10 Big Things That Happened in Music the Week of September 13, 2024
Change is definitely in the air this New Music Friday as the beginning of autumn rapidly approaches.
Over the last seven days, we got a new preview of Finneas's eagerly anticipated sophomore album, an unexpected Taylor Swift remix following her big night at the VMAs, a thrilling Maren Morris collab with one of our fave bands and so much more. For everything we loved best, keep scrolling to discover the 10 biggest things that happened in music the week of Sep. 13, 2024.
(Image courtesy of Interscope Records)
1. Hayden James Makes Us Dance With 3rd Album, We Could Be Love
Mutli-platinum Australian DJ and producer Hayden James is an international sensation known for his pop-infused brand of EDM, and his new album, We Could Be Love is his boldest and most danceable release yet. The 11-track album is filled wall-to-wall with unforgettable collabs, from "Make It" featuring Kormak to "Deep Diving" featuring SHELLS and "We Could Be Love" featuring AR/CO, with bold sounds that'll get the energy flowing through your mind, body and soul. "This album is quite a bit more 'dancy' than my other two albums, but I still feel it's as emotive as my previous records," Hayden explained in an interview with Sweety High. "That's something I think that is part of my 'songwriting DNA'—the emotive side of dance music. I just hope people enjoy it and listen from top to bottom. I personally feel there's not one 'album track' on here. They're all very special songs."
Also read about: Hayden James Shares His Growth and Evolution With 'Dancy' Third Album, We Could Be Love
2. Angie McMahon Continues the Story of Her Light, Dark, Light Again Album With the Light Sides EP
After falling in love with Angie McMahon's vulnerable 2024 album Light, Dark, Light Again, we couldn't be more pleased that the Australian singer-songwriter has given us even more insight into her powerful story with the Light Sides EP. Recorded at the same time as the album, these five lush indie-pop tracks flesh out her narrative even further, feeling like the final puzzle pieces to her evocative tale of self-discovery, healing and growth. "It's a play on B-sides, because the songs were the extra tracks that didn't end up on the album tracklist, and Light Sides felt like a way to signify that this is the little sister record to Light, Dark, Light Again," Angie shared in an interview with Sweety High. "These five songs are the extra pieces, they're five stepping stones to the final place of healing that I was arriving at through the process of making this music."
Also read about: Angie McMahon Shares a Sister Record to Light, Dark, Light Again With New Light Sides EP
3. The Underachievers Announce Themselves to the World in Debut Single, 'Megatron'
East Coast rappers Issa Gold and AKTHESAVIOR are no newcomers to the hip-hop world, and together as rap duo The Underachievers, they're on to something special. Together, they just released their first single, "Megatron,"a laidback track with a slick R&B backdrop as they announce their new partnership to the world and make a claim to their space in the music industry. "The single is about coming together and being stronger as one, as a team," they explained in a press release.
4. Kevian Kraemer Gets a Hit of Uncertain Love in 'Dopamine'
18-year-old singer-songwriter Kevian Kraemer has been rapidly on the rise in 2024, kicking off a U.S. tour later this month and delivering one of our favorite songs yet in the form of "Dopamine." The guitar-driven alt-pop track is about the complication of dating in the modern age, and how between mixed messages and hot-and-cold emotions, and despite all the heartache, that unpredictability is part of the thrill. Kevian revealed in a press release that, "'Dopamine' hits on the internal struggle of putting your pride and morals to the side when you're not being treated the way you should be, yet staying hopeful that the situation works out."
Also read about: Everything You Wanted to Know About 'Teenagers' Singer Kevian Kraemer
5. Bryant Barnes Recruits dv4d for New Rendition of 'I'd Rather Pretend'
Bryant Barnes' striking approach to pop-R&B is especially powerful on his beloved single "I'd Rather Pretend," and we've fallen even more deeply with the track now that he's recruited 19-year-old artist d4vd to turn it into a collab. Driven by somber piano keys and the hum of a cello, it's a deeply emotional single above love and fear, and the instinct to pretend you don't care for someone as a way to protect your heart. It's an unexpected collaboration, but one that couldn't sound more perfect.
