New Music Releases from Sabrina Carpenter, Lainey Wilson, Coldplay & More

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, Sabrina Carpenter releases her new full-but-not-too-full-length album, while Lainey Wilson captures two years’ worth of career highlights on her latest LP. Coldplay leads a global All-Star prayer circle, and much more.

The wait is over for Sabrina Carpenter fans: “Short n’ Sweet” is here. Following consecutive hits “Espresso” and “Please Please Please,” this release includes 10 more pop gems. These range from the potential third single “Taste” to the acoustic betrayal-themed “Coincidence,” and the ’80s pop-funk of “Bed Chem.” Fans of Carpenter’s catchy and seductive singles, combined with clever and revealing lyrics, will find much to enjoy in “Short n’ Sweet.” The only downside is its brevity.

Lainey Wilson’s career since her 2022 breakthrough LP “Bell Bottom Country” has indeed been a whirlwind. Her latest album, aptly titled “Whirlwind,” reflects her journey over the past two years filled with hits, gigs, cameos, and accolades. Wilson’s confidence shines through on tracks like the defiant “Country’s Cool Again,” the Jerry Reed-inspired “Ring Finger,” and the energetic lead single “Hang Tight Honey.” However, she acknowledges her limitations, expressing in the opening track that she can’t keep up with the fast pace forever.

Few might have expected Chris Martin and company to release a New Music Friday single featuring an international ensemble of singers and rappers, but Coldplay has a knack for embracing younger artists and new sounds. Their latest song, “We Pray,” features voices from around the globe, with Martin delivering an uplifting message: “We’ll be singing, Baraye!” over a beat co-produced by Max Martin. This anticipated track is set to be part of the band’s upcoming album “Mood Music,” due in October.

U.K. rapper Central Cee celebrates his milestone achievement of a billion streams with two new releases: “Billion Streams Freestyle” and “Bolide Noir.” The former track is a jubilant celebration, while the latter features a collaboration with Paris rapper JRK 19 and presents a more reflective side to Cee’s music. These releases offer another testament to Central Cee’s rising status as an exciting new rapper.

In a year filled with significant pop breakthroughs, one emerging artist has been Mk.gee, whose debut album “Two Star & The Dream Police” has garnered a dedicated following. Mk.gee, also known as Mike Gordon, returns with “Lonely Fight,” a beautifully composed song featuring emotional guitar sounds and a warm fretless bass. Gordon’s evocative crooning and open-ended lyrics make this a must-listen track for his growing fanbase.

For fans of the New Radicals, the wait for new music has been long — since their 1998 debut album “Maybe You’ve Been Brainwashed Too,” which included the enduring hit “You Get What You Give.” Recently, they debuted two new songs: “Murder on the Dancefloor” and “Lost Stars.” These are covers of earlier works by frontman Gregg Alexander but still offer something fresh for fans. The band hopes to inspire democracy and encourage artists to get out and vote with these new releases.

Source: Billboard