Friday is here and it is the start of the weekend, here are out top ten singles released today on New Music Fridays….
1. Tones and I release new single ‘Won’t Sleep’
Global superstar Tones And I has released her new single “Won’t Sleep,” which previews her widely anticipated full-length debut expected to arrive this year. “Won’t Sleep” is available now on all streaming platforms and accompanied by Tones And I, Nick Kozakis and Liam Kelly directed official music video, which is streaming on Tones And I’s YouTube channel.
“Won’t Sleep” is an entirely solo composition from Tones And I, reflecting the inimitable idiosyncrasies of her signature style, highlighting her clever lyricism, unpredictable songcraft, and indisputable knack for a hook. Born as a personal antidote to the Lockdown doldrums, “Won’t Sleep” might just be the perfect soundtrack to reopening the world.
Elaborating on “Won’t Sleep,” Tones and I shared, “I loved writing this song and playing around with the production, the bass, and the drums. It’s a song about me and my friends staying home and partying through lockdown.”
2. Surfaces drop their new single ‘Next Thing’
After making a huge splash with latest single Wave of You themulti-platinum-selling duo Surfaces – comprised of Forrest Frank and Colin Padalecki– drop new track Next Thing (Loverboy), now via 10K Projects/Homemade Projects – listen here. Written and produced by Forrest & Colin, the track is the perfect follow up to the infectious Wave of You.
The accompanying music video is the second installment in a cinematic storyline following a group of friends through love and heartbreak. Dive into part two of the story on YouTube, you can watch it below.
US fans will have the chance to see the new music performed live when Surfaces take to the stage for some newly announced live shows. The band recently announced their first live show of the year at Stubb’s in Austin, Texas on Friday 25thJune. Tickets are on sale now, here. Additionally, Surfaces will perform at Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival on 4th September in Tennessee, and Life is Beautiful Festival on 17th September in Las Vegas. Fans can expect more festival and tour date announcements to come soon.
Wave of You continues to rake in massive streaming numbers, hitting over 10 million global streams within just two weeks of release. The track marked the duo’s biggest solo debut to date and has been met with wide support across all major DSPs, including key playlists.
3. Lexi Berg shares new track ‘Into The Sea’
The Swedish-American singer-
Following months of being locked down alone in a dark flat writing music, now Lexi Berg is set to step fully into the spotlight as she shares her new single ‘Into The Sea’, alongside its official video. The powerful track is the first release under a new deal with the Warner Music UK label EastWest Records.
‘Into The Sea’ is a moody ‘70s-tinged widescreen soul-pop ballad that takes fresh inspiration from the classic song-writing and astute musicianship of the likes of Fleetwood Mac and ABBA. Composed at the piano in Jimmy Hogarth’s studio, the song draws us in with dramatic and mournful strings, amplified by Lexi’s Berg soaring and soulful vocals and haunting harmonies. ‘Into the Sea’ embodies Lexi’s emotional depth through her lyrical and melodic gift for merging sorrow and joy.
4. Lilhuddy releases acoustic version of ‘America’s Sweetheart’
Today, singer, songwriter and Polydor Records signing LILHUDDY (aka Chase Hudson) releases the acoustic version of his current single “America’s Sweetheart” along with an accompanying video. While the original track showcases a softer side to Chase’s artistry, the stripped back version of the song is equally powerful and perfectly highlights the vulnerability LILHUDDY implements into his music. The video for “America’s Sweetheart” (Acoustic) was filmed at the legendary Whiskey A-Go-Go in Los Angeles and the song is available now at all digital retail providers via Polydor Records.
LILHUDDY hit the ground running with the release of his first single “21st Century Vampire”, which has amassed over 25.6 million streams worldwide and over 8.6 million video views to date.
5. Jessica Wilde drops new single ‘Cruel’
The 3rd single taken from Wilde’s debut album, out later this year, ‘Cruel’ signals Wilde delving back into her first love, a toxic relationship that inspired a harnessing of her bisexual identity but also led her to addiction – a subject she’s tackling on her debut album.
On ‘Cruel’ Wilde collaborated with producer Jay Nebular and Grammy award winning producer Kiris Houston who have worked heavily with the likes of The Disciples and Little Mix. ‘Cruel’ has a nice lazy summer haze 90’s classic hip hop beat and r’n’b vibe where Jessica is at her most cutesy, sultry but equally dangerous as her lyrics offer a little sting in the tail as she questions, “Why you gotta be so cruel?” As she caresses every word and makes her ex-lover only dream about what could have been.
‘Cruel’ harks back to golden age tracks from the 90’s, then crescendos seamlessly into a modern sassy rap delivered in Wilde’s undeniable London twang where she defiantly triumphs as she lays down the law, “I gave you all of my power, but now I see all the ways that I cowered, and I’m taking it back, no longer the fool. Baby you’re cruel.”
The official visual tracks Jess wandering South London, paying homage to a nostalgic look & flava, shot on disposable cameras and VHS, it gives an authentic feel, themed throughout the album.
6. Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real ‘Leave ‘Em Behind’
Nelson shares, “Leave ‘Em Behind is one of my favourite tracks on the album. I wrote it about a friend who was in an abusive relationship…and as we saw the domestic abuse numbers climb during the pandemic, I was moved to write this song.”
The track is the second unveiled from the band’s highly anticipated new album, A Few Stars Apart, which will be released June 11 on Fantasy Records and is now available for pre-order. Already one of Rolling Stone’s “54 Most Anticipated Albums of 2021,” A Few Stars Apart is a testament to finding a human connection: between close family and friends, as well as one’s own heart. Produced by Grammy Award winning producer Dave Cobb, the album was inspired by the stillness Nelson found while riding out the beginning of the pandemic with his family in Texas and was recorded live on eight-track tape over three weeks at Nashville’s historic RCA Studio A.