Also read about: Bryant Barnes Shares the Inner Turmoil That Inspired Hit Single 'Don't Want a Love Song'
6. Knox Celebrates Love With Romantic New Single, 'Invisible'
This has been a very busy year for alt-pop singer-songwriter Knox, who just performed MTV's VMA Block Party before attending the show, and is preparing to head out with Quinn XCII on the All You Can Eat Tour in October. One song that will undoubtedly be a hit on tour will be his latest single, "Invisible," which has already been a fan favorite during previous live performances and made big waves on social media. It's a more stripped-back acoustic track that puts the emphasis on Knox's sweet and sincere vocals as he sings about the type of love that makes the rest of the world seem to melt away.
Also read about: Everything You Wanted to Know About 'Sneakers' Singer-Songwriter Knox
7. Thomas Day Opens Up on New EP, Angel Boy
With his angelic voice and vulnerable and emotive songwriting, Thomas Day is one of those artists who never misses, and with his powerful new EP, Angel Boy, he opens up more deeply than ever. Featuring four new tracks—"Sentimental," "Catch Up to Me," "Paper Cup" and "Broken Glasses"—the EP feels almost therapeutic, allowing listeners to process their own grief, heartbreak and yearning right alongside him. "This music thing is the one thing I'm certain can hold me together," Thomas wrote in an Instagram post. "These songs mean more to me than just music. They came from me alone in my living room, with tears falling onto my broken piano. If you've listened to my music by now, you know I love energy and intensity. As I grow up, I've learned, both on my own and with those around me, that the creative and artistic journey is a wild one. I'm constantly changing as an artist and as a person, and these songs are a part of me I've never shared before because I was afraid—until now. Delicacy and silence. Finding all of you has been the best decision of my life, and this is literally just the beginning. My love for you is endless. Please listen to these songs closely and carefully. Just close your eyes."
Also read about: Thomas Day Chronicles the End of His Teenage Journey in Love Me for Another Day
8. Mt. Joy 's 'Highway Queen' Gets a Twist With the Addition of Maren Morris
Philly-based rock band Mt. Joy are one of our favorite groups to see live, and they've just made their fan-favorite song "Highway Queen" even more memorable with a new version featuring country sensation Maren Morris. The romantic track was inspired by Mt. Joy frontman Matt Quinn's relationship with his wife, who shares her life on the road with him. In a press release, Matt explained the song is about "being in love with someone you see yourself in. Living away from home corrals your demons in a specific way, you feel like the only way to outrun them is to keep moving, and it makes being home torturous. It's something I struggle with, so I know it when I see it in someone else, especially someone I love." "As a touring musician with a heart for the highway, this song felt like I was getting to lament to a lover about keeping up with me, literally and figuratively speaking," Maren Morris added. "I never stay still for long and though I love my solitude and independence, I do hope one day I find that person who can bend with me. I'm such a fan of Mt. Joy, so them asking me to sing this verse made me so happy."
Also read about: Matt Quinn Shares How Mt. Joy Reconnected With the Earth in New Album, Orange Blood
9. Taylor Swift Celebrates 'I Can Do It With a Broken Heart' With a Dombresky Remix
This was a big week for Taylor Swift, from her presidential endorsement to winning a whopping seven awards at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards, but she's not resting on her laurels, instead capping off the week with a bold remix of "I Can Do It With A Broken Heart" by French DJ and producer Dombresky. The glimmering, synth-driven remix is bursting with optimistic—and proof that Taylor is still deep in her Tortured Poets Department era.
Also read about: 75 Taylor Swift Song Lyrics to Use as Instagram Captions
10. FINNEAS Teases His Upcoming Album With New Single, 'Cleats'
We've been eagerly awaiting the day that Grammy- and Oscar-winning artist FINNEAS drops his sophomore album, For Cryin' Out Loud!, on Oct. 4, but he just gave us another satisfying taste with his new single, "Cleats." The new song continues to document his transition away from bedroom pop into a more well-honed and intentional sound, resulting in an irresistible indie-pop track about the ups and downs of young love and the end of the summer, when the carefree nature of a relationship may have run its course.
Missed our favorite tracks last week? Click HERE to check out our top 10 favorite releases for the week of Sep. 6, 2024.