Another Friday, another wave of brand-new music to vibe with! This week’s picks have it all – from sultry slow jams to dancefloor bangers to a long-awaited pop comeback. We’ve got the lowdown on five hot tracks that just dropped: Lola Young shows her confident side, Damiano David (of Måneskin fame) goes solo with a gothic twist, BTS’s Jin tugs at heartstrings, Inna & R3HAB bring the party, and Rihanna returns with a surprise soundtrack anthem. Grab your headphones and let’s dive in!
Lola Young – “One Thing”
London singer Lola Young is turning up the heat with “One Thing,” a steamy new track that oozes confidence and sensuality. The sound is a smooth blend of R&B and pop, driven by a slow, teasing beat and Lola’s smoky vocals. She delivers flirtatious lyrics about knowing exactly what she wants – think slow kisses and mid-day “lunch dates” with very suggestive meanings. The vibe is sexy and liberating, and the chorus hooks you in with its sultry swagger. It’s the kind of song that makes you smirk and say “yup, she went there,” in the best way.
Background: Lola has been hyping “One Thing” all over social media leading up to its release. She even performed the song live at Coachella in April to give fans an early taste, and on TikTok she shared cheeky clips hinting at the track’s bold theme. In one promo stunt, Lola posted phone numbers fans could call to hear sneak previews of different song snippets – talk about creative marketing! “One Thing” arrives as Lola’s first new music since her 2024 album This Wasn’t Meant For You Anyway, and it marks a bold new era for her. She’s unapologetically embracing feminine desire and empowerment in this song, showing a playful yet powerful side. Word on the street is that a new album is in the works for later this year, so this single might be a teaser of more to come. One thing’s for sure (pun intended): Lola Young is an artist brimming with attitude and honesty, and this track sets a confident tone that’ll spice up your summer playlist.
Damiano David – “Zombie Lady”
Måneskin frontman Damiano David steps out on his own with the intriguingly titled “Zombie Lady.” This song is a dark romantic pop-rock ballad with an atmospheric ’80s twist. It opens with moody synths and builds into driving beats and gritty guitar riffs, all layered under Damiano’s signature emotive vocals. The vibe is both haunting and heartfelt – like a love song told through a gothic fairy tale. Lyrically, “Zombie Lady” paints a picture of obsessive devotion with a spooky-cute edge (think “eat your heart out” kind of romance). The chorus is super catchy, with Damiano crooning about “my beautiful zombie lady, the only one I adore,” which somehow comes off as sweet and dark at the same time. It’s a catchy earworm that combines eerie imagery with an intensely passionate love theme, showing off a more experimental sound compared to Måneskin’s usual glam-rock swagger.
Background: “Zombie Lady” comes from Damiano’s brand-new debut solo album FUNNY little FEARS, which just dropped this week. This track is a standout – and not just because of its title. In a cool crossover of music and real life, Damiano enlisted his girlfriend, actress-singer Dove Cameron, to sing backing vocals on the song. (Fun fact: Dove literally becomes his “zombie lady” in this collaboration!). The added female vocals give the song an ethereal layer, especially in the final chorus, and fans are loving the romantic gesture. The official visualizer video for “Zombie Lady” is out now, and it racked up tens of thousands of views within hours – clearly listeners are curious about Damiano’s solo era. With this album, the Italian rocker shows he’s not afraid to explore new styles. FUNNY little FEARS dives into personal themes of fear, love, and resilience, and “Zombie Lady” exemplifies that blend of vulnerability and theatrical flair. It’s darker and more synth-driven than a typical Måneskin song, but still absolutely electric. If you liked Damiano’s dramatic performances with his band, you’ll appreciate the emotional intensity he brings to his solo work – with “Zombie Lady” offering a spooky-serious love song you didn’t know you needed.
Jin (BTS) – “Don’t Say You Love Me”
Jin, the eldest member of K-pop superstars BTS, is back and ready to break your heart (in a good way) with “Don’t Say You Love Me.” The song is a wistful mid-tempo pop ballad that puts Jin’s lovely voice front and center. It starts gentle and builds emotionally – the melody is soft and soothing, carried by acoustic-tinged pop production with a subtle rock undercurrent. Jin’s vocals really shine here; he glides from warm lower tones to a fluttering falsetto in the chorus, conveying all the conflicted feelings of the lyrics. And those lyrics? They express the complicated emotions of a relationship falling apart. The title says it all: Jin pleads for honesty, essentially “don’t say you love me” if you don’t mean it, because empty words will only hurt more. It’s a relatable theme wrapped in a super radio-friendly sound. The chorus has that bittersweet hook that will have you swaying (and possibly tearing up) as Jin sings about trying to let go. Overall, it’s a sentimental, easy-on-the-ears track – nothing too experimental, but it tugs the heartstrings with sincerity.
