Fandom Daily’s New Music Friday roundup serves up a genre-spanning mix of country, pop and house music, spotlighting breakout artists and must-hear tracks to level up your summer playlist.
This week on Fandom Daily’s New Music Friday, we’re turning the volume up on today's chart-toppers, spotlighting rising stars who are making serious waves across country and pop.
From twangy storytelling to infectious hooks and soul-soaked vocals, these fresh releases bring the kind of energy and emotion that breathe new life into your summer playlist. If you’re in the mood to discover what’s next in music, this roundup is your ultimate listening guide, filled with future anthems you’ll want on repeat.
Paperwhite - "This Feeling"
Paperwhite is back, and the sibling synth-pop duo is serving up pure shimmer with their latest single, "This Feeling." Known for their lush soundscapes and emotional resonance, Katie and Ben Marshall are ushering in a new era with this track and announcing their long-awaited sophomore EP, Reach, out June 27th. The EP will include previously released fan-favorites “By Your Side” and “Unfold,” alongside two brand-new songs that round out this next chapter in the Paperwhite universe.
With "This Feeling," the duo captures the emotional push-pull of uncertainty and quiet hope. Layered in dreamy textures and kaleidoscopic synths, the track pulses with a magnetic beat that’s equal parts hypnotic and heart-forward. At its core, it’s an anthem of inner resilience, a reminder to trust the voice that tells you to keep going, even when the path isn’t clear. It's the kind of song that feels like stardust and strength all at once, and proof that there's still magic to be found in the unknown.
Josh Ross & AKON - "Drunk Right Now (Na Na Na)"
“Drunk Right Now (Na Na Na)” is the ultimate summer crossover you didn’t know you needed. Up-and-coming country star Josh Ross teams up with pop-R&B legend Akon to breathe new life into the 2000s hit “Right Now," but this time, heartbreak takes a backseat to buzzed-up joyrides and live-for-the-moment energy. Fusing Ross’s gravel-soaked vocals with Akon’s iconic hooks, the track rewires nostalgia into a full-blown festival banger made for tailgates, bar patios, and midnight sing-alongs.
What started as a studio experiment has turned into a full-circle career moment for Ross, who grew up blasting Akon thanks to his older siblings. One crowd reaction turned into a viral moment, and before he knew it, Akon himself was onboard. The result? A genre-blending, memory-making, country-meets-club anthem that’s as unexpected as it is undeniable. With a music video on the way and summer just heating up, "Drunk Right Now" is officially on repeat.
Grant Gilbnert - "West of Fort Worth"
Grant Gilbert is heading "West of Fort Worth," and he’s taking fans along for the ride. The Texas-born singer/songwriter just announced his new LP dropping June 27 via River House Artists, a project that blends the heart of Texas country with the punch of arena rock legends like Springsteen and CCR. Leading the charge is the newly released single “Where Do Dreams Go,” a poignant snapshot of resilience in the face of hard times, echoing the stories of everyday people holding tight to hope.
The album, according to Gilbert, is “like coming home,” a raw and reflective look at where he’s from, what he’s learned, and where he’s headed next. With standout singles like the rebellious “Bad Reputation” (featuring tourmate Hudson Westbrook), the rootsy title track, and the radio-ready “Drunk Since Dallas,” Gilbert is staking his claim as a modern voice with deep Texas roots. Collaborating with heavy-hitting writers and producer Lukas Scott, "West of Fort Worth" is shaping up to be both a love letter to home and a launchpad to something bigger.
Ashland Craft - "Dive Bar Beauty Queen"
Ashland Craft is back and bolder than ever with the release of her sophomore album "Dive Bar Beauty Queen." Co-written and co-produced by Craft herself, the 11-track project is a raw, rebellious, and soulful ride through heartbreak, healing, and honky-tonk highs. With her signature grit and fearless storytelling, the artist doesn’t just reclaim her place in country music—she redefines it on her own terms.