Across the album’s eleven new songs, including lead single, Perennial Bloom (Back To You), the band reveals what it means to come home again, to be still, and to find community—and yourself. Released to critical acclaim, Rolling Stone praises Perennial Bloom, asserting, “the track explodes into a euphoric prediction of better days on the horizon…a tight, radio-ready single,” while American Songwriter declares, “Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real instil hope for a reconnected future.”
7. Sam Fisher shares his latest track ‘Simple’
Fresh off the back of his duet with Demi Lovato on ‘What Other People Say’ and his hit single ‘This City’ comes fan track ‘Simple’ – an ode to overcoming difficulties in relationships to bring it back to simpler times.
He said: “I wrote this song through one of my lower points of the last year, but it’s one of my favourite songs. Relationships have their struggles, even in normal times – and this year has been anything but normal. It’s hard to be there for someone when you’re struggling to be there for yourself. I’m grateful to be with an amazing woman who is willing to fight through the hard times to get back to the simple love that started everything.”
Sam’s debut single ‘This City’ is currently sitting on over 500 million worldwide streams and was Top 20 in the UK for 11 weeks. The track has gone double platinum in Australia, platinum in the UK and Gold in the US, New Zealand and Switzerland. He’s also had some incredible US TV performances on Ellen, Jimmy Kimmel and The Late Late Show With James Corden.
Australian born Sam Fischer first introduced himself with his Not A Hobby EP and has garnered incredible attention through his soulful voice and heartfelt lyrics. Touring North America with his friend Lewis Capaldi, he wowed crowds with his buoyant personality and pure love and talent for song-writing. Now based in LA, he not only has received acclaim for his own work, but he continues to solidify his spot as one of the hottest current writers, having worked with global pop superstars including Ciara, Lennon Stella, Louis Tomlinson, Elle King, Jessie J, Virginia To Vegas and many more.
8. Maddox Jones releases ‘Can’t Wait For Summer’
Maddox Jones is bringing some much-needed optimism to listeners this season, with the release of his latest single: “Can’t Wait for the Summer”.
A breezy and bittersweet ode to simpler times, the track captures in song our collective desire to escape the trials and tribulations of the past year and enjoy carefree summer days once again. Jones’ latest single sees the singer-songwriter reminiscing about romantic memories over a vibrant palette of guitar, synths and vocal harmonies, as he recalls “dreaming the day away into an 8-track recorder, wishing you were mine”. Masterfully bringing together a carefree pop vibe with subtle notes of nostalgia, Maddox Jones is helping the nation push through these final few weeks of lockdown with “Can’t Wait for the Summer”.
“This release is a fun, optimistic guitar driven pop record perfect for now as we all can’t wait for this summer and for lockdown to finally be over!” – Maddox Jones on “Can’t Wait for the Summer”
Formerly the frontman of lauded indie-rock outfit The Departure, Maddox Jones made his solo debut in 2020. After experimenting successfully with a synth-led electronic sound in the “Headspace” EP, Jones is proving his versatility and range by moving into new sonic territory and breaking new musical ground. “Can’t Wait for the Summer” is a glorious guitar-driven pop record, built on incredibly catchy melodies and an anthemic, radio-ready chorus that’s begging to be blasted from the speakers at Glastonbury’s main www. Co-produced by Billy Lockett and David Crawford and mixed by Ed Buller, known for his work with Suede, Pulp, and White Lies, the track brings together polished production, heartfelt songwriting and authentic emotion to produce what’s undoubtedly one of 2021’s brightest new pop songs.
9. AU/RA releases new track ‘Bite Marks’
Fresh from the release of her single ‘Dead Girl! (Shake My Head)’ and her feature on the Jax Jones radio smash ‘i miss u’ comes ‘Bite Marks’ – a hypnotic alt-pop track with a psychedelic visual focusing on the sting of a heartbreak that you knew was coming.
Written in LA with CJ Baran, the pair penned the entire song the first day they met. The video was recorded in her home country of Antigua, where Au/Ra has spent all of her time through lockdown. She said:
“Bite Marks is about letting someone into your life knowing they could hurt you – that fear becoming reality, and feeling stupid for letting it happen. It’s about playing the fool, knowingly, and having to grow and live with the bite marks that leaves behind.”
10. The Howlers release ‘Lost Without You’
Following the release of their latest single ‘I Don’t Love You All The Time’, critically acclaimed and supported by Steve Lamacq on BBC 6 Music, London desert-rockers The Howlers have today announced their debut EP ‘The Sum of Our Fears’, due for release on August 26th. Additionally, a hand numbered limited edition 12” vinyl of the EP will be available via Blood Records. Pre-order here.
Produced and mixed by Theo Verney (Lazarus Kane, FEET, FUR) and Tarek Musa (Circa Waves, Kagoule) at Echo Zoo Studios, and mastered at Third Man Records, the EP tackles navigating through struggles in life by remembering to find light in darkness, searching for beauty in despair.
Infectious new single ‘Lost Without You’ also drops today. Over upbeat guitar, thudding drums and a pulsating bass line, the track is neatly completed by frontman Adam Young’s punk rock croon as he sings of overcoming the fear of failure.
Speaking about the track, Adam Young says “‘Lost Without You’ represents understanding what you really want out of life, and realising what you may want might not be all it’s cracked up to be. Just because something is right for one person does not mean it’s necessarily right for you and that no matter how many times you may get knocked down you get back up, that you shouldnt be scared to fail and find the strength to face up to your fears and carve your own path through life.”
He adds “All of us have been picked on at some stage for whatever reason, we as a band know that better than most, the petty playground rubbish you should only have to put up with as kids, but in all that hate is where you find the confidence to form your own identity and believe in yourself.”
