10 Big Things That Happened in Music the Week of October 6, 2023
Is it just us, or do New Music Fridays feel like they're getting bigger and bigger every week as we approach the end of the year?
It's all building up to something big, and our favorite artists didn't disappoint this week, from a fresh new album from Drake to NewJeans' most epic track to date and yet another pulse-pounding release from blink-182 ahead of their big album release later this month, and so much more. If you're curious about what we loved best, keep scrolling to discover the 10 biggest things that happened in music the week of Oct. 6, 2023.
1. Alex Brown Honors His Late Mother With 'Somewhere Else'
Rising singer-songwriter Alex Brown has a powerful voice that demands to be heard, and his touching new song, "Somewhere Else," is just the track to get you hooked on the star. The song, made in collaboration with Alex's brother, is an emotional tribute to his mother, who passed away after a fight with breast cancer when Alex was a senior in high school. Soulful vocals and the heartfelt strum of a guitar bring the song to life as he croons about missing his mom, and the experiencing the loneliness of losing her while always being able to feel her lasting love. "I dedicate this song to her and to anyone who's ever felt that heavy blend of love and loss, with a hopeful message that you're never truly alone, even in the loneliest moments," Alex shared in a press release.
2. Claire Rosinkranz Tells Her Story in Debut Album, Just Because
As long-time Claire Rosinkranz fans, we'd been counting down the days until the release of her debut album, Just Because, and it's lived up to all of our expectations—and then some. The 13-track pop album demonstrates musical prowess beyond Claire's 19 years while perfectly encapsulating the late teen experience, with a dreamy feel and lyrics that are both raw and relatable. "I was so immersed in the experiences of what I was writing about that all of the songs felt so far apart from each other," Claire shared in an interview with Sweety High. "Making music is really the only way I know of how to process my feelings and so I made the album just because I wanted and needed to. Looking back at the songs now, I think they live a lot closer together than I thought, but at the time it was 'just because.'"
Also read about: Claire Rosinkranz Breaks Down Every Track on Her Debut Album, Just Because
3. Zach Seabaugh Goes on a Journey of Self-Discovery for His Mr. Nobody Album
Indie-pop singer-songwriter Zach Seabaugh is a self-proclaimed maker of "moody music," and we truly can't get enough of the mood he's captured on his new album, Mr. Nobody. The 24-year-old artist actually started writing the album when he was still in high school, with 12 tracks about self-discovery, figuring out what it means to be a young adult and learning how to be his authentic self and living his most honest experience. "These songs are now yours. A collection of thoughts, feelings, emotions, anxieties, and everything else I've experienced the past few years," Zach wrote in a post on Instagram. "These songs are a journey of a little bit of love, heartbreak, oh wells, and searching for what's next. They encompass exciting times and sad times. They hold a rollercoaster of emotions but that's what this process has been like searching through my early 20s and trying to find myself. I think that feeling of searching for yourself is something that a lot of people can relate to, and I hope that these songs that helped me are able to help someone feel a little less alone and hopeful for what is to come."
4. Zoe Wees Realizes What She's Always Had in 'Sorry for the Drama'
German singer-songwriter Zoe Wees never disappoints, and her latest single, "Sorry for the Drama," delivers on her signature poignancy and power. The piano-driven track is an ode to Zoe's mom, who raised her as a single mother, acting as both a ballad of devotion and an apology for not being grateful, all while sharing the gratitude she has for her mom today. "In 'Sorry for the Drama,' I reflect on a past where I longed for what I didn't have, chasing after illusions of wealth and status," Zoe shared in a press release. "It's a heartfelt apology to my mom and a crucial part of my therapeutic journey, where I confront and make peace with my history. This song represents a deep understanding that genuine riches lie in love and resilience, not material possessions. It's a journey back to my roots, cherishing life's simple moments while recognizing the power of self-reflection and healing." We're also eagerly awaiting her debut album, Therapy, which drops on Nov. 3.
5. Powfu Has a Story to Tell With Gathered by the Lantern
Lo-fi rapper Powfu may be best known for his mega-viral song "death bed (coffee for your head)," featuring beabadoobee, and if you loved that track, you have to see what his new album, Gathered by the Lantern has to offer. Consisting of nine songs, the new album highlights his biggest strengths as a lyrics, vocalist and producer, with stripped-back sounds that allow what's there to shine. "Gathered by the Lantern just sounds like it fits my type of shows very well," Powfu shared in an interview with Sweety High. "I love feeling intimate with my fans and telling them stories as if we were gathered around a fire for the night. This album is also a mix of different sounds with a different story in each track—a story for each person gathered by the lantern."
