It’s the last New Music Friday before the official start of summer 2026, and we’re ready to kick off the season in style with some truly stellar new releases.
That, of course, includes Myles Smith‘s hotly anticipated debut album My Mess, My Heart, My Life, new tracks from everyone from Masego and Syd to EJ Jones and Isadora and so, so much more. If you’re wondering what you should be listening to this weekend, just keep scrolling to discover the 10 biggest things that happened in music the week of June 19, 2026.
(Photo credit: Jennifer McCord)
1. Locust Wants Us to Let Go and Move On With ‘Soul Sky’
English electronic artist Locust has been a mainstay on the scene since the early ’90s, and we’re very much looking forward to his new album, Spectral+, when it releases on Sep. 11. He shared shared another taste of the project with “Soul Sky,” featuring Queens rapper Griff Spex and singer Olivia Kimoto. It’s an instant earworm with its encroaching sirens, skittering synths and driving beat as the lyrics reflect on cutting the pieces of our live that hold us in place in order to finally move forward.
“The core of the lyrics is about the process of detaching from overgrown situations, whether it be in a romantic relationship or a relationship with yourself,” Griff Spex explained in a press release. “Seeing the place where you might be caught up in overabundance, but innately knowing the silver lining of life experience is that there’s something more in a new direction, and that feeling is propelling you to move forward. This song is a catalyst for a new door, ‘only a moment to level it up.’”
2. student 1 Navigates Detachment and Self-Discovery With truant
Ethiopian-Eritrean and Minneapolis-based rapper and producer student 1 deserves a listen in 2026, especially with the release of his fourth album, truant. It’s a boldly experimental 12-track hip-hop project—all written, mixed and mastered by the artist—that feels as raw as it is cathartic. Across these songs, student 1 dives into the complexity of detachment, listlessness and dependency against his ongoing quest to fully understand himself and what makes him happy.
“It’s inspired by the problems these moments create and have created (as well as the desire to solve them), the headspace I was in, drugs, and not being able to articulate important feelings and thoughts,” student 1 revealed in a press release. “There isn’t a substantial focus on this aspect outside of some subtle mentions, but I do mention the loss of a parent, as my father passed away during the making of the album.”
3. Song Sohee Reflects on Fame in’PARADE’
South Korean artist Song Sohee made a big splash last year when she released her original song “Not a Dream” on YouTube. She has a completely unique take on K-pop, blending traditional Korean guk-ak music with alt-rock sensibilities to create a sound unlike anyone else in the industry, and that’s evident with the release of her new single, “PARADE.” It’s a jazzy but moody view at fame and feeling like you’ve been thrust into the center of a parade, forced to put on a performance that goes unrecognized and unappreciated.
“I’d say my rhythm at the moment is a bit of a polyrhythm,” Song Sohee shared in an interview with Sweety High. “Just like playing two different rhythms simultaneously with your left and right hands, my days constantly shift—some days I’m deeply immersed in traditional music, and other days I’m completely focused on thinking about or singing pop music … it would be wonderful if their bodies were grooving to the beat, yet they found themselves reflecting on a certain bittersweetness that they could deeply relate to.”
Also read about: Korea’s ‘Traditional Music Girl’ Song Sohee Talks New ‘PARADE’ Single
4. Wyn Starks Writes an Anthem to Perseverance and Joy With ‘Coco’
America’s Got Talent breakout star Wyn Starks has had us enthralled since the very first time we heard his one-of-a-kind voice, and with each new release, he impresses us more and more. His new single “Coco,” which will appear on his upcoming sophomore album, feels like sunshine in song form. Featuring afro-fusion instrumentation, it’s a lively, feel-good anthem about the power of self-belief, embracing joy and a refusal to give up, whatever life might throw at you. We dare you to listen without getting inspired.
“I wrote ‘Coco’ as a reminder that no matter where you come from or what challenges you face, there is something powerful inside of you that can never be taken away,” Wyn explained in a press release. “The song is about finding your voice in a noisy world, holding on when life gets difficult, and recognizing that champion within yourself. I wanted to create something that feels like a celebration, a song that encourages people to embrace who they are, trust what they feel in their bones, and keep moving forward with courage and joy.”
Also read about: Wyn Starks on the Success of ‘Who I Am,’ Support From Celine Dion and His Upcoming Album
5. Arin Ray Teases His New EP With ‘Sweet Thang’
R&B artist Arin Ray is one to watch in 2026, especially with his upcoming EP, LIMBO, scheduled to release this summer. Fans just got a first taste with the release of “Sweet Thang,” a funky soul-R&B love song that’s completely irresistible in its cool confidence. It’s straightforward yet sophisticated as he proclaims his sincere feelings for his love, hinting at completely uncomplicated romance. We also adore this live acoustic performance, highlighting the strength of the lyricism and vocals with its stripped-back instrumentation.
6. ISADORA Embraces Effortless Romance in ‘EASY LOVE’
Puerto Rican, Venezuelan, and Italian singer-songwriter ISADORA has us entranced with her tropical flavor of Latin pop, and her vibrant new single “EASY LOVE” has all of the makings of a song of the summer. With playful steel drums, a driving beat and cozy, inviting vocals, the track feels like falling in love on a Caribbean beach as she sings about effortless summer romance and the kind of love you never have to overthink.
“Love is not complicated. It’s easy,” ISADORA wrote in a post on Instagram (originally in Spanish). “𓇼’Easy Love’𓇼 is from us 🌺 so that the soundtrack of your summer can be known and so that we fall in love very richly.”
7. EJ Jones Calls for Love and Togetherness in ‘Luh Mo’ Love’
23-year-old soul artist EJ Jones has a sound that feels like he’s been plucked right out of the past, channeling the spirit of the legends who came before, with a timeless lyrical twist. That’s especially true of his newest single, “Luh Mo’ Love,” which evokes the energy of Marvin Gaye and his classic song “What’s Goin’ On” with a call to arms as he begs us all to let a little more love into our lives. It’s a song of healing, togetherness and unity, and a reminder that if we can hold on to love, regardless of the circumstances, we can make every day a little bit sweeter.
8. Syd Reflects on Her Success Story in ‘2 Many Days’
Grammy-winning R&B singer-songwriter and producer Syd has come a long way since she started music on MySpace, and her new song “2 Many Days” is a nostalgic and complex reflection on her music journey. Over hazy synths and a pulsing beat, Syd’s silky vocals weave her open-hearted narrative as she looks back to the beginning, recognizing her own hard work and determination and how they’ve brought her all the things she once wished for. Still, she sees success as a double-edged sword, with her ambition coming at a cost to her personal life. It’s also set to appear on her third album, Beard, releasing on July 17.
9. Masego Doesn’t Get a Break to Mourn in ‘Breathe’
Masego isn’t afraid to get vulnerable with his gorgeous and heartbreaking new single, “Breathe.” The jazzy-infused R&B track is an honest reflection on loss and grief, and a push and pull between emotion and duty. His yearning vocals and poignant lyricism show us that sometimes losing someone you love doesn’t make the world slow down, creating a contradiction of the heart as you forge onward, regardless of your feelings.
“‘Breathe’ is an actual real-life story,” Masego said in a press release, “about me trying to process a death in a family, but then having to go into a meeting, and then a studio session, and then travel, and then some other industry s***. It made me want more consideration for the fact that the artist’s job is not unionized, we don’t have health care, and it’s just like, ‘Hey, go do a bunch of whatever and we’ll make some money off it.’ I’m able to be less cynical about it because I’m a big anime fan, and there are principles in anime like, if you want to get stronger, it comes with a cost.”
10. Myles Smith Opens His Soul in Debut Album My Mess, My Heart, My Life
Folk-pop sensation Myles Smith has been a viral sensation, joining Spotify’s Billions Club with his megahit “Stargazing,” and with the release of his debut album My Mess, My Heart, My Life, it’s obvious why he never fails to strike a chord with listeners. The project consists of 15 diaristic, introspective and vulnerable tracks, driven by the rich, emotive vocals that put him on the map, as he unpacks the experiences that have shaped the man he is today, for good and for bad.
“This album is the most honest thing I’ve ever made,” Myles shared in a press release. “The title really says it all—it’s about the mess, the heart and the life that sits around it. These songs come from moments I never thought I’d share. Nights that felt endless, mornings that felt like starting over, memories that will always stay with me.”
Missed our favorite tracks last week? Click HERE to check out our top 10 favorite releases for the week of June 12, 2026.
