We’re all back into the summer swing of things after the long 4th of July weekend—and that seems to include the music industry, because the week was packed with stellar releases from too many of our favorite artists to name.
This week didn’t make it easy to narrow down our top 10 favorite releases (which is like complaining that our steak is too juicy and our lobster is too buttery). For music lovers, it’s been heaven, so keep scrolling to discover the 10 biggest things that happened in music the week of July 10, 2026, including new hits from Cody Simpson, KIHYUN, Tierra Whack and so many more.
(Photo credit: Rashaun Richardson)
1. Kareen Lomax Teases Her Debut Album With ‘OFFLINE’
If you’re not yet familiar with alt-R&B artist Kareen Lomax, it’s time to change that. You may recognize her voice from her collaborations with Diplo, including “Looking For Me,” and she’s written for everyone from Zayn and Leon Bridges to Syd. This year, she’s ready to leave her own stamp on the musical world with her recently announced debut album, NAJI, arriving Sep. 18. We also just got its first single, “OFFLINE,” a pulse-pounding reflection on the harm that being constantly online to do to us, and the power of learning to step away from it all and put out attention to better use.
“Naji is my first name, which a lot of people don’t know,” Kareen shared in a press release. “Growing up, I went by my middle name, Kareen, but Naji always felt beside me. Being adopted, I’ve lived with that duality, like two versions of myself existed at once. This album is about those two sides: Kareen, who feels deeply, the one who grieves, loves, and tries to make sense of everything, and Naji, who is more direct, more confrontational, and less afraid to say what it is without folding.”
2. Jazzie Young Surrenders to Infatuation in ‘Small Hours’
Rising indie pop artist Jazzie Young has returned with her first single of 2026, “Small Hours.” The hazy and atmospheric pop track uses warm guitars and dreamy vocals to tell a story of falling hopelessly in love with someone. It’s about deciding to give in to your yearning, even knowing you may get hurt in that process, because the possibilities are so delicious.
“’Small Hours’ is about that point in a new relationship when you’re starting to fall for the person and you reach the middle point between hope and doubt,” Jazzie explained in a press release. “Do I go for it? Will this just end the same as the times before? The song sonically feels like the early morning hours when the world is quite and you’re alone in your bed with the person you like, nothing but your thoughts running rampant on repeat. It’s in that stillness and that darkness that all the questions and fear pop out. Even within all of that, the song has a lot of hope in it, a lot of sweetness that comes from new love and the possibility of so much more.”
3. Charley Yang Announces His New chandol With Debut Album, Mercurial
Viral artist Charley Yang is back and ready to step into a brand new era with his new project as chandol—and the release of a new debut album called Mercurial. It’s an eclectic project, consisting of 12 tracks ranging from indie-pop to hyperpop, folk and more as Charley gets more experimental and honest than ever before, considering the past lives he’s lived under other identities and understanding where they place him in the present. He’s also preparing to head out on his first headline tour as chandol by the end of the month, making this a busy summer for the star.
“Mercurial is a collection of songs I wrote to talk about who I am and where I come from,” Charley explained. “For this project, I’ve kept both the songwriting and production of the music as intimate as possible, with minimal outside interference and influence. There was a lot of experimentation and discomfort in getting so vulnerable, but it was all necessary. I’ve felt like a lot of my previous work misrepresents the kind of artist I want to be, so it was very refreshing to be able to work on something so honest. This project was something I’ve wanted to create for so long, and finally, I’ve reached a point where I can properly execute it.”
Also read about: BoyWithUke on Embracing Change and Looking Forward to the Future With New Album, Burnout
4. Baby Rose Finds Her Way With New Album, YEARNALISM
Grammy-winning artist Baby Rose has one of our favorite voices in the music, with a one-of-a-kind soulful, warbly depth that just can’t be ignored, and it’s front and center with the release of her new album YEARNALISM. As the title suggests, its 12 diaristic songs are tales of yearning, and the process of discovering the things she seeks, combining aspects of rock, soul, jazz, gospel and R&B to create anthems of perseverance and hope. These songs encapsulate her journey not just as an artist and a human being, feeling contemporary and timeless in one fell swoop.
5. Sunkis and FLO Join Forces for ‘Pretty Eyes’ Featuring FLO
Pop artist Sunkis is back with his first release of 2026, and he’s recruited English R&B group FLO to create one of the dreamiest tracks of the year in the form of “Pretty Eyes.” Sampling the 1989 classic “All I Do Is Think of You” by Troop, the song is propelled by the artists’ striking voices over sweet piano and sparkling synths to create a new love song for the ages.
“Pursuit is sometimes a forgotten art form,” Sunkis shared in a press release. “‘Pretty Eyes’ is about the feeling you get when you fall in love at first glance, that moment when you can see an entire future someone. This record really captures the intensity of a first love and I just wanted the listener to feel that moment with me.”
Also read about: FLO Takes It Back to the 2000s With Their Debut EP, The Lead
6. Sam Palladio Falls for Danger in ‘Burberry Jacket’
British singer-songwriter and Nashville actor Sam Palladio has a captivating sound, and his English roots and modern Music City sensibilities join forces on his new single, “Burberry Jacket.” It’s a moody indie-pop track, driven by a thumping bassline and cinematic guitar stings, as he sings about wandering the streets of London and being captivated by a femme fatale, whose allure he may not survive.
7. Alabama Shakes Celebrate Optimism and Togetherness With ‘I Feel Hope Coming’
Alabama Shakes are currently in the middle of a sold-out headline tour around the world, and they just made 2026 even more exciting with the announcement that their album, I Must Be Dreaming, will be out Aug. 28. It’ll be their first album in more than a decade, reuniting members Brittany Howard, Heath Fogg and Zac Cockrell for a unique take on soul rock with a touch of psychedelia. We just got our first taste with the new single “I Feel Hope Coming,” an anthem of belief in people and the power of choosing optimism, even in the face of hard times.
“This song’s about holding onto that hope, and refusing to give up,” the band shared in a post on Instagram. “It came from such a joyful moment of collaboration, and exemplifies everything we love about this band being reborn.”
Also read about: 20 Emotional Alabama Shakes Lyrics to Use as Your Next Instagram Caption
8. Tierra Whack Builds on the WHACK’S MUSEUM Story With ‘CANDLE WAX’ Visualizer
Grammy-nominated artist Tierra Whack dropped her WHACK’S MUSEUM mixtape last month, but it’s been the gift that keeps on giving thanks to a series of eye-catching visualizers, transforming it into a cinematic project. The latest is for her song “CANDLE WAX,” packing a powerful punch in just 46 seconds with her signature flow and irresistible wordplay and wit as she sings of survival, isolation and self-understanding. The visuals build a compelling narrative that asks more questions than it answers, and we’re curious to see how the story continues to build over time.
9. KIHYUN Trusts His Instincts With New EP, BORDERLINE
KIHYUN of MONSTA X continues to impress us as a soloist, and we love the bold rock sound and dynamic vocals of his sophomore EP, BORDERLINE. Its seven tracks are poignant yet effortlessly listenable as he tackles the topics of standing on the boundaries between doubt and knowing, following his gut to make the choices necessary to carve his own path. He’s fully focused on the present, pressing onward even in times of uncertainty, and that’s evident in his musical evolution.
“When I was choosing songs for this album, I spent a long time thinking about the atmosphere and the story I wanted to tell,” KIHYUN shared in an interview with Sweety High. It all started with my desire to continue the journey I began with YOUTH. To me, BORDERLINE represents the middle of that journey. It’s about finding my own path, trusting my choices, and accepting that uncertainty can be part of moving forward. From there, the concept naturally came together.”
Also read about: KIHYUN of MONSTA X Talks Facing Uncertainty on New EP, BORDERLINE
10. Cody Simpson Focuses on a Different Kind of Communication in ‘Fluent’
As ardent supporters of multi-Platinum Australian pop sensation Cody Simpson from the very beginning, we couldn’t be more excited for the musical comeback he’s made in 2026. After stepping away from music in 2020 to pursue competitive swimming, he’s back with his third single of the year, “Fluent”—though the timing couldn’t be more ironic. Cody just underwent surgery for a vocal hemorrhage, and has to rest his voice for a whole two months. As he recovers, we get to hear the confident and playful new song, which emphasizes the importance of nonverbal communication in romance and understanding your love’s body language.
“Dealing with this vocal cord surgery has been a blow, but it won’t stop me dropping music,” Cody shared in a press release. “So glad I was able to put the finishing touches on ‘Fluent,’ a track I’ve loved for some time. The irony of the lyrical content wasn’t lost on me either considering I’m on vocal rest, and all I’ve got right now is body language! Hah. Hope you enjoy this one.”
Missed our favorite tracks from our last New Music Friday before the 4th of July weekend? Click HERE to check out our top 10 favorite releases for the week of June 26, 2026.
