New Music Releases Everyone Is Talking About

This past week, a whole slew of artists dropped their latest tracks, providing us with the addictive melodies we need to get through our final push of midterms. The key to my sanity is awaiting the release of new music to jam to throughout a stressful semester; it gives me something to look forward to as well as something to keep me content during what would have otherwise been a bleak week. So check out these new releases, and if they fit your style, add them to your playlist!

Hollow: Tori Kelly

billboard.com

It has been a breakthrough year for Tori Kelly. With the release of her debut album Unbreakable Smile, the previous American Idol hopeful rose to prominence, outshining her old competitors. This past week, Kelly released the single Hollow, an honest song dedicated to her faith. Don’t worry though, it isn’t an outright gospel song. It holds the same power without all of the religious clichés and serves as a testament of both her vocal and artistic prowess.

All My Friends: Snakehips feat. Tinashe and Chance the Rapper

stereogum.com

Snakehips, the cooperative effort of two U.K. electronic producers, enlists the talents of Tinashe and Chance the Rapper for this R&B/Pop hybrid track. This song is perfect for the anti-partier who has simply had too much of the club scene. Tinashe belts out a longing for a night without loneliness and alcohol, noting that they oftentimes go hand-in-hand. Chance the Rapper works in a hybrid singing rap verse amidst Tinashe’s incessant requests to leave all of her wasted friends.

Used To Love You: Gwen Stefani

radio.com

This pop ballad takes us all back to the ’00s when Gwen Stefani ruled the radio. Stefani recently separated from her husband, creating this song as a heartfelt response. The minimalistic music video features Gwen internally contemplating her previous relationship in front of a black backdrop. The intimate music video gives the song even more relatable context, allowing us to get even closer to our long beloved songstress.

Nobody Cares: LÉON

hillydilly.com

The rising star has released her first compilation of tracks in the polished form of her debut EP Treasure. The standout track of the bunch, Nobody Cares, is a great predictor of her coming success. The chorus is light and airy, supported by a variety of instruments and synths that makes the song an easy and enjoyable listen. If LÉON continues putting out genuine efforts like this, she is sure to be an indie-pop success.

Sorry: Justin Bieber

stereogum.com

Justin Bieber’s second single, Sorry, from his upcoming album continues to prolong our eagerness to hear the whole package. I have never been this enthused by his music; it is arguably the best quality pop of his whole career. The mature lyrics and airy electronic production match the pace of the modern progression of music, while effectively setting trends for future mainstream efforts. Justin continues to erase his once tarnished image by perpetually debuting hit after hit, helping us forget his previous douchery.

Lost and Found: Ellie Goulding

justjared.com

This upbeat love song adds yet another successful syrupy song that will surely get stuck in everyone’s heads by the end of the week. Here she cleverly compares finding her soulmate to finding an item in the Lost and Found through a multitude of catchy tropes and metaphors. This song shows a side of Ellie that seems more willing to fall in love, which starkly contrasts her lead single On My Mindwhere she refuses to accept her feelings for her potential lover.

Hello: Adele

latimes.com

It is impossible to have not yet heard this song from the masterful Adele; she has once again smashed records and seized the globe’s airwaves and attention. The songstress’ new power ballad explores her desire to call and apologize to her previous lover. She fails at this makeup attempt and must live with what happened in the past. Her beloved soulful tone remains intact despite undergoing surgeries for her vocal-cord hemorrhage. Her full album, 25, follows the single’s smash release in late November, giving us a few weeks to prepare for her reassumption of pop’s throne.