10 Big Things That Happened in Music the Week of November 17, 2023
It's beginning to look a lot like Thanksgiving, and since we'll be skipping New Music Friday next week to get our holiday shopping on, this week, we're extra thankful for some sizzling new music releases.
We love this week's biggest music drops, from Sabrina Carpenter's fiery and seductive fruitcake holiday EP to new albums from Red Velvet and André 3000 and so much more. To check out everything we loved best, keep scrolling to discover the 10 biggest things that happened in music the week of Nov. 17, 2023.
1. TIFFY Begs for Attention in New Music Video for 'Vying'
Rising singer-songwriter TIFFY released her debut album So Serious earlier this month, and if you're a fan of '90s-inspired indie-rock with infectious hooks, it's a must-listen. Today, she released the music video for the latest single, "Vying," a laidback, shoegaze analysis of what it means to beg to be seen and vie for attention in a digital media age in which everyone else is doing the same. We love the way the smooth sound juxtaposes the urgency of the lyrics, and the mime-filled music video sends the point home.
2. Rowan Drake Does a Gorgeous Double Drop With 'The Long Breath' and 'The Willows'
What's better than a stunning new single from pop singer-songwriter Rowan Drake? Two at once. His two latest singles, "The Long Breath" and "The Willows," both dropped today, feeling like two complementary sides to the same story. Both feature Rowan's gentle, soothing vocals, but while "The Long Breath" is quietly haunting with acoustic strums and atmospheric sounds, "The Willows" feels twinkling and hopeful. We honestly can't decide which one we love more. "These songs have been living inside me for months now and for myself more than anything, I need to release them," Rowan shared in an Instagram post. "They are two sides of the same coin. Conflicting opinions that have been constant in my brain since the summer. I'm very proud of the love myself and everyone involved poured into these and I know they will find a home with many of you."
3. Hak Bakar Tells a Tale of Togetherness and Survival in 'Brotherhood'
Leave it to English singer-songwriter Hak Baker to bare his entire soul in each and every one of his tracks. His latest, "Brotherhood," is an especially raw depiction of his story, telling a tale of trauma, grief and the despair of being unable to help, while touching on the power of togetherness and the strength of the bonds between brothers. The desperate, shouted lyrics make us feel every work in our hearts, and the video, featuring Hak's brother Ezekiel, is jaw-dropping. "The brotherhood is synonymous to the Wolfpack," Hak explained in a press release. "The Alpha, the comforter, the strategist, the lagger—the range of ages, but not in huge differentiation are all bound together in the quest of survival. They are in the snow, the wild deep forest, the harshest of environments packing close together to exist, to live. In my Wolfpack's case it is in our streets, our blocks, our ghettos, the barrios, the neighborhoods, the ends. These are the places the brotherhood is at its rawest. Trauma bonding is the psychological term for it."
Also read about: Penelope Scott Reveals the Philosophy and Store Behind Her Mysteries for Rats EP
4. Will Joseph Cook Celebrates the Present in 'NOBODY's HOME'
Last month, rising English indie-pop artist Will Joseph Cook released the bright and effervescent NOVELLA EP, and today, the world was blessed with the music video for our favorite song on the EP, closing track "NOBODY's HOME." The song starts with a funky, almost video game-y sound as Will starts crooning in French—before admitting he doesn't speak French and it was all a put-on. It's a song about living in the moment, being yourself and not caring what anyone else thinks about it, complete with a playful, day-in-the-life music video featuring a glowing, sunny best pal.
5. meija Recruits Eels for New Single, 'POSSUM'
We'd been eagerly anticipating new music from meija since the release of his his debut album, Do Ya?, earlier this year, and the new single "POSSUM" gives us everything we wanted—with a little help from rock icons Eels. meija (also known as Jamie Sierota, formerly of Echosmith)'s latest single is a fuzzy yet urgent track about that moment of realization that it's time to finally face the parts of your live you've been ignoring. The music video is also an instant classic, especially with some great improvisation from meija and Eels frontman E. "'POSSUM' is the first look into a new world that I've been working on," meija shared in a press release. "The song and video almost act as a prologue for a bigger story. 'POSSUM' is a song about trying to face the things that you feel like you haven't been ready to face. I've been guilty of 'playing dead' with emotions. Thinking that I've worked through something only to realize that maybe I just went through the motions and I'm not really past it. With the video, I was trying to capture what it feels like to be stuck in something that doesn't serve you, and the moment when you finally recognize that and choose a different path forward. Sometimes we need a little push. It could be as simple as a sudden realization or as wild as an almost mystical computer game that takes over the system and speaks to you directly."
