Taylor Swift has a new single, Tinashe has a new album, and Madonna has a new remix partner. Billboard‘s latest New Music Friday guide rounds up the week’s biggest releases, and the paper’s editors have picked their favorites.
The guide covers four new tracks from Swift, plus Tinashe’s eighth record, a revamp of Michelle Branch’s 2001 hit by Maren Morris, and a collaboration between Madonna and Charli xcx. There is also new music from Kenny Chesney, Leon Bridges, and Jae Stephens.
Swift’s “Patient Zero” arrives as a bonus track on The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore, which drops today. The song blends country-inspired strings with pop production, and Billboard’s Lyndsey Havens says it connects Swift’s past with her future. “After an encore the show really, truly, is done. Right?” she asks.
Swift’s Encore Track
The single came out of nowhere. Swift appeared in an Emmys sketch alongside host Mariska Hargitay, dropping Easter eggs that fans are still decoding. Then she announced “Patient Zero,” one of four bonus tracks on the encore release.
The song opens with country strings that fade into a more expected pop arrangement. The tempo is unfamiliar for the Showgirl era, Havens writes. “The midtempo song seems to connect where Swift has just been with where she’s heading next (possibly toward country?) in a really refreshing way.”
The track is available now, and it is the centerpiece of the encore release.
Tinashe’s Popstar Album
Tinashe is back with her eighth album, Popstar. Her last record, Quantum Baby, released two years ago, shifted her career. The lead single “Nasty” earned her first solo Hot 100 hit, and the album track “No Broke Boys” reached No. 36 after a Disco Lines remix.
Kyle Denis, writing for Billboard’s Tracks Ranked, describes the new record as “sneakily sarcastic and gloriously sassy.” He adds that Tinashe “can actually commit — and back it up.”
The standout track is “Nobody Wanna Dance Anymore,” which Tinashe says echoes the same point Miley makes on “Bass Persuades”: get on your feet and dance. The full tracks ranked are available on Billboard’s website.
Madonna and Charli xcx’s Danceteria Remix
Madonna has tapped Charli xcx for a new version of “Danceteria,” a track from her July album Confessions II. The original song references the famous New York club where Madonna got her start. On this version, Charli recalls being “sweet 15 in a weird outfit” at a club across the pond.
Havens describes it as “one of the most obvious and clubbiest pairings in recent memory.” The track is a fresh take on the original, with both artists drawing on their own club histories.
Morris and Branch Reimagine a Classic
Maren Morris has remixed Michelle Branch’s 2001 ballad “Goodbye To You.” The original hit No. 21 on the Hot 100 and was famously performed on Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
The new version leans into country with softer, twangier strings. The harmonies from both singers lift the track, Havens writes. “Who knew this classic could hit even harder?”
The song is called “Goodbye to You (2026 Version)” and is part of a modern-day revamp of the classic.
Chesney’s Silver Sands Marina
Kenny Chesney’s 21st studio album, Silver Sands Marina, is a concise collection of 11 songs. Jessica Nicholson writes that the Country Music Hall of Fame inductee “continues placing a premium on top-shelf songwriting that balances lyrical wit and emotional resonance.”
The album features collaborations with Lily Meola on “Goldfish,” Megan Moroney on “It Just Got Weird,” and Colbie Caillat on “What We Got Going On.” One of the strongest tracks is “Remember Me That Way,” which looks back on a fizzled relationship through happier days.
Chesney’s warm, conversational vocal approach ties the songs together.
Other Releases
The guide also covers several other albums:
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Blondshell, Violins — Indie rocker Blondshell’s third album, with angsty, relatable songs in her signature mellow tone. Previously released single “Heart Has To Work So Hard” remains a standout, and “Stone Fruit” packs a rocking instrumental bridge while “Two Fried” is the most upbeat track on the record.
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Kirk Franklin ft. GloRilla, “This Time” — Twenty-time Grammy-winning gospel icon Kirk Franklin brings GloRilla along for the latest taste of his forthcoming I Am What I Am* album. Over a sample of Shawty Lo’s classic “Dey Know,” the track is an anthem of inner peace and contentment with God’s timing.
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Leon Bridges, Happiness Anytime — Grammy-winning soul crooner Leon Bridges has returned with the follow-up to 2024’s Leon. Assisted by Jungle’s Josh Lloyd-Watson and Lydia Kitto on production, the album traverses the globe, from cumbia (“Light the Way”) to reggae (“Take My Hand”).
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Jae Stephens, Audacity — Rising, Issa Rae-cosigned pop star Jae Stephens dropped her sophomore album with contributions from Dallas Caton, MNEK, and Pinkpantheress, who delivers backing vocals on “Crush.” The album runs from the soaring “I Miss the City” to the sassy “Expensive & Difficult.”
Comparing the Singles
| Artist | Release | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Taylor Swift | “Patient Zero” | Bonus track on The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore |
| Tinashe | Popstar | Full album |
| Madonna and Charli xcx | “Danceteria Afterhours” | Remix |
| Maren Morris and Michelle Branch | “Goodbye to You (2026 Version)” | Revamp |
| Kenny Chesney | Silver Sands Marina | 21st studio album |
The guide is a useful tool for anyone trying to keep up with the week’s releases. Billboard’s editors have done the work of sorting through the noise, and their picks cover a wide range of genres.
The highlight is Swift’s “Patient Zero,” which blends country strings with pop production in a way that feels genuinely new. The track connects her past with her future, and it is the kind of song that rewards repeat listens.
The other picks are solid. Tinashe’s album is a welcome return, and the Morris/Branch revamp is a clever idea. The Madonna x Charli xcx remix is a fun pairing.
Chesney’s album is a safe bet for longtime fans. The collaborations with Meola, Moroney, and Caillat add texture, and Nicholson’s review points to a songwriter who still knows how to balance wit with emotion.
The guide is a handy starting point for anyone looking to catch up on the week’s releases. All tracks are available today, and Billboard’s website offers full reviews and rankings for those who want to dig deeper.
Source material: “Taylor Swift, Tinashe, Madonna and Charli xcx, Kenny Chesney & More: New Music Friday Guide,” Billboard.
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