Billboard’s Friday Music Guide serves as a handy guide to New Music Friday’s most essential releases each week — the key music that everyone will be talking about today, and that will be dominating playlists this weekend and beyond.
Last week, we featured Gracie Abrams, Steve Lacy, Rick Ross, Carly Rae Jepsen and more.
This week: Charli xcx drops her anticipated new album, Music, Fashion, Film; Tyla drops her second studio album; and Morgan Wallen shares his new single after previewing it live at a recent show… plus much more. Check out all of this week’s picks below:
Charli xcx, Music, Fashion, Film
When Charli xcx dropped “Rock Music” in May, which became the lead single for Music, Fashion, Film, it seemed to accomplish its task of being so divisive that it shifted focus from being her first post-Brat single that wasn’t related to a film soundtrack. And while it wasn’t totally a rock track, and doesn’t totally represent the full scope of her new album, it did prove her point: that she wasn’t setting out to make the same album twice. On Music, Fashion, Film, Charli once again pushes her limits and inspirations beyond dance-pop and into grungy guitars. As Andrew Unterberger writes in Billboard‘s tracks ranked of the album: “Regardless of genre designation — which has never seemed overly important to Charli xcx in the first place — Music, Fashion, Film is another fascinating, addictive, singular catalog entry in a body of work that is quickly becoming one of the 21st century’s most formidable.” — LYNDSEY HAVENS
Tyla, A*Pop
After breaking out with her smash hit “Water” in 2023, Tyla has been a frequent visitor of the Hot 100; last year, she charted “Push 2 Start” and “Chanel,” while this year the South African artist added her collab with Zara Larsson, “She Did It Again,” to the tally. The latter two tracks made the cut for Tyla’s second album, A*POP, out now, alongside an early standout in “That Girl” — a blissful blend of Afropop and R&B stylings with a hypnotic, winding beat that creates a sonic playground for her vocals to explore. — L.H.
Morgan Wallen, “Been By Now”
During a recent concert in Baltimore, Morgan Wallen surprised fans by previewing his new song, “Been By Now.” Written by Wallen, Charlie Handsome, John Byron, Blake Pendergrass, Rocky Block and Taylor Phillips, “Been By Now” continues Wallen’s penchant for smooth, pop-tilted grooves and songs soaked in heartbreak. “If we were in the stars, they’d have lined right up,” he sings, seemingly resigned to the idea that some relationships are doomed to fizzle. — JESSICA NICHOLSON
JENNIE, “Less than a Lover”
After teasing her new single during her Governors Ball festival set in June, JENNIE decided to drop the summery song ahead of her headlining set at Lollapalooza Chicago next weekend (July 30-Aug. 2). Given the season of its arrival — and lighthearted subject matter, with a title that screams summer fling — “Less than a Lover” is lighter than some of the singer-rapper’s harder hitting songs (think: “Like Jennie”), leaning more into airy singer-songwriter, alternative-pop territory. Perfect for those breezy summer days. — L.H.
The Strokes, Reality Awaits
After pushing back its original release date, Reality Awaits no more — for those ready to hear it. After a handful of festival appearances, including a particularly rousing Coachella set in April, The Strokes release its seventh album today. And as its lead single, “Going Shopping,” teased, the choice of AutoTune is one that sticks around. Across its nine tracks, The Strokes continue to dance between crowd-friendly, fuzzy rock riffs and still wanting to try some new s— (“Liar’s Remorse,” and really all three of the album’s last tracks). The result? A perfectly 2026 album that touches on everything from being a kid to AI, all from a band that’s never without a hot take. — L.H.
KATSEYE, “Animal”
This seductive single from the global girl group is all about knowing a partner’s true self, with the fivesome singing: “Nobody knows you’re outta control/ But I see a side behind the closed doors/ They get a glimpse here on the dance floor/ You move like an animal.” Fittingly, “Animal” will be included on the groups’ upcoming third EP, WILD, which arrives on Aug. 14. — L.H.
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