Music Monday: 5 Must-Hear New Releases

As schedules begin to fill up and workloads start to get heavier, we slowly become disconnected from the outside world and start living in the stressful little world known as “deadlines.” Now that it’s midterm season and things have started to get busier, I’ve noticed that I haven’t been as connected to the pop culture world as I usually am. I keep missing out on album releases or new singles from artists and I realize that I have been missing a lot of very good things. If any of you are like me and get extreme musical FOMO, don’t you worry, ‘cause I’m here to make sure that you don’t miss out on the next best thing. I present to you a compilation of the best new releases from the past few months (that you may or may not have missed) to make sure your Spotify playlists always stay fresh. Enjoy!1. John Mayer – Love on The WeekendThat’s right, ladies and gentlemen— your favourite heartbreaking crooner is back and, dare I say, better than ever! Having not released any new music since 2013, Mayer has returned from hiatus with his new single from his upcoming album “Love on The Weekend.” The song is a little bit country and a little bit soft rock, but entirely perfect. It is sure to make you want to find someone you love and never let them go.If you like this, try listening to these songs by John Mayer: Slow Dancing In A Burning Room, Paper Doll, All We Ever Do Is Say Goodbye.2. The xx – On HoldSince the release of their second studio album “Coexist” in 2012, The xx has made their name as the go-to artists for dynamic songs surrounding themes of lust, loneliness, and love. The Indie Pop trio became residents on the summer festival scene and now they’re back to show us once again that they are still cooler than us all. The new song is similar to previous music, but this time they are edgier and bolder, continually proving that things always get better with age.If you like this, try listening to these songs by The xx: Crystalized, Angels, Intro.3. Childish Gambino – Me and Your MamaI’m not going to lie to you when I say that I almost cried when I found out that Childish Gambino was coming out with new music. Gambino, whose real name is Donald Glover, has been mum on whether or not Gambino would ever return and he even went as far as hinting that he was done with music for good. Luckily for us, he was just being coy, because this new musical direction may just be some of his greatest work ever. The new song takes a different route from previous tracks, bringing forward a new harmony of funky, soulful, bluesy, rock-ballad-esque sounds. If the song is any indicator for what his new album is going to be like, one thing’s for sure: it’s going to be epic.If you like this, try listening to these songs by Childish Gambino: Bonfire, Sober, IV. Sweatpants.4. LÉON – Think About YouThe latest single from the up-and-coming Swedish singer has been out for a couple months now, but I only just heard this recently and I had to include it on this list. The somber song delves into the difficult situation of defining a relationship and it is a must-hear for anyone who has ever been in that sticky situation. Are we dating? Are we not? Are we just friends? Either way, you can’t stop thinking of each other and you are the only thing on the other’s mind. This song is beautiful and unforgettable and it sets the tone for the incredible career that LÉON is sure to have.If you like this, try listening to these songs by LÉON: Tired of Talking, Treasure, Dreams.5. Secrets – The WeekndYes, I know— you’ve all already been grooving along to every single that The Weeknd has released from his newest album, “Starboy,” but this song has to be his grooviest yet. The album is a little more pop and less R&B, but he manages to do this without appearing like a sellout. He doesn’t compromise his hip-hop roots and he blends the two genres so beautifully together, leaving you wondering why all songs can’t sound this good. “Secrets” is sure to be the next house-party banger and I promise you are never going to get tired of hearing it.If you like this, try listening to these songs by The Weeknd: Shameless, The Morning, Kiss Land.Happy listening!Maddy WrightMusic Editor