Check out buzz’s picks for the top 10 new music releases of the past week, updated weekly. The list consists of the best songs, albums, EPs and music videos from all genres of music. Feel free to let us know if we missed anything.
“Fat Juicy & Wet” — Sexyy Red, Bruno Mars
“Fat Juicy & Wet” is an unexpected collaboration between Sexyy Red and Bruno Mars that Mars hopes will be a “strip club anthem.” Like much of Sexyy Red’s music, it’s raunchy, vulgar and horny, with Mars adding another layer of sensuality to the track. A funky bassline and production carry the explicit lyrics, creating a humorous and entertaining song.
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“EUSEXUA” — FKA twigs
FKA twigs’ long-awaited third album has finally been released, and it promises to be an inventive and experimental club classic. To FKA twigs, “EUSEXUA” is all about a “state of being,” and this meaning is translated throughout the album. Transcendent electronic beats and mesmerizing synths invite the listener to lose themselves in the music and truly understand the significance of eusexua.
“PROTECT THE CROSS” — JPEGMAFIA
Experimental rapper and singer JPEGMAFIA’s newest single, “PROTECT THE CROSS,” is a fast-paced track detailing defiance, confrontation and the state of American politics. The song is led by the mechanical sound of the electric guitar and piercing drums in the background, turning the track into a seamless combination of genres. JPEGMAFIA’s distinct rapping style adds a grittiness to the single, further enhancing its theme of resistance.
“TAKE CARE (DELUXE)” — BigXthaPlug
Dallas rapper BigXthaPlug has released the deluxe version of his 2024 album, “TAKE CARE,” which includes three new tracks. The additional songs remain a forceful testament to BigXthaPlug’s rapping abilities, as he raps about his rise to success and the struggles that came with it. His verses swiftly glide over the laid-back production, balancing between the unyieldingness of his bars and the effortlessness of the sound.
“Who Laughs Last” — Lord Huron ft. Kristen Stewart
“Who Laughs Last” is an alluringly moody rock song by Los Angeles rock band Lord Huron, featuring actor Kristen Stewart in her recording debut. Stewart whispers a captivating monologue about an all-night car ride over a rich guitar melody. It’s an enticing narrative, enhanced by Stewart’s storytelling and the song’s atmospheric groove.
“Sports car” — Tate McRae
The third single from her upcoming album “So Close To What,” “Sports car,” brings back early 2000s pop at its strongest. The track’s release comes just over a week after McRae’s new album, scheduled to be dropped on Feb. 21, was leaked. “Sports car” was teased with McRae posting to Instagram, “U forgot to leak this …” The new song is highly reminiscent of the best work of pop queens like Britney Spears, with a catchy whispered chorus and punchy backing beat.
“Basic Being Basic” — Djo
One of his first singles since his viral TikTok hit “End of Beginning,” Djo — also known as actor Joe Keery — has released “Basic Being Basic,” a single from his upcoming album “The Crux.” With his signature ’90s feel, Djo sings about the simple pleasures of life and the mission of finding something genuine. The musicality of the single isn’t basic at all, with an upbeat groove and catchy chorus.
“I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 2)” — Teddy Swims
The Grammy nominee for 2024’s Best New Artist dropped a sequel to his debut album on Friday, which includes hits such as “Bad Dreams” and “Hammer to the Heart.” Putting out music since 2020, Swims came into prominence this past year after his song “Lose Control” hit huge heights on the charts. The personal album follows more of Swims’ alternative musical style, perfectly matching the energy of 2023’s “I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 1).”
“Rio” — J Balvin
On his website, J Balvin’s team describes “Rio” as the Colombian singer’s “deepest expression of love for his family.” Balvin uses the single to reflect on his growth and the healing he has been lucky to experience. Balvin attributes much of this to his current partner, Valentina Ferrer, referring to her as “priceless” and his “cure.”
“The High Road” — Kane Brown
Including collaborations with artists such as Khalid, Marshmello and Jelly Roll, American singer-songwriter Kane Brown released his fourth album, “The High Road.” The album is filled with different emotions, from the high-energy “Miles On It” to more somber tunes such as “Haunted.” While having a notable country focus, the album mixes multiple genres, including pop, hip-hop and EDM, throughout its tracklist.
