New Music Friday is upon us once again, and it’s yet another lineup packed wall-to-wall with with major album releases, surprise drops and can’t-miss singles—including four brand-new songs by Taylor Swift herself.
Ready to get listening? Just keep scrolling to discover the 10 biggest things that happened in music the week of Sep. 25, 2026.
(Photo credit: Sophia Matinazad)
1. Hudson Stone Opens Up About Miscommunication With ‘Talk’
Hollywood Records artist Hudson Stone just dropped his new single, “Talk.” It follows his debut single “Overthinker,” which surpassed 2 million streams and earned a spot on Rolling Stone’s “Songs You Need to Know” after dropping this June.
Hudson wrote the track with Josh Varnadore, Coleton Rubin and Simon Oscroft of OneRepublic and almost monday, resulting in a laidback indie-pop bop that feels like an instant classic.
“‘Talk’ is about knowing that you love someone so much that you sometimes overlook the most beautiful and most important part of a relationship, the ability to communicate,” Hudson shared in a press release. “At the time I wrote this song, I was in a relationship that was complicated. I felt like no matter how much I put in energetically and how hard I loved, it got lost in emotional static. I’ve heard men and women historically speak different languages by nature and I’m learning that may be really true. Some important values were not met. But sometimes it’s also that when you are just trying to be heard the listening part doesn’t work great. Or, sometimes you just don’t want to hear what’s actually being said. Or not said. Love is confusing.”
Fans will hear “Talk” live for the first time when Hudson’s Worlds Collide Tour kicks off today at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, California.
2. Zeph Refuses to Let Go on ‘don’t let go til you hate me’
Alt-pop singer-songwriter Zeph has returned with “don’t let go til you hate me.” The industrial-tinged, synthy track has a gritty and distorted sound as she sings about refusing to end a relationship before she’s done feeling everything she has left to feel.
Zeph wrote and produced the track by herself, seeing it fold muted snyths and pulses of distortion, juxtaposed against her clear, bright vocals.
The track follows Zeph’s 2023 debut album, character development, continuing her run of vulnerable and deeply personal songwriting.
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3. Maeta Returns to Music With ‘Decimate’
At long last, R&B icon Maeta makes her official return to music with new single “Decimate,” following a brief hiatus.
Known for hits like “Through The Night” and collaborations with SZA, Kehlani and KAYTRANADA, Maeta confesses every emotion, leaning into the rush of attraction without overthinking the consequences with sleek instrumentation and luscious vocals.
“‘Decimate’ is a fan favorite that I’ve been teasing for a long time,” she shared in an interview with Sweety High. “It was supposed to come out in 2024, and life happened, and it got stalled. People to this day still ask for it, so I felt like it was a great way to thank my fans for their loyalty and give them what they’ve been asking for!”
Also read about: Maeta on Making a Triumphant Return to Making Music With Sleek New Single, ‘Decimate’
4. CHVRCHES Return After Half a Decade With ‘Roses’
Five years after their last album, synth-pop trio CHVRCHES are back at last with new single “Roses.” It premiered as BBC Radio 1’s Hottest Record.
The bold and biting rock anthem serves as a mission statement as the group steps into a new era and novel sound.
“This is the longest break we had ever taken between albums and when we got together to write new music, we wanted to really push ourselves and not be retreading ground we’d walked before,” said frontwoman Lauren Mayberry in a press release. “I really think we achieved that. It feels like the most coherent vision we’ve had as a band. We’re excited to be back…”
CHVRCHES is also set to play two intimate charity shows this fall, in Glasgow on Oct. 26 and London on Oct. 29.
5. Number_i Releases New EP REBON / BUGS LIFE / DIGITAL GIRL
Chart-topping Japanese trio Number_i just released their new EP, REBON / BUGS LIFE / DIGITAL GIRL. The frenetic lead single, “DIGITAL GIRL” satirizes digital society while emphasizing a belief in true love, paired with an eye-catching Y2K-inspired visualizer.
The EP opens with “REBON,” a sequel to the group’s hit “BON,” while “BUGS LIFE” explores the concept of a system error with a slowed-down phonk sound.
Sho Hirano, Yuta Jinguji and Yuta Kishi celebrated their signing to Atlantic Records earlier this year, showcasing their expansion as global artists.
