Welcome back! What a fabulous Friday with fantastic new releases! Let’s get right into it.

Top 3 (in no particular order)

1. One of my favorite artists, SZA, released the single “Shirt”. I’ve heard bits and pieces of it for nearly two years now, as the chorus was released early on TikTok in early 2021. This teaser, though much appreciated, kept me wanting more for months on end, so I was ecstatic to see it on the “New Music Friday” playlist. Paired with the song, SZA created an intense, mind boggling music video. She starred with actor LaKeith Stanfield in a Bonnie and Clyde-like duo where the two stars went around wreaking havoc, destroying and killing people all around the city. At first listen, “Shirt” is upbeat and catchy, but the meaning of the song is more easily understood after watching the music video. SZA emphasized feelings of heartbreak post-breakup. The use of blood was used to symbolize the pain that the end of a relationship leaves on a person. I was in awe of this masterpiece of a song, and am impatiently awaiting an album to drop. 

2. Chlöe, an R&B and pop artist, created “For the Night” with Latto. A lively beat is consistent throughout the entirety of the song, which is not a surprise with London on da Track as producer of the song. Chlöe sings about unreciprocated love and the struggles that come with an attempted relationship, while Latto comes in strong with a verse about self-respect. Though it was a collaboration I didn’t know I needed, Latto and Chlöe most definitely did not disappoint. 

3. Now, I’d be a fool not to include Baby Keem’s deluxe version of his debut album, The Melodic Blue. Keem added seven new songs with features from Don Toliver, Lil Uzi Vert and PinkPantheress. “highway 95” was truly a work of art. Coming from a huge Lauryn Hill fan, Keem made one of the most interesting yet beautiful stylistic choices to include a sample from “Killing Me Softly With His Song” by the Fugees. The sample included just vocals from the Fugees hit, but it was the perfect addition to “highway 95” to give it a particularly sentimental feel. The original album, The Melodic Blue, enhanced Keem’s talents as he’s often been stuck in the shadow of his cousin, Kendrick Lamar. Keem and Lamar have a great relationship, and if anything, The Melodic Blue helped emphasize that. The deluxe edition was a crazy surprise and “highway 95” will definitely be added to my favorites. 

Picking three songs this week was so difficult. I have to mention that “Falling For You” by Ashanti, “SOMEONE ELSE’S PROBLEM” by Ruel, “Snowbank Blues” by The Backseat Lovers, “Mother” by Matt Maltese and “PPL” by DRAM and BJ The Chicago Kid were also highlights from this week’s “New Music Friday” playlist. I highly recommend giving all of these a listen. What a wonderful week!

I’ve been hearing about a good selection of new releases for next week too! See you next Friday!