New Music Friday Guide: Taylor Swift, Tinashe, Madonna, Charli xcx, and Kenny Chesney

Billboard publishes its Friday Music Guide to highlight new releases each week. Last week featured Miley, Carly Rae Jepsen, Riley Green, and others. New releases for this week include Taylor Swift, Tinashe, and a collaboration between Maren Morris and Michelle Branch.

Taylor Swift, “Patient Zero”

Taylor Swift released “Patient Zero,” one of four bonus tracks from The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore. Swift previously appeared in an Emmys sketch with host and friend Mariska Hargitay, during which she dropped easter eggs. “Patient Zero” opens with country-inspired strings that fade into pop production, utilizing a midtempo style. Lyndsey Havens writes about the release. — LYNDSEY HAVENS

Tinashe, Popstar

Tinashe released her eighth album, Popstar, two years after Quantum Baby. Her previous single “Nasty” earned her a first solo Hot 100 hit, and “No Broke Boys” reached No. 36 via a Disco Lines remix. On the track “Nobody Wanna Dance Anymore,” she matches the theme of Miley’s “Bass Persuades.” Kyle Denis writes in Billboard that Popstar is sarcastic and sassy while showing commitment. — L.H.

Madonna and Charli xcx, “Danceteria Afterhours”

Madonna tapped Charli xcx for a new version of “Danceteria” from Madonna’s July album Confessions II. The original track references the New York club where Madonna started, while Charli xcx recalls being sweet 15 in a weird outfit at a club across the pond. — L.H.

Maren Morris and Michelle Branch, “Goodbye to You (2026 Version)”

Michelle Branch and Maren Morris released a modern version of Branch’s 2001 breakout ballad “Goodbye To You,” which previously peaked at No. 21 on the Hot 100 and was performed on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The updated version incorporates country instrumentation with softer, twangier strings. — L.H.

Blondshell, Violins

Indie rocker Blondshell released her third album, Violins. The release features the previously released single “Heart Has To Work So Hard,” the focus track “Stone Fruit,” and the upbeat track “Two Fried.” — L.H.

Kenny Chesney, Silver Sands Marina

Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Kenny Chesney released his 21st studio album, an 11-song collection titled Silver Sands Marina. The album features collaborations with Lily Meola on “Goldfish,” Megan Moroney on “It Just Got Weird,” and Colbie Caillat on “What We Got Going On.” Another track on the album is “Remember Me That Way.” — JESSICA NICHOLSON

Kirk Franklin ft. GloRilla, “This Time”

Kirk Franklin released “This Time” featuring GloRilla, serving as a preview for his upcoming album I Am What I Am. The song samples Shawty Lo’s “Dey Know” and features brass instrumentation and a choir. GloRilla provides a guest verse. — KYLE DENIS

Leon Bridges, Happiness Anytime

Leon Bridges released Happiness Anytime as the follow-up to his 2024 album Leon. Josh Lloyd-Watson and Lydia Kitto of Jungle assisted with production on the album, which incorporates cumbia elements on “Light the Way” and reggae influences on “Take My Hand.” — K.D.

Jae Stephens, Audacity

Jae Stephens released her sophomore album, Audacity. The project features contributions from Dallas Caton, MNEK, and Pinkpantheress, who provides backing vocals on “Crush.” Other tracks include “I Miss the City” and “Expensive & Difficult.” — K.D.

Nanpa Básico, “No Me Morí”

Colombian rapper Nanpa Básico released the single “No Me Morí.” The track combines Latin afrobeats with slow reggaetón undertones and follows previous releases like “Hasta Aquí Llegué” with Beéle. — JESSICA ROIZ