It's a very, very busy new music Friday today.
As you know, Olivia Rodrigo is reigning supreme with the release of her second album Guts, which is out now. But the mind-blowing releases continue a new collaboration from Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion, whose new single "Bongos" is out today. Also up are new records from the likes of Tyler Childers, Noah Gundersen, Coach Party and James Blake, as well as new music this week from Tulsa fave MORE&MORE, a new wave from Sampha as well the The Lost Petals EP from d4vd, a new song from the sibling duo Eighty Ninety and a double-single from another Tulsa act Saynt Ego.
There's a lot to pack in, and we'll probably add more soon. So dive in!
Cardi B & Megan Thee Stallion — "Bongos"
Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion have teamed up before, but they're back together on today's release "Bongos," which Cardi B began teasing at the start of the week and officially confirmed on Labor Day.
On Thursday, she teased a clip of the new track, knowing she and Megan have set the bar pretty high after the hit that was "WAP." But it sounds like "Bongos" is another banger!
Check it out now above.
Tyler Childers — Rustin’ In The Rain
Tyler Childers is starting off the month strong with today's release of his very personal, very fun new project Rustin’ In The Rain, out via Hickman Holler Records/RCA Records.
“This is a collection of songs I playfully pieced together as if I was pitching a group of songs to Elvis," says Childers of the new record. "Some covers, one co-write, and some I even wrote in my best (terrible) Elvis impersonation, as I worked around the farm and kicked around the house. I hope you enjoy listening to this album as much as I enjoyed creating it. Thank you. Thank you very much.” ;)
Of course, this album comes literally just hours after Childers confirmed his Mule Pull ’24 Tour, which starts next year, and will include stops at New York’s Madison Square Garden, Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena (two nights), the Moody Center in Austin and more, with guests such as Shovels & Rope, Sylvan Esso, Hayes Carll, Allison Russell and more.
Listen above.
Noah Gundersen — If This Is The End
After a string of singles, Noah Gundersen on Friday released his stunning new album If This Is The End, out now on Soundly Music.
This is absolutely one of our favorite albums out this week, the followup to the Seattle singer's 2021 project A Pillar of Salt.
”I found myself disillusioned with the industry and no longer knew my place in it,” Gundersen recalls. “The world around me has changed rapidly and I sometimes have difficulty grasping it. There were moments when I felt I had lost the wind from my sails, but I still love creating music and I love these songs.”
He adds: "My hope is that these songs will find you in the ways you need. Here’s another message in a bottle – I hope it washed up on your shore at just the right time.”
Hear the full record above.
Today, 18-year-old d4vd is probably kicking off the biggest chapter of his career yet as he releases his new The Lost Petals EP, out now via The Darkroom/Interscope Records.
It includes the new song "Rehab," accompanied by a new anime video for the track. And it arrives just days before d4vd hits the road opening for SZA on her North American tour. The timing couldn't be more perfect.
The new project comes after d4vd also teamed up with Holly Humberstone for the standout track "Superbloodmoon." Check out our coverage of his solo show in Vancouver here.
Listen to the new EP above.
Eighty Ninety — "The Hard Way"
You already know we've long been fans of Eighty Ninety, comprised of brothers Abner (vocals, production) and Harper James (guitar, production). Today, they released the confessional new single "The Hard Way."
"With the production we tried to evoke the sense of the relationship being increasingly tested by life, increasing the instrumentation with every chorus, almost like we are trying to break the song," the duo says. "But it holds — and by the end we're hoping the swelling percussion and harmonies feel uplifting; there's beauty in hope."
They add: "'The Hard Way' is about choosing to love someone no matter how much life intervenes. It’s about being brave enough to make the choice to completely commit to a person, no matter the risk. It's about looking directly at all your fears about how things could go wrong and knowing that even if they all come to pass, it's still worth it."
Hear it now above.
This week, Tulsa-based artist MORE&MORE dropped his new single "No One On Earth," and it's really one of our favorite songs released this week—in and out of Oklahoma!
For those who missed it, MORE&MORE is the recently solo project of Brady Ballew. He's been serving up all kinds of goodies this year, including the July track "Humble Pie" and the previous standout "Can't You See That I Tried?," which was released in May.
This new track finds Ballew diving headfirst into fizzy new territory, with a hook perfect for top-down driving along the highway or sweaty nights with someone special.
We love you, Brady.
Speaking of new territory, Sampha is opening up a new chapter this week with his riveting new single "Only," which arrived Wednesday along with an accompanying video.
It comes along with confirmation of the singer's long-awaited sophomore Lahai, which is coming Oct. 20 via Young. The title is a nod to Sampha's middle name, which is the first name of his paternal grandfather. On the newly released song, Sampha is absolutely shining.
Sampha has also confirmed fall tour dates after the album's release, which includes dates in the U.K. and Europe as well a number of shows in North America.
Watch the video for "Only" above.
We've been loving Coach Party's singles over the past few months, but as of Friday, the Isle of Wight band's debut album Killjoy is here in all its spectacular glory.
"We were touring a lot last year, so a big chunk of the writing for Killjoy happened in hotel rooms, such as 'Be That Girl' of which the bulk was formed in a morning in Spain before heading out to play BBK Festival,” says drummer Guy Page. “It's one of the more inward & self reflective songs on the record, and the one with the softest sonic edges. Retrospectively, it feels like a step closer to our early style as a band, which is nice."
We know there's a lot of new music out this week, but Killjoy definitely belongs on your weekend soundtrack.
Today, they've also confirmed their first U.S. live shows in support of the newly released record. Tickets are on sale now.
James Blake — Playing Robots Into Heaven
Another incredible release this week is James Blake's sixth studio album Playing Robots Into Heaven.
You know with a title like that, it's got to be an interesting listen. And it is wonderful, as the singer, songwriter and producer flawlessly puts all of his skills on full display, fusing celestial vocals with glitchy production and emotional, dramatic musicianship, making for an immersive experience.
The new album the newly released highlight track "Tell Me," which comes with a video directed by Thibaut Grevet.
Check out both the album and new video now.
Saynt Ego — "Looking 4 U" & "Big Mad World"
Perhaps the best accompaniment to James Blake's new record is a pair of tracks out today from Tulsa artist Will Retherford (aka Saynt Ego), who has shared two new songs "Looking 4 U" and "Big Mad World," both out now.
The pair of songs, with "Big Mad World" leading the way with a moody, euphoric sound while "Looking 4 U" channels a more experimental, contemplative tapestry. Both tracks, previewing Saynt Ego's upcoming debut album Limited Time, expected next year, were co-written and produced with Logan Bruhn.
“I wrote these songs in a state of deep grief and sadness after the loss of my best friend, who took his own life,” says Retherford. “‘Looking 4 U’ is about finding loved ones after death in the mystery of existence beyond this body. ‘Big Mad World’ pokes at UFO’s metaphorically, but speaks to the emotion of wanting to leave the world that sometimes brings great pain.”
Hear both tracks now.
A true gem in the midst of this chaotic Friday of releases comes by way of Sam Westhoff, who has released his debut EP under his recently launched Haffway moniker.
Today, the Prequel EP is here, and it's beautiful. Of course, the first two tracks, "I Don't Need You Anymore" and "East Coast," were previously released and they're breathtaking, showcasing Westhoff's grit with such distinction. And the full project is worthy of your time.
"I’m so happy with this project," said Westhoff in a note on Instagram this week ahead of the EP's release. "Every song feels like it is exactly what it needs to be and saying exactly what it needs to say. Stoked x10. Love you."
As we've previously mentioned, Westhoff, a musician and producer who has spent the past couple of years largely as a producer on other artists' projects, said ahead of launching his Haffway project: "I've been through many variations as an artist, but this is it for me."
Until recently, Westhoff was based in Tulsa, but earlier this year, he relocated to Nashville, where he is now based.
BJ The Chicago Kid & Coco Jones — "Spend the Night"
BJ The Chicago Kid has linked up with Coco Jones for a new track called "Spend the Night," a lush new offering out today via RTW Records/RCA Records.
While summer might be on the way out, this one will have you holding on to what's left of the warm sun and long days, the perfect way to cap off the season.
"Music is like a journey, and with our new song, we've taken an exciting detour from our standard sounds," says BJ. "It's an experimental experience. Sometimes, you have to wander off the beaten path to discover a whole new world of creativity."
Adds Jones: "Working with BJ was such an awesome experience. I am always so inspired by artists who love what they do. I think this song, with our tones together, is something really special."
