This week’s longlist of #NewMusicFriday single and album releases appears at the bottom of the page, but first, a few highlights…
Ariana Grande shocked the world at the beginning of October when she tweeted that her sixth studio album is coming out… this month! That follows next week, while this #NewMusicFriday we’re getting the title track, Positions, produced by Ari’s longtime collaborator Tommy Brown (Thank U Next, 7 Rings, Boyfriend) and producer/rapper London On Da Track (DaBaby, Summer Walker). Can Ariana claim her seventh UK Number 1 single with Positions?
KSI is also releasing a huge new track this week, Really Love featuring UK R&B legend Craig David and electronic producer Digital Farm Animals. The rapper and YouTuber has scored two UK Top 10 singles so far in 2020 and has the highest-charting debut album of the year by a British solo artist.
Other acts releasing tracks this week include Kylie Minogue, Little Mix, Arlo Parks, Paloma Faith, Zedd ft. Griff, Marshmello & Imanbek ft. Usher, and Easy Life.
On the albums front, Bruce Springsteen only dropped an album last June, but is already releasing another in the form of 20th studio album Letter To You. Described as a "milestone release" and "one of the finest achievements of Bruce Springsteen’s career" by critics, Letter To You for Bruce harks back to styling heard on his third studio album Born To Run. 2019’s Western Stars became The Boss’ 11th UK Number 1 album, making him just one of seven acts to manage that amount or more.
Known for guesting on everyone else’s songs and not often releasing his own as a lead artist, the shoe is on the other foot this week for Ty Dolla $ign, who releases the brilliantly titled album Featuring Ty Dolla $ign. The album includes his only UK Top 40 hit as a headline act Ego Death ft. Kanye West, FKA Twigs & Skrillex, plus collaborations with Post Malone, Future, Kid Cudi and Nicki Minaj.
Another album with an incredible roll call of featured artists is virtual band Gorillaz’s seventh studio album Song Machine, Season One: Strange Times. Tapping into everything from electronica and synth pop to punk rock, the 11-track (17-track for the deluxe) collection features Sir Elton John, Robert Smith of The Cure, Joan as Police Woman, St Vincent, Skepta and Kano.
Other acts releasing albums this week include dance legends Faithless, Southend rockers Nothing But Thieves, US folk singer Laura Viers, and classical legend Russell Watson.
