We’re approaching the end of the first full week of 2026, and after a somewhat quiet and sleepy winter break, it feels like the world is back in full swing. That, of course, includes the world of music, and this week was packed from wall to wall with excellent new releases.
Many of our favorite artists, including Bruno Mars, Johnny Orlando, Ari Lennox and Stephen Sanchez, were back at it this New Music Friday to kick off 2026 with a bang. Can’t wait to get listening? Just keep scrolling to discover the 10 biggest things that happened in music the week of Jan. 9, 2026.
(‘I Just Might’ via Atlantic Records)
1. Calby Promises Everlasting Commitment in ‘Deeper Love’
Since his debut in 2020, Danish artist Calby has continued to impress with his rich, soulful sound, and he’s ready for something brand new in 2026 as he continues work on an eagerly anticipated third album. His new single, “Deeper Love,” marks his first step into this new era, with a heartfelt approach to R&B romance. Featuring organ sounds and swelling strings, it’s funky and fun as she yearns to deepen his already profound love with the person he adores most.
“’Deeper Love’ is a song I wrote for the love of my life,” Calby shared in a press release. “It’s my tribute to everything we share. It’s about what we’ve been through together–how I can see myself in her scars, and how she carries them more gracefully than I ever could. It’s a declaration of love- honest, unfiltered, and without reservation.”
2. Austin Michael ‘Cowboys Don’t Act Like That’
Rising country artist Austin Michael won the country’s hearts on American Idol when he was just 15 years old. He’s done a lot of growing up since then, and now that he’s 22, he’s getting ready to release his next album, Lonestar, on March 6. The 11-track album will tell Austin’s true story, starting as a cowboy lassoing cattle in Texas before moving to Nashville to pursue his musical dreams, and we just got another peek at what’s to come with the release of “Cowboy’s Don’t Act Like That.” It’s a moving contemplation with a classic country sound as he reflects on the nature of manhood and learning how to let go of someone he loves.
“This song has been special to me since the day we wrote it,” Austin explained in an Instagram post. “I hope it speaks to y’all as much as it does to me. Thank you to all involved in this one that made it truly special. And thank you to everyone that’s listened or goin to! Excited to see what the future holds for this song.”
3. KING MALA and Audrey Nuna Reimagine Britney Spears’ ‘Toxic’ for Valorant
Riot Games has kicked off a new season of Valorant, and they’ve recruited two of our favorite creatives—alt-pop artist KiNG MALA and singer-songwriter Audrey Nuna of KPop Demon Hunters fame—to amp up the excitement with a thrilling collab. Together, they’ve reinterpreted the iconic Britney Spears hit “Toxic” with a dark and haunting approach, transforming it into an emotional and lush electro-pop hit. The song also appears Valorant‘s bold “WHY WE FIGHT BACK” cinematic, adding to its powerful story.
“We wanted to take the song and make it KiNG MALA for sure, but we also wanted to honor the tone of Viper’s story, so it was a mix of both,” KiNG MALA shared in an interview with Sweety High. “Our contribution was bringing a sort of dark noir cowboy vibe to the song, slowing it down and giving it an eerie jazz disposition. We took that and upped the intensity, grit, and stakes to match the energy of Viper’s story.”
4. Sarah Kinsley Yearns for Love in ‘Lonely Touch’
When singer-songwriter Sarah Kinsley sings, we listen, and we couldn’t be more excited that she has another EP, Fleeting, releasing just around the corner on Feb. 13. To celebrate, she’s begun the year with the release of her newest single, “Lonely Touch,” a profoundly moody dance track infused with ’80s synths and guitar sounds. The song packs a punch as she sings about yearning for someone’s touch, and the balance of excitement and terror of getting close to someone you care about. It also comes accompanied by a new music video, co-directed by Sarah and choreographed by Madi O’Halloran to demonstrate that rare kind of intimacy.
“‘Lonely Touch’ was written in one sitting after I watched the Luca Guadagnino film Queer,” Sarah revealed in a press release. “It was inspired by a scene showing two lovers intertwining: their hands traveling under each other’s skin, moving through the body, feeling each other’s hearts … This song is an homage to the vulnerability of longing, of yearning for a kind of touch that is undeniable and terrifying. It is a song about true intimacy: wanting to feel the edges of another’s soul, becoming one in the dark together.”
