The 6th edition of our New Music Friday series has arrived! Every Friday, we’ll share ten new releases you should know. Read New Music Friday 006:

1. Sam Smith – Gloria

Sam Smith released their fourth studio album, Gloria, today via Capitol Records. The album includes the new Calvin Harris-produced single “I’m Not Here To Make Friends,” written with Stargate and Jessie Reyez. The accompanying video for the song features Smith emerging from a helicopter at a costume ball held at a historic English estate and is directed by Ukrainian director Tanu Muiño. The album also includes “Gimme” feat. Koffee and Jessie Reyez and the GRAMMY-nominated, RIAA-certified Platinum single “Unholy” feat. Kim Petras. Smith embarked on this album with a self-appointed challenge of not writing a heartbreak album and sees it as a personal revolution and coming of age. Stream Gloria here.

2. Blake Ruby – “Our Bed”

Indie artist Blake Ruby returns with a stunningly-beautiful new single, “Our Bed.” An ode to his relationship and partner, the Maryland artist captures the solitude of his late-night introspective thoughts as the warmth and peace of his partner sustains him. A lullaby-tinged production masterpiece toeing the line between acoustic piano moments and indie-electronic textures, Ruby’s vocal range, and soothing voice deliver a must-hear track. Stream the single here.

3. Riovaz – “U Neva”

Rising artist Riovaz has released his new single, “U Neva,” showcasing his penchant for minimalist production and eclectic soundscapes. Teased over a year ago with fans eagerly awaiting its release, “U Neva” explores manipulation and loveless romance, with lyrics that are both lively and tinged with loathing. The New Jersey native’s momentum continues since his 2020 hit “Prom Night,” which has clocked nearly 125 million Spotify streams. The last offering ahead of his upcoming debut EP, Riovaz kicks off his “RIORAVE” US headlining tour in February 2023, which will include sold-out shows in Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago, before heading overseas in March. Stream “U Neva,” out now via Darkroom/Geffen Records here.

4. Kimbra – A Reckoning

Two-time GRAMMY award-winning artist Kimbra releases her new album, A Reckoning, via Inertia/PIAS. The introspective 10-track album features Pink Siifu, Erick The Architect, and Ryan Lott, and is a reflection of the personal and professional changes that Kimbra has gone through since her 2018 album. Oozing sonic grandeur, Kimbra world-builds while simultaneously mining the depths of her life and the various events catalyzing change on a global scale. Throughout, she explores themes of femininity, motherhood, the meaning of being a woman in her 30s, and the idea of a reckoning–that moment just before you break and decide how to react. My early favorite? “Gun.” Stream the full album here.

5. khai dreams – Absolute Heartbreak

Oregon-based artist khai dreams released their debut album, Absolute Heartbreak, via AWAL Recordings, an emotive and introspective journey through self-identity, relationships, and hitting rock bottom, set to the backdrop of their signature “unhinged bedroom pop” sound. The album features previously released tracks such as “Panic Attack,” “Rats,” and “Bugs,” which is shared alongside a new lyric video for “Not Enough” featuring illustrations and animations from Yana Pan. khai, a non-binary, half-Vietnamese American artist, found solace in the internet as a teenager, using sites like Gaia Online and Runescape to explore different identities and find comfort. They began releasing music from their bedroom in 2017 and saw breakout success with singles like “I Hold You Close To Me” and “Lost In You,” followed by a collaborative EP in 2018. Their EP, Now and Then, released in 2019, featured the hit track “Sunkissed,” which has garnered nearly 200 million streams on Spotify and has been used in over 140,000 videos on TikTok. Stream the album here.

6. ¿Téo? – “A Mi Cama”

Colombian-American singer-songwriter ¿Téo? has released a new single, “A Mi Cama,” from his upcoming album Luna. The song was produced by Colombia-based Golden and executive producer Blanda and was inspired by a night out with a girl while ¿Téo? was visiting his family in Medellín, Colombia. ¿Téo? will be embarking on his own Sol & Luna tour, which includes stops in Miami, Brooklyn, Montreal, and San Francisco, and culminates with appearances at Coachella in April. He will also be performing for the first time in Colombia at the La Solar Festival on February 11. Stream “A Mi Cama” here.

7. Lucas & Steve x Yves V – “After Midnight” ft. Xoro

Dutch DJs Lucas & Steve, Belgian big-room artist Yves V and 22-year-old producer/songwriter Xoro team up for a club-ready release, “After Midnight,” via Spinnin’ Records/Warner Records. With floor-filling breakdowns, emotive piano chords, and the late-night vibes of a deep house groove, the trio comes together to deliver an earworm ode to the frustrations of modern-day toxic relationships, sampling Robert Miles’ house classic “Children” for a nostalgic old-school sound. Stream here.

8. Cat Clyde – “Papa Took My Totems”

Canadian indie-folk artist Cat Clyde releases a new single and music video called “Papa Took My Totems.” Inspired by her Indigenous Métis heritage, the song reflects on the effects of colonialism, the environment, and a masculine-dominated society. The single is from her upcoming album, Down Rounder, which will be released on February 17th. Cat Clyde will be joining Lissie on a UK tour and opening for Bonny Light Horseman in February 2023. Stream the single here.

9. Paravi – “Broken English”

Rising star Paravi has released her new single “Broken English” via RCA Records, a beautiful, piano-driven ballad showcasing her confessional lyricism and soulful vocals. The single is about the struggles of growing up as a child of immigrants, the reality of how immigrants are treated in the U.S., and Paravi’s experiences of watching her parents’ accent being heckled and being treated as “dumb.” Despite this, Paravi is determined to make it clear that this country is still their home. A graduate of Musical Theater at UCLA, Paravi has always been drawn to art and performance, having studied Indian theater and undergoing training in classical Indian dance and singing through high school. With her powerful and emotional performances, Paravi is truly a force to be reckoned with. Stream the single here.

10. Sam MacPherson – “Play Dumb”

LA-based New Jersey artist, Sam MacPherson, kicks off the new year with the release of “Play Dumb.” The delicate and gentle song, co-written with Mags Duval (The Highwomen, Nessa Barrett) and Adam Yaron (Faouzia, Christian French), offers a poignant reflection on the struggle of moving on after a relationship dissolves. Having had an impressive 2022, including two support tours, a sold-out first-ever headline show, and nearly 50M career streams, MacPherson has quickly built a dedicated fanbase, as evidenced on TikTok, where the unreleased sound on “Play Dumb” earned 4M+ views. Stream the new single here.

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Cover courtesy Capitol Records