BLACKPINK's JENNIE, Lil Baby, Jack Harlow: Best New Music This Week Poll

The latest wave of new music releases presents a broad spectrum of styles and notable artists, marking an active period in the music industry with offerings from pop, hip-hop, rock, and country. Leading the pack is JENNIE of BLACKPINK, who delivers “Someone to Hold,” a disco-inflected single crafted for Netflix’s forthcoming musical comedy "Steps," a reinterpretation of the Cinderella story spotlighting her stepsisters’ perspective.

In the realm of hip-hop, Lil Baby has returned with his fifth studio album, Fresh, which follows his previous Billboard-topping work. The album features the successful single “Dead Fresh,” which secured a position within the top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100. Meanwhile, Jack Harlow continues to build on his late-2010s breakthrough with the release of Sweet Action II, an EP serving as the sequel to his 2020 project that included the hit “Whats Poppin.”

Pop music enthusiasts have been anticipating Dove Cameron’s debut album, Final Girl, which has now been released, further diversifying the week’s offerings. Additionally, Rex Orange County contributes with Dream Fatigue, his sixth full-length album, adding a unique alternative flair to the lineup.

Rock music sees a significant contribution from Kings of Leon, who have unveiled O My Beloved. This album is particularly notable as it marks the band’s tenth studio project and their first self-produced effort, showcasing a new level of artistic control. Similarly, producer Boys Noize, known offstage as Alex Ridha, has entered the scene with his sixth studio album titled 7llvsion.

Country music’s rising star Hudson Westbrook has also made his mark with the sophomore album Made You Look, reinforcing his presence in the genre. The week further includes a special seasonal release: a seven-track holiday compilation curated by Starbucks, featuring varied artists such as Coco Jones, Brandi Carlile, and The Womack Sisters, among others.

Other noteworthy releases span a variety of genres and artists, including P1Harmony’s Blow Up, Alanis Morissette’s Good Weather for Immaculate Conception, Skepta’s The Fork and Knife, and Shygirl’s Swallow!. Sufjan Stevens adds to the season’s festive music with Worst Christmas Ever!, while B2K, Snow Tha Product, and Kenny Mason present Eclipse, Next Time, Believe Me, and Bulldawg: Graveyard Shift, respectively.

The music scene also witnessed a surprise reunion in the hip-hop world with Drake and Future collaborating on the track “Ya Hit,” featuring Travis Scott and Loe Shimmy, adding intrigue amid ongoing industry narratives. The holiday spirit is further amplified by original seasonal songs from Olivia Rodrigo and Chlöe, bringing fresh tunes to the festive repertoire.

Additional singles and tracks have been released by a wide array of artists, including Glorilla and Sexyy Red, Lizzy McAlpine with a contribution to a major film soundtrack, and collaborations like Chxrry and Rema’s “Big Shot.” This diverse spread reflects the dynamic and evolving nature of today’s music landscape, catering to varied tastes and preferences.

With such an extensive and multifaceted selection of new music, fans and critics alike have much to explore this week. Billboard.com has invited listeners to engage actively by voting on their favored releases, highlighting the interactive relationship between artists and their audiences in the digital age.