Billboard's Friday Music Guide is your handy guide to the biggest songs releasing this Friday — the big songs everyone's talking about today, and the songs that will dominate playlists this weekend and beyond.
explore
explore
Check out the latest videos, charts and news
Check out the latest videos, charts and news
This week, Billie Eilish hits a new sweet spot, Zayn enters a new phase, and A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie continues to rise. Check out all of this week's picks below.
Billie Eilish, Hit Me Hard & Soft
Forget about the standout tracks (though there are a few) or the overall atmosphere (richly developed and instantly captivating). The miracle of Billie Eilish's third studio album, Hit Me Hard and Soft, is that he is one of the most famous young superstars in the history of popular music. It's the fact that he won his second Oscar at the age of 20. — Freed from expectations and able to continue making sounds without being constrained by modern pop trends. Eilish has always made the choice to remain undaunted in the face of ever-expanding fame, from the crackling pop-rock of “Lunch” to the labyrinthine narrative of “Bittersweet” to “Birds of From the heartfelt jangle of “A Feather'' to the heartfelt jungle of “A Feather,'' she remains a master of her craft, projecting her latest full-length.
Zane “The Room Under the Stairs”
Room Under the Stairs is Zayn's first album since entering his 30s last year. While the rustic country-rock sound signals a change in approach, the songwriting and vocal performances also capture a maturity, with the former One Direction star completely breaking away from the constraints of pop stardom and telling his own story. He seems ready to talk about it in his own way. While lead single “What I Am” immediately sets the tone, “Stardust” fuses his melodic flair with a deep, hard-earned soulfulness, inviting listeners to the promise of a new era for Zayn. Soak.
A Boogie with Da Parker, Better Off Alone
In a few weeks, Bronx rapper A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie will play a headline show at Madison Square Garden, and he's always been left of center when it comes to hip-hop's elite. However, this will be the moment for the MC, who has steadily achieved success, to come full circle. He built a loyal following and amassed hundreds of millions of streams. New album Better Off Alone includes guest spots from Future, Lil Durk, Young Thug and more, but the pervasive “Body,” featuring rising star Cash Cobain, is a hit with Jersey It best represents A Boogie's new style of New York hip-hop. Sounds like a surefire hit in the club.
Luke Combs: “There's no love in Oklahoma''
Luke Combs' burly new rocker appears on the soundtrack to the upcoming Twister sequel, Twisters, and helps explain lines like, “You'll know when it's coming/Ride the wind and the rain.” But taken out of the context of the film, “Ain't No Love in Oklahoma” finds Combs playfully growling over a meaty guitar riff, showcasing a side of the superstar unfamiliar to all but the country fans who know him best: a cover of “Fast Car.”
Editor's Pick: Saweetie, “NANi”
Saweetie has been climbing the charts thanks in part to pop-rap songs like “My Type” and her Doja Cat collaboration “Best Friend,” as well as her new summer single “NANi,” which features a jaunty keyboard riff and vocals. and has even penetrated mainstream listeners. Melody is good at following in the footsteps of hit songs. As always, Saweetie's rock-solid flow brings her sound together, ending with the superstar boast, “Another day, another f-kin' Bag.”