This week’s Friday Music Guide features the highly anticipated return of a pop superstar and a new album from his former bandmate — but which of the buzzy picks is your favorite new music of the week?
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Harry Styles unleashed “Aperture,” the new single from his forthcoming fourth studio album, Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally, which he recently announced a seven-city residency for. A cinematic, Aube Perrie-directed music video arrived Friday afternoon (Jan. 23).
Styles isn’t the only One Direction alum to share new music this week. January Billboard cover star Louis Tomlinson released his third solo album, How Do I Get Here? The confessional new set follows his last studio LP, 2022’s Faith In the Future, which hit No. 5 on the Billboard 200. Three major full-length releases also came from the R&B side this week: Ari Lennox’s seductive Vacancy, Camper’s smooth Campilation and Nija’s hip-hop-infused What I Didn’t Say. Buzzy country newcomer Kashus Culpepper also dropped his 18-track debut album, Act I.
Speaking of bands that defined the 2010s, Arctic Monkeys also returned with “Opening Night,” their contribution to the forthcoming sequel to the 1995 Help compilation, benefiting the War Child charity. Titled Help (2), the new set will feature appearances by Pulp, Fontaines D.C., Olivia Rodrigo and more.
On the other end of the musical spectrum, Japanese vocal group XG unveiled their long-awaited debut full-length, The Core, which includes the fiery new focus track “Hypnotize.”
This New Music Friday also featured new singles from Holly Humberstone (“To Love Somebody”), Fred again.. & Young Thug (“Scared”), Cleo Sol (“Nothing Is Impossible With You”), Ashley McBryde (“What If We Don’t”), Joyce Wrice (“Break Me In”), James Blake (“Death of Love”) and Jessie Ware (“I Could Get Used to This”).
But which was your favorite of the week? Below, you can vote for one of our half-dozen Friday Music Guide selections or write in your own in our poll. We’ll close the poll on Sunday and share the results so fans can see which release wears the weekly crown.