10 Big Things That Happened in Music the Week of May 31, 2024
After the short, laidback week, it's hard to believe it's New Music Friday yet again, but our favorite artists are making us believe with stellar new tracks.
With an irresistible new BABYMONSTER track (written by Charlie Puth), Shaboozey's latest album featuring some iconic collabs and so much more, this New Music Friday is keeping the almost-summer vibes going. To find out what we loved best over the last seven days, keep scrolling and discover the 10 biggest things that happened in music the week of May 31, 2024.
('Image courtesy of YG Entertainment)
1. Selma Higgins Ushers in the New Season With 'Summertime'
If you're not already familiar with Danish-Irish pop singer-songwriter Selma Higgins, there's never been a better time to become so than "Summertime." Her newest single is here just in time for the arrival of the season, showcasing Selma's unique brand of breezy, funk-infused disco pop. We can't help but groove along to it as she sings of summer romance and the magic of being authentic with people, even if it's awkward and imperfect. "I wanted to make it a sensuous, sensual song, almost like Grease's 'Summer Nights,'" Selma explained in a press release. "The feeling of butterflies in your stomach and wanting to open yourself to someone. And the excitement, because it's the summer, anything can happen. And that's such a feeling."
2. pablopablo Imagines a Tale of Heartbreak in 'Mi Culpa'
Spanish-born, London-based singer-songwriter Pablo Drexler is a Latin Grammy-winning artist, and he's moving into a new era of his artistry under the moniker pablopablo. He just got signed to Mom+Pop and released his debut single with the label, the gorgeous Spanish-language ballad "Mi Culpa." The swelling pop-R&B track is touching even if you don't speak the language, imagining the deterioration of a relationship and how two people who once shared everything can become practically strangers to each other. "'Mi Culpa' came together after a night out in Madrid," Pablo explained in a press release. "I've always been fascinated by karaoke bars and the characters in them, with so many of them going on their own and taking the performance really seriously I love trying to figure out their story… sometimes making them up about who they are and what they are doing there, so this time, I wrote the perfect song to sing in that place!"
3. Philine Sonny and Miya Folick Join Forces Against Societal Expectations in 'Shame'
German artist and producer Philine Sonny and L.A. singer-songwriter Miya Folick are both up-and-coming musicians with their own powerful stories to tell, and their voices are especially impactful together on the new collaborative track, "Shame." The shimmery, yearning new single is a rallying cry against society and the norms and expectations that are put on women in particular. "Miya really helped me get my frustration across and supported me in my message as I think she understood the kind of deeply rooted feeling that comes with not being a cis-man in this world," Sonny explained in a press release. "When Philine sent me this song, I was struck first by her production," Miya added. "The way the drums entered was so emotional and exciting to me. I also appreciated the nontraditional form of the song. It's like a stream of consciousness—a torrent of rage. I really related to the emotions that Philine conveys in 'Shame,' and I was honored to get to sing (and scream) on it."
Also read about: James Reid Shares Why It Took Him 3 Years to Release New Single, 'Hurt Me Too'
4. Meghan Patrick Chooses to Love Herself, No Matter What, in 'Whether You Love Me or Not'
There's a reason Canadian-American country sensation Meghan Patrick has so many coveted awards under her belt, and tracks like her newest single, "Whether You Love Me or Not," are proof. The upbeat and anthemic new anthem is about finding yourself in the wake of having your heart broken and choosing self-love over focusing on what you've lost. "Sometimes people say they love you, and then piece by piece they break you down and break you heart, leaving you hurt, confused, and low on self-esteem," Meghan wrote in a post on Instagram. "You find yourself believing all the horrible things they made you feel about yourself, and you find yourself desperately hoping for them to apologize or take accountability for the pain they've caused. One of the hardest lessons I've had to learn is that often the people who hurt you the most are the ones who will never apologize, and they'll never give you 'closure' for what they've done. That's when you have to give yourself closure. You have to decide and know in your heart that they are wrong. they were wrong about you, and they were wrong for what they did to you… but the best revenge is living well. It's choosing to love yourself, whether they love you or not. I hope this song helps you move on, I hope this song feels like the closure you deserved but never got. And mostly, I hope this song makes you want to love yourself. As for the one who tried to break me… better luck next time, because I'm gonna love me 'Whether You Love Me Or Not' 💛"
5. Montell Fish Teases His Next Album With 'Who Did You Touch?'
Genre-bending artist Montell Fish just announced his upcoming album, Charlotte, and gave us a first taste with the dark and evocative single "Who Did You Touch?" The echoey and atmospherically layered soundscape is backed by a pulsing dance beat as Montell's pleading falsetto accuses an unfaithful lover of their transgressions. We love the way the sound captures jealousy and heartbreak, and can't wait to see where it fits into the larger narrative of Charlotte.
