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Happy Friday! This week’s New Music Friday features a HUGE release I think we’ve all been waiting for from a certain Korean boy band. We’re also getting the final puzzle pieces to complete an album I’ve been anticipating for almost a year, as well as fresh new tracks from more artists we love!
Let’s get the party started!
BTS – Map of the Soul: Persona
I need to start this one off by saying that if you’re not into BTS or haven’t necessarily given their music a chance, it’s never too late to do so! You may be someone who finds themselves saying that “K-Pop isn’t my thing”. Hey – it’s totally fine. Over the past year I have grown to love BTS’ music, and I’m inviting everyone to give this project a listen. You may just love what you hear!
With over 3 million pre-orders worldwide, Map of the Soul: Persona was destined to be BTS’ biggest release to date. The album kicks off with “Intro : Persona”, a powerful intro track that features RM’s slick flow. The following track, “Boy With Luv”, is a collaboration with Halsey that reflects upon the group’s 2014 track “Boy In Luv”. Another highlight track is “Make It Right”, which was penned with a little help from no other than Ed Sheeran.
My personal favorite from Map of the Soul: Persona has to be “HOME”, which is a track about how BTS can always turn to their ARMYs when they feel tired or lonely. There is no amount of material items that can replace a human connection.
We can definitely expect Map of the Soul: Persona to reach the top spot on the Billboard 200 this week, which will be the group’s third #1 album in a row. The band continues to make history with their every move, and it’s time to be a part of it!
Click here to stream Map of the Soul: Persona on Spotify.
LSD – Labrinth, Sia & Diplo Present… LSD
What happens when you bring two pop powerhouse vocalists and a staple in the EDM world together? You get… LSD!
Last year, Labrinth, Sia, and Diplo teamed up to release music together under the name LSD. While that’s literally their initials, the supergroup’s aesthetic pays homage to the psychedelic era through their fashion and art. During that time period, many people were also using a drug called…. well, you get it. The name has a double meaning.
Over the course of the past year, LSD have released several singles such as “Genius” “Thunderclouds” and “No New Friends”. Eventually, it led into a full length album release. Labrinth, Sia & Diplo Present… LSD features all previously released singles, as well as four new tracks.
The album kicks off with a very fitting, 60’s-inspired intro track, “Welcome to the Wonderful World Of”. While I can definitely describe the majority of the songs as upbeat, cheery tracks that make me want to reach for cotton candy and float on a giant feather in the wind, there’s a few that would EASILY knock me off that feather. “Angel In Your Eyes” is an earworm with it’s synthy beats that loop throughout the song. “Heaven Can Wait” is a pop anthem with a slightly darker feel, and “It’s Time” is an even darker ballad.
Every track on Labrinth, Sia & Diplo Present… LSD is a puzzle piece. Everything fits together perfectly, and now it’s time to enjoy the final product.
Click here to stream Labrinth, Sia & Diplo Present… LSD on Spotify.
Melby – None of This Makes Me Worry
None of This Makes Me Worry is the debut album from Stockholm-based psychedelic pop band Melby. It features ten suuuuper chill and dreamy tracks. Since I’m one who likes to make up super vivid scenarios where certain tracks/albums would sound great, None of This Makes Me Worry makes me feel like I’m sitting by a swimming pool on a breezy summer evening watching the sun set in the distance. Big mood? Yup.
Here’s what the band had to say about the album and tracks on the album:
“Our debut album None of this makes me worry is closer to our live sound than our earlier releases. While recording it, we worked faster and more focused than before. Even though we have added some extra glitter to the songs, we stayed loyal to their core and how we normally play them. In contrast, we spent about a year on and off in the studio when recording our last EP, and those songs changed a lot in the process. It feels great that the album turned out like this. Our sound has gradually developed during the three years we have played together, and the album reflects this more clearly than our earlier tracks.
We have tried to really delve into the different moods of each song, to push them as far as we could in their own directions. Like, not really thinking about the album as a whole while working with the individual songs. Just arranging, playing and mixing to max out the original moods of the songs. We tried to make VCR both trippy and childlike, and Marina kind of mature and polished, and as much lazy country as we could manage without getting an identity crisis. Reject is our attempt at straightforward dreamy indie pop, and Stalker is kind of bluesy, with both raw and desperate elements to it. We spent quite some time finding the right order of the tracks to make the album come together musically, yet still being a bit surprising at times.”
Check it out for yourself!
Click here to stream None of This Makes Me Worryon Spotify.
Mark Ronson feat. Lykke Li – Late Night Feelings
Mark Ronson’s latest single “Late Night Feelings” is the title track from his forthcoming album. It features vocals from Swedish singer Likke Li. It’s reminiscent of a “Sunday night slow jam”, being an easy song to listen to.
While we’ll have to wait until June 21 to hear the whole album, “Late Night Feelings” definitely gives me a feeling that it’ll be a huge one, and possibly a GRAMMY contender!
Click here to stream “Late Night Feelings” on Spotify.
Ellie Goulding – Sixteen
Do YOU remember when you were sixteen?
Ellie Goulding’s newest track “Sixteen” takes the singer on a trip down memory lane as she remembers of all the things she did when she was sixteen.
As an extra special touch, Ellie enlisted the help of her friends to build the single artwork!
How cool is that?!
Click here to stream Sixteen on Spotify.
Nat & Alex Wolff – Cool Kids + Note
I will give respect where it’s due, and it’s due here and NOW. Nat and Alex Wolff are the reason why I got started on social media at such a young age, and I likely wouldn’t be blogging today if it weren’t for them. I stanned the Naked Brothers Band so hard back in 4th grade, long before the word “stan” was even in my vocabulary.
But those days are long gone, and everyone is grown up now. Despite their busy acting careers, Nat and Alex have continued to make music together for years. Their two new singles “Cool Kids” and “Note” are out now, and they’re both very beautiful, calming indie tracks.
Click here to stream “Cool Kids + Note” on Spotify.
Theia – Not Your Princess
New Zealand pop artist Theia’s Not Your Princess EP is full of the fearless, bold, bad b*tch energy that we need in our lives. Every track is packed with a certain level of female empowerment, as well as iconic electro-pop beats.
One track that really stands out is “Bad Idea”, which takes on the topic of self harm. Co-written by Emily Warren, the track helped Theia remember times when she herself was struggling, and when fans would reach out to let her know about their struggles.
“It has meant so much hearing from people saying that a particular song of mine has provided comfort and support. I understand where they’re coming from, because for me music is such an important and healing part of my life”, Theia says.
“Bad Idea is my way of acknowledging that, and saying ‘It’s ok, together we can get through this! You don’t have to fight on your own’.”
Click here to stream Not Your Princess on Spotify.
ADD THESE TO YOUR PLAYLIST TOO!
Hish – Give Me a Chance
Kevin Abstract – Georgia
Marshmello feat. SOB X RBE – Roll The Dice
Oliver Tree – F**k
P!nk feat. Cash Cash – Can We Pretend
Shanuka – Like That Bout You
Tame Impala – Borderline
