With the spectacle of the Grammys and the Super Bowl now behind us, the music industry has shifted back into high gear. This New Music Friday arrives with a wave of long-awaited projects from some of the most influential figures in contemporary music.
Leading the charge is Baby Keem, who officially unveils his sophomore studio effort, Ca$ino. This marks his first full-length release since 2021’s critically acclaimed The Melodic Blue. The album is an expansive, high-octane journey featuring a heavy-hitting lineup of contributors, including Too $hort, Momo Boyd, and his cousin, Kendrick Lamar. Ca$ino reaffirms Keem’s status as a boundary-pushing force in hip-hop, blending frenetic production with his signature experimental flow.
In the pop and country spheres, Hilary Duff and Megan Moroney have both delivered significant new bodies of work. Duff’s latest, Luck… or Something, represents her first musical project in over ten years. Produced largely by her husband, Matthew Koma, the album revives the guitar-driven pop sound that defined her early career while exploring the complexities of her life today. Meanwhile, Megan Moroney continues her meteoric rise with Cloud Nine. Fresh off being celebrated at the She Is the Music event, Moroney’s new record features “I Only Miss You,” a standout collaboration with Ed Sheeran that is already poised for chart success.
The variety continues across all genres today. Alternative fans can dive into Yungblud’s Idols II or Mumford & Sons’ Prizefighter. Other notable album drops include Willow’s Petal Rock Black, Leigh-Anne’s solo effort My Ego Told Me To, and the ethereal Paracosm from rising star Absolutely. In the Caribbean and rap scenes, Popcaan returns with Gyalentine’s, while the powerhouse trio of Larry June, Curren$y, and The Alchemist join forces for Spiral Staircases.
The singles market is equally competitive. SZA makes a triumphant return with “Save the Day,” a soaring ballad recorded for the soundtrack of the upcoming Pixar film, Hoppers. This is her first solo offering since her record-breaking SOS/LANA era. In R&B, Ty Dolla $ign links up with Leon Thomas for the smooth “Miss U 2,” while Thundercat honors the late Mac Miller on the jazz-infused “She Knows Too Much.”
Rounding out the week’s notable releases are fresh tracks from Lana Del Rey (“White Feather Hawk Tall Deer Hunter”), Jorja Smith, Jessie Ware, Luke Combs, and a high-energy collaboration from Bebe Rexha. Hip-hop fans can also check out new drops from Maiya the Don and Yung Miami.
Which of these releases is dominating your playlist this weekend? Cast your vote in our New Music Friday poll below:
