New Music Report - New Releases Week of September 18th

Happy Monday! Kickstart your week ahead by checking out all of the new music that has just been released that you need to be listening to. From new albums from Foo Fighters and Wyclef Jean, to new songs from Nick Jonas and Niall Horan, to new collaborations from Lorde, Khalid & SZA and Post Malone & 21 Savage, to our expert picks, take a look at this week's New Music Report.

Nick Jonas - "Find You"

For Nick Jonas, Last Year Was Complicated, but this year, the 24-year-old he has a new body of work on the way, and it all starts with his new single "Find You." On his new single, Nick teamed back up with songwriter Simon Wilcox, who he also wrote his hit song "Jealous" with. The track, starts off with some soft guitar riffs, then building up to to the chorus. 

"Find You" has a double meaning for Nick. First, is the lyrical meaning, which is centered around the journey of finding love. Nick sings, "But I never really know just where to find you/Try Try try but I/Try try try but but I/Try try try but I/But I never really know just where to find you. Secondly, "Find You" also means going on a musical journey for Nick, as he re-explores the guitar -- which is clear in the new song as it kicks off with a soft dose of the instrument. Nick explains to iHeartRadio of what his new single "Find You" means to him:

"'Find You' is about a lot of things. For me, it's got a lot to do with just the idea of finding love, in general, and the journey we all go on with that. And how sometimes, it can be something you're afraid of and running away from it in that sense, but it is desperately something we all hope for. And in a lot of ways, it's about me going on a musical journey, as well, and re-exploring starting my music with a guitar, and trying some different melodies and even just lyrics, really focusing on what I'm saying. The creative process, [as a] whole was really rewarding, and I got to work with my friend, Simon Wilcox, who I wrote 'Jealous' with. Getting to reunite her was great."

Niall Horan - "Too Much To Ask"

Slow and steady appears to be the tactic with the launch of Niall Horan's solo career and yet another milestone in that mission has been reached with the release of his new single, "Too Much To Ask.” On the track, which dropped on Friday, Horan sings a sad ode about living life without his lover. It's in vein of the former One Direction bandmate's previously released tracks, "Slow Hands" and "This Town," aiming for a sound that feels pop, grown and yet still familiar to his fans.

Lorde featuring Khalid, SZA & Post Malone - "Dynamite (Remix)"

Just when you thought Lorde's new music couldn't get any better, she goes and releases this gem. For her "Homemade Dynamite" remix, Lorde teamed up with three of the most buzzed about artists in the game right now: Khalid, SZA, and Post Malone. All four each trade verses throughout the song, adding a new dimension to the Melodrama original. Lorde is set to perform during this week's iHeartRadio Music Festival, where Khalid will also appear as a special guest. 

Wyclef Jean – Carnival Vol. III: The Fall and Rise of a Refugee

Wyclef Jean just dropped his first full-length album in eight years, Carnival Vol. III: The Fall And Rise of a Refugee. Jean has been teasing the project for some time now. But, it’s officially here and we can finally hear it. The album consists of 12 songs. What’s great about Carnival Vol. III is that its release coincides with Jean’s debut album’s, The Carnival, 20th anniversary.  

"My Carnival albums have always been about celebrating music culture from all parts of the world and Carnival III is no different,” the artist said in a statement. "It's outside the box. There’s genre bending. There's new talent on there. Carnival III is more than just an album. It's a celebration of what I love about music: discovery, diversity and artistry for art's sake... It's about putting music together that will outlive me and live on for generations to come that is full of emotion, vibration and fun. Get ready."

WYCLEF JEAN

Foo Fighters – Concrete & Gold

After dropping two singles, "Run," and "The Sky Is A Neighborhood," the Foo Fighters have released their brand-new album, Concrete and Gold. For their ninth studio effort, the rock veterans decide to take a page from the classic sounds of The Beatles and Led Zeppelin, but also flip the script to the gloss of super-producer Greg Kurstin (Adele, P!NK). Concrete and Gold initially kicked off with just a small idea after Dave Grohl heard a song from The Bird and the Bee, an indie pop duo consisting of Inara George and Kurstin. After forming a personal bond with Kurstin, Grohl worked up the courage to ask him to produce the LP and that's just the tip of the iceberg. Fans of the group might also be surprised to hear a collaboration with none other than Justin Timberlake, who contributed last-minute vocals to "Make It Right." Among the other guests on the LP include Paul McCartney, Inara George, David Koz, Alison Mosshart of The Kills.

Foo Fighters

Post Malone featuring 21 Savage - "Rockstar"

Post Malone fans are celebrating, because the rapper released his latest single "Rockstar," and it's a collaboration featuring 21 Savage. The song was produced by Tank God and Louis Bell, and is the first single from Malone's upcoming album Beerbongs and Bentleys, which is scheduled to drop sometime later this year. "Rockstar" is all about living life like a rockstar. Post sings in the chorus, "Ayy, I’ve been f***in' hoes and poppin' pillies/Man, I feel just like a rockstar/Ayy, ayy, all my brothers got that gas/And they always be smokin' like a Rasta."

Post Malone

U2 - "You're The Best Thing About Me (Kygo Remix)"

Earlier this month, iconic rock band U2 released "You're The Best Thing About Me," the first single from their upcoming album Songs of Experience. A mere few weeks later, and now we have a remix from Norwegian producer/DJ Kygo. In his remix Kygo turns U2's original into a catchy dance-worthy version, especially in the chorus.

U2

Sia - "Rainbow"

Ahead of her upcoming Christmas album, Sia has contributed a song for the My Little Pony: The Movie soundtrack and it's appropriately titled "Rainbow.” "Rainbow" dropped on Friday and hears the singer/songwriter in her usual light, offering listeners with an uplifting message. It's kid-friendly, but also feels fitting for the older crowd, too. "I can see a rainbow in your tears as the sun comes out," she repeats during the chorus atop bouncy pop production.  If you take a look at the single artwork, you'll notice a Sia-inspired character by the name of Songbird Serenade. Earlier this year, it was reported that the pop star has a role in the film. Among the other acts set to feature on the My Little Pony: The Movie soundtrack DNCE and Lukas Graham

Jessie J - "R.O.S.E."

Jessie J has done some growing as a woman and it's heard crystal clear on her new single, "Think About That," which serves as the lead single off her forthcoming album, R.O.S.E. On the almost-four-minute track, the soulful pop artist evokes a defiant attitude as she calls out a former lover for betraying her. It's clearly a narrative that we've heard in the in the past, but Jessie's delivery is key as she spits: "I was living my dreams through your eyes/ Building my life on your lies/ You just laughed when I cried." It is also in line with the concept for the video to "Think," which dropped simultaneously along with the song.

The Killers - "Some Kind Of Love"

The Killers' new song "Some Kind of Love" has an interesting backstory. It follows a motif from Brian Eno’s 1983 song “An Ending (Ascent)" and hears the band trek into atmospheric territory. Brandon Flowers also admitted the track is dedicated to his wife. "Typically, for women who have had problems in their youth, it really maniests itself when they're in their 30s," he told Rolling Stone of his wife, Tana, and her struggle with PTSD. "Over the last few years, it has become a big part of our life. Some of the things I've tackled on this record are because of that, and 'Some Kind of Love' is one of those songs.” “Some Kind of Love” is off the Killers’ forthcoming LP, Wonderful Wonderful, which arrives September 22.

Wiz Khalifa featuring PARTYNEXTDOOR - "Rain"

Wiz Khalifa and PND joined forces to make it “Rain.” Both artists have very busy readying their separate projects. But, that didn’t stop them from both coming together to release this new masterpiece. Listeners of “Rain” can clearly hear horns blowing in the song’s background, under the two artists voices. You can thank producers Sledgren and Cardo for this special touch. Listen to the smooth track below. You won’t be sorry.

Sara Bareilles - "If I Dare"

Sara Bareilles knows how to pen an original song and her new track, "If I Dare," for the forthcoming Battle of the Sexes film is proof of that. For this vulnerable mid-tempo cut, the pop star drew inspiration from the actual film, which follows the 1973 tennis match between women's world champion Billie Jean King (Emma Stone) and ex-men’s-champ/serial hustler Bobby Riggs (Steve Carell). “Billie Jean is one of the great leaders of our time,” the singer/songwriter said in a statement. “Her courage, her conviction, and her willingness to take risks in order to make change are part of what makes her so powerful. One pivotal chapter of her story comes to life so beautifully in the film, and I was honored to help write about it."

Fall Out Boy - "The Last of The Real Ones"

We're getting closer and closer to the release of Fall Out Boy's seventh studio album M A N I A, and the band has given fans another new song from the upcoming record called "The Last of The Real Ones." FOB's Pete Wentz said in a note on Twitter of the song, "That kind of love you feel for someone because of their glitches not in spite of them… where you feel the vacuum of them everywhere… and your heart just feels like TNT, quicksand, and oblivion all at once…" 

Weezer - "Beach Boys"

With their 11th studio album Pacific Daydream set to drop at the end of October, Weezer shared a brand new song from the record called "Beach Boys." The song follows previously released Pacific Daydream tracks "Mexican Fender" and "Feels Like Summer," and is reportedly a tribute to the iconic California band themselves. Rivers Cuomo sings in the chorus, "Turn it upIt's the Beach Boys/Singing out in a sweet voice/On a roll like a twist toy/Keep cranking them Beach Boys."

Grace VanderWaal - "So Much More Than This"

It's been one year since Grace VanderWaal walked into our lives on America's Got Talent, and in honor of the anniversary, the teen released her new single, So Much More Than This.” At just seconds under the three-minute mark, the mid-tempo track hears Vanderwall sing a tale of letting music free her from problems. Last Thursday, she took to Instagram to tell her 1.8 million followers that her new album titled Just The Beginningwould drop on November 3. "A year ago today, a miracle happened and I won [America's Got Talent]," VanderWaal wrote on Instagram. "It's been the most insane year and it's all brought me here... I can FINALLY tell you guys that my album #JustTheBeginning comes out 11/3!"

Echosmith - "Dear World"

Echosmith is prepping the release of a new EP called Inside A Dream and the band has dropped a new appetizer for the project called "Dear World.” As one of the seven tracks off the collection, the song's aim is simple and sweet: encourage positivity and unity. "Dear World is our love letter to the planet. In the midst of all the chaos going on right now, we wanted to share this song in our best effort to share some hope,” the band said in a statement. "We feel like we can all be part of the solution and now it's our chance to be the change!” The release of "Dear World" comes after the group decided to push their sophomore album and accompanying tour to spring 2018.

Galantis – The Aviary

DJ/producer duo Galantis have returned with their second full-length album The Aviary, which follows their 2015 Pharmacy album. The Aviary features 12 new songs, including previously released singles like "No Money," "Love On Me," "Pillow Fight," and "Hunter." The guys also teamed up with a few very talented artists for several collabs, including Justin Bieber collaborator Poo Bear, Wrabel, Rozes, and Hook N Sling.

Galantis

Prophets of Rage – Prophets of Rage 

Rap Rock supergroup Prophets of Rage have released their self-titled debut album. The group, which formed last year (2016), consists of Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave members Tim Commerford, Tom Morello, and Brad Wilk, Public Enemy's DJ Lord and Chuck D, and Cypress Hill's B-Real. The band's new album features twelve new songs and touches on a number of topics. Prophets of Rage's Chuck D recently told Newsday of their new music:

"There would always be rage in the way we play. Rage is who we are ... We didn’t need the world to be a disaster to have 12 songs. You want the world to be better. There’s always a topic to look into. There’s always some [expletive] going on."

Prophets of Rage

R3hab – Trouble

After years of releasing awesome remixes for some of the world's biggest pop stars, in addition to his own original singles, producer/DJ R3hab has released his debut album Trouble. Fans have been hearing songs from the record like its title track featuring VÉRITÉ, "Icarus," "Marrakech," which features Skytech, "Truth or Dare" featuring Little Daylight, and more, but the full 17 song set has finally arrived. R3hab recently told iHeartRadio of the making of his album:

"It was a lot of fun. I went in and I just had a good time. It was actually pretty simple. I mean, I had to put the work in, but I was like 'let's do this' without thinking too much. Just getting in the moment and not thinking too much. And it's beautiful right now, you can put out the songs so quick, they don't need to stay in the vault for a year." 

R3hab

Quavo - "Stars in the Ceiling"

Quavo always has a hot track just waiting for us. The Migos rapper dropped a brand new song called “Stars In The Ceiling” to surprise us. We’re not sure yet if the track is a standalone one, or if it’ll be featured on a solo project of some sort. But, either way, you won’t be able to stop vibing to it. Frequent collaborator and friend Zaytoven produced “Stars in the Ceiling.” Listen to it as soon as you can, and as many times as you want. 