Background: “Don’t Say You Love Me” is the lead single from Jin’s new solo mini-album Echo, which marks his big comeback after completing his military service. K-pop fans have been eagerly waiting for Jin’s return, and he delivered in a big way. The music video for this song is practically a short film – it’s cinematic, starring Korean actress Shin Sae Kyeong opposite Jin in a dramatic breakup storyline. (They actually shot the MV in Singapore, featuring gorgeous city backdrops like Marina Bay Sands and the Cloud Forest dome, giving the video an epic, romantic atmosphere!). The song dropped at 1PM KST on release day, and within hours it shot to the top of iTunes charts in dozens of countries, proving the ARMY is still as strong as ever. For Jin, this is a second solo chapter – he previously gave us a taste of his solo style with “The Astronaut” in 2022, but now he’s really spreading his wings. In promotions, he’s hinted that he wanted a song that’s emotional yet accessible, and that’s exactly what “Don’t Say You Love Me” is. It may not break pop music ground, but it’s a comfortingly beautiful ballad that showcases Jin’s charm. Between the heartfelt vocals and the poignant message, it’s the kind of song you’ll put on when you’re feeling a little emo and just want to feel. Welcome back, Jin!
Inna & R3HAB – “I’ll Be Waiting”
Looking for a song to get you dancing? Inna & R3HAB have you covered with “I’ll Be Waiting,” a club-ready summer anthem that perfectly fuses pop and EDM vibes. This track is pure energy from the first beat: it’s got a bouncy house rhythm, a hooky melody, and a drop made for festival stages. Romanian pop queen Inna delivers silky, seductive vocals that build up the anticipation, and superstar DJ R3HAB layers in a hypnotic electronic groove. The song balances emotional lyrics with an upbeat feel – essentially it’s about devotion and patience in love (“I’ll be waiting for you…”), but the production makes it feel joyful and liberating rather than sad. As the chorus hits, the synths soar and you can practically imagine confetti cannons going off. At just over two minutes, it’s short, sweet, and insanely catchy. Don’t be surprised if you catch yourself singing along by the second listen – “I’ll be waiting, I’ll be waiting…” will echo in your head (and on dancefloors worldwide) for days.
Background: This isn’t the first time Inna and R3HAB have joined forces – they previously teamed up on the 2023 hit “Rock My Body,” which reworked a ’90s dance classic. But “I’ll Be Waiting” is a fresh, original collab, and it feels like the perfect summer festival track. The release is timed nicely as summer season kicks in; R3HAB has been previewing the song in his DJ sets (hearing that drop live at a festival must be wild), and Inna even performed it during her recent tour dates in Europe, sending fans into a frenzy. The track was officially unleashed across streaming platforms today, and the buzz in the EDM community is strong – it’s featured on multiple New Music Friday playlists, signalling potential to be a global dance hit. In terms of style, Inna & R3HAB both play to their strengths here: Inna brings the sultry, uplifting vocals (she’s known for her dance-pop bops), and R3HAB infuses that big-room club energy with polished production. It’s a combo that just works. The song manages to feel emotional yet euphoric – the lyrics suggest a heartfelt promise, while the beat makes you want to throw your hands up and dance with a huge smile. If you need a new workout jam or party starter, this one’s a must-add. Crank it loud and feel the summer vibes!
Rihanna – “Friend of Mine”
Rihanna is back, and the world is rejoicing! Her new song “Friend of Mine” is a delightful surprise – it comes from the upcoming Smurfs movie soundtrack, of all places, but it’s an absolute bop that stands on its own. The track has a dreamy, synth-heavy pop sound with a hint of trancey dance influence. It’s mid-tempo but super catchy – the kind of smooth groove that makes you sway and nod your head, and before you know it you’re singing along. RiRi’s voice sounds as gorgeous as ever, gliding over the glossy production with ease. She’s basically turned a simple couplet into an earworm chorus here: “Just met you tonight, but you feel like a friend of mine” repeats in your brain after one listen. Lyrically, it’s pure feel-good vibes about instantly clicking with someone new (that strange feeling when someone brand new feels familiar – a friend you just met). The song is family-friendly (it is for the Smurfs, after all), but Rihanna infuses it with her signature cool-girl charm. There’s a playful “déjà vu” motif and some subtle vocal ad-libs she throws in towards the end that give you goosebumps. It’s simple, it’s sweet, and ridiculously infectious – in classic Rihanna fashion, the melody worms into your head and won’t let go.
Background: “Friend of Mine” marks Rihanna’s first new solo music since 2022, and fans have been hungry. Sure, it’s tied to an animated movie, but Rihanna is actually starring in the Smurfs film as the voice of Smurfette, so she’s truly putting her stamp on the project. She premiered the song with a cute music video/visualizer that even features a quick cameo of herself (in Smurf-like mode, playfully using a flower as an umbrella – blink and you’ll miss her, but it’s a fun Easter egg!). Behind the scenes, this tune was co-written by pop maestro Jon Bellion and a team of hitmakers, which explains the polished songwriting and instant likability. Since dropping, “Friend of Mine” has been generating major buzz – some are already calling it an early “Song of the Summer” contender because of its uplifting vibe. It’s also fueling hopes that Rihanna’s long-awaited R9 album might finally be on the horizon (we can dream, right?). In the meantime, the Navy (Rihanna’s fanbase) is just thrilled to have new music from her – even if it took our girl turning blue as Smurfette to make it happen! “Friend of Mine” proves that Rihanna hasn’t lost her touch at crafting pop gems. It’s the perfect breezy track to light up both the dancefloor and the movie screen, and it reminds us why we fell in love with Rih’s music in the first place. Welcome back, Robyn – we missed you. 💙
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