This week’s Billboard New Music Friday round-up covers a wide spread of releases, including a lead single for The Hunger Games: Sunrise, a second album from Victoria Monét, and a country-meets-disco set from Miranda Lambert featuring Ella Langley. Every pick is accompanied by a short write-up.
Noah Kahan’s Lead Single
Noah Kahan lands the coveted lead single for The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping soundtrack. His sweeping, emotive “Draw You Out” arrives today, and it would sound equally at home on one of Kahan’s albums as it does within the film. That balance was the goal.
“I really do feel proud of being able to find that balance on this song,” Kahan told Billboard. He co-wrote and co-produced the track with Aaron Dessner.
The movie arrives in theaters on Nov. 20, while the complete score lands Nov. 13.
Victoria Monét’s Second Album
Victoria Monét has come back with Frequency of Love, an expansive, emotional journey across all forms of love, spanning 22 tracks. The record brings together a wide range of guest performers, including Bruno Mars, SZA, Lucky Daye, Bryson Tiller, Chlöe, Leon Thomas and her daughter Hazel Monét.
Kyle Denis notes that Monét’s curatorial skills have somehow become even more impressive since her Grammy-winning first album, Jaguar, and “It may be time for her to clear up some more space on her awards mantle,” is the writer who makes that observation.
Drake Reloads Habibti
A seismic Iceman-Habibti-Maid of Honour drop has made Drake the first artist in Billboard 200 history to see three studio albums land at the same time within the chart’s top three positions. He has since added four fresh tracks to his R&B-tinged Habibti set, all of which were premiered in his FOMO short film on YouTube two weeks ago.
Yebba joins Don Toliver for the standout track “Cold Shoulder,” while “Solar Eclipse” marks his other appearance. Denis wonders if there could ever be too much Drake.
Lil Nas X’s New Single
The new single from Montero is called “World’s Greatest!”, and its chorus repeats mirror affirmations: “I’m a champion/ I’m a champion.”. The verses draw on early-life diary entries about his upbringing, a reminder of how far he has come.
“Came up from the bottom/ Used to share a room with my sisters and my brothers … I was sad, I was down, I was covered in defeat/ Now everybody from my town play my songs on repeat.”
This new track from Lil Nas X is both a chance for him to pause and take stock of his own success, and an experiment with the idea that thinking something into existence can make it real. Whether that approach holds any weight remains to be seen.
Holly Humberstone’s Deluxe Edition
Holly Humberstone, the alt-pop artist behind Cruel World, has given fans another reason to celebrate by announcing a deluxe edition of her second album, Cruel World…So It Ends, which arrives Nov. 13. The singer is offering a first listen from the expanded set today.
Among the five extra tracks on the deluxe edition, the playful “Too Cute To Be Lonely” stands out as a prime example of what Humberstone’s most crisp and assured vocals. Much like Role Model with the deluxe for Kansas Anymore (namely, its bonus track and breakout smash “Sally, When the Wine Runs Out”), it’ might still pull off. The bonus material could even produce an unexpected pop hit of its own, while also giving listeners a fresh reason to revisit the original album.
Dexter and the Moonrocks Debuts
After breaking big earlier this year with the Alternative Airplay No. 1 “Freakin’ Out,” alternative-grunge act Dexter and the Moonrocks is sharing its debut full-length, Friends That I Don’t Like. For its focus track, the group tapped one friend they do seem to like: emerging pop artist Avery Anna.
The sweet vocals temper the rougher production while fitting together smoothly with frontman James Tuff’s signature tone. The album’. His only other contribution comes from Treaty Oak Revival, featured on the previously-released single, “12 Steps.”.
Miranda Lambert and Ella Langley
It seems Lambert and Langley had some unfinished business in the studio — and how lucky for fans. After working together on Langley’s celebrated second album, Dandelion, which Lambert co-produced (including its breakout smash and Hot 100 No. 1 “Choosin’ Texas”), Langley is now returning the favor by guesting on Lambert’s 12th studio album, Crisco.
The record came out today, and it sits at the edge of country music and disco. The pairing works well, thanks to a groovy, mid-tempo sound that feels built for a desert dance floor.
The Picks In Order
This week’s Billboard-presented New Music Friday grouping runs in this order.
- Noah Kahan, “Draw You Out”
- Victoria Monét, Frequency of Love
- Drake, Habibti (FOMO)
- Lil Nas X, “World’s Greatest!”
- Holly Humberstone, “Too Cute To Be Lonely”
- Dexter and the Moonrocks & Avery Anna, “Why Don’t You Say So”
- Miranda Lambert & Ella Langley, “Snakeskin Boots”
“If I have to sit there in the studio and put a lot of love into it, I don’t know if I can connect with it if I don’t feel like parts of me are in there … I really do feel proud of being able to find that balance on this song.”
The selections span a broad set of releases, from a lead single tied to a major franchise to a second album from a Grammy winner to a country-disco blend. Every write-up points to what makes the release worth hearing.
Source material: “Noah Kahan, Victoria Monét, Drake & Miranda Lambert with Ella Langley: New Music Friday Guide,” Billboard.
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