10 Big Things That Happened in Music the Week of May 3, 2024
As we head into the first weekend of May, it's beginning to feel a lot like summer, and it's clear all of our favorite artists are feeling the vibes, too.
We're kicking off the Cinco de Mayo weekend with Dua Lipa's summery new feel-good album Radical Optimism, with new music from Johnny Huynh, NIKI and Mckenna Grace thrown in for good measure—and that's only the start of our epic weekend playlists. For the very best new tunes of the last seven days, keep scrolling to discover the 10 biggest things that happened in music the week of May 3, 2024.
(Radical Optimism via Warner Records UK)
1. Delilah Montagu Makes Peace With the End of a Relationship 'Orange'
Some relationships, no matter how strong, just weren't meant to be, and that's the subject of Delilah Montagu's powerful new single, "Orange." The Grammy-winning artist released the new track today, fusing her angelic vocals with minimalistic yet dreamy instrumentation to tell a tale of finding closure in the aftermath of a relationship that didn't quite fit. "I wrote 'Orange' about my first love," Delilah shared with Sweety High in an interview. "It's all about loving someone but realizing that you can't exist in the same world as them in the way that you would like. It's about accepting that and loving them from afar."
Also read about: Delilah Montagu Shares Details on the Real Relationship That Inspired New Single, 'Orange'
2. Amy Allen Ignores Intuition for Love in 'girl with a problem'
Amy Allen is probably best known as a Grammy-nominated songwriter to the stars, co-penning hits including Sabrina Carpenter's "Feather" and "Espresso" and Tate McRae's "greedy," but she's also an extremely talented artist in her own right. Today, she released her own original single "girl with a problem," showing off both her lyrical prowess and her uniquely striking vocals in a '90s alt-rock-infused ode to making problems for yourself in order to hold on to toxic love. "I wrote 'girl with a problem' when I was in the throes of a relationship I could feel was slowly turning into something ugly and unsustainable, and making the conscious decision to overlook every pitfall for the sake of loving a boy," Amy explained in a press release. "Turns out it's incredibly problematic how good our hearts are at overriding our guts."
3. Dayglow Reflects on Perfectionism in 'Every Little Thing I Say I Do'
After more than a year hiatus, indie-pop sensation Dayglow, aka Sloan Struble, is back today with his first single since 2022, "Every Little Thing I Say I Do." The singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer was responsible for everything you hear on the track, from the writing to the performance, recording, production and mixing, so does it come as any surprise that the track is about perfectionism and being a control freak? Despite the heavier subject matter, the sound is a bright, sunny and infectious earworm, bringing us back to the '10s. "'Every Little Thing I Say I Do' is a song where I'm poking fun at my perfectionism and my desire for control," Sloan said in a press release. "It's a pretty ridiculous claim–that I not only do everything perfectly, but also for your benefit–but that's the point. It's a toxic and impossible way of being, yet this is the mode I unfortunately tend to be running from in my little homosapien brain. I write songs as a way to better understand myself, and I tend to be fairly harsh sometimes. Once a song is done though, I always feel like I grew up a little bit, and that I was able to see a more realistic glimpse of myself from the outside."
4. Holly Humberstone Reimagines Favorite Tracks From Her Debut Album
English singer-songwriter Holly Humberstone released her debut album, Paint My Bedroom Black, in October of last year, and today, she released three new versions of her favorite tracks, featuring some unexpected and exhilerating collaborations. This includes Tiny Habits on "Antichrist," MUNA on "Into Your Room," and our personal favorite, Medium Build on a new version of "Cocoon." "I first discovered Medium Build about a year ago whilst I was touring in the states," Holly revealed in a press release. "My tour manager Carl put on a song of his whilst we drove north up the Pacific Coast Highway and something about his intimate songwriting style and the beautiful scenery just felt very poignant and hit me in a different way. I felt like I understood him a bit and immediately reached out and asked him if he wanted to collaborate. I sent him my song 'Cocoon' and although the lyrics were already written, he turned the second verse into a story of his own. His delivery of the words transformed the song into something that felt really magical and so I've decided to release our version."
Also read about: 40 Captivating Lyrics From Holly Humberstone's Paint My Bedroom Black as Instagram Captions
5. TikTok Sensations Elevator Boys Release New Single 'Parachute'
Since their first single, "Runaway," last year, German social boy band Elevator Boys haven't shown any signs of slowing down. The TikTok quintet's third single, "Parachute," is without a doubt our favorite music from the boys yet, with a more stripped-back and emotional sound that allows their voices to shine through. It's the classic story of right person, wrong time, all of the emotional ups and downs that come with love and fighting for a relationship, no matter the cost.
