Looking to refresh your playlist just in time for the weekend? Our latest New Music Friday roundup has something for everyone and trust us, you don’t want to miss it.

Leading the charge is the powerhouse Cynthia Erivo, whose latest release showcases her unmatched vocals and emotional depth. Hip-hop icon Lil Wayne also delivers a brand-new track that proves why he’s still at the top of his game, while a wave of fresh country newcomers brings feel-good energy and storytelling that hits right in the heart.

From genre-bending bops to introspective ballads and everything in between, this week’s lineup is stacked with talent, passion, and replay-worthy jams. Whether you're in the mood to dance it out, cry it out, or cruise with the windows down, there's a song waiting to speak to you! 

Cynthia Erivo – I Forgive You 

Cynthia Erivo’s I Forgive You isn’t just an album, it’s a soul-baring, 20-track journey through pain, power, and personal rebirth. Carefully curated and co-written by Erivo herself, this expansive body of work showcases every facet of the multi-hyphenate’s artistry, from raw vulnerability to unshakable confidence. Her vocals are nothing short of breathtaking – a rich, emotional force that moves effortlessly between delicate whispers and soaring power notes. With songs like the critically acclaimed “Worst Of Me” setting the tone, Erivo invites listeners into a deeply personal space, tracing the highs and lows of love, heartbreak, forgiveness, and healing. Every lyric feels intentional, every melody emotionally charged, and through it all, her voice remains the anchor. This project doesn’t just prove her range as a vocalist and songwriter – she reintroduces herself as an artist in full command of her story, inviting us to witness the beauty in her transformation.

Hailey Whitters – Corn Queen 

Hailey Whitters just dropped her new album Corn Queen and it’s a love letter to small-town life, packed with real talk, sweet nostalgia, and those honest moments only a true storyteller can deliver. Iowa-born but Nashville-made, Hailey teams up again with her longtime collaborator (and husband!) Jake Gear to serve up 16 tracks that feel like a warm, dusty hug from the heartland. Corn Queen shines bright with special guests like Molly Tuttle, Charles Wesley Godwin, and The Wilder Blue, adding even more soul to the mix. don’t miss the official video for “White Limousine” – it’s dreamy, ethereal, and totally nails that feeling of a small-town girl daydreaming about the glitz and glam of far-off places. Directed by Beth Brinker, the video beautifully flips Palm Springs onto a cornfield, making that fantasy feel close enough to touch. Hailey shared that “White Limousine” was a song she wrote for a duets album that never happened, but now it’s found its perfect home here. 

Crowe Boys – Made To Wander

New Orleans-based duo Crowe Boys — brothers Ocie and Wes Crowe — make a stunning first impression with their debut album Made To Wander, a soul-stirring collection of songs that feels as intimate as a late-night porch conversation and as expansive as the open road. Each track, penned primarily by Ocie, taps into something raw and real — from the emotional weight of “Bootstraps” and the haunting honesty of “Let Me Feel Alone” to the quietly devastating “Debris” and the hope-tinged anthem “Bonfire In My Soul.” Their harmonies hit especially hard on “Brother Song,” a moving tribute to the bond that fuels their artistry. Produced by Andrew Campanelli, the album balances stripped-down vulnerability with cinematic arrangements, giving each lyric the space to land exactly where it should – right in your chest. With storytelling that feels both deeply personal and universally resonant, Made To Wander doesn’t just introduce the Crowe Boys – it positions them as the next great voices in Americana, blending folk, roots, and Southern grit into something unmistakably their own.

Iam Tongi – “Unbreak My Heart” 

Iam Tongi delivers an emotional gut-punch with his new single “Unbreak My Heart,” a powerful tribute to his late father that feels both deeply personal and universally relatable. Written by Johnny Reid and Thomas “Tawgs” Salter and recorded in Nashville, the ballad finds the American Idol Season 21 winner reflecting on the moment he lost his dad and the impossible task of moving forward with a broken heart. With vocals drenched in pain, love, and quiet resilience, Tongi captures the rawness of grief in lines like “I remember trying to pretend / You’d be there when I got home,” and the aching chorus, “How do I unbreak, unbreak, unbreak my heart.” It’s a spiritual follow-up to his tearjerking Idol performance of “Monsters,” arriving just in time for Father’s Day and speaking to anyone who’s ever loved and lost. More than a song, “Unbreak My Heart” is a moment of shared healing...a reminder, as Tongi says, that “you are not alone.”

Jesse Daniel – Son of the San Lorenzo 

Jesse Daniel has never shied away from the truth, but on Son of the San Lorenzo, he lays it all bare. This isn’t just an album, it’s a soul-baring journey through the grit, heartbreak, and redemption that shaped him. Recorded live to tape at The Bomb Shelter in Nashville, every track pulses with raw honesty and lived-in wisdom as Daniel traces his path from the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains through addiction, survival, and eventual transformation. The result is a record that feels both timeless and urgently personal – a blend of California country rock and classic honky-tonk that sounds like it was pulled straight from the dusty pages of a life well-worn. What makes Son of the San Lorenzo so captivating isn’t just the storytelling, it’s the feeling that you’re sitting across from Daniel as he works through each memory, each regret, each hard-earned revelation.