5. Solya Sees Clearly for the First Time in ‘Tell Me It’s Over’
Singer-songwriter and instrumentalist Solya is reaching a big milestone in early 2026 with the release of her debut album, Queen of Texas, out March 6. The indie-Americana album will be full of rich vocals and retro vibes, and she’s already won us over with the release of its lead single, “Tell Me It’s Over.” Propelled by dreamy country guitars, Solya’s crooning brings the song to life as she sings about finally seeing the reality of a situation, and the breath of fresh air she feels after breaking out of a toxic relationship. She also performed rhythm guitar, synthesizers and piano on the track, which we feel in every note.
“I think a lot of artists feel the need to move to New York or L.A. to be successful,” Solya said in a press release. “I don’t feel that I need to move to a big city because I draw inspiration from where I grew up. I just want to be the Queen of Texas.”
6. Mon Rovîa Stuns With Debut Album Bloodline
Ever since the very first time we featured Mon Rovîa in a New Music Friday piece in 2023, we knew his music was something special, and it feels like a full-circle moment to watch him begin 2026 with the release of his debut album, Bloodline. Consisting of 16 tracks, its a rich, intimate and profoundly personal exploration of Mon’s journey so far, telling a story that no one else can while sharing a message we can all relate to. The artist was born in Liberia and adopted by missionaries in the middle of a brutal civil war before being taken to the U.S. The experience left him with a million questions about his identity, the importance of his past and how to go on while understanding the importance of grief, which he explores through songs including “Oh Wide World,” “Running Boy,” “Heavy Foot,” “Whose Face Am I,” “Field Song” and “Old Fort Steel Trail.” It’s one of those albums you truly need to listen to in one sitting, start to finish, for the full experience.
7. Stephen Sanchez Opens a New Chapter With ‘Sweet Love’
It had been a while since we’d heard from Stephen Sanchez, who hadn’t had a solo release since his 2023 album, Angel Face, which is why we’re so excited to see that he’s back and ready to open a brand new chapter in 2026. He’s kicking things off in 2026 with “Sweet Love,” a rousing and upbeat retro rock track that’s infectiously sweet and straightforward. We also adore its new music video, starring Stephen’s real-life grandparents and shot at their house. The video serves as an ode to them, since their passion for music—and their record collection—is what shaped Stephen’s love for music and his specific sound.
“‘Sweet Love’ really encapsulates the beautiful parts of love, and the active choice we have to make, to love one another every day,” Stephen shared in a press release. “I was inspired by my grandparents’ relationship while writing the song and it was so special to have them star in the video.”
8. Ari Lennox Gives One Last Tease of Her New Album With ‘Twin Flame’
In just two weeks, Grammy-nominated R&B sensation Ari Lennox will be releasing her third album, Vacancy. Before its arrival on Jan. 23, however, she wanted to give us one last tease of everything to come with the sizzling new single, “Twin Flame.” It’s a lusciously sweet song about the type of love that makes you feel things you’ve never felt before, and hoping the intensity of what you feel can move beyond pure passion and evolve into something built to last. It joins singles “Under the Moon” and the title track “Vacancy” on the album, so we know we’ll be in for a special treat on the 23rd.
9. Johnny Orlando Captures the Hazy Glow of Young Love in ‘Emilia’
22-year-old Canadian artist Johnny Orlando has been in the spotlight for much of his young life. As he rapidly approaches a billion music streams, he just dropped his first single of the year in the form of “Emilia.” It’s a hazy and atmospheric pop song about the uncertainty and all-encompassing passion of young love that makes it feel like it’s the two of you against the entire world. The music video, starring actress Xochitl Gomez, shows the two meeting and slowly falling for each other over the course of a magical day.
10. Bruno Mars Gets Back to the Funky Basics in ‘I Just Might’
For the first time in nearly a decade, Bruno Mars is gearing up to release a solo album. It’s called The Romantic, arriving on Feb. 27, and the huge announcement arrived alongside his latest funky single, “I Just Might.” Infused with disco and soul vibes, the track combines triumphant horns with a danceable beat as he sings his heart out about moving with a special someone on the dance floor.
“It’s party time!” Bruno wrote in a post on Instagram. “The self proclaimed Aura Lord is back. ‘I Just Might’ song and video out now! 🌹”
Missed our favorite tracks last week? Click HERE to check out our top 10 favorite releases for the week of Jan. 2, 2026.
