New Music Friday May 22, 2026: The Week’s Best Releases

Is there anything better than a New Music Friday leading into a three-day weekend?

Monday is Memorial Day, giving us an extra 24 hours to do precisely what we please—and we’re deciding that music is going to be a huge part of the celebrations. That’s especially true thanks to new releases from everyone from Olivia Rodrigo and TAEYONG to Charlie xcx. Can’t wait to get listening right along with us? Keep scrolling to discover the 10 biggest things that happened in music the week of May 22, 2026.

(‘the cure’ via Olivia Rodrigo)

1. Evenson Seeks Self-Understanding Through Love in ‘The Way I Feel’

Alternative singer-songwriter Evenson is set to release his debut album later this year, and based on what we’ve heard so far, we’re ready to put the album on frequent rotation. Last month, he stunned us with “Trading Places,” and we may be even more infatuated with his latest release, “The Way I Feel.” On the surface, it might appear like a simple love song, propelled by funky ’90s R&B sounds, but look deeper and its really a tale of self-discovery and the kind of introspection that infatuation can inspire.

“Arguably, this is one of the more important songs on the album,” Evenson shared in a press release. “It’s like a coloring of the heart—adding the oxygen of self, as well as the innermost feelings through the companionship of another … Throughout the song, there’s an opening of love. There’s an opening of a light. And there’s a passage to nourishment, to grow and to self-actualization.”

2. Will Swinton Pleads for Love With ‘Only One’

New Zealand alternative artist Will Swinton demands to be on everyone‘s radars in 2026, and this week was full of exciting announcements for the star. In addition to announcing that he’ll be playing at Lollapalooza Chicago this year and opening for the Australian leg of mgk’s world tour, he also just released his newest single, “Only One.” The yearning and atmospheric rock track feels like a desperate yet euphoric plea as he begs to be reassured that the one he loves returns his feelings.

Also read about: How the Struggles of a Long-Distance Relationship Inspired Will Swinton’s ‘Can’t Let Go’

3. Kevian Kraemer Captures a Moment in Time With His only if it matters EP

As longtime fans of indie-pop artist Kevian Kraemer, we’ve loved watching his viral rise to fame. His new EP, only if it matters, feels like the next step toward becoming a household name. Including singles “i just get worse,” “you woke me up” and “down under,” the seven-track EP is packed with the kinds of undeniably catchy and melodic pop tracks that put him on the map. They capture the nostalgic vibes of an endless summer, inspired by Kevian’s real experiences over the last half of a year.

“It’s completely me,” Kevian shared in an interview with Sweety High. I’m so, so proud of it, and it was made by some really wonderful people—my writers and producers …  We wrote these songs over the span of six months after headline touring last summer. I knew I wanted to make a project that was built for a live show, and I knew I wanted to head in a more experimental rock direction. Besides that, only if it matters is basically a snapshot of a few different experiences I’ve had over these past six months.”

Also read about: Kevian Kraemer Discusses His only if it matters EP and What to Expect From His Headline Tour

4. PSYCHIC FEVER Show Off Their Mature Side in ‘I Got Ways’

J-pop boy group PSYCHIC FEVER are on a roll in 2026, and after appearing at SXSW earlier this year, they’re gearing up to release their sophomore album, DIFFERENT, on July 10. We just got a taste of what’s to come with the new single “I Got Ways,” a sleek and sultry R&B love song with a driving beat that feels tailor-made to get listeners moving. The guys have come a long way since their debut in 2022, and that evolution is evident with each new release.

“This is the kind of song that feels new for PSYCHIC FEVER—something we hadn’t really done before,” shared JIMMY of PSYCHIC FEVER. “Even the members who usually focus on rap challenged themselves to sing in a more sensual style for this track, and that contrast is one of the highlights as well.”

