Read New Music Friday 008 featuring ten releases you need to hear today:

Jeff Draco has dropped his first single of the year, “Letters,” co-produced with friend and fellow artist Blake Ruby. The powerful track reflects on the end of a past relationship and the rollercoaster of emotions that comes with it. The single showcases Jeff Draco at his most revelatory, highlighting his emotional depth like never before, and balancing heartbreak with hope for a brighter future. The track has already garnered over 100k views on social media, with fans eagerly anticipating and requesting its release. Jeff Draco’s music is gaining traction, with his 2021 hit “Dreamgirl” surpassing 475k streams and 15k playlist adds on Spotify, and his TikTok racking up over 5 million views and 600k likes.

2. Paramore – This Is Why

Paramore has finally released their highly-anticipated sixth studio album, This is Why, and it has not disappointed. The title track of the album became the band’s first #1 at Alternative Radio and was named “Hottest Record of the Year” by BBC Radio One listeners in the UK. To celebrate the band’s first album since 2018, fans were treated to early listening parties and Pop Up events worldwide and will soon have the chance to see the iconic group perform the album on a global tour starting in March in South America, followed by UK shows in April and North American shows starting in May.

3. Late Night Therapy – “Through Your Eyes”

Australian producer Late Night Therapy returns with his signature unique blend of electronic and progressive house on “Through Your Eyes.” An atmospheric track showcasing his captivating artistry, Late Night Therapy wrote the song as an ode to making music, which he views as a form of therapy. Fans in Sydney/NSW can see Late Night Therapy perform live at the Magic Meadow Experiment festival on February 17th.

4. Álvaro Díaz x Sen Senra – “1000CANCIONES”

Puerto Rican rapper Álvaro Díaz, has teamed up with Spanish alt-R&B heartthrob Sen Senra for a new reggaeton bop, “1000CANCIONES.” The song is the third single off of Díaz’s highly-anticipated album Sayonara that is set to be released later this year. The two artists’ collaboration was a true vibe as Álvaro had always been a fan of Sen Senra’s music and felt he had to be part of Sayonara. The video for the song, directed by Juanchi González and produced by Haze, alternates between fantasy and reality, making it a truly captivating experience.

5. Smoko Ono – “Keep It Moving” (feat. Knox Fortune)

Smoko Ono‘s latest release, “Keep It Moving” featuring Knox Fortune, is a carefree, summery lo-fi house track that combines funk-laden bass and airy synths with Knox Fortune’s delicately layered, shape-shifting vocals. This collaboration is well overdue, as the Chicago-based artists previously worked together on KAMI & Vic Mensa’s “RIGHT NOW.” Smoko Ono’s production style is a key player in the sound of contemporary Chicago hip-hop and dance music, and “Keep It Moving” continues to solidify his reputation as a musical innovator. Meanwhile, Knox Fortune’s success as an R&B singer/songwriter and producer, particularly with his affiliation to the hip-hop collective SaveMoney, adds an extra layer of excitement to the track.

6. Shy Glizzy – Flowers

Washington, D.C. rapper and Glizzy Gang founder, Shy Glizzy has released his highly anticipated album “Flowers”. The album is being hailed as his most personal, poignant, and powerful body of work to date and is a testament to Shy Glizzy’s journey and growth. The album features the new single “Fools Fall in Love” featuring YoungBoy Never Broke Again, as well as the track “Steppin On Sh!t.” Shy Glizzy has proven to be a major force in hip-hop with over 1 billion streams, a Grammy Award nomination, and even a cosign from Beyoncé. He remains a pillar of the DMV and rap culture at large as he begins a new era in 2023.

7. JAWNY – “fall in love”

Indie sensation JAWNY has just released his latest single “fall in love,” a heart-wrenching ballad which is accompanied by Spencer Ford-directed video. This latest release is only a taste of what’s to come, as JAWNY’s debut album, It’s Never Fair, Mas True, is set to drop on March 3rd by Interscope Records. The album will also feature previously released tracks like “true,” “wide-eyed,” and “take it back,” which features Grammy-winning legend Beck. JAWNY’s album is a wild, whimsical rush of emotion and sound that’s sure to take listeners on a journey through the twists and turns of life and love.

8. ROYA – “Paperwings”

ROYA, a promising new act hailing from Aarhus, Denmark, have just released “Paperwings.” A tragicomic pop drama, the track tells the story of a couple addicted to the nostalgic love between them. The duo’s sound is soulful and organic, featuring bouncy piano chords, cheeky choir parts, and a beautiful string section that elevates the song’s epic outro. The alluring pop music is fronted by Line Gade’s authentic voice and honest lyrics, complemented perfectly by Sebastian’s intense and edgy sound design. With “Paperwings” following up on last year’s widely acclaimed single “Kinda Sad,” ROYA is definitely a band to keep an eye on in 2023.

9. Kelela – Raven

Kelela‘s long-awaited album, RAVEN, arrives today via Warp. The album marks a new chapter in the singer-songwriter’s journey and features 15 new tracks that delve deep into the themes of vulnerability and radical surrender. The process of crafting RAVEN was intentional and exploratory, with Kelela oscillating between different musical styles, including jazz, dance/electronic, and traditional R&B. The album was executive produced by Kelela, co-executive produced by Asmara, and features production from Yo Van Lenz, Florian T M Zeisig, LSDXOXO, and Bambii. With a sold-out RAVE:N Tour starting in March, Kelela is poised to continue captivating audiences with her unique brand of emotional and experimental music.

10. Japan, Man – “Air Conditioner”

Japan, Man has returned from her hiatus with a bang with her new bop “Air Conditioner.” This captivating slice of alt-pop sets the tone for Japan, Man’s exciting new chapter as she reflects on her relationship with her birthplace, Lebanon, representing a standout coming-of-age moment from the talented artist, who explores her mixed heritage and the disassociation that comes with not feeling like you belong anywhere. Japan, Man has already made waves in the music industry with over a million streams and widespread critical acclaim, and she’s sure to make even more noise this year as she continues to work with producer Julian Cassia.

---

See more on Soundazed