The musical landscape was anything but quiet this Valentine’s Day weekend, as some of the industry’s most compelling voices emerged with a wave of transformative new sounds.
Leading the charge is Charli xcx, who unveiled her ethereal companion album to the film Wuthering Heights. The project features a pair of standout collaborations: the edgy “House” alongside John Cale and the shimmering “Eyes of the World” with Sky Ferreira. This collection serves as the sonic backdrop to Emerald Fennell’s latest cinematic endeavor, featuring a star-studded cast led by Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi.
In a monumental return for R&B, Jill Scott has released To Whom This May Concern, her first full-length studio effort in ten years. Blending a gritty, soulful essence with contemporary flair, the album includes guest appearances from Trombone Shorty, JID, and Tierra Whack, instantly positioning itself as a benchmark for the genre in 2026. Meanwhile, Brent Faiyaz continues to define the modern R&B sound with his new Icon LP, a project polished under the executive production of the legendary Raphael Saadiq.
The hip-hop world also saw a massive influx of new material. A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie shared his Before Artistry EP, while Waka Flocka Flame tapped into nostalgia with Lebron Flocka James 2K26. Other notable releases include Domani’s Forever Lasting Tape, Feng’s Weekend Rockstar, and Ras Kass’s Leopard Eats Face. On the singles front, Central Cee finally delivered his highly anticipated “Iceman Freestyle,” and Mike Will Made-It orchestrated a powerhouse link-up with Chief Keef and YoungBoy Never Broke Again for the track “Rooms.”
Indie and pop fans have equally rich options to explore. Bleachers, the Jack Antonoff-led outfit, followed the producer’s recent Grammy sweep with the atmospheric “You and Forever.” Pop favorites MUNA announced their return with “Dancing on the WALL,” the title track of their fourth studio album, while Swedish alt-pop icon Lykke Li ushered in a new “existential era” with her latest single, “Lucky Again.”
Rounding out the week’s highlights, Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea returned to his jazz sensibilities with “Thinkin Bout You.” This tender interpretation of the Frank Ocean classic offers another glimpse into his debut solo album, Honora, which is set to arrive this March.
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