Also read about: Rising J-Pop Group PSYCHIC FEVER Talks Their New EP, Touring and What’s Next

5. Skylar Grey Explores Her Formative Years With WASTED POTENTIAL

Multi-Platinum artist Skylar Grey is perhaps best known as a prolific songwriter and frequent collaborator who’s worked with the likes of Eminem and Dr. Dre to Macklemore and more, but we’ve always sound her solo work to be the most profoundly irresistible. That’s especially true of her new album, WASTED POTENTIAL. Its 12 tracks of hazy, atmospheric grunge-pop weave a cinematic coming-of-age tale encapsulating Skylar’s youth, before she left home to pursue her dreams, sharing the moments that shaped her into the woman she is today. At the center of these tracks are the pain Skylar caused herself out of fear of wasting her potential, which feels resolved not in the album itself but in seeing just how far she’s come.

Also read about: Everything You Need To Know About Singer-Songwriter Skylar Grey

6. Lola Young Begins a New Chapter With ‘From Down Here’

English singer-songwriter Lola Young has had an incredible couple of years, winning the Grammy for Best Pop Solo Performance with her viral song “Messy.” After releasing her album, I’m Only F***ing Myself, in September, she’s back and setting the stage for something entirely new with her latest single, “From Down Here.” The song is vulnerable and raw as ever while showcasing a different side of Lola’s musicality with a more operatic and expansive sound. We can’t wait to see where this era takes her next.

“The day after the Grammys, I had a wave of inspiration hit me, so I got in the studio with the incredible James Blake and made this song,” Lola shared in a press release. “I am rewriting the next chapter of my story because what a boring book the old one would’ve been anyway.”

7. Khalid and Ahn Hyo-seop  Join Forces for ‘Something Special’

Music icon Khalid and actor and singer-songwriter Ahn Hyo-seop (who we know best as the voice of Jinu from KPop Demon Hunters) have teamed up for a new single. Released by the new music platform FANDOM, it absolutely lives up to its title, “Something Special,” fusing K-pop and American R&B sounds to create something smooth, timeless and border-blurring. It’s not just Ahn Hyo-seop’s first single as a solo artist but Khalid’s first with a Korean artist, paving the way for many more exciting collaborations to come.

Also read about: 50 Introspective Khalid Lyrics to Use as Your Next Caption

8. Charli xcx Reflects on Art and Impending Doom With ‘SS26’

Charli xcx‘s yet-untitled upcoming album gets more and more intriguing with each subsequent release, and “SS26” may be her most intriguing—and meaningful—single yet. The laidback alt-rock track’s title comes from the spring-summer ’26 fashion season as Charli reflects on a world on fire and picks apart the true meaning of art, fashion and musical in an increasingly commercialized world. What does creativity even mean when the world is ending, and should we allow a sense of impending doom to stop us from doing what’s meaningful to us?

Also read about: 35 Reflective Lyrics From Charli xcx’s how i’m feeling now to Use as Captions

9. NCT’s TAEYONG Shows Off His Capabilities as a Soloist With WYLD

TAEYONG may be best known as a member of K-pop boy group NCT, but with the release of his debut solo album, he’s more than ready to flaunt everything he’s capable of as a soloist. The project, WYLD, dropped earlier this week, consisting of 10 dynamic and bold tracks that showcase not just his vocal and lyrical prowess, but also his versatility. He wrote lyrics for every single track on the album, and that’s evident in the passion that shines through, from the frenetic hip-hop of the title track to its melodic indie-pop conclusion with “Run.”

Also read about: Review: TAEYONG’s WYLD Is the Best K-Pop Release of the Year

10. Olivia Rodrigo Teases Her Upcoming Album With ‘the cure’

We’re eagerly counting down the days until Olivia Rodrigo‘s third album, you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love, releases on June 12, and with the release of her new single, “the cure,” we know we’re in for something special. Opening with the moody strums of an acoustic guitar, the song comes to life with whispered verses as Olivia tussles with the realization that the love she thought would fix her hasn’t healed her at all.

“‘the cure’ song and video is out now!” Olivia wrote in a post on Instagram. “This song means so much to me and I’m so so so happy that it’s out in the world! Shout out to @dan_nigro for making it with me and being the best producer/songwriter in the game. Thank u @bead.lizard and @catsolen for creating this brilliant, imaginative music video that I adore. This song is the thesis statement of you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love and it made the whole album click for me. I hope you enjoy it xoxoxox ❤️❤️❤️❤️”

Missed our favorite tracks last week? Click HERE to check out our top 10 favorite releases for the week of May 15, 2026.