Billboard’s Friday Music Guide serves as a handy guide to this Friday’s most essential releases — the key music that everyone will be talking about today, and that will be dominating playlists this weekend and beyond.
This week, Bruno Mars drops his first solo album in 10 years, BLACKPINK returns as a group with its third mini album and RAYE released the latest single from her forthcoming second album out in March… plus much more. Check out all of this week’s picks below:
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Bruno Mars, The Romantic
Bruno Mars made a strategic splash at the Grammys in January, not only opening the show with his and Rosé’s global smash “APT.” but also performing his new solo hit, “I Just Might,” later in the ceremony. The single not only debuted at No. 1 on the Hot 100 but also offered the only preview into his anticipated fourth album, The Romantic, out today. The nine-track project comes on the heels of a hot streak for hitmaker Mars, following his Lady Gaga collaboration “Die With a Smile” and, of course, “APT.” With his first solo project in a decade, Mars is affirming what we already know: the man’s a hit machine — and with tracks like the sweet opening serenade “Risk It All” and suave slow jam “God Was Showing Off” he reminds us that yes, he’s always been the romantic.
BLACKPINK, DEADLINE
Following impressive solo debuts for Lisa (Alter Ego), JENNIE (Ruby), Rosé (Rosie) and an EP for Jisoo (Amortage), the foursome better known as global sensation BLACKPINK is back with its third mini EP, DEADLINE. The five-track project includes the celebratory and energetic return single “JUMP” alongside “GO, “Me and my,” Champion and “Fxxxboy.” According to a statement from YG Entertainment, all five tracks were created over extended periods of time while DEADLINE as a whole showcases “BLACKPINK at its most radiant.”
RAYE, “Nightingale Lane.”
“This is a song about the greatest heartbreak I’ve ever known,” says RAYE, introducing her new single with an inviting intimacy that makes listeners feel like they’re eavesdropping on an open mic night. With “Nightingale Lane.” (which recalls the cadence and delivery of the tear-inducing “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going”) RAYE does what she does best and delivers a tale of heart ache with enough wisdom, hope and, of course, vocal power to help transform a painful memory into a performance that somehow leaves listeners uplifted. Fitting, for a single off an album titled This Music May Contain Hope.
Towa Bird, “Gentleman”
Pop-rocker and guitarist Towa Bird returns with one-off “Gentleman,” produced by Patrick Wimberly (MGMT, Blood Orange) and built around a rousing riff. The song balances the playfulness of its lyrics (Sharp shooter/ A breadwinner/ I’m toast) with the grungy brashness of its composition, resulting in a track that at just two minutes and 17 seconds begs to be replayed.
Elmiene, “Honour”
Ahead of Elmiene’s anticipated debut album, out in March, the British singer released a two-pack today including singles “Honour” and “I Want In.” Of his forthcoming album, Songs For Someone, the artist — and Billboard‘s R&B Rookie for February — said in a statement: “Making this album was painful, I felt lonely sometimes, I felt loved sometimes. I felt guilty sometimes and I felt forgiven sometimes but most of all it was an important duty to myself that I needed to fulfill.” On “Honour,” Elmiene tosses a coin with loneliness on one side and love on the other by attempting to stay true to a basic need, but not knowing which side will face up in doing so.
Angèle and Justice, “What You Want”
Belgian pop singer Angèle first broke out stateside with her Dua Lipa team-up “Fever” and now, she’s paired with iconic French duo Justice for the haunting and heavy “What You Want.” Angèle’s airy vocals perfectly contrast the harder-edged production, resulting in a track that sucks you into its mysterious world. After meeting backstage at Justice’s show, Angèle invited the pair to her studio to hear some demos she had been working on, including “What You Want.” As she shared in a statement: “I thought Justice could bring the electro-club expertise — and the tension — that were missing from that first version…They brought a power to the track that the intention and balance had been missing.”