“I felt like I was finally ready to stop running,” he says, and you believe it. The performances are rich, cinematic, and cathartic, offering both healing and hope in every note. If you’re not already paying attention to Jesse Daniel, now’s the time. With this record, he proves he’s not only one of the most compelling voices in country music today – he’s one of the most important. Do yourself a favor: listen to this album from start to finish. He’s the real deal.

Dylan Gossett – “Sweet Lady” 

Dylan Gossett’s “Sweet Lady” feels like a warm, heartfelt love letter from the road — the kind of song that makes you think about who’s waiting for you back home. His raspy, soulful voice really pulls you in, delivering every word like it’s coming straight from the heart. Written over the past couple of years while he’s been touring, the song captures that mix of missing someone and promising you’ll be back soon, and honestly, it’s super relatable for anyone who’s ever been away from the people they love. What’s great is that the production keeps things simple, so Gossett’s voice and storytelling shine through without any distractions. This is just a taste of his upcoming debut album, Westward, dropping July 18, and if “Sweet Lady” is anything to go by, Dylan Gossett is definitely an artist to keep on your radar. With his honest lyrics, heartfelt delivery, and undeniable talent, he’s got that superstar potential that’s hard to miss.

Colt Graves – “We Both Lie”

Colt Graves’ new track “We Both Lie” is one of those songs that grabs you right from the first note and doesn’t let go. It’s a brutally honest look at that toxic relationship cycle we all know too well — the love, the lies, the late-night fights, the makeups, and the regrets that follow. Colt nails that messy push-and-pull so perfectly, it’s like he’s telling your story, or maybe the story you wish you could put into words. His voice carries this raw, emotional edge that feels both vulnerable and powerful at the same time, pulling you deep into every lyric. What really sets Colt apart is his storytelling — he’s not just singing words, he’s painting a picture of real human emotions that hit you right in the heart. Musically, he blends classic country twang with modern pop and hip-hop vibes, giving his sound a fresh, compelling edge. “We Both Lie” is proof that Colt Graves is more than just a singer — he’s a storyteller with a voice that commands attention and a way of connecting that’s impossible to ignore. 

Lil Wayne – Tha Carter VI

Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter VI has finally landed, and it’s everything fans hoped for and more. Six years in the making, the long-awaited album proves that Weezy’s not just back, he’s still pushing boundaries and redefining what hip-hop can sound like. Spanning 19 tracks, Tha Carter VI blends Wayne’s signature bars with unexpected collaborations that somehow just work — from Andrea Bocelli and Bono to Jelly Roll, 2 Chainz, Big Sean, MGK, Wyclef Jean, and even his own sons, Kameron Carter and Lil Novi. It’s chaotic in the best way, effortlessly genre-bending while staying true to the raw, punchline-packed lyricism that made Wayne a legend in the first place. Produced by a powerhouse lineup including Wayne himself, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Wyclef Jean, the album feels like a bold statement: Tunechi’s still evolving, and he’s not here to play it safe. “Real art can’t be rushed — and y’all know I ain’t never been on nobody’s clock but mine,” Wayne said ahead of the release. “Been silent but not still… We takin’ it further than ever before with this one. Tunechi back. C6 is here.”

Laci Kaye Booth – “George F****** Strait” 

Laci Kaye Booth’s new single, “George F**** Strait,” is a sultry, slow-burning tribute to the King of Country — and to the kind of love that only gets better with time. With lyrics like “God give me a man / That just gets better with age / Like George f***** Strait,” Booth captures that timeless craving for a cowboy who ages like a fine whiskey. Co-written with Melissa Fuller and Anderson East (who also co-produced with Ben West), the track leans into smoky, nostalgic vibes with a modern edge.

“My very first concert was George Strait, the nosebleed seats at Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo,” Booth shares. “The majority of his music I’ve known by heart since I was a little girl. This song is about admiring and loving a cowboy as he ages, with the prime example being the King of Country music, the Troubadour himself.” With dreamy grit and heartfelt storytelling, Laci pays homage to a legend while proving she’s well on her way to becoming one herself.

Avery Lynch – “Lasting Effects” 

Avery Lynch’s new single, “Lasting Effects,” is a quiet triumph – an intimate, emotionally rich reflection on love, heartbreak, and self-discovery. Sparked by a breakup and the haunting words, “No one else will love you like I did,” the track flips the script as Avery comes to a powerful realization: she doesn’t want that kind of love again. Built on soft piano, ambient textures, and hushed percussion, the song creates space for her raw, honest lyricism to shine. Co-produced by Jordan Lilvee, Michael Blum, and Avery herself, “Lasting Effects” showcases her growth not only as a storyteller but also as a producer in full command of her sound. It’s a subtle, empowering anthem for anyone who’s ever had to let go in order to find themselves again.