Craft recorded the album in Nashville alongside longtime collaborators Lee Starr and Jess Grommet, penning tracks with some of her most trusted writing partners. From the haunting honesty of “Momma Don’t Pray Like She Used To” to the swaggering sting of “Lie A Little,” and the slow-burn yearning of “Morning Person,” "Dive Bar Beauty Queen" is a no-skip soundtrack for the beautifully messy in-between.
Sunny Sweeney - "Diamonds & Divorce Decrees"
Country newcomer drops her debut project single “Diamonds & Divorce Decrees” today, and it’s as fierce as its title suggests. Equal parts glitter and grit, the track is a fearless return to her roots, pairing honky-tonk swagger with soul-baring storytelling. It's a breakup anthem that shines as hard as it hurts.
Alongside the single, she’s officially announced her upcoming album "Rhinestone Requiem," arriving August 1st. If “Diamonds & Divorce Decrees” is any clue, the record will be a cathartic ride through heartbreak, healing, and hard-won self-worth—all delivered with unapologetic twang and rhinestone flair. The era of "Rhinestone Requiem" has begun, and we’re buckled in.
Rob Williford - "Jenny"
He’s introduced us to "Johnny," now meet "Jenny." The latest release from his upcoming project "Johnny & Jenny" is a hauntingly beautiful companion piece that dives into the life of its namesake, a single mother caught in a cycle of tough breaks and tougher choices. “Jenny” might sound sonically hopeful, but its lyrical core tells a more complicated truth: that sometimes, even the dream of escape feels suffocating. With a line like “wide open spaces make it hard to breathe,” the track paints a bittersweet portrait of resilience in the face of reality.
Set against a backdrop of emotional survival and stripped-down storytelling, “Jenny” gives us a deeper glimpse into the narrative heart of "Johnny & Jenny," the full-length album and short film dropping June 27. If this single is any indication, expect a layered, cinematic experience that captures the quiet heartbreaks and inner strength of characters who feel painfully real.
LORDE - "Man Of The Year"
Lorde is in full takeover mode. Fresh off a sold-out North American run and record-breaking demand across Europe, she’s back with her latest single, “Man of the Year,” an electrifying follow-up to the viral hit “What Was That.” Co-produced with Jim-E Stack, the track blends pulsating, high-gloss production with Lorde’s signature emotional sharpness, offering another thrilling preview of "Virgin," her highly anticipated fourth studio album dropping June 27. The accompanying music video is already racking up views, cementing this new era as her boldest yet.
“Man of the Year” keeps the momentum sky-high as fans around the world count down to the Ultrasound World Tour. With multiple nights already sold out at icons like Madison Square Garden and London’s O2 Arena, demand has been so intense that extra shows were added, and immediately snatched up! If this latest single is any indication, "Virgin" is about to redefine Lorde’s legacy and dominate your summer playlists.
Larry Fleet - "Like You Used To"
Larry Fleet is back with a new single and a whole lot more stage time. His latest release, "Like You Used To," is a blues-tinged country soul track that dives deep into the ache of a love that’s lost its fire. Co-written with Jamie Moore and Ernest K., the song is a mid-tempo slow-burn full of groove, reflection, and just the right amount of heartache. It's a classic Fleet move, taking universal emotion and turning it into something you can feel in your chest and sing at the top of your lungs.
The single follows the standout tracks "Hard Work & Holy Water" and "A Lotta Women," both of which highlight Fleet’s signature blend of blue-collar storytelling and Southern soul. And fans won’t have to wait long to hear it all live—Fleet is expanding his "Hard Work & Holy Water" Tour with 25 new U.S. dates through 2025.
Kaylee Bell - "Red Dirt Romeo"
"Red Dirt Romeo" is a rebellious country-pop anthem that flips the script on the classic love story, trading in ball gowns and balconies for backroads and big guitars. Co-written with Riley Bria and Trey Gust and produced by Tom Jordan, the track channels early Keith Urban energy with whip-smart lyrics and a hook made for windows-down sing-alongs. It’s got grit, swagger, and just the right amount of mischief, young love never sounded this bold.
Renata The Band - "Shoot Your Shot"
Renata The Band is back and louder than ever with “Shoot Your Shot," a fiery, no-holds-barred anthem. Known for their raw storytelling and arena-sized sound, the sibling trio channels that signature magic into a bold new era. This time, they're daring fans to stop second-guessing and take the leap, whether it’s love, dreams, or anything worth chasing.
“This one felt like a game-changer from the moment we wrote it,” the band shares. With a message that hits as hard as the beat, “Shoot Your Shot” blends relatable urgency with stadium-ready production. It’s the kind of track made for blasting with the windows down and screaming the chorus like your life depends on it.
Dylan Scott - "Easy Does It"
Dylan Scott is stepping into his next era with "Easy Does It," his third studio album and a full-circle moment of artistic and personal growth. Out now, the 11-track collection blends themes of heartbreak, devotion, and small-town nostalgia, all anchored by Scott’s unmistakable baritone. The album’s opener, “What He’ll Never Have,” is already a monster hit with over 300M global streams, while tracks like “This Town’s Been Too Good To Us,” “I Owe You One,” and “I Hate Whiskey” show off Scott’s knack for balancing heart and humor with stadium-sized hooks.
For Scott, this album is more than just a new chapter, it’s a snapshot of where he is in life. At 34, with a wife, kids, and years in the game, he’s embracing a mindset that’s relaxed but laser-focused. “I don’t stress. I don’t worry like I used to,” he shares and you can hear that calm confidence across every track. From the sentimental “Back Forty,” inspired by the farmhouse where his kids are growing up, to the love-soaked “Twice,” 'Easy Does It" is equal parts reflective and feel-good.
Sheyna Gee is striking emotional gold with her latest single “Broke,” a heartfelt anthem that proves love always outweighs luxury. Drawing on the golden era of country and inspired by icons like George Strait and Alan Jackson, the Nashville-based troubadour delivers a timeless message wrapped in warm acoustic tones and unapologetic honesty. Anchored by her powerhouse vocals, “Broke” flips the script on success, reminding us that the richest moments in life come from connection, not a bank balance.
Kameron Marlowe is kicking off summer with a full-throttle blast of nostalgia in his new single “Seventeen.” Written alongside Tucker Beathard, Austin Goodloe, and Joybeth Taylor, with a nod to Bruce Springsteen’s “Born In The U.S.A.,” the track is a country-rock rocket that captures the reckless freedom of being young, wild, and right on the edge of everything. With Marlowe’s signature baritone front and center and production by Dann Huff, “Seventeen” isn’t just a song—it’s a sun-drenched memory on repeat.
For Marlowe, “Seventeen” is a time machine back to long summer days on the lake, blasting music and getting into just enough trouble to make it memorable. “We wanted to bottle up that feeling of being on top of the world, when everything felt possible,” he shares. With its big chorus and even bigger heart, the track is tailor-made for the season—equal parts anthem and throwback, and a perfect reminder of how music can bring us home to who we used to be.
Lauren Watkins - "I'll Get Through It"
Lauren Watkins is in her breakthrough era, and she’s got the songs to prove it. Just weeks after a surprise invite to make her Grand Ole Opry debut, the rising star is back with “I'll Get Through It,” a no-nonsense anthem that leans into heartbreak with grit, guts, and a whole lot of twang. Fresh off a run with Zach Top and gearing up for CMA Fest and Riley Green’s tour, Watkins is building real momentum, and doing it all with raw, fearless honesty.
Co-written with Brett and Brad Warren and produced by hitmaker Will Bundy, “I’ll Get Through It” taps into that messy, post-breakup energy with razor-sharp lyrics and Watkins’ effortlessly soulful delivery. Whether she's tossing flowers in the trash or pouring another glass, the track isn’t about wallowing, it’s about moving forward, even when it stings. With a chorus you’ll be humming by the second listen and a lived-in swagger that feels totally her own, Watkins makes one thing clear: she’s not just getting through it, she’s thriving.
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