Halloweekend New Music Friday!

Everyone loves Fridays. 

For college students like myself, they mark the end of the work week, providing a deep sigh of relief knowing we have roughly 48 hours of minimal responsibilities. The start of the weekend is always appealing, but as a music lover, my anticipation for Fridays begins long before the day arrives. As Thursday night fades into the early hours of Friday morning, I ditch my sleep schedule, plug my AirPods in, and wait for one thing. New Music Friday. 

Major streaming platforms like Billboard and Spotify charts track their data from Friday to Thursday. Because artists are constantly chasing high streaming numbers and chart success, most artists choose to release music on Fridays, creating an industry norm. Dropping a new single or album at the start of the chart week gives them a full seven days of streams, maximizing their potential position on the charts and exposure on social media.

Let’s dive into the freshly released records that I will certainly be bumping on this spooky edition of New Music Friday.

HAUNTED BY FAME, Offset 

The former Migos member continues to thrive as a solo artist. His latest project, HAUNTED BY FAME, spans 11 tracks and features NBA Youngboy, No Cap, and Lil Dump. Coming just two months after his last album, KIARI, Offset once again delivers his signature flow, while effectively experimenting with different melodies and tempos. No shade to a certain member of his old rap group, but Offset’s frequently shuffling production feels like a breath of fresh air in a rap scene that continues to decline in originality and versatility. 

HAUNTED BY FAME is Offset’s fourth solo album, and I, for one, have already tapped into the first handful of tracks this morning, with “FREE PICK” being my early favorite. The timely Halloween release is clearly intentional, as the violent tone certainly encapsulates the energy of a Halloween killer movie. The cover art is no different, depicting Offset screaming with bloody, stitched facial cuts. Not to be messy either, but I’ve had my ears extra peeled for any mention of Cardi B or Steffon Diggs (insert pair of eyes emoji). Maybe I’m reading too much into it, but track nine is called “YA DIGG”...

Have to., Brent Faiyaz

After abruptly delaying his fifth album “Icon” back in September, Brent Faiyaz is attempting to make amends with his frustrated fan base with a new single called “have to.” It’s his first drop since July 4, when he released the two-pack of “peter pan.” and “tony soprano.” The track finds Faiyaz switching between his usual deep serenade and higher-pitched vocal styles creating a perfect blend of his signature sounds. Brent, we still need that album expeditiously, but for now, we’ll take “have to”.

Yes, Ken Carson

The Lord of Chaos returns. “Yes” serves as the lead single for Ken Carson’s upcoming album “Lost Files 5”. Clocking in just below three minutes of runtime, the track rides a rapid, upbeat rhythm that’s lighter than his usual dark, distorted artistic approach. A member of Playboi Carