10 Big Things That Happened in Music the Week of October 4, 2024
Is there anything that FINNEAS can't do?
The Oscar- and Grammy-winning artist just dropped his sophomore album, For Cryin' Out Loud!, with a sound that's sure to be the soundtrack for the rest of the year for many. With an irresistible new release by Jagwar Twin, unforgettable collabs between Rachel Chinouriri and Cat Burns as well as Liz Gillies and Ferry Townes and more, this has certainly been a week to remember. To find out what we've loved best, just keep scrolling to discover the 10 biggest things that happened in music the week of Oct. 4, 2024.
(via Interscope Records)
1. Jagwar Twin Taps Into Surveillance and Paranoia With 'The Watchers'
Jagwar Twin certainly has a way with interpolations, going fully viral last year with "Bad Feeling (Oompa Loompa)," and now giving us a taste of what's to come with "The Watchers." The new single interpolates Rockwell's iconic "Somebody's Watching Me," featuring Michael Jackson, creating a darkly intoxicating hip-hop track about the blurry divide between real life and online, the suspicion you're always being perceived and never feeling like you're ever truly logged off. "In 2024 we're under constant surveillance," Jagwar Twin shared in a press release. "The average person used to work 9 to 5, but it's 24/7 now—there's no clocking out. With our phones and social media, we're 'on the clock' from the moment we wake up to the time we go to bed. It's about this creeping feeling of being seen from all angles, not knowing whether you're living your life or performing it… 'The Watchers' taps into that blend of fascination, intoxication and paranoia…"
Also read about: Jagwar Twin on Going to the Circus in the New Music Video for 'Bad Feeling (Oompa Loompa)'
2. Nick Ward Digs Into His Personal Journey With Debut Album, House With the Blue Door
Up-and-coming Australian pop artist Nick Ward has recently made a name for himself with a string of catchy yet meaningful singles including "Shooting Star," "Gimme" and "All Your Life," and they're even more poignant as part of the bigger narrative of his debut album, House With the Blue Door. Over 11 tracks, he weaves a story about all of the little moments and pieces of life that shaped him into the man he is today, from moments with his dad to the music that informed his own sound. "'House With The Blue Door' was the nickname my brother and I gave our house when we were little kids," Nick explained in a press release. "I wanted to make a record about childhood, family, DNA and the patterns of behavior that get passed down to us. After my last EP, I finally took time off for the first time since finishing high school, and really had to learn to just sit with myself. I started therapy again and was finding out so much about myself and who I was through that process. I was also unlearning bad habits and the parts of my personality that I wanted to change. The turbulent personal journey really shaped the album into what it is and inspired it a lot more darkness than the sunny, childlike album I initially set out to make. I love movies and pieces of art that try to evoke specific stages of life, so this is my shot at a farewell to childhood. I was also trying to emulate the feeling that I got listening to music in the back of my dad's car with the windows open—The Beatles, Springsteen, Pink Floyd and lots of Australian pub rock."
3. Kat Luna Stuns With New Breakup Anthem, 'That Girl'
American Idol alum Kat Luna has gone on a big personal journey over the last couple of years, but she's transformed her heartbreak into a powerful anthem of self-discovery and triumph with her new single, "That Girl." The Latina country artist puts her heart and soul into not one but two versions of the song in both English and Spanglish as she leaves the past behind and paves the way for a hopeful future. We seriously recommend giving both versions a listen to get the full picture. "I'm so excited to be releasing 'That Girl' on 10/4," Kat wrote in a post on Instagram. "This song is about choosing yourself, not settling for less than what you deserve, and leaving that chapter behind you. This is me stepping into my new era of who I really am, knowing my worth, and saying what I want to say. Writing 'That Girl' helped with my healing journey and I hope it helps others 🌙"
4. Morgan Saint Lets Go in 'Hope You Find What You're Looking For'
Morgan Saint's latest single, "Hope You Find What You're Looking For," has been a few years in the making, but we believe it's been fully worth the wait. The vibrant synth-pop sound transports us to a different time as Morgan sings about finally learning to let go of someone who's gone down a different path than the one you'd want for them. Morgan co-produced the track with her wife, Carley Ridersleeve, and it shows in the intimately impactful instrumentation. "'Hope You Find What You're Looking For' is a very personal song to me," Morgan revealed in a press release. "It's about watching someone you love go down a dark path and not having the power to deter them. It was written, produced, and all instruments were played by myself and my wife, Carley Ridersleeve, in our home studio. We started making this song in 2021 and it's had many iterations. Making music on my terms has given me the time and space to nurture each song and grow with it. It's cool to listen back to earlier versions and hear how much the song and I have matured from start to finish."
5. Royel Otis Continue Their Story With Deluxe Edition of PRATTS & PAIN (It Ain't Over Til It Ends)
Australian rock duo Royel Otis have been rapidly on the rise since last year, and after releasing their debut album, PRATTS & PAIN, earlier this year, they've shared its deluxe edition, subtitled (It Ain't Over Til It Ends). Royel Maddell and Otis Pavlovic are at the top of their game on new songs "Claw Foot," "Merry Mary Marry Me," "Til the Morning" and "If Our Love Is Dead, "with richly layered rock tracks driven by effervescent guitars to make their sound truly one-of-a-kind. If you're not yet familiar, we suggest starting with "If Our Love Is Dead" to get instantly hooked. "'If Our Love Is Dead' was born out of that feeling when you've been with someone for a while and you're not sure if the spark is still there," Royel Otis shared in a press release. "You're like… If it's dead and it's not there, then what are we holding on to? What are we doing it for? Are we doing it for the sake of just sticking it out, or do we actually just want to cut paths and move on with things?"