Also read about: Powfu Dishes on Telling Stories and Bringing Fans in Close on New Album Gathered by the Lantern
6. Katelyn Tarver Gives Up on Her Old Self in 'Quitter'
Singer-songwriter Katelyn Tarver just announced that her sophomore album, Quitter, is set to release on Feb. 9, 2024, and its title track, "Quitter," feels like the ultimate introduction to everything to come. The new single is breezy, cool and confident, playing with the negative connotations associated with being a "quitter" as she finds strength and authenticity in giving up on her old, false self. She may not know what's next, but she knows she's on the right path as she moves on from her people-pleasing past. It's a message so many of us can take to heart. "'Quitter' is about wanting to stop living for other people's expectations of me, or for my younger self's expectations of what my life should be like now," Katelyn revealed in a press release. "It's about growing and changing, but in a way, that's celebrating it instead of being scared of what the change might bring. That's really what I wanted this album to encapsulate as a whole: the idea that, yes, there's a lot of heaviness that comes with trying to figure these things out, but letting go of all those expectations can shed some of that heaviness. It's about tapping into the freedom that comes with saying, 'I don't have to abide by any of those old rules. I can make the rules up myself."
Also read about: How Katelyn Tarver Explored a Million 'What If's' for New Single, 'Parallel Universe'
7. Stephen Dawes Recruits Dylan Conrique for the Stunning 'Never Get Over You'
Alt-pop singer-songwriter Stephen Dawes is one of our favorite fresh faces on the music scene, and his new single, "Never Get Over You" featuring the talented Dylan Conrique, is an emotional powerhouse of a track. Stephen and Dylan sound like they were born to sing together, reflecting on being stuck on the past as their stunning, silky duet makes it clear the sentiment goes both ways. "'Never Get Over You' seems like it's about a relationship at first listen, but it's really about the feeling of life moving on," Stephen wrote in a post on Instagram. "Two years ago, I moved across the country to go to university in New York, and I found myself thinking about the relationships I left behind back home. It's a strange feeling when relationships and friends end for no good reason. One of my favorite lines in this song goes, 'I miss the things we would hate'—that's what hurts the most. When you're missing the past, you miss everything." The song will also make an appearance on Stephen's debut EP, The Day We Met, out Oct. 27.
8. blink-182 Channels Ramones on 'DANCE WITH ME'
As we get closer and closer to the release of blink-182's ninth album, ONE MORE TIME, the band hasn't let up with the single releases, and this week, we were gifted the album's fourth exciting single, "DANCE WITH ME." The new track is a ridiculously catchy and chantable party anthem about losing yourself in the moment and hoping for a chance at love. We also can't stop watching the music video, which features obvious references to Ramones, including the band dressed in wigs and leather to channel the classic group and bringing in visuals reminiscent of their old videos. "Punk is doing what you think is right on your own terms and not answering to anybody else and not letting people tell you how to live your life," Mark explains in the video, and we couldn't agree with the sentiment more.
9. NewJeans Sing a Tale of Triumph and Champion on 'GODS'
The League of Legends 2023 Season World Championship begins next week in South Korea, and one of our K-pop faves, NewJeans, got in on the fun by performing the new 2023 Worlds anthem, "GODS." With an appropriately epic and legendary sound, the track is sung from the perspective of a courageous and unstoppable champion, with a video featuring the story of Korean pro player Kim "Deft" Hyuk-kyu, who became a World Champion of League of Legends along with his team. "It was fun to try a new genre and sound," NewJeans said in a press release. "Through this collaboration, we are happy to present a song that incorporates both NewJeans' and League of Legends' unique colors. We hope it brings you a new sense of empowerment!"
Also read about: 16 Charming NewJeans Lyrics to Inspire Your Next Instagram Caption
10. Drake Drops His Biggest Album Yet With For All the Dogs
After being pushed two weeks for Drake to focus on his It's All a Blur tour, the rapper released his eighth studio album, For the Dogs, today, and this album is massive in every way imaginable. From the production to the lyricism to the sheer amount of music (as well as features) across these 23 tracks, For the Dogs is big, bold and quintessentially Drake. The album includes the No. 1 hit track "Slime You Out" featuring SZA, plus additional features from Teezo Touchdown, 21 Savage, J. Cole, Yeat, SZA, PARTYNEXTDOOR, Chief Keef, Bad Bunny, Sexyy Red and Lil Yachty, but our favorite guest appearance might be by Drake's son, Adonis, on the music video for "AM in Charlotte."
Missed our favorite tracks last week? Click HERE to check out our top 10 favorite releases for the week of Sep. 29, 2023.