NewJeans, RM, XG, Romy Mars, & More Best New Music This Week

Sara Delgado, Kaitlyn McNab
·5 min read
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Courtesy of BigHit Music, Practice Records, Atlantic Recording Corp., XGALX, Island Records/UMG, and ADOR Co.

Before you can get into Memorial Day Weekend mood, we need another New Music Friday! This week's new music releases have something for everyone, but especially fans of K-pop and indie.

Kicking off the weekend celebrations, we have NewJeans, who are completing the rollout of their single album How Sweet, with a new track, as well as BTS member RM, who's unveiled his ruminative sophomore solo album Right Place, Wrong Person with a stunning video for the title track “LOST!”

On the indie front, we have long-waited comebacks from the likes of Wallows and Clairo ready to soundtrack all our mellifluous summer evenings. This week has also been a big one for bedroom pop enthusiasts, with PinkPantheress dropping a new track and nepo newcomer Romy Mars making her hard launch into the scene. And that's not all: We also have new stuff from XG, Rauw Alejandro, and Coi Leray.

If this piques your interest, check out the best new music released from this week below:

NewJeans, “How Sweet”

Following the release of “Bubble Gum” in April, NewJeans have finally completed their single EP with the bubbly “How Sweet." Described as NewJeans' take on Miami Bass, “How Sweet” joins the list of mellow yet catchy songs from the K-pop quintet, and it won't be the last new track we get from them this summer. NewJeans are also gearing up for the release of a double single album called Supernatural on June 21, which will feature a collaboration with Pharrell Williams.

BTS's RM, “LOST!”

RM of BTS has finally released Right Place, Wrong Person, his second official solo album after Indigo. Right Place, Wrong Person ponders on what RM's life would have looked like as Kim Namjoon had he not become an idol. The project features 11 songs, including collaborations with the likes of Little Simz and Moses Sumney, and is led by the title track “LOST!”

XG, “WOKE UP”

In the middle of their first world tour, Japanese girl group XG are back with “WOKE UP,” their fifth single and first all-rap song. The group's official website describes the track as “featuring a groundbreaking track with 808 bass infused with sounds unique to East Asia.”

Romy Mars, Stuck Up

Romy Mars, the 17-year-old daughter of Phoenix frontman Thomas Mars and director Sofia Coppola, is officially entering the music scene with her very first double A-side single Stuck Up — featuring mellow bops “Stuck Up” and “From a Distance" — made in tandem with bedroom pop artist Claud. She's come a long way from being grounded for trying to charter a helicopter from New York to Maryland on her dad’s credit card to have dinner with her camp friend!

Wallows, Model

Wallows' third studio album Model is finally here, and the alt-rock band is celebrating their new 12-track project with a live performance on the Today show on NBC and a new music video for the single “You.” (Watch here.) The trio, made up of Dylan Minnette, Cole Preston, and Braeden Lemasters, recorded most of Model at Hollywood's legendary Sunset Sound with production from Grammy-winner John Congleton — the result is a rich, eclectic genre romp through indie, punk, and folk, a display of Wallows honing their diverse tastes into one crisp record and one unmistakable sound.

“Every time we make an album, it reinforces the idea that you can’t ever fake anything; you’ve got to create what feels the most real and inspiring and fulfilling to you,” Lemasters said in a statement about the album. Wallows embarks on their biggest tour yet in August, hitting 45 cities around the globe and iconic venues like NYC's Madison Square Garden and Colorado's Red Rocks Amphitheatre; they'll be joined by BENEE, Matilda Mann, and Grentperez in North America, Europe, and Australia, respectively.

Coi Leray, Lemon Cars

Coi Leray's six-track EP Lemon Cars, produced by Ear Drummers and Mike WiLL Made-It, is finally here. The EP ushers in a new era for the star as a new Island Records signee that she first introduced with “Can't Come Back” in April — one she already plans to take on the road.

Clairo, “Sexy to Someone”

We have good news for Clairo fans — the indie queen is back and stronger than ever. On May 23, 2024, Clairo released the breezy and groovy “Sexy to Someone,” her first single in years, to announce her long-anticipated third album, Charm, arriving in July.

PinkPantheress, “Turn It Up”

PinkPantheress is not stopping. After wrapping up 2/3 legs of her The Capable of Love Tour, the singer is back with another bedroom-pop banger: “Turn It Up.” Self-penned and self-produced with additional production by music maverick Mura Masa, “Turn It Up" is believed to be part of PinkPantheress's still-unnamed sophomore album.

Rauw Alejandro, “Touching The Sky”

Rauw Alejandro is entering his funky era with “Touching The Sky," a groovy love song that sees the Puerto Rican reggaeton star going back to his melodic ways à la 2021's “Todo de Ti.” The single comes accompanied by a music video set in New York City featuring high-octane choreography.

Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue

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