The days are getting shorter, nights are getting colder. The latest lockdown is about to end and we can’t wait to be one step closer to hearing these new hits in the pubs and clubs. Here’s what this weeks New Music Friday has to offer:
Miley Cyrus – Plastic Hearts
After scrapping her planned trilogy of EPs in 2019, Miley Cyrus’ fans have been longing for a full body of work from the singer. Her last album, 2017’s Younger Now took a step back to her country roots, a move she’s since described as “making no sense”. The success of “Midnight Sky”, the album’s lead single released in August, was no surprise, as Cyrus sonically transported herself to a new era of music, and has since detailed her new album Plastic Hearts as the rock album she was born to make – and that, it is. Starting with the outrageously good headbanger track “WTF do i know”, Miley discusses her state of array following her public split from her husband last year, “am I wrong, cos’ I moved on and I don’t even miss you?”. “Angels Like You” is one of the child star’s most gut-wrenching ballads to date, and without doubt an album highlight.
Tinashe – Comfort and Joy
Tinashe soared to success last year with the release of her first album as an independent artist, Songs For You. Fans claimed this was the best work of her career, and have been hungry for more since. Whilst a new album isn’t here just yet, Tinashe did surprise her fans with a festive treat in the form of Comfort and Joy, a Christmas EP featuring both original songs and classic covers. “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” is the trap Christmas song we never knew we needed, and something like nothing we’ve heard before. Her cover of “Last Christmas” has the skeleton of the original, but has been reworked into a relaxed R&B banger with a soft chorus that is very pleasing to the ear.
Rina Sawayama – Lucid
British pop star Rina Sawayama gained a cult following and critical acclaim after releasing her debut album Sawayamaback in April, and she’s treating fans to a special deluxe version to close out the year next week. It will include four additional bonus tracks and 5 acoustic/remixed songs from the album. “Lucid”, one of the bonus tracks was released today and it’s very… meh. Rina has set the bar so high for herself, that this cheesy pop song feels like a complete miss for her, and is going to stand out like a sore-thumb on an album of stellar tracks. Although it’s produced by BloodPop, the hitmaker behind Lady Gaga’s spectacular Chromatica, this reeks of desperation for a hit and simply doesn’t meet the mark.
Which new release is your favourite? Let us know!
Featured image credit: Miley Cyrus via Twitter/@MileyCyrus
This article was published on HotShot, find it here.
Ben Wilkinson 