New Music Friday is here, and this week’s releases have a little something for every kind of listener. From LISA’s long-awaited solo return and Julia Gartha’s candid reflections on change to Panchiko’s latest indie offering, there’s plenty to add to your rotation.
We’re also getting a first taste of Jez Williams stepping out on his own, making this Friday a good one for discovering what happens when artists explore new creative territory.
Ready to find your next repeat-worthy track? Let’s get into this week’s picks.
LISA – Press Play
LISA is back with Press Play, her first solo release in a year and eight months, and her first EP following her debut solo album, Alter Ego. Released on 23 October, the six-track project is led by “Tarantino”, which arrives with a new music video, alongside tracks including “V12”, “Cobra”, “Cut U Off” and “Sweat”.
The EP also features “SaWaDiKa”, released in September, which made history as LISA’s highest-charting solo track on the Billboard Hot 100, debuting at No. 69. With Press Play, the BLACKPINK star opens her next solo chapter following a major win at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards, where she took home Best Pop for “Dream”.
Julia Gartha – California’s Killing Me
Ever felt stuck between the life you have and the one you wish you were living? Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter and producer Julia Gartha explores that feeling on her new six-track EP, California’s Killing Me, with the focus track “Not In The Room” turning its attention to the uncertainty of a long-distance relationship.
Blending pop, indie and folk influences, Gartha pairs candid, conversational songwriting with modern production to capture the frustration of missing someone who may not miss you quite as much. It’s an honest take on distance, longing and the uncomfortable realisation that sometimes, you’re ready for more than what you’re getting.
Jez Williams – “Hollow Man”
Doves guitarist Jez Williams is stepping into the spotlight on his own with “Hollow Man”, the first glimpse of his debut solo album, Life Of Me And You, due on 26 February 2027. Built around a heavier guitar riff, the single tackles the overwhelming noise of modern life, offering a more personal side to the musician known for his work with Doves, Sub Sub and Black Rivers.
The 10-track album marks a new chapter for Williams, who has spent decades shaping the sound of other projects and is now putting his own experiences front and centre.
Panchiko – “One Car Hits Another”
Nottingham indie band Panchiko are back with “One Car Hits Another”, featuring Mei Semones, the lead single from their upcoming album Chimera, out 9 April via Nettwerk. A glitchy, fatalistic shuffle that balances Britpop grandeur with the off-kilter indie sounds of Grandaddy and The Flaming Lips, the track turns an unlikely premise into something both dizzying and strangely romantic.
It offers a first taste of the band’s new 13-track project, which moves between hazy shoegaze, hip-hop and melodic pop while continuing to explore the unconventional sound that has earned Panchiko a global following.
Which release has made it onto your playlist this Friday? Tell us your picks on X and Instagram, and head over to Lyrical Muse for more music news, reviews and discoveries.
Missed our previous New Music Friday? Catch up here and keep up with the latest releases!
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