10 Big Things That Happened in Music the Week of January 21, 2022
Just like that, we're more than halfway through January. Where in the world does the time go?
And, just as reliable as the passage of time, our favorite artists were at it again, creating new music as their gifts to the world. We had a particularly tough time this week combing through all of the greatness to find the very best tracks of the last seven days, so keep scrolling to discover the 10 biggest things that happened in music the week of January 21, 2022.
1. Rising Artist Madisyn Gifford Drops Debut album, I hate ur guts
Madisyn Gifford has been on our radars for a while now, and we hope that her brand new debut album, I hate ur guts, is what finally puts her on the map in a big way because she truly deserves the attention. The singer-songwriter's songs are always deeply personal, evocative and gorgeously sung, and while this album is called I hate ur guts, we love every second of it. "I've genuinely never been as excited for anything as I am for the release of this album!" Madisyn told Sweety High. "It is the most honest and vulnerable work I have ever done and I am so beyond proud of it! More than anything, though, I'm just excited to share it because I think the songs have the potential to resonate with a lot of people and help to make them feel seen within the stories, which is why I make music in the first place."
2. Nate Smith Brings Out Nashville's Echelon Choir for New Version of 'I Don't Want to Go to Heaven'
Nate Smith is a country artist with a striking voice, as well as an incredible story. In 2018, he lost everything he owned in the Camp Fire in Paradise, California, and only since then has he made his name as a country sensation and landed a deal with Sony ATV. We think that knowledge makes his song "I Don't Want to Go to Heaven" even more impactful, with its lyrics about wishing to stay right here on earth to be with the one he loves. We don't know if it's possible to listen to this song without being deeply moved, and the addition of the choir only makes it more heavenly.
3. Will Joseph Cook Confronts Overwhelming Love in New Song '4AM'
If you've ever been up late into the hours of the morning, feeling overcome with feelings of love and being unable to properly express them, singer-songwriter Will Joseph Cook's new song "4AM" is for you. The song is out today, with a bold and expressive music video shot entirely in Andalusia, Spain, and it's well worth a listen. "This song and video was such a journey to create," Will told Sweety High. "It followed me from Mexico to California to Spain. Lyrically, it's about getting overwhelmed by emotion late at night. There's no one up to share it with, so it's just flowing out of you. Hopefully, people can bump this song when they're in those feelings."
4. dhruv Digs Deep With New rapunzel EP
22-year-old singer-songwriter dhruv is a multifaceted artist raised in Singapore, with roots in India as well as the United Kingdom, and he's an artist we're watching very closely in 2022. His sound is eclectic and smooth, showcasing his various influences in the form of catchy pop tracks, and you'll want to listen to all eight on the new EP. "rapunzel is a scrapbook I've kept during a really important few years of personal growth," dhruv revealed in a press release. "The title is in reference to a lyric in the closing track, which talks about our childhood selves often being our least inhibited and truest selves. In many ways, I think this project is about me trying to find that version of myself."
5. Thomas Headon Questions New Love in 'How Do I Know?'
Thomas Headon has quickly become one of our favorite new artists to hit the scene, and we think just one listen of his brand new single, "How Do I Know?" will make you understand why. The new track is bouncy and infectious while capturing the very real feeling of questioning yourself, and whether your feelings are the real deal when you fall for someone new. "I wrote 'How Do I Know' after going on a first date," Thomas explained in a press lease. "It's basically a song about questioning whether you're in love with someone or whether it's just an in-the-moment feeling. It was written back in Australia when I was home for the summer. I think it's super bright and fun for that reason and makes me glad I'm starting off the year by releasing this. It's one of the first songs I made off this EP and definitely one of my favorites."
6. Pap Chanel Tells Her Own Fairytale Story in New Song 'Bipolar'
22-year-old rapper Pap Chanel has been writing her own rhymes since she was just 12, and it shows in every sleek, flowing rhyme of her tracks. Her newest song, "Bipolar," is the second single from her recent album release, Pretty & Paid 2.0. The song is all about finding an authentic and truthful relationship with someone who's a partner and a best friend, while knowing exactly what you deserve from the relationship. Complete with a music video featuring a Cinderella-inspired pumpkin carriage, it's one we just can't stop listening to.
7. Jax Learns an Important Lesson About Relationships in New Ode 'To All the Boys I've Loved Before'
Most songs about exes aren't exactly happy-go-lucky and upbeat, but Jax isn't your average singer-songwriter. The artist, who's made quite the name for herself on TikTok, wrote "To All the Boys I've Loved Before" to reflect on bad past relationships, and appreciate all of the things she learned from them to thrive in her current, happy one. "I wanted to write a love song about how some of my past toxic relationships taught me how to be in a healthy one!" Jax told Sweety High in an interview. "Since I'm in a better place now, it was easy to giggle a little throughout the writing process."
8. Sabrina Claudio Makes a Triumphant Return With 'Put on Repeat'
It's been nearly two years since Puerto Rican-Cuban artist Sabrina Claudio graced us with new music, and her new song "Put on Repeat" isn't just a return to form, but also a powerful evolution in a brand new direction. The new song is sexy, memorable and provocative, and it goes without saying we'll be putting this one on repeat. "'Put On Repeat,' both the song and visuals, are a perfect representation of the overall mood of the new music I'm excited to share this year," Sabrina said in a press release. "An obvious touch of sultriness that is risk-taking and daring. The visual to 'Put On Repeat' personifies evolution."
9. K-Pop Star Taeyeon Describes a Turbulent Love in 'Can't Control Myself'
Taeyeon is one of the most successful solo artists in all of K-pop, and we think that's because she manages to make the genre for everyone. Her new single, "Can't Control Myself," tells the story of a love gone wrong through a sound that's the perfect fusion of K-pop and pop-punk. It's the first release from her upcoming third album, out next month, and will get completely stuck in your head even if you don't speak a word of Korean.
10. Sorana Compares Heartbreak to Murder in 'redruM' With David Guetta
Multi-platinum singer-songwriter Sorana just made her Atlantic Records single debut with "redruM," and we think it's poised to become one of the biggest songs of 2022. Featuring the chorus melody from Ye's classic track "Heartless," and produced by David Guetta, it has a massive, anthemic sound that firmly plants it among the greats. "My debut single 'redruM' tells the story of two people falling in love with the same person," Sorana explained in a press release. "In the end, one will be happy in love and the other one will be heartbroken. In the lyrics, I compare the pain of heartbreak to murder, because in my experience, heartbreaks have been tough and hard to get over. The song is an ironic take on how people dramatically react to heartbreak. Love comes and goes so we might as well enjoy it while it lasts."
Missed our favorite tracks last week? Click HERE to check out our top 10 favorite releases the week of Jan. 14, 2022.