10 Big Things That Happened in Music the Week of November 3, 2023

Olivia Rodrigo knows a thing or two about kicking off New Music Friday the right way, and we don't know if we've ever heard a soundtrack single quite so haunting and perfectly suited to a film as "Can't Catch Me Now" for The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.

Of course, Olivia's new song is just part of our playlists going into the weekend, and as we bid farewell to Daylight Saving Time, we all get an extra hour to marinate in our favorite new tunes, including Jung Kook's striking debut solo album and The Beatles' emotional, last-ever song. For more on the great new music we loved, keep scrolling to discover the 10 biggest things that happened in music the week of Nov. 3, 2023.

1. Beharie and Judy Blank Team Up Yet Again for Stripped-Back Version of 'Don't Forget Me'

We'd been craving even more from Norwegian R&B-soul artist Beharie after last month's release of his debut album, Are You There, Boy?, and the star just gave us precisely what we wanted with a live session of one of our favorite tracks. "Don't Forget Me," featuring Dutch singer-songwriter Judy Blank, was already a luscious duet, but in this delicate acoustic version, the layers are stripped back to create the purest version of the song possible. It's a nostalgic song about begging a previous love to hold on to the previous moments the two shared together, brought flawlessly to life by both velvety voices. "It was really fun to record this video together with Judy," Beharie shared in a press release. "I think it captures the intimate vibe of the song. I'm very happy to have Judy on the album, and it was only right to record a video of the song she is part of."

 

2. Lauren Watkins and Carter Faith Get Nostalgic for the Old Days in 'Cowboys on Music Row'

If you're even slightly fond of country music, we beg you to familiarize yourself with rising singer-songwriter Lauren Watkins. The Nashville-born and -raised artist is gearing up to release a six-song project, Introducing: The Heartbreak, out Nov. 17, and today shared two new tracks—"Stuck in My Ways" and our personal favorite, "Cowboys on Music Row." The song is a silky duet with Carter Faith, allowing both of their contrasting voices to shine as they lament the current state of things and get nostalgic for the good old days when country artists were real cowboys and sang from the heart.

 

Also read about: All About Loossemble's Self-Titled Debut Album and Their Start as a New Group

 

3. RVSHVD Shares His Story So Far in 'Small Town Talk'

RVSHVD is another up-and-coming county artist with a unique voice and vision, first making a name for himself with his viral country version of Roddy Rich's "Ballin." Today, he dropped the music video for his deeply personal new single, "Small Town Talk," telling his authentic story as he reflects on his life so far and the power of community. "I can be myself in country music," RVSVHD shared in a press release, "talking about the real things I do and feel without trying to be a persona you need to be successful in hip-hop and other genres. It's country, but 'country' may sound and look slightly different based on where someone is from and how they were raised."

 

4. Zoe Wees Works Through Her Life on New Album, Therapy

German singer-songwriter Zoe Wees's Therapy has been one of our most highly anticipated albums of the year, and it's lived up to all of our expectations, perfectly encapsulating the aspects that make her music so impactful. Featuring a whopping 20 tracks, this album is all about bearing her deepest truths, capturing everything from the struggles and stresses of growing up with a single mom to the challenges she faces today as an artist, highlighting her emotional and deeply soulful vocals as her story unravels. Zoe has always written with a poignant relatability that strikes deep, regardless of your own experiences, and this album is Zoe at her strongest. "My music is my therapy—a way to overcome my innermost fears and insecurities," Zoe explained in a press release."Therapy is more than just an album for me; it accompanies my journey to discover and learn to love myself."

 

5. elijah woods Recruits Mackenzie Porter for New Duet Version of 'last girl'

If there's one track that really stuck with us from elijah woods ' bright orange everglow EP, it was the dreamy and romantic "last girl," and it just got even sweeter in the form of a duet from fellow Canadian artist MacKenzie Porter. Both artists' voices harmonize to perfection as MacKenzie adds a bit of country twang to the track, and making the lyrics, about real, lasting love, feel even richer. "As soon as I heard MacKenzie's vocals I knew she would be perfect for 'last girl,'" elijah shared in a press release. "It was written with a blend of easy listening pop and country undertones. The song lends itself perfectly to a duet, and I couldn't be happier with how it turned out!"

