This Week’s Best New Music

Welcome back to New Music Friday, where we sort through the week's biggest releases so you don't have to. After spending time with a stack of new records, we pick out the standout projects and break down our favorites with quick thoughts, highlights and plenty of music along the way.

Tyla—”IS IT LOVE”

The singer has released another single from her upcoming album A*POP. The track serves as the fourth release from the album to date.

The song repeatedly poses its title as a question throughout the chorus. While the lyrics could benefit from a bit more creativity, the guitar-driven intro and memorable melody give the song enough character to stand out. The album arrives on July 24, so fans don't have much longer to wait.

Myles Smith—”Heaven”

The "Stargazing" singer makes a new appearance on this list. It's a little surprising to see a song that first gained traction on TikTok back in 2024 end up on a 2026 album, but we're not here to complain. “Heaven” could easily be mistaken for "Stargazing," which says something about Smith's ability to carve out a recognizable sound for himself. After spending time with the full album, though, we don't see this as a recurring issue. If anything, it feels like Smith has found a sonic lane that consistently connects with listeners. When you've stumbled onto a formula that works, there's no harm in leaning into it.

One of the album's notable moments comes on "Drive Safe," which features Niall Horan. This is a notably hopeful record, built on the same kind of earnest, feel-good songwriting that made Phillip Phillips' "Gone, Gone, Gone" so appealing. If that song were turned into a full album, it might sound something like this. What doesn't always work is the album's tendency to treat every song like a grand finale. Nearly every track builds toward a massive, emotional payoff, which can make the record feel one-note over time. A little more contrast would have gone a long way. Give us the highs and the lows, the explosive moments and the quieter ones. Sometimes the most effective albums know when to let the listener breathe.

“Dying Days” is another track worth paying attention to.

FKA Twigs—”On Your Mind (feat. Lil Yachty)”

FKA twigs has long leaned into a distinctive hyperpop-leaning, atmospheric aesthetic, and this song is no different. Her approach remains one of the most interesting things about her work.

The soundscape is excellent here, but the lyrics are just as worth paying attention to. “At twenty-five, I lost faith in Jesus/Why would He give me a heart to break it in pieces?” Lil Yachty sings with a kind of robotic detached delivery before the track bursts into a wave of electric chaos. "Let it burn," he says, and then the buzz rolls in.

Twigs shared on X that the song was written after her previous manager didn’t obtain her visa in time for Coachella, which ultimately led to her being unable to finish the Eusexua tour. It comes across as a feel-good dance track, almost like a way to shake off a pretty frustrating experience for the singer.

Quiet Houses—”Made for Love”

Hannah and Jamie make up the band, and while they’re still a bit under the radar, this song is a good reason to check them out. It has that coming-of-age feeling, with a dreamy, field-like synth sound that’s upbeat and full of energy.

The single also comes packaged with its accompanying album, We’re All In Love. A lot of these songs do a nice job of painting a clear picture.

“Where Does All The Love Go?” has a really sweet Elliot Smith vibe to it. “I Know How to Dream” opens with a sound that immediately recalls HAIM’s “Up from a Dream.” We think they work best when things are a bit more stripped back and quiet. “I’m Not Yours” is another strong example of this, and it lands the idea well enough: love can be loud, but it can also be quiet too.

Chloë, Timbaland—”Talking Dirty”

The pair link up for a smooth, slick R&B moment with a seductive vibe. The song comes from a full collaborative album between the two artists.

“Tonight I’m talking dirty,” Chloë announces herself right from the start. It almost feels like they should’ve collaborated sooner, especially with how well they click over the beat. When Chloe shifts into a sped-up vocal flow, it helps lock the song into place as a whole. The only small critique is that it feels like it could’ve been slightly extended.

Access our playlist, updated weekly with new releases, here: