Music Guide: Essential Releases for This Week
The Billboard Friday Music Guide is your one-stop-shop for the most essential releases of the week. From hip-hop to R&B, pop to electronic, and beyond, we’ve got you covered with the most-talked-about music that will dominate playlists this weekend and beyond.
Explore this Week’s Picks
This week, Big Sean puts in the work, A$AP Rocky has a gift for fans, and Muni Long is back with more R&B gems. Check out all of this week’s picks below:
Big Sean – Better Me Than You
"Back to the basics, back to the work," Big Sean raps in the opening minutes of his new album Better Me Than You. The Detroit star’s first album since 2020 indeed carries a sense of head-down purpose, with guest artists like Gunna, Syd, Kodak Black, and Bryson Tiller lending a hand as Sean carries the torch of no-frills hip-hop.
A$AP Rocky – "Tailor Swif"
A previously leaked track that A$AP Rocky has properly released as a gift to fans, "Tailor Swif" finds the rapper quickly jumping between come-up stories and double-entendre boasting: "Even when I was poor, I was out here, eating goats," he spits, as the flute-laden production urges him to keep going.
Muni Long – Revenge
After waiting many years for her solo moment, then achieving it with the top 20 smash "Hrs & Hrs," Muni Long has happily returned sooner than later with Revenge, which follows 2022’s Public Displays of Affection: The Album as another R&B songwriting showcase, highlighted by the electric recent hit "Made For Me."
Tommy Richman – "Thought You Were the One"
After "Million Dollar Baby" zoomed into the top 10 of the Hot 100 and "Devil is a Lie" continued his upward trajectory, Tommy Richman shows off his vulnerable side on "Thought You Were the One," which molds his new jack swing riffing and falsetto croon into a more heartbroken pose.
Zedd – Telos
When you revive Jeff Buckley’s "Dream Brother" for a dance remix, you know you are taking some big swings – and Zedd, the veteran EDM star who has scored hits by taking chances in the pop world, spends new album Telos pushing his style into intriguing new territories as a wide smattering of guests (Muse! Dora Jar! John Mayer!) swing by to help.
Noah Kahan – Live From Fenway Park
At long last, Noah Kahan has left the road after spending multiple years gradually growing his fan base and venue size – but before wrapping up a tour that eventually made him a stadium headliner, the singer-songwriter recorded Live From Fenway Park, a live album that captures Kahan beaming through his catalog at the hometown gig.
Victoria Monét & Usher – "SOS (Sex on Sight)"
Continuing a fruitful year in which Victoria Monét won the best new artist Grammy and Usher headlined the Super Bowl halftime show, "SOS (Sex on Sight)" allows both artists to warble about desire and showcase their abilities as master collaborators – some of their strongest respective work has been alongside other artists, and "SOS" is another winning team-up.
Editor’s Pick: Fireboy DML – Adedamola
For casual fans who only know Nigerian singer-songwriter Fireboy DML’s global smash "Peru," new album Adedamola is both a sumptuous listen and personal new entry into his discography, building upon his global success with anecdotes about his journey and engrossing relationship musings; this album simmers, and never loses your attention.
Conclusion
This week’s music guide is packed with some of the most exciting releases of the year, featuring a diverse range of artists and genres. From hip-hop to R&B, pop to electronic, and beyond, there’s something for everyone in this week’s roundup. Whether you’re a music enthusiast or just looking for some new tunes to add to your playlist, we’ve got you covered with the most essential releases of the week.
FAQs
Q: Who are the featured artists in this week’s music guide?
A: This week’s music guide features Big Sean, A$AP Rocky, Muni Long, Tommy Richman, Zedd, Noah Kahan, Victoria Monét, and Usher, as well as a special editor’s pick from Nigerian singer-songwriter Fireboy DML.
Q: What are the themes and styles of the featured music?
A: The featured music spans a range of themes and styles, including hip-hop, R&B, pop, electronic, and more. From the no-frills hip-hop of Big Sean’s Better Me Than You to the sultry R&B of Muni Long’s Revenge, each album offers a unique perspective and sonic exploration.
Q: How can I listen to this week’s music guide?
A: You can stream this week’s music guide through various music platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music. You can also visit the artists’ official websites or social media pages to listen to their music and discover more about their latest releases.
Q: How often does the Billboard Friday Music Guide publish new content?
A: The Billboard Friday Music Guide publishes new content every week, featuring the most essential releases of the week. You can follow us on social media or sign up for our newsletter to stay up-to-date with the latest music news and releases.