6. Spencer Sutherland Goes Bigger Than Ever With Rock Opera Sophomore Album, The Drama
Spencer Sutherland made big waves last year with his debut album, In His Mania, and with his sophomore effort, The Drama, he's bigger, bolder and, of course, more dramatic than ever. In typical Spencer style, it's a glam rock concept album—a rock opera in three acts—that unfurls over 14 tracks as Spencer shares an epic story of hope, tragedy and resilience with stadium-ready flair. "The Drama felt perfect because it's my modern take on a rock opera," Spencer shared in an interview with Sweety High. "Drama meaning theatrical, and that's how I live my life! Treating your life like a movie means no wasted moments, good or bad, and I think it's a very valuable lesson because we are not here long enough to not! What's life without a little drama?"
Also read about: Spencer Sutherland Seizes Every Aspect of Life With His Operatic Sophomore Album, The Drama
7. Lanie Gardner's 'Somewhere, Nowhere In Carolina' Takes on New Meaning in the Wake of Hurricane Helene
With breakout country star Lanie Gardner's debut album, The Songwriter Diary Project, dropping on Oct. 25, her plans to release new single, "Somewhere, Nowhere in Carolina," this week look a little different after the devastation of Hurricane Helene. It's a gorgeous ode to home and nostalgia for simpler times, written in her hometown of Burnsville, North Carolina, which feels especially bittersweet in the wake of the destructive storms. "We just released a new track from the album called 'Somewhere, Nowhere In Carolina' which has taken on a new meaning for me this week after witnessing first hand the devastation that the hurricane left behind in my hometown of Burnsville, North Carolina," Lanie wrote in a post on Instagram. "This is a bittersweet moment for me, I pictured it differently as I prepared and recorded these songs over the past several months. These songs tell my story—they are about where I grew up, my family, things I experienced. Now all I have are the memories and these songs which were written in Burnsville. I'm thankful for everyone who has been along with me for this journey—I can't wait for you all to hear this music. I'll have a few surprises for you along the way. Please pray for North Carolina and those who are impacted by hurricane Helene across our country."
8. Rachel Chinouriri and Cat Burns Confront Racial Injustice With 'Even'
Black English artists Rachel Chinouriri and Cat Burns should be on everyone's radars, and after both releasing their debut albums this year, the friends and collaborators have joined forces for their first song together. Their new single "Even" is a soulful pop reflection on racial inequality and the double-standards that POC experience every day, powerfully coming to life with incredible vocals from both stars. "'Even' is about the injustice Black and POC people feel with identity in a world that can treat them foreign," Rachel explained in a press release. "Sometimes it feels like no matter what we do to fit in, we have to work twice as hard to take one step forward. The limitations that Black people have had to go through are something every black person has to accept at some point but this song questions how far we need to take it and it questions why these things happen to us." The two have also started a series of visual podcasts, with the first episode (watch HERE) discussing the creation of "Even."
Also read about: Cat Burns Shares the True Story That Inspired Her Breakout Song 'Go'
9. Liz Gillies and Ferry Townes Join Forces for a Duet on 'What You've Done'
Ferry Townes and Liz Gillies have been songwriting collaborators in the past, but with their first-ever duet in the form of "What You've Done," their artistry together is particularly poignant. The folksy ballad showcases their lusciously airy vocals in harmony as they sing about love, and reflecting on their relationships that are going so well they're questioning everything, thinking it must be too good to be true. "In the early stages of getting to know someone romantically, I typically pick them apart like it's a sport," Ferry shared in an interview with Sweety High. "This song is about when nothing seems to be going wrong and it's as sweet as it is suspicious. It's a personal reminder to let the good stuff be good, and that sometimes there isn't a catch."
Also read about: Ferry Townes Chats Duetting With Liz Gillies on Their Gorgeous New Collab, 'What You've Done'
10. FINNEAS Gets Collaborative on Sophomore Album, For Cryin' Out Loud!
FINNEAS's talents as a singer and songwriter are unmatched, with both Grammy and Oscar awards under his belt at the age of 27, and his sophomore album, For Cryin' Out Loud! is one for the ages, reminding us all he's so much more than just "Billie Eilish's brother." Its 10 tracks demonstrate his knack for writing instantly iconic pop tracks, with choruses that'll refuse to leave your head for weeks. There's no way you'd ever guess that he completed the entire album in just 14 days, which he managed by getting plenty of help from his close friends and collaborators. "My second album, out everywhere on October 4," FINNEAS wrote in an Instagram post. "I had the honor of making these songs with some of my closest friends and I can't wait for them to be yours. For now, you can listen to the title track, watch the music video, and pre-order the album on finneasofficial.com."
Missed our favorite tracks last week? Click HERE to check out our top 10 favorite releases for the week of Sep. 27, 2024.