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New Music Friday – May 24, 2024

It’s a New Music Friday stuffed with Clairo’s return, Wallows’ first album in two years, new singles and albums from returning stars plus more low-key artists with heavy talent. Read on to see what’s worth a listen this week.

The Best of New Music Friday:

Clairo – “Sexy to Someone”

Six weeks ago, Clairo made a cryptic Instagram post with the caption “maybe next month.” She had a big grin on her face and a clarinet in her hand. This week she finally shared a new single, “Sexy to Someone.” It’s the lead track of her new album Charm, which comes out on July 12.

Fans lauded Clairo’s last album Sling. They’ve also been begging for a new record since Sling’s subsequent tour ended in 2022. Not even feature appearances with Phoenix, beabadoobee or Clairo’s Live at Electric Lady EP could satisfy.

There needed to be new Clairo solo work.

According to a release, “Sexy to Someone” is a thematic glimpse into what the rest of Charm will sound like. This three-and-a-half-minute tune starts with a loud piano thwump that strikes throughout the song. The drums are very snarey and sound like they’re being played in an open room. “Sexy to someone is all I really want // Sometimes sexy to someone is all I really want,” Clairo sings. “Ask if I’m in a movie // No, I didn’t get the part.” There are chimes of fluttering flutes to add a woodwind charm to her comeback track.

Clairo revealed she co-produced Charm with hip-hop group El Michels Affair leader Leon Michels. She’s always worked with a different producer to put her albums together. Jack Antonoff worked on Sling and Vampire Weekend founding member Rostam Batmanglij lent his hand to Clairo’s 2019 debut LP Immunity.

Charm arrives in this world in just over one month. While Clairo is busy daydreaming about how she can be “Sexy to Someone,” perhaps she’ll take some satisfaction from gifting a new record to everyone.

New Music Friday Top Picks:

Amyl and The Sniffers – “U Should Not Be Doing That” and “Facts”

La Luz – News of the Universe

Santa Fe Klan ft. Yahir Saldívar – “A La Orden”

Wallows – Model

Youth Lagoon – Lucy Takes a Picture

Which of these tracks from New Music Friday will you add to your favorite playlists today? Any we missed? Let us know in the comments or on Instagram!

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Ben Pagani

Music Projects Manager at Beyond The Stage Magazine

Ben is a music journalist living and working in Chicago. They joined Beyond The Stage as an intern and have stayed on the staff for several years. Now serving on the editorial board, Ben is proud to be BTS' Music Projects Manager, coordinating coverage between international record labels and our staff. Ben has interviewed, photographed and written about bands from across the world. Ben has lived all over the United States working in television and media. They are an Emmy Award-winning writer. Ben can be found spinning records as 'DJ Wearing Sunglasses' in clubs and basements across the US.