Lyrical Muse

From heartbreak ballads and brat-pop anthems to dancefloor bangers and pop comebacks, this week’s New Music Friday is bursting at the seams.

Whether you’re spiraling in a New York City subway (hi, Chappell Roan), yelling into the void with Charlotte Sands, chasing adrenaline with Demi Lovato, or letting loose with Rema’s summer-ready anthem, there’s something in here to match every mood swing and dance break.

Here’s your rundown of the four standout drops we can’t stop spinning today.

Charlotte Sands —”neckdeep”

Alt-pop powerhouse Charlotte Sands kicks off this week’s New Music Friday with a bang. Her brand new single “neckdeep” is an electrifying dose of bratty hyper-pop meets brooding alt-rock—pure catharsis in song form. Fresh off the heels of June’s “HUSH” and in the middle of her nationwide idobi Radio Summer School Tour, Charlotte is clearly not slowing down. Packed with gut-punch honesty and explosive hooks, “neckdeep” dives into the chaos of feeling invisible in a relationship, teetering between heartbreak and fury. It’s raw, loud, and wildly infectious—just the way we like our brat rock summer soundtracks.

Chappell Roan — “The Subway”

After over a year of teasing it live, Chappell Roan’s long-awaited heartbreak anthem “The Subway” has finally arrived—fashionably late, of course, but every bit worth the wait. First premiered at Gov Ball 2024 (yes, the Statue of Liberty cosplay one), the fan-favorite ballad now gets its official studio debut. Feeling equally aching and defiant, “The Subway” captures the slow, soul-crushing process of moving on in a city that never lets you forget. With sweeping vocals and a cinematic outro, Roan turns everyday heartache into something mythic. It’s raw, theatrical, and totally hers—another dazzling melodious stop on the pop star’s rising journey.

Demi Lovato — “Fast”

Demi Lovato is back, and this time, she’s speeding straight into pop territory. Her new single “Fast” marks her first true pop release in three years, trading guitars for glittery synths and unleashing a high-energy, club-ready anthem that feels like a confident homecoming. Built on pulsing beats and sky-high hooks, “Fast” is everything you’d want from a dance-pop revival: flirty, bold, and totally unapologetic. After her rock era and a symbolic “funeral” for pop, Demi’s latest track proves she’s not just back in the genre—she’s owning it.

Rema — “KELEBU”

Rema is here to soundtrack your summer dance floor and possibly make you $10K richer. His latest single “KELEBU” is a vibrant, horn-laced banger drawing on the infectious rhythms of Bouyon, Makossa and Coupé-décalé—bringing a pan-African-Caribbean energy straight to your speakers. Rooted in nostalgia, “KELEBU” taps into the kind of carefree school party vibes Rema grew up dancing to, even without knowing the lyrics. Now, he’s paying it forward—with a massive TikTok dance challenge and a track that feels like a full-body celebration.

That’s a wrap on this week’s NMF picks. Don’t forget to check out our NMF playlist on Spotify!

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