6. Leon Bridges Finds Joy With New Album Happiness Anytime
Leon Bridges just graced us with his highly anticipated album, Happiness Anytime, produced by J Lloyd-Watson and Lydia Kitto of Jungle.
The record returns to the warmth of 2015’s Coming Home while also embracing the rhythms of his collab with Khruangbin, drawing on inspiration from artists from Fela Kuti to Paul Simon along the way.
“For me, happiness is not a feeling that you chase,” Leon revealed in a press release, “I want this album to be something that lingers with people and lingers in people’s bones. There’s this feeling that we have to fix the problems of the world; you feel inadequate or it can be debilitating. My role is to be light. I hope that comes across with this album.”
Leon recently brought the album’s energy to The Tonight Show, performing a stunning, soulful medley of three new tracks.
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7. Nicotine Dolls Choose Forward Motion on ‘Here to California’
NYC rock band Nicotine Dolls released their new single “Here to California,” a driving anthem about choosing forward motion over regret. It’s also set to appear on their upcoming self-titled sophomore album, out Oct. 23.
Co-produced by frontman Sam Cieri and Marti Frederiksen, the track pairs fuzzy out guitars with Sam’s raspy vocals and fearless songwriting to tell a powerful story.
“We were having so much fun playing with John, and it reminded me of the way rock & roll made me feel as a teenager,” Sam shared in a press release. “I realized that for a long time I’d been making the music I thought other people wanted to hear, instead of making music that I truly love.”
The band will perform at Blue Stone Arts & Music Festival today before heading out on a U.K./E.U. tour next month.
Also read about: Everything You Wanted to Know About ‘A Lot More Free’ Singer-Songwriter Max McNown
8. Max McNown Slows Down for New Album Leave On A Light
Rapidly rising country-folk star Max McNown has released his third studio album, Leave On A Light, serving as a rich and deeply vulnerable record honoring his wife and family.
The focus track, “Slow Down, Slow Down,” reflects on the struggle of burnout and desire to find yourself again in order to be present with loved ones.
“In this business, life has felt fast-paced, rarely ever providing a chance to slow down, stop, and smell the roses I’m walking past,” Max explained in a press release. “I tried to draw from the overwhelming burnout I was feeling, and my desperate desire to spend time in restfulness with those I love most. I know I’m not alone in the stressful cycle that often develops within most professions; At the end of the day, I hope this song serves as a mirror for those who hear it, sparking internal reflection and most importantly, a greater appreciation for the smaller blessings in life.”
The 17-track album was recorded at Nashville’s Blackbird Studio with longtime collaborator Jamie Kenney, alongside co-writers including Julian Bunetta, resulting in Max’s most sprawling and confessional body of work yet.
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9. Taylor Swift Surprises Fans With The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore
After teasing the release of new track “Patient Zero” early this week, Taylor Swift surprised us all by taking the drop even further.
She just shared The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore, featuring four new songs: “Patient Zero,” “Cleveland!,” “Pink Clouding” and “Babylon.”
Taylor revealed that the songs came together during a celebratory trip to Sweden with Max Martin and Shellback after fans gave The Life of a Showgirl the biggest first week for an album in history.
“We wrote more songs,” she shared in a post on Instagram. “I hope you love them, because they were born out of pure gratitude for your exuberance for and celebration of the album we made.”
Also read about: Everything You Wanted to Know About Actress and Singer-Songwriter Mckenna Grace
10. Mckenna Grace Explores All-Consuming Love With ‘Bones and All’
Emmy-nominated multi-hyphenate actress and artist Mckenna Grace has shared her new single “Bones and All,” further showcasing her talent for pairing raw emotional honesty with raw storytelling.
The track explores an obsessive kind of infatuation and the desire to be known completely by the one you love.
“‘I wanted to write about that borderline-obsessive kind of love, when it’s so all-consuming that you just pray the other person feels the same way,” Mckenna said in a press release. “‘Bones and All’ is about loving someone entirely, surrendering every part of yourself while accepting every part of them in return. There’s something scary about that kind of vulnerability, but also really beautiful, to know someone completely and be known in the same way. I watched Bones and All, went down a gothic movie rabbit hole, and felt inspired to write a crazy love song.”
The single arrives alongside a cinematic music video that visually mirrors its themes, starring actor Mason Thames.
Missed our favorite tracks last week? Click HERE to check out our top picks for the week of September 18, 2026.
