.jpg)
BTS member J-Hope's first solo track in the group's second chapter, a Beyoncé anthem, a long-awaited Dove Cameron single… the past two weeks of new music have been full-throttle, and our hearts and playlists are full.
There's a little something for everyone in this roundup: cinematic music videos, poppy revenge bops, high-key piano rock, and even some playful cannibalism. Check out the best new music we're listening to lately:
J-Hope, “More”
The first solo release to come after BTS's chapter two announcement, J-Hope's “More” continues rapper and dancer Jung Hoseok's penchant for old school hip-hop and playful lyricism. He's in rare form on “More” — gone are the bright colors and sunshiney grins, and in their place is a grungy rock ‘n roll vibe complete with moody eyeshadow and lyrics about ambition, taking risks, and a certain vital recklessness. It's all intensely cool and weird in a refreshing way, and we're excited to see where he goes on upcoming solo album Jack in the Box, out July 15.
Beyoncé, “Break My Soul”
By now, we've all listened to “Break My Soul," Beyoncé's latest single with the icon Big Freedia, and while everyone has their own thoughts about it, there's no denying Bey has a vice grip on the song of the summer. “Break My Soul” is the beginning of her next era, Renaissance, and the song is an anthem for refusing to let the world get to you. Combining endlessly danceable house music-infused with some especially fun-to-scream lines ("You said you outside but you ain't that outside," for one), the song already feels like it's everywhere, rightfully so.
Charlie Puth ft. Jungkook, “Left and Right”
Elsewhere in BTS members doing fun stuff, Jungkook teamed up with Charlie Puth (who he has long admired) for the infectious hit “Left and Right," about being obsessed with a past love after they're gone. The music video will have you grinning without being able to stop yourself — the pair have an undeniable chemistry as they dance around a sparse room (and bonus points for Jungkook's lip ring being the main character).
UMI, “wish that i could”
To close out Pride month, UMI dropped a music video for one of their best songs to date, “wish that i could.” She's made a song perfect for a queer summer romance, and that's the theme of the video: sleeping in cars, running in fields, that cinematic love story that everyone deserves, no matter who you love. “Desire is universal, attraction is attraction, and I simply wanted to showcase that through this video," UMI said in a press statement. "Love who you want to love, be who you want to be, and do it out of love."
City Girls ft. Usher, “Good Love”
City Girls and Usher team up for a fun, nostalgia-influenced summer collab in “Good Love,” a song that feels straight out of the best parts of the ‘90s. The music video has it all (roller skates, house parties, cookouts, City Girls) and everyone looks like they’re having a hell of a time. We are, too.
Sabrina Carpenter, “Vicious”
Sabrina's new album is fast approaching with the forthcoming “Emails I Can't Send” dropping on July 15. In the meantime, bop along to new single “Vicious,” a pop song in the vein of her frequent collaborator Julia Michaels, all choppy, concise barbs with a catchy chorus. Sabrina sounds more herself than ever before with “Vicious” and the previously released “Skinny Dipping” and “Fast Times,” and it's so fun to watch her grow in confidence with each subsequent drop.
Ambré, “Wild Life…”
Ambré is a supremely visual artist who loves context and history and drawing connections most won't see — and those gifts are in full view on her recent album 3000°. A new visual for song “Wild Life…” highlights New Orleans culture and her own background in the city (members of her family also make special appearances). It's a cinematic experience, letting us in on the vision of an artist who has such a special attention to detail: the ruby strawberries on a white plate next to boys lying in the grass or a parade of dancers in vivid costume, vibrant scenes of life.
Dove Cameron, “Breakfast”
The TikTok sound excerpt for Dove Cameron's new single “Breakfast” has been haunting us for weeks now, and finally we have the full song to fully embrace Dove's new era (recently kicked off by the excellent “Boyfriend”). It's a rare TikTok-teased song that delivers on its promise — Dove's theatrical background lends a perfect amount of confident vengeance to the track about eating a boy for, well, breakfast: “I never said it's right, but I'm gonna keep doing it.”
Hayley Kiyoko, “Deep in the Woods”
The next single from Hayley Kiyoko's forthcoming Panorama, “Deep in the Woods” and its eerie music video detail a love that's all-encompassing, so good it had to be from another life. The song, with lo-fi beats and subtle pop production, "captures the feeling of instant connection, as if you've known someone forever even though you’ve only just met,” Hayley said in a press statement. “It feels as if your entire being is haunted by their presence wherever you go. It's that instantaneous moment of knowing you are willing to do anything to be with the one you love.”
Ethan Bortnick, “engravings”
Piano prodigy Ethan Bortnick has been a performing pianist since early childhood, but he's recently been taking over TikTok with his Billie Eilish-esque song structure and uniquely chaotic piano elements. “Engravings” is a sick start to a pop music career, and the frantic piano just gives it so much dimension — we'll be interested to see what he does next.
Tiesto, Charli XCX, “Hot In It”
And to close us out, a new dance collaboration from the DJ Tiesto and Charli XCX, who just keeps cranking out hit after hit. No more tears, no more insecurities, no more second chances. Just pure dancefloor catharsis and outfit confidence. It's what we deserve.