 

Also read about: Everything You Wanted to Know About Canadian Country Singer-Songwriter MacKenzie Porter

 

6. Ashlee Keating Gets Us Into the Holiday Spirit With 'In the Air'

If you're like us and started blasting "All I Want for Christmas Is You" as soon as Nov. 1 rolled around, you're sure to appreciate the release of Ashlee Keating's playful new holiday single, "In the Air. " The bouncy new tune is a joyful celebration of Ashlee's favorite season, complete with an irresistibly sparkly and fun new music video, and just the thing for your holiday playlists when you want to get everyone moving.

 

7. Cat Burns Shares a Powerful Reminder With 'know that you're not alone'

We can always depend on Platinum-selling English artist Cat Burns to get us all wrapped up in our emotions, and "know that you're not alone" is precisely the song we needed right now. It's upbeat, uplifting and affirming, acting as a reminder to all of us that we're all connected, and whatever we're experiencing, we're all in it together. "'know that you're not alone' is a song for anyone feeling lost and confused in their life, that they aren't the only one feeling this way," Cat said in a press release. "It's good to lean on people around you to take the weight off the feeling."

 

Also read about: Cat Burns Shares the True Story That Inspired Her Breakout Song 'Go'

 

8. The Beatles Unveil Their Final Track, 'Now and Then'

As lifelong Beatles fans, it's hard to describe the emotions surrounding the new (and final) Beatles song, "Now and Then." The song has a storied history, originally recorded as a demo by John Lennon in the '60s before being revisited after his death by bandmates Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr in 1995, and then being shelved. Finally, this year, surviving members Paul and Ringo have finally revisited the song to create the full vision, made even more surreal with a first-ever music video by Oscar-winning director Peter Jackson. Though the band broke up more than half a century ago, the video feels like it pieces together the entire history of the Beatles with footage from their history and today, and while it's incredibly emotional,  it also captures the band's playful, silly spirit. "Having got to the end, I'm very happy I'm not waiting for the release of somebody else's 'Now And Then' music video," Peter Jackson shared in a press release. "I have genuine pride in what we made, and I'll cherish that for years to come. A huge thanks to Apple Corps and the Fabs for giving me all the support I needed—and not allowing me to wriggle away."

 

Also read about: 23 Lyrics From The Beatles to Use as Instagram Captions

 

9. Jung Kook Makes His Solo Album Debut With GOLDEN

As the youngest member of BTS, Jung Kook has long been known as the "Golden Maknae," and it's more than apparent why he's named his debut solo album GOLDEN in celebration. Across its 11 tracks, Jung Kook demonstrates his incredible versatility, and whether he's putting his voice to slick R&B, pure pop or groovy funk tracks, he brings his A-game. The album also includes some stellar collabs, including production work and features from artists including Ed Sheeran, Shawn Mendes, Major Lazer, Latto and Jack Harlow. We can't get enough of the flashy lead track "Standing Next to You," with its infectious funk flourishes, and don't plan to take this one off repeat.

 

10. Olivia Rodrigo Lends Her Voice to The Hunger Games Series With 'Can't Catch Me Now'

We were excited when we heard that Olivia Rodrigo would be contributing to the soundtrack of The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, and while we knew it would be good, we were expecting this. "Can't Catch Me Now" is ethereal and haunting, with some of the most delicious harmonies and top-tier lyricism that come together to perfectly portray the character of heroine Lucy Gray. The film releases on Nov. 17, and the new song has us positively buzzing.

 

Missed our favorite tracks last week? Click HERE to check out our top 10 favorite releases for the week of Oct. 27, 2023.