Sombr performing at the 2026 Coachella Valley Music And Arts Festival, April 11, 2026.
Christopher Polk/Billboard
Olivia Rodrigo spearheads a jam-packed New Music Friday with “Drop Dead,” the lead single from her highly anticipated third studio album, You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love. With songwriting assistance from Amy Allen and a clever nod to The Cure, this track marks a triumphant return for the Grammy-winning pop visionary.
Alternative-pop standout sombr also teased his upcoming Coachella second-weekend performance with the release of his single, “Potential.” Meanwhile, Madonna ignited the dance floor, offering an electrifying first look at Confessions II via her new single “I Feel So Free,” which premiered on iHeartRadio’s Pride Radio. Elsewhere, Tyla and Zara Larsson reignited the magic of classic pop duets with their sultry collaboration “She Did It Again,” and Demi Lovato channeled Blackout-era nostalgia on the edgy “Low Rise Jeans.” Lana Del Rey ventured into cinematic territory with “First Light,” a haunting contribution to the new James Bond video game, while Rosalía expanded her critically acclaimed Lux project with a suite of fresh tracks, anchored by the soaring “Focu ‘Ranni.”
This week’s release cycle also brought new energy from artists including Riley Green (“My Way”), Midland (“Drinkin’ Dark Whiskey”), Inayah (“Outside”), WizTheMc (“Wait For You”), Buju Banton (“Butterflies”), Cody Johnson (“I Want You”), 21 Lil Harold & BabyDrill (“Spin”), Ava Max (“Out of Your Mind”), Belles & Dolly Parton (“Son of Jolene”), and Kenya Grace (“The One You Loved”).
In the realm of full-length projects, the Nine Inch Nails and Boys Noize partnership—billed as Nine Inch Noize—unveiled their self-titled, 12-track collaborative album, featuring gritty reimaginings of classics like “Closer.” ZAYN returned with his sultry fifth studio effort, Konnakol, while Grammy-nominated MC Sexyy Red unleashed her latest LP, Yo Favorite Trappa Favorite Rappa. Anne Hathaway also shared the star-studded soundtrack for her A24 film, Mother Mary: Greatest Hits, which features contributions from Jack Antonoff, Charli xcx, and FKA twigs. Additionally, M.I.A. surprised fans with a bold, gospel-inspired departure on her new experimental album, M.I.7.
Other noteworthy arrivals this week include fresh records from Lewis Capaldi (Survive EP), Yaya Bey (Fidelity), Protoje (The Art of Acceptance), Jessie Ware (Superbloom), rjtheweirdo (At Least She’s Beautiful), Tokischa (Amor & Droga), Flying Lotus (1983), Amma (Middle Child), and John Summit (CTRL Escape).
Which of this week’s releases resonated with you the most? Cast your vote or share your thoughts in the Billboard New Music Friday poll below:
