This week’s New Music Friday features the biggest release of the year so far: The Weeknd‘s Hurry Up Tomorrow.
Touted as his final album as The Weeknd, Abel Tesfaye has been one of the defining artists of his era, leading R&B and pop into murkier territory and this epic, nearly 90-minute odyssey is a perfect testament to his unique style.
Elsewhere, rap fans can enjoy the return of both EST Gee and MIKE, two rappers with very different styles but an example of the diversity within Hip Hop without losing any of its lineage.
Detroit standout BabyTron has also dropped a new EP, while if you like things a little more adventurous, then Pink Siifu has 19 new tracks to get lost in.
Check out all the new albums below and don’t miss this week’s New Music Friday singles spotlight featuring fresh tracks from Will Smith and Big Sean, Jim Jones, and Larry June, 2 Chainz and The Alchemist, among others.
The Weeknd — Hurry Up Tomorrow
Features: Travis Scott, Playboi Carti, Future, Lana Del Rey, Anitta, Florence & The Machine, Justice, Giorgio Moroder
Production: Metro Boomin, Pharrell, Mike Dean, Oneohtrix Point Never, The Weeknd
Label: XO / Republic Records
Purportedly the last of his releases under his Weeknd moniker, the Canadian singer and occasional actor has delivered 22 tracks of his trademark hedonistic R&B, fused with raucous dance and ’80s synths with help from an all-star roster of producers. The Future feature is transcendent.
Madvillain (MF DOOM & Madlib) — Madvillainy Demos
Features: N/A
Production: Madlib
Label: Stones Throw
Madvillainy is somehow 20 years old and this new release in celebration of the landmark album features demos and sketches of tracks that didn’t make the original tracklist, as well as alternate versions of classic cuts.
EST Gee — I Ain’t Feeling You
Features: Travis Scott, Lil Baby, Veeze, Rylo Rodriguez
Production: JohnGotitt, TM88, FOREVEROLLING, Moz, Dxntemadeit
Label: CMG / Interscope
EST Gee has been relatively quiet since his breakout 2022 and prolific 2023, but he’s back and has brought some heavyweight features with him in an attempt to restore his status as one of the hardest street rappers around.
MIKE — Showbiz!
Features: 454, Venna, duendita
Production: dj blackpower, dj paradise,
Label: 10k
The Bronx native (who also grew up in London and Philadelpia, among other cities) is one of the most underrated rappers in the game today, but his latest album Showbiz! attempts to kick him up a notch as his deceptively potent flow makes him something of a successor to MF DOOM.
BabyTron — Song Wars (EP)
Features: N/A
Production: Credits unavailable
Label: The Hip Hop Lab Records / EMPIRE
Pink Siifu — BLACK’!ANTIQUE
Features: Aaliyah, Big Rube, 454, Liv.e, BbyMutha, Jack Davey, Elheist
Production: Monte Booker, Kal Banx, Swarvy, Nick Hakim, Mario Luciano
Label: Dynamite Hill
Weeknd is one who became a star that I have never gotten. All his shit sounds the same, and he has no star power. Yet he’s one of the biggest stars of the last ten years.
lol it’s funny you said that because I dug that album, but yeah it is out there! It just feels like a trip away from the norm which is what gravitated me towards it.
THE MUSALINI x DJ SKIZZ The Pierre Hotel
MONDO SLADE Encyclopedia Slade
MARVALYSS Late Night Early Mornings 2
FINES DOUBLE Espejismo
CIRCA 97 Sicilian Summer
AJ SUEDE The Duke Of Downtempo EP
V DON Sent For EP
peace out.