6. Lola Young If Full of Contradictions in New Single 'Messy'
English singer-songwriter Lola Young just shared that her new album, This Wasn't Meant For You Anyway, will be out on June 21—and it instantly became one of our most anticipated albums of the year. To celebrate the upcoming breakup album, she just released the new single, "Messy," featuring speak-singing paired with Lola's soaring vocals and oozing with cleverness in every line. It's about a toxic relationship in which her partner says she's somehow simultaneously too much and not enough at once, and just how contradictory that is. "Here is my firstborn child, a f*** you to all my exes, and basically me just trying to figure out some s*** openly and honestly on record," she shared of the album in a press release. "First of many and if you don't like it, then this wasn't meant for you anyway."
7. Sam Tompkins Lets Go of Toxic Love in New Anthem, 'Dead To Me'
It's a very exciting time for fans of English singer-songwriter Sam Tompkins, with his debut album, hi, my name is insecure, set to release on July 26 and we're especially loving his latest single, "Dead to Me." The heartfelt hip-hop-tinged pop track is about the freedom that comes from letting go of a relationship that was only weighing him down. It also has a gorgeous new music video, filmed in Iceland to perfectly show the bittersweet blend of liberation and loneliness that comes with the solitude of singledom. "Felt like rapping on this one a little," Sam wrote of the track on Instagram. "I hope you enjoy screaming the lyrics out to this song… whether it's in your bedroom on your own or outside your ex's house at 3 a.m. It's all good with me. "
Also read about: Everything You Wanted to Know About who do you pray to? Singer-Songwriter Sam Tompkins
8. Alex Warren Celebrates Marriage in 'Carry You Home'
Fans of singer-songwriter Alex Warren are probably aware that he's never released a traditional love song—until now, that is. Alex is getting married in June to his soon-to-be-bride Kouvr Annon, and for the first time in his life, Alex was inspired to write a love song, resulting in the new single "Carry You Home." Propelled by fast hand claps and a jangly banjo, the upbeat folk-pop track is dedicated to Kouvr, focusing on their journey of love and the commitment they've made to each other. "I've been trying to write a love song my entire career but I was never able to do it," Alex revealed in a press release. "Whether it was too cringy or too cheesy it just never ended up sounding right…until 'Carry You Home.' 'Carry You Home' is the first love song I've ever written where I didn't want to vomit, lol. We wrote it for my wedding and I can't wait to look back and show our kids this moment and be able to have a song fully reflect that feeling."
Also read about: Alex Warren Lays Bare His Struggles With Anxiety in His New Single 'Headlights'
9. Shaboozey Puts His Signature Twist on Country With Third Album, Where I've Been, Isn't Where I'm Going
Singer-songwriter and Shaboozey has made quite a name for himself as an alt-country star, making a splash at this year's Stagecoach, and his third album, Where I've Been, Isn't Where I'm Going, is a true showstopper. Featuring a dozen heartfelt tracks, the album fuses elements of hip-hop and pop with country to resonate with Shaboozey's signature sound, and though no true tracks sound quite alike, they're perfectly at home here. Where I've Been, Isn't Where I'm Going also features collaborations with Paul Cauthien and BigXthaPlug, with "My Fault" featuring Noah Cyrus being an instant classic.
Also read about: Everything You Might Have Missed at Stagecoach 2024
10. BABYMONSTER Drop Music Video for 'LIKE THAT'
K-pop sensations BABYMONSTER are quickly becoming some of the biggest artists on the scene, and after releasing their debut EP, BABYMONS7ER, on April 1, the seven-member group is back with the music video for "LIKE THAT." Written by Charlie Puth, it's a sultry R&B-pop track about making an authentic connection with someone, and we love the way it comes to life in the new music video with its striking black-and-white color scheme and irresistible choreography.
Missed our favorite tracks last week? Click HERE to check out our top 10 favorite releases for the week of May 24, 2024.