This week, many musicians have been using their platforms for advocacy and donation links, while others have joined protests following the police killing of George Floyd.
In that landscape, artists are still releasing new music into the world. This week's Best New Music features several exciting up-and-coming artists, as well as playlist staples you should definitely know by now. From Dutch-Ghanaian singer Nana Fofie's effortless summer vibe to TWICE's exciting pop comeback MORE & MORE, here are our selections for our favorites from New Music Friday.
Nana Fofie, "Yeno Ntem"
Up-and-coming Dutch-Ghanaian singer Nana Fofie describes her newest single "Yeno Ntem" as a "feel good summer jam that is all about good vibes, laughter and having fun with friends and family." The song leans into Afropop and R&B sensibilities as it slyly hints at a thrilling new love — the result is a prime breezy summer bop.
Mickey Guyton, “Black Like Me”
Mickey Guyton has long been an important voice in country music — even when she hasn't been given the country radio play of her white counterparts. The Texas native returns with new single “Black Like Me,” about her family's life growing up and what she's experienced in a country music landscape that still prioritizes white male voices. As she wrote on Instagram this week, “I wrote this song over a year ago because I was so tired of seeing so much hate and oppression. And yet here we are in the exact same place! We must change that. I hope this song can give you a small glimpse into what my brothers and sisters have endured for 400+ years.”
TWICE, “Sweet Summer Day”
K-pop superstars TWICE are back with their new record MORE & MORE, a comeback full of their signature energy and infectious spirit. The album is at its best on "Sweet Summer Day," a much-need escapist fantasy of, well, a sweet summer day. As TWICE member Jihyo told Teen Vogue earlier this week about their musical growth, "It’s not that we want to abandon the familiar, cute and energetic image we already have — we want to take all that, and upgrade ourselves."
Shygirl and Arca, “unconditional”
London artist Shygirl teamed up with Venezuelan producer Arca for a haunting, electronic musing on unconditional love. “I felt overwhelmed this week,” Shygirl said in a press statement. “Inundated with imagery and news that triggered emotions I was not immediately ready to deal with. I found myself reaching for a lifeline, a brief moment of reprieve to steady me before I inevitably returned to the news, the deep dive of personal reflection and to the protest.” That led to remembering her work on this song. “I wrote the lyrics to this song a while ago, originally thinking of love, family, betrayal and ultimately strength in adversity. It was only this week that I thought of this song again with everything going on. The emotion of the song still rang true but this time in a wider way, a bigger family, a deeper betrayal, a greater need for love."
Though the song can be streamed for free, any sales will be donated to Black Lives Matter and Inquest UK.
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