By Meredith Nardino
New Music Fridays have become a cultural staple, even for those of us who don’t necessarily identify as major music buffs. There’s something so exciting about scrolling through the week’s new releases, especially when you discover the surprise return of some of your old favorites. We have already had some pretty remarkable comebacks so far this year, and rumor has it there’s even more to look forward to from those few artists who like to remain elusive between albums (I’m looking at you, Arctic Monkeys). Keep your eyes peeled for these highly-anticipated new music drops on the next few Fridays – they won’t disappoint.
1.“Sky Full of Song” – Florence + the Machine
Spring is finally here, the time for growth and renewal, and who better to ring in the season than Florence Welch, the millennial Stevie Nicks? In standard Florence + the Machine fashion, “Sky Full of Song” leaves you feeling like your world is drenched in a celestial pink haze. It is somehow haunting and hopeful. The single dropped as a special Record Store Day release, but all signs point to a full-length follow-up to 2015’s How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful in our futures very soon.
2.“Us” – James Bay
James Bay came back from his hiatus ready to break hearts. With a fresh haircut and a more adventurous sound, the U.K. singer-songwriter is proving he’s not just another lanky white boy with an acoustic guitar. Though his previous two singles are more electro-inspired, “Us” offers up the type of sultry, introspective storytelling that made James Bay a mainstream name. Electric Light is out this May and is sure to be full of more raw emotions and soft melodies.
3.“Softens” – Wet
Brooklyn-based indie trio Wet made their debut quietly in 2016 with a Banks-meets-The Japanese House sound. With a newly-announced headlining tour and two chilling singles, anticipation for their sophomore record is building quickly. Singer Kelly Zutrau found inspiration for “Softens” in an unexpected place – the chorus was drawn from the slogan of a funeral home in Harlem. This is “curl up in a ball on the floor and cry” music, a sprawling six-minute ballad that softens the tough edges of reality.
4.“A Boat to an Island on the Wall” – Ben Howard
Four years ago, Ben Howard released one of the most stunning records of the decade. The British folk singer excels at building lush and dramatic orchestrations, as demonstrated in his first single for Noonday Dream, out this May. “A Boat to an Island on the Wall” is complex and devastating, constructed around a steady backbeat and hushed vocals. The warbling effect of the guitar evokes the sense of being underwater, as if Howard is throwing it back to his pre-musician surfer days.
5.‘Til It’s Over” – Anderson .Paak
Anderson .Paak may be best known for his features with Chance the Rapper and Dr. Dre, but he truly shines in his solo work. The two-time Grammy nominee channels his California roots in his first new song since 2016. It’s an ode to living in the moment, chock full of sunny synths and vibrant beats. Through his raspy vocals, .Paak pokes fun at the monotonous, disposable nature of today’s culture: “Don’t all this new music sound the same? / Yeah, we must be getting old and gray.” Even though there’s no official confirmation of an upcoming album, “Til It’s Over” gives us a little preview of what to expect from the L.A. dreamer this year.