6. Ryder Beer Makes an Impactful Debut With First Single, 'Can't Take It'
"Can't Take It" might be Ryder Beer's debut single, but you'd never guess it from the cool and confident sound of the anthemic new track. Instantly, his sound is bold and atmospheric, setting him apart from the crowd while demonstrating he's so much more than just Madison Beer's little brother. There's also a wisdom to the lyricism as Ryder sings about knowing when it's time to get go of a relationship that no longer serves him. "I hope people who listen to this song know they're not alone and don't feel bad about wanting their relationship to end," Ryder shared in an interview with Sweety High. "It's a bummer when someone is hurting, but if you're not feeling it any longer, you have to take care of your needs."
Also read about: Ryder Beer Shares the Story Behind His Debut Single, 'Can't Take It'
7. Lyn Lapid Celebrates the Power of Long-Lasting Friendships in 'east side'
After falling in love with Lyn Lapi's love in the 21st century EP earlier this summer, we couldn't be happier to hear that its deluxe version, love in the 21st century: the epilogue is dropping on Dec. 1. The 21-year-old singer-songwriter and TikTok sensation Lyn Lapid just gave us a first time with the soothing new single "east side," with a dreamy, lush sound as she sings about the friends back home who'll always have her back. "I'm so excited to share my new song 'east side,'" Lyn said in a press release. "it's a really special and personal song I wrote about my hometown friends back in Maryland. I wrote about how my hometown friendships over the years have turned into 'low maintenance friendships,' mostly because I don't see my old school friends as much as I used to, yet despite everything it hasn't affected our friendship at all. We've grown to live such different lives with them being in college and me pursuing music full time, we don't talk or hangout as much as we used to, but our friendship still remains strong even if I'm not as close with them anymore."
Also read about: Lyn Lapid Weaves a Tale of Situationships and Heartache in to love in the 21st century
8. André 3000 Does Something Entirely Different With New Blue Sun
If you were expecting a rap album with André 3000's latest release, like we were, you're in for a big shock. His debut solo album, New Blue Sun, consists of instrumentals from front to back, and the album cover reading "Warning: no bars" is no joke. At first, that sounded disappointing, but after listening to its eight mostly lengthy tracks, we can assure you it's anything but. The flute-centric album still has the flavor of hip-hop while also feeling like a transformative meditation from top to bottom. If you're in need of a little spiritual healing this weekend, go someplace dark, put on your headphones and escape a while with New Blue Sun.
9. Red Velvet Is Back at It Again With Third Album Chill Kill
Nearly a year after their previous album, K-pop sensations Red Velvet are back and better than they've ever been with the release of their third album, Chill Kill. Across 10 songs, this striking quintet reminds us precisely why they're one of the biggest groups in the world while demonstrating their teamwork and incredible versatility as artists. The title track, in particular, is one of their best to date, with an irresistible dance pop sound that manages to be playful yet haunting as they long for their love, despite the fact the relationship has been anything but perfect.
10. Sabrina Carpenter Gets in the Festive Mood With fruitcake EP
We weren't sure what to expect from a Sabrina Carpenter holiday EP, but her new release fruitcake is instantly iconic and equally parts festive and risque. It consists of six songs just for the holiday season, with Sabrina's soaring vocals and unmatched wordplay making them fast Christmas favorites. Of course, it also includes "A Nonsense Christmas," adding a lot of holiday sassiness to her hit song "Nonsense."
Missed our favorite tracks last week? Click HERE to check out our top 10 favorite releases for the week of Nov. 10, 2023.