Happy Friday, world. This week’s furiest releases are pop-centric with R&B vibes. Here’s what’s new.
The Best of New Music Friday:
PinkPantheress – Heaven Knows
PinkPantheress cracked the TikTok code over the past two years by letting drum-centric beats bumble with bass. It was attractive to people making their own video mixes. Then came her 2022 extended play Take Me Home with the track “Boy’s a Liar.” The song was revamped for the single release “Boy’s a liar Pt. 2” featuring Ice Spice in 2023. PinkPantheress introduced herself to a larger crowd. The song peaked at number 3 on the Billboard charts.
Heaven Knows is PinkPantheress’ showcase of collective sound. Her music is quality pop with rhythmic bites that any music fan should enjoy. The quick drum hits on opener “Another Life” help push the pace. Synthesizers allow for the song to go full dance mode. Tracks like “True romance” are as raw as PinkPantheress gets. She strips her vocals down for verses with filler crowd noises. She pillows her own voice at times. PinkPantheress displays variety.
“Mosquito” justifies her sassiness through lyrics. She even finds time to display vulnerability in under 2 and a half minutes with tiny twangs from acoustic guitars. This record may have lots of sound effects but they mostly fill their purpose. “The aisle” shows her sticky and quick-hitting poppiness. The drum loops range from bossa to standard 4/4. Synths still contribute to a constant state of head-nodding and body-bouncing.
Be prepared to hear PinkPantheress’ stand-alone songs on the dancefloor from now on.
Heaven Knows is only PinkPantheress’ second studio LP. It’s the first where she embraces herself fully. That’s only able to happen because of newfound glory. With a career as young as hers, PinkPantheress has swung open the door for a long stint filled with success.
Hayden James – “Beggin’ You” and “Nevermind”
Hayden James looks like a DJ. According to his Instagram bio, he’s simpler. It reads “Music maker.” James is well-known for platinum-certified singles and the ‘nearly streamed a billion times’ “Something About You.” Today he has two new singles that won’t just fill clubs, they’ll pack rooms like LA’s Palladium.
“Beggin’ You” won’t make people tap their feet. It’ll make them crisscross their legs in infinite directions while shoulders slide from side to side with a bobbing head on top. It slows down when appropriate and leaves room for a larger mix and numerous loops in live performances. The lyrics on this track are sung by SAYGRACE who talks about romance. It’s a quality track for going dancing with a lover or horrible mistake.
“Nevermind” takes a slower tempo and the drops aren’t heavy. It’s variety in these paired tracks that makes them companion pieces and shows James’ ability to mix for any occasion. Anyone can constantly hit four-to-the-floor from behind the comfort of their Numark or Pioneer DJ. It’s artists like James who know how to slide the controls back and take it easy that show talent.
New Music Friday top picks:
Abby Sage – “Hunger”
Alex Warren – “Yard Sale”
Amira Elfeky – “Everything I Do Is For You”
Bloomsday – “Where I End and You Begin”
Broadside – Hotel Bleu
Dua Lipa – “Houdini”
Heartworms – “May I Comply”
Kodak Black – When I Was Dead
Rosie Darling – Lanterns
Zooey Celeste – Restless Thoughts
Which of these tracks from New Music Friday will you be adding to your favorite playlists today? Any we missed? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter!
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