Nipsey Hustle - "Grindin’ All My Life"

Nipsey Hussle wants you to respect his grind. The Cali rapper dropped his track “Grindin’ All My Life” because he needs you to understand his struggle and how he overcame. Nip spits: “Been grindin’ all my life/ Sacrificed, hustled, paid the price / Want a slice, got to roll the dice / That’s why, all my life, been grindin’ all my life.” We see you Hussle, and we definitely respect it. 

Dave East x V Don - "Bipolar"

Though he already dropped his Paranoia EP last month, Dave East isn’t slowing down with his new music releases. The East Harlem MC jumped on a new V Don beat to give us “Bipolar.” On the track, he East raps about his humble beginnings and about the lavish life that he’s now living. “Six months without no help, it was routine,” East spits on the track. “Hit the dips, push-ups between/Bunch of 50 clips getting ripped, n**ga/Looking like a King.”

Kid Ink - "Bad Habit"

Kid Ink blessed us with a song entitled “Bad Habit.” On it, Ink not only raps to his significant other. But, he sings, too. Over the years, we’ve noticed just how talented the artist is and this new song further proves this. Throughout the track, Ink compares this other woman to a drug, which he is addicted to. As he keeps going back to her, knowing that she isn’t good for him, Ink describes himself as “relapsing.” Who can relate? 

NERVO featuring Chief Keef - "Champagne"

Nervo's serving of "Champagne" is bubbling sweet and the Australian sister act has a whole lot to spread around. For the Chief Keef collab, the sister act offers sparkling pop radio friendly material that is aimed at enjoying the celebratory moments of life. Chief comes in after the first beat drop with explicit-free bars, further suggesting that “Champagne” is aiming for some radio airwaves. "Take me to the time where there was only champagne/ Take me to the place where we both had it all,” they sing during the hook with their airy vocals.

Tyga - "My Way"

It was just one month ago that Tyga dropped his latest album, B**ch I’m the S**t 2. But, the MC still has fresh music to give his fan base. So, Tyga decided to drop not one, but two new songs the past week: “My Way” and “The Race (Remix).” 808 Mafia produced “My Way.” “Big Boi like André,” Tyga raps. “I’m doing it my way/Come at me sideways?/I might go Kanye!” Plus, on “The Race (Remix),” the rapper spits: “No receipts,” the MC rhymes. “The feds want that case/Cash Money, I still need that from Baby/Millions.”

Labrinth - "Misbehaving"

With all the excitement surrounding all of Apple's announcements, the company shared a commercial showcasing Series 3 Apple Watch ... and a along music fans have been trying to figure out. Well, turns out, it's Labrinth and his new song "Misbehaving." The recording artist tweeted along with the song, "Happy to share special things with you again. Hope you enjoy the story that's coming." And as you can imagine, the track is all about misbehavior. He sings in the very first verse, "F*** it/Hey bring the drink/Come bring the soul/Hey bring the rock/Come bring the roll/Forever young let the good times roll/Forever young and it don't get old."

BANNERS - "Firefly"

We all come across people that change us for the better and BANNERS' new cut called "Firefly" sets up that very situation. “'Firefly’ is about meeting someone who makes you feel brand new, like you can be anything, the UK native said in a statement. "The feeling that any distance between you is too far and that nothing and nobody else in the world really matters.” Still, the best thing about the track is that it makes listeners feel those exact sentiments, particularly that euphoric hook. "Firefly" serves as the follow-up to current single, "Someone To You," which will both appear on his second EP via Island Records later in the fall.

Alex Aiono featuring Trinidad Cardona & Gryffin - "Does It Feel Like Falling"

Alex Aiono teamed up with singer Trinidad Cardona and producer/DJ Gryffin on his latest single "Does It Feel Like Falling." The new song follows other 2017 singles like "Hot2Touch," "Question," and "Work The Middle." During a Facebook live, Alex opened up about the inspiration behind the single, which are all the emotions we experience when falling in love. He said:

"If you listen to the lyrics, and you really think about them, it's really a poetic song. It's about falling in love, and all the feelings that come with it. Sometimes you're a little bit worried that the person you're falling in love with isn't falling in love with you back, sometimes it hits you so hard and then it feels like you're getting knocked out by a boxer, all that. It's so many different emotions. So, I wanted a song that sings and talks about those emotions. Not just the happy emotions, not just the exciting, fun, rainbows and butterflies of falling in love." 

