I’ve never been in love, but people have told me it’s a sensational rush that’s easy to get lost in, yet hard to fully describe. That’s exactly how I feel every time I listen to new music.
And it’s not just one genre of music. I can lose myself in any song that makes me feel or allows me to relate to it. Alternative, indie, R&B, rap, pop, reggaeton, country, EDM, I’ll listen to it all.
I’ve felt that connection all my life. When I was 6 years old, I snuck my CD player underneath my pillow so I could fall asleep listening to Dream Street, my then-favorite boy band. My parents caught me after I started sobbing listening to “It Happens Every Time.” They rushed into my room with fears that I was dying, saw the headphones over my ears, and called me dramatic.
While I cry way less now (maybe), music still gives me that same emotional connection.
Every Thursday I force myself to stay awake long enough to see the clock, or more accurately my cell phone, hit midnight. That’s when new music swarms Apple Music’s catalog. I start listening and downloading as I go. It’s like a weekly Secret Santa; I never know what I’m going to get or who I’m going to get it from.
This week, New Music Friday was full of surprises.
When I saw Céline Dion’s name on Apple Music’s “Hot Tracks” list, I lost it. I grew up screaming the lyrics to “My Heart Will Go On” whenever it came on (apologies to anyone in my life who had to endure that). I idolized her and now, in 2019, I get to do it all over again. So, Céline, the little girl in me thanks you.
I continued to scroll down the new music playlist and saw collaborations that brought together Ed Sheeran and Khalid, and reunited controversial superstars Chris Brown and Justin Bieber. I found new artists that I’m excited to dig into and I became fans of artists I had never liked before because they decided to try something different.
I stay up for Friday every week anyways, in anticipation of new music releases. Now, I get to do it with purpose and share my thoughts.
Welcome to my New Music Friday Breakdown.
THE BREAKDOWN
“Big, Big Plans” by Chris Lane
- The Country music star wrote this song for Lauren Bushnell, former “The Bachelor” winner and now Lane’s fiancé. He played it for her in her parent’s backyard, surrounded by family, before he got down on one knee and proposed. They shared the video on social media and music fans all over the country begged the singer to release it. A sincere and endearing love letter to the “love of his life,” I anticipate Lane’s newest song will be used for proposals and weddings for years to come.
“Tea” by Lacy Cavalier
- While I may have never heard of the described country singer until Friday, a quick Google search told me she is a 22-year-old native of Louisiana. This song is a representation of the famous “sipping tea” meme that shows Kermit The Frog sipping a glass of Lipton tea (the Internet’s favorite shorthand for gossip). While no part of the song screams “country” to me, it is a soon-to-be pop hit. With lyrics like “Let me serve you some tea, I know the truth can be a little hard to drink,” Cavalier is spilling the truth on a guy who seems to be no good. I’m not sure what the young singer’s future holds, but I liked the song enough to download it to my personal library.
“LOVE AGAIN” by Daniel Caesar featuring Brandy
- Sweet and sexy with a touch of the ’90s, this song is a sultry combination with vocals from the soulful Caesar, of Canada, and 1990s R&B star Brandy (Norwood). Warning: One listen to this seductive track and you will immediately want to call your ex. The singing duo call back to each other throughout the song and create a relatable experience while you listen. Simple yet emotional, the song will make you want to find love again.
“Beautiful People” by Ed Sheeran featuring Khalid
- Music superstars Sheeran and Khalid teamed up and take a meaningful dive into what life is like in the celebrity world. I anticipated this release for a while, given it is the third track released from Sheeran’s “No.6 Collaborations Project.” While I very much enjoy the meaning behind it, I was a little disappointed in the song itself. It lacked the soul that I expect from both artists. It’s a definite hit song, but it’s less R&B than I was expecting. With a good-vibe beat and lyrics like “Beautiful people, drop-top designer clothes, front row at fashion shows ‘What d’you do?’ and ‘Who d’you know?’, inside the world of beautiful people,” the duo definitely made a statement.
“Don’t Check On Me” by Chris Brown featuring Justin Bieber and Ink
- Even though both music icons carry significant baggage outside of the recording studio, you can’t deny either artist’s talent. Brown and Bieber are known for making the news with breakups, bad behavior and worse drawing headlines that nearly damaged their careers. While Brown released a full album on Friday titled “Indigo,” this collaboration was one that stuck out to me the most. It was a genuine look into how the “ghosts of their past” made each feel. The simple guitar strumming makes listeners hone in on the words and listen to what they have to say.
“Flying On My Own” by Céline Dion (David Audé remix)
- I can’t lie, this New Music Friday addition was my favorite. It’s Dion’s first release since her French album in 2016, shortly after her husband and manager René Angélil died, and it is a future club super-hit. When I clicked and had my first listen, at 12:15 a.m., I couldn’t control myself and immediately started to dance around. With simple lyrics like “I’m flying on my own on the wings of your love,” it’s a song that lets everyone know she is ready to carry on after losing her husband. I can’t wait for the moment I walk into a club and this song comes on. I’ll be “flying on my own” straight to the dance floor.
“I Am Yours” by Andy Grammer
- I’m not usually a fan of the singer-songwriter-producer known for hits like “Keep Your Head Up” and “Honey, I’m Good,” but this emotional ballad blew me away. The piano keys, strong vocals and heart-wrenching lyrics make for the perfect first dance wedding song. If the music video for this song is not set at a wedding, I will be genuinely angry. Dancing around, surrounded by your loved ones, to lyrics like “You take my breath away every night, still can’t believe it when you say you’re mine,” will turn your guests into blubbering messes.
“Best Friend” by Ingrid Michaelson
- The singer-songwriter released a whole album, titled “Stranger Songs,” which is her musical interpretation of the critically-acclaimed Netflix show “Stranger Things.” While the whole album is astounding — seriously, give it a listen — I felt more of a connection with “Best Friend,” a love song worthy of the show’s characters Eleven and Mike. The groovy-cool beat and specific lyrics, “Your touch is electric, I’m so obsessed, I die when you say my name,” prove Michaelson is a true fangirl of the series.
“Ur So Beautiful” by Grace VanderWaal
- The New York native gained fame after winning the 11th season of America’s Got Talent with just her vocals and a ukulele at the young age of 12. Now 15, the singer-songwriter is establishing herself as an artist in her own terms. While I appreciated her talents, I wasn’t a fan of her music until this song. I felt as though she spent the last three years keeping it simple and this is the first time she branched out and really went for it. With a perfect beat, relatable lyrics, and sultry vocals, this song will give VanderWaal the popstar status she’s been fighting for.
