Billboard's Friday Music Guide serves as a handy guide to this Friday's most important releases: the essential music everyone's talking about today and dominating your playlists this weekend and beyond.
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Check out the latest videos, charts and news
Check out the latest videos, charts and news
This week, Dua Lipa sees through your deception, Sabrina Carpenter keeps you up all night, and of course, Future and Metro Boomin continue to question your credibility. Check out all of this week's picks below.
Future & Metro Boomin, we still don't believe you
If you thought Future & Metro were mainly working on a follow-up to their chart-topper “We Don't Trust You” three weeks ago, check out their 25-song tracklist (18 songs on the album, 7 on the extra disc), that's what it should be. Make it clear that this is not just some extra bonus material. What's more, the leadoff title cut leads to an uncredited appearance by The Weeknd, and the rapper and producer quickly enters new, pulsating dancefloor territory, adding to the strobing light acoustics and acoustics of much of the project. It sets the tone for the melodic atmosphere. But of course, while people will mostly be talking about J. Cole's (“Red Leather”) appearance on this set, he doesn't seem to mention the recent “Big 3” feud at all. And A$AP Rocky (“Show of Hands”), who seems to be shooting the gun — perhaps aimed at Drake? — via his current lover: “No, they complain the worst, but I just bagged the worst…I beat you before you had a son, Flacco I hit my eldest son.”
Dua Lipa “Illusion”
Following her Billboard Hot 100 Top 40 hits “Houdini” and “Training Season,” pop superstar Dua Lipa is back with “Illusion,” the third take on her upcoming Radical Optimism set. Co-written with regular collaborator Caroline Ilin, singer-songwriter Tobias Jesso Jr., PC Music soundsmith Danny L. Haar, and psych-pop master Kevin Parker, the latter two , which Lipa also co-produced, sings about learning to “get my rose.” There's no shortage of red flags when dealing with the possibility of a new relationship. The track returns her to the disco-pop sweet spot, and the repeating refrain of “dance all night” will soon receive plenty of radio and club airplay.
Sabrina Carpenter “Espresso”
Speaking of disco pop, if you like your dancefloor jams to be a little more laid back, Sabrina Carpenter has you covered with her piping hot new “Espresso.” In this charming new single, co-written with Grammy-nominated Amy Allen, Carpenter's “Nonsense” collaborator Steph Jones, and writer/producer Julian Bunetta, Carpenter introduces herself to the boys. The assumption is that it's a caffeinated drink that makes you think faster and makes it harder to sleep. ” Who can say what kind of coffee pun she will improvise in the outro of this song in her upcoming live performance?
Lil Nas X “Right There”
Lil Nas . “I wish I could just release music without getting emotional.” The rapper dropped a new song, “Right There,” on SoundCloud earlier this week, and seems to be on track right now, but this is his It is believed to be a track from 'Nasarati 2', his upcoming mixtape. With a bombastic beat built around an angelic backing vocal loop, the song sounds absolutely huge as LNX mixes themes of sex, drugs, and religion in the verses. / Open it on the bus and let me twerk. ”
Maggie Rogers “Don't Forget Me”
Acclaimed singer-songwriter Maggie Rogers may not be the most talked about release of the week since Future & Metro, but Don't Forget Me still Fans of her sparkling, passionate folky alternative pop will be delighted. Highlights of the yet-to-be-released songs from her 10-song third official LP include her Benatar-worthy 80s pop-rock blast “Drunk,” and the gentle Includes the tightly shuffled acoustic kiss-off “On & On & On.”
Party Next Door “Loose My Mind”
PartyNextDoor fans who want to hear the late-night singer-songwriter at his most carnal and unfiltered are encouraged by the recently released cover photo for his upcoming PartyNextDoor 4 album, which features a naked model shot from behind. There is no doubt that I have been encouraged, and perhaps even more encouraged. I was intrigued by the latest release of his hedonistic project, “Lose My Mind.” “F – kin' two b – hes at the time/ Couldn't make me select if it doesn't depend on my life,” he sings in the first verse, and things get even more lustful from there, with a DMX sample. Reaching the climax. “Party Up (Up in Here)” recontextualizes the song's classic hard-hitting hook as an expression of unbridled desire and sexual abandon.