Craig David - "Heartline"

Craig David is back and he's brought plenty of his friends to the ring with him. Ahead of the release of his seventh studio album, The Time Is Now, which will drop January 26, 2018, the R&B crooner has unleashed a new song called "Heartline.” According to a press release, the LP will feature collaborations with AJ Tracey, Ella Mai, Kaytranada, Goldlink, Bastille, and JP Cooper. For now, you can take in the sweet sounds of “Heartline,” a song that hears Craig offer up a story about finding a woman who makes him feel invincible despite not knowing her very well. 

LIGHTS - "New Fears"

LIGHTS new album, Skin&Earth, is shaping up to be one mysterious release, especially after the unveil of "New Fears." It's part sulty and part aggressive, but a song that takes aim at going through an out of body experience. Serving as the follow-up to "Giants,” it’s still just a small taste of the album, which is said to connect with its comic book counterpart to reveal a comprenhensive story. “When you put them together and you start to connect the dots, there’s something so much deeper there,” LIGHTS said.

Audien – Some Ideas

Audien's brand new EP Some Ideas has officially arrived. The set is short but sweet, consisting of three tracks, "Message," "Rampart" featuring Gammer, and last but not last, "Resolve." Some Ideas touches on a few different styles, including his own signature sound, and even dips his toe into hardstyle in his collab with Gammer. In a statement to Billboard, Audien said of his new EP: 

"Some Ideas is something I've wanted to release for a while. Each song has been a staple in my live sets for the past couple months. I worked on these songs exclusively on the road and you can also hear them on my Eupohria Tour, which I'm currently having a blast on." 

Audien

Alan Walker - "The Specte"

If you've heard something that sounds like Alan Walker's "The Spectre," it's because you probably heard a variation of the track before. In fact, it's a remake of an instrumental he released in 2015, but it includes vocals this time, with the goal of sharing appreciation. "The reactions and feedback from people have been truly amazing," Walker said in a press release. "I’m very excited that’s it’s now being released officially. It’s a song that I specifically want to dedicate to my core fans who’ve been following me since the start.”

Ringo Starr – Give More Love

Age ain't nothing but a number and Ringo Starr's is exemplifying that statement more and more as he continues his career. "We're on the Road Again" is the lead single from Starr's album, Give More Love, which marks his 19th solo effort. Yes, you read that correctly. Even though he dropped “We’re on the Road Again” as the lead single, the title track is far more fitting with the project’s concept. "There are a lot of people hurting out there, and if we give nothing else we have to give love. I try and do that to the best of my ability,” he recently told PEOPLE of the album title. "We have to remember we are not saints—sometimes there’s the other attitude, the reactive. I try not to get too much of that. But we’re doing the best we can.”

Ringo Starr

Sammie – Coming Of Age

When he was only 12 years old, Sammie reached superstar status thanks to his breakout single, “I Like It.” Now 30 years old, Sammie is readying his comeback into the industry with his brand new project, Coming Of Age.  The album consists of 13 songs. Plus, there are only two special features: Rick Ross and Eric Bellinger. In a recent interview with iHeartRadio about his new project, Sammie said: “It's the most honest project I've ever done in my life. I just wanted to be an open book. I've been kind of gone for a while from a mainstream standpoint. So, I felt like it was just the perfect time to be vulnerable and transparent and talk about the good of myself, as well as the bad.”

Sammie

Huntar - Your Favorite Worst Mistake

From the mind that recreated Ginuwine's 1996 classic "Pony," comes an entire mixtape of music. Huntar has released his debut mixtape Your Favorite Worst Mistake, which features 15 new songs (including "Pony"), and other collabs with artists like ILOVEMAKONNEN and Piers James, among others. 

Huntar

Kevin Gates featuring PnB Rock - "Beautiful Scars"

Even though he’s currently incarcerated, Kevin Gates’ rollout for his upcoming mixtape, By Any Means 2, has been official. Headed by his wife, Dreka, the promotion for the project has already included Gates’ “What If” video being released, as well as “Had To” and now “Beautiful Scars” featuring PnB Rock. The former XXL Freshman also gave his fans a letter that spoke about how he’s going while locked up and told them not to worry. By Any Means is scheduled to drop Sept. 21. 


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