Also read about: Elevator Boys Reveal the Meaning of Debut Single 'Runaway' and Share Their Musical Mission
6. Rachel Chinouriri Shares Debut Album, What a Devastating Turn of Events
Rachel Chinouriri's What a Devastating Turn of Events has been one of our most highly anticipated albums of the year, and it's exceeded all of our expectations. The English indie-pop star bares her soul on the album, blending evocative storytelling and diaristic entries to share her own experiences so far while learning to heal from them in the process. Its 14 tracks, including hit singles "It Is What It Is," "What a Devastating Turn of Events," "Never Need Me" and "The Hills," tell the full story while paving the way for whatever's next. "This album is a culmination of the beginning of a journey I've been waiting to take for a while and to be honest, there were points where it might've not happened," Rachel revealed in a press release. "I hope people are able to hear my potential and creativity and tune in for many more future albums. This album could've gone so many ways but I decided to try and make it reflect on my life and upbringing. I could've made it wonky, moody and more experimental but to get to this position has been such a struggle, especially being Black and British… and now I'm just ready to have fun. The topics are sad, but I felt like I was just so sad for years and now I feel like I'm healing and can just have fun and be free now. With releasing this album… I just feel so free and so happy. No matter what anyone thinks, I just am happy that I can hopefully perk more interest and continue to grow and flourish in music."
7. Mckenna Grace Shouts Out the Decent Guys in 'Gentleman'
Dating in 2024 can be a miss, but it's good to know there are still decent men out in the world, and Mckenna Grace makes them the subject of her latest single, "Gentleman." The singer-songwriter and actress just released the new single, serving as an ode to the men of the world who still act chivalrous and gentlemanly, and remind us we can demand more in our relationships. We can't stop watching the cute new music video starring the main gentleman in Mckenna's life at the moment—her adorable pup, Gizmo. "I wrote this song about the first time a person made me feel like I was worth their time and effort in a romantic relationship," Mckenna said in a press release. "I was kind of used to accepting the bare minimum (because that's all I knew) and I didn't feel like I was worth a lot in a relationship. It was the first time I realized 'Oh! This is how it should be, and this is how I want to be treated!"
Also read about: Everything You Wanted to Know About Actress and Singer-Songwriter Mckenna Grace
8. NIKI Crushes Hard in 'Too Much of a Good Thing'
If you've ever felt completely energized and overwhelmed by a new crush all at once, you're going to relate hard to NIKI's latest single, "Too Much of a Good Thing." The Indonesian artist's new song is actually the lead single of her newly announced third album, Buzz, releasing on Aug. 9, and with its groovy and flirtatious sound, it sets the scene for even more fabulous music to come. "'Too Much Of A Good Thing' is this fun, tongue-in-cheek song about desire, imagination and the playground of excitement and irreverence they create," NIKI shared in a press release. "It's about that initial anticipation we all know and love where there's a little extra pep in your step, which I feel translates even sonically, with that timeless, stroll-along-to-the-tempo groove you get when you are momentarily invincible. I wrote it with my very talented friend Ethan Gruska when I was listening to a lot of Fleetwood Mac and The Beatles, and it was one of the earliest ideas that catalyzed the rest of this album."
9. Johnny Huynh Reflects on the Past in 'GOOD AS YOU'
Rising artist Johnny Huynh is definitely one to watch in 2024, and his heart-rending new single "GOOD AS YOU" sets the stage for the next era of his career. It's his debut single with Columbia Records following his recent deal with the label, demonstrating his talents on the piano along with his soaring, gently raspy vocals as he reflects on a beautiful friendship in his past. "Growing up, I had a really good friend who moved away to a different state," Johnny said in a press release. "You'll only meet three or four true best friends in your lifetime. When they move away, it's hard to replicate the fun you had with anyone else. I'm referencing the great times and looking back on positive memories. I'm expressing another side of myself."
10. Dua Lipa Creates Hope and Summer Fun With Third Album, Radical Optimism
We're not exaggerating when we say that Dua Lipa's third album, Radical Optimism, feels like summer in the form of music. Across 11 tracks, including fan-favorites "Houdini," "Training Season" and "Illusion," this is Dua's "good vibes only" album, integrating the artist's favorite genres and an eclectic mix of sounds to be pure fun from start to finish. "In 2021, a friend of mine told me about the term radical optimism and said that's what the world collectively needed," Dua wrote in a post on Instagram. "That term has stuck with me for these past three years and has become more and more relevant to the way I view the everyday. Nothing is ever linear, and sometimes you just gotta roll with the punches. These past years have taught me exactly that. I found my ground while relaxing in instability. I found happiness and joy in the unknown. I find optimism in the toughest days and look to them for growth. Embracing the power of words to be a catalyst for hope, I try to find beauty and meaning even in the midst of chaos.
My third album, Radical Optimism, has helped me grow beyond belief. I'm definitely not the same person I was when I started writing this album, and I'm grateful for every song that's helped me be the person I am today. It has shifted my perspective with every song and made me stronger. I couldn't have made this record without some very wonderful people who have guided me and held my hand through it all."
Missed our favorite tracks last week? Click HERE to check out our top 10 favorite releases for the week of April 26, 2024.