New Music Friday is here once more to help us sway our way into the weekend.
With a bountiful month full of new releases from the iconic Taylor Swift, the return of Demi Lovato, an 80s inspired single by Twenty One Pilots, and dozens of other artists that have kept our feeds full of content throughout the work days, April is shaping up to be one of the year’s best musical months so far- this week being no exception.
And though there are countless new singles to keep you occupied, we have once more collected ten of our favorite releases all in one place for you to read more about, give a listen, and hopefully help you discover a new artist that may make their way into your daily routine.
You can view our full list of New Music Friday releases below, and be sure as always to check out our ever growing April playlist- linked at the bottom.
Devin Guisande is ready to share his story and help inspire others with the release of his new single “Glory” under his stage name Kyd the Band.
The first single to be released off of the project’s upcoming EP Season Four: Finale, “Glory” channels Guisande’s roots in gospel music- helping to pay homage to his history growing up in the church and showcase his songwriting range.
Using the track to share his passion for music and how he has continued to write and record, despite obstacles getting in his way and external factors preventing past career goals, “Glory” is a reminder that hard work and dedication can pay off. Even if it’s on a smaller scale or just for personal satisfaction.
“My voice is the one that has to matter the most to me,” Guisande shares. “I write music because there’s truth and meaning in it for me. It feels like there’s honor in it. I do this because I want there to be a point to my story, and whether I “fail” or “succeed”, is defined by me at the end of the day.”
A beautiful, emotional ballad, “Recovery” is the latest release from singer/songwriter Rose Betts.
Piano driven with heavy focus on Betts’ vocal range, the single shares the raw yet relatable experience of rebuilding yourself and mending your heart following the end of a relationship.
“This song came from an experience that changed me and changed the way I write and sing songs,” Betts shared of the track, which follows last month’s “Song To The Siren” and precedes her upcoming album.
Using her own personal experience with a failed relationship to guide listeners on the journey of recovery and self discovery that “Recovery” shares, Betts breaks down some of the less desirable parts of post-breakup life and makes it seem okay to embrace your feelings and be honest with yourself.
It takes time to heal a broken heart, but “Recovery” will have you feeling less alone during that process.
“More Than I Deserve” by Good Terms
New pop punk music will always hit the spot- and Los Angeles’ Good Terms may just be one of our new favorite finds.
After forming their band as a way to pursue their musical passions, the group have just released their debut album Turning Point and given us eleven fresh “emo” tracks to remind us all that it was never a phase. And with this new album comes our NMF pick- “More Than I Deserve.”
Opening on a fun guitar riff that immediately catches your attention and picks your energy levels up, “More Than I Deserve” is a song that both tugs at your heart strings and makes you want to dance.
Lyrically sharing a story of self sabotaging and trying to battle your own internal demons without bringing down those around you, the song navigates the feeling that the love you’ve received isn’t warranted. A relatable message for anyone who has ever experienced their own self doubt and uncertainty surrounding their self worth- this song is a good anthem of perseverance and honesty.
Sometimes in life we find ourselves tangled up in a relationship or a situationship that we know is going to end in flames. Whether it be from falling for a friend or dating someone who you know has a darker relationship history, we often welcome this feeling of predestined pain and find ourselves ready to dive in despite all of the warning signs- which is exactly what the new single “Heart Games” explores.
An alternative pop track by indie duo HARLOR, “Heart Games” is a message of acceptance and willingness to have your heart broken by someone you truly care about. Inspired by the feeling of your heart wanting something your brain advises against, and relationships that have the ability to be beautiful or destructive, the song is a catchy reminder that without pain there would be no love.
“I wanted to express the idea of being on someone’s leash, but not necessarily hating it. I wanted to express the idea that I’d rather take the chance of you hurting me than not being with you at all,” shares vocalist Nick Gerard. “I think that story is lived and re-lived throughout our lives and is one a lot of people can connect with. The title “Heart Games” is a parallel to someone playing mind games, but in this instance, you know what’s going on.”
If the past year has done anything, it’s hit us all in the gut repeatedly. First with the global pandemic shutting down the entire world and subsequently as millions of people lost their health, their jobs, and were forced to battle an unprecedented and never ending sense of general uncertainty. Now a year in, many of us are still feeling as though we’re at rock bottom- which is why today’s new single by Rouxx hits different.
Appropriately titled “Hit Harder,” the alt-pop single recounts the feeling of being at rock bottom and being knocked even further down.
Repeating lyrics such as “I’m not okay,” and the infectious chorus of “I hit rock bottom but this shit hit harder,” the song holds nothing back when sharing the struggle of trying to move through life when you feel like you’re constantly being knocked down.
And though it’s less than desirable to feel this way, Rouxx has us all feeling a little less alone in our struggles with this release and has us feeling even more ready to hit back at life even harder.
The fact that this week is the first time we have heard a song by Action/Adventure feels as though it should be a crime- as this band is too good to overlook.
Freshly signed to Pure Noise Records- home of Second Society favorites Four Year Strong, Seaway and State Champs- Action/Adventure are a pop punk band that are as full of energy as they are of talent, and Wednesday’s “Poser” is a prime example.
A track about trying to find your way after being led astray and being unsure of the path forward or towards success, “Poser” is everything that good pop-punk should be. The perfect mix of angst, raw instrumental talent, and engaging lyrics- this single is a perfect introduction to both Action/Adventure in general and their upcoming EP, Pulling Focus (April 30).
And though the track’s accompanying music video is just an anecdote to an already catchy track- it helps to elevate the entire song’s mood and give us major FOMO. Even if it is all just about being posers.
We Were Sharks have quickly become one of our favorite groups over the past few months as we’ve gotten a taste of their upcoming album, New Low (May 21). And today, the group has drawn us in once more with the release of their new single “Over This.”
A song about having everything you think you want in life but still feeling unfulfilled and unsatisfied, “Over This” channels the band’s pop punk roots and takes listener’s on a journey through angst and discomfort. Featuring intentionally vague lyrics, the song allows listeners to put themselves into the atmosphere of the song rather than sharing a specific script for them to follow. Creating both a relatable and distanced feel- the song helps to satisfy fans of all moods or situations.
“A lot of songs tell stories, but when we talked about what “Over This” was going to be about we decided to talk about a feeling or vibe rather than go the narrative route,” guitarist Jason Mooney shares. “We wanted to talk about the feeling you have when you find yourself in a place in life where you should be filled with joy, happiness, pride and essentially every positive feeling imaginable. Instead you feel lost with no sense of enthusiasm. Although you should appreciate the moments, you feel like you would rather be doing absolutely anything else and be anywhere else than where you are right now.”
“Slow Clap” by Gwen Stefani feat. Saweetie
If you are looking for a new hype up anthem, “Slow Clap” may just be the single you need to get you through the week.
The first single of the year to come from iconic grunge and pop icon, Gwen Stefani, and the first collaboration between Stefani and fellow It girl Saweetie, “Slow Clap” is a track about knowing your worth and fighting your way to the top- but not without helping lift up others along the way.
Full of energy and overall good vibes, the song is classic pop with catchy lyrics and a beat that will likely take TikTok’s next dance craze by storm.
Once more proving that Stefani is here to stay, as well as Saweetie’s rising presence as one of the best rappers in the scene, the song will have you slow clapping for yourself as you get back to the grind and make your own dreams come true.
And for fans of musical easter eggs- Saweetie’s verse features a welcome call back to some of Stefani’s older discography that will have you ready to re-learn how to spell bananas.
“Sweet Child O’ Mine” (Guns N’ Roses Cover) by Melonia
Guns N’ Roses “Sweet Child O’ Mine” is one of the most iconic rock songs of all time- instantly recognizable to music fans of all genres. And this week, electro-pop group Melonia have taken to the studio to put their own personal spin on the track.
A duo made up of producers and longtime friends Jarly and Svidden, Melonia creates music that helps listeners forget whatever struggles they may be facing and helps to remind people just how helpful music can be when it comes to letting go and feeling free- this cover being no exception.
Removing some of the heavier guitar riffs and replacing the general beat with a more electro-pop club vibe, the group elevate the track’s overall mood and help to make listening a full body experience rather than just one for your ears.
And though the Guns N’ Roses original is worth a listen for any new coming fans, this version successfully achieves Melonia’s goal of having listeners “enter a different world- one that leaves them feeling refreshed long after the song has ended.”
“On & On It Goes” by Never Loved
Fans of alt rock band Never Loved have had a week full of treats as the band have announced not only their debut album, Over It (May 14) but also released their first single of the year titled “On & On It Goes.”
Opening as a light and fun single, “On & On It Goes” takes fans on a journey through a relationship that seems to never quite get it right- showing increasing frustration and apathy as the track goes on and the instrumentals kick in at full force.
Using the lyrics to recount the process of trying to find a common ground with someone when you know things will never work out the way you both want them to- the song navigates what it feels like to be trapped in a never ending cycle of uncertainty.
And though the song itself shares a less than ideal scenario- the track has us feeling even more excited for the band’s debut and hyped up to break the repetitive and toxic cycles in our own lives.
You can stream all of the above artists now, wherever you stream music.
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