabello isn't pulling any punches ahead of her upcoming album, C,XOXO, dropping on June 28, and her new single, "HE KNOWS" featuring Lil Nas X, proves it. With a whirring, dreamlike sound and clapped beat, it's a song about setting your sights on a boy and giving him no choice but to be absolutely enraptured, with a perfectly confident and hazy sound to match.
10. RM Teases His Sophomore Solo Album With 'Come back to me'
All eyes are on BTS's RM as he gears up to release his second solo album, Right Place, Wrong Person, on May 24, and the new single "Come back to me" perfectly sets the mood for everything to come. The laidback and vibey indie-pop song comes to life with whistled notes and the deep rasp of RM's mostly English vocals as yearns for change while clinging to the comfort of the present. We also love its music video, akin to a short film, getting us even more excited to experience the full project.
Missed our favorite tracks last week? Click HERE to check out our top 10 favorite releases for the week of May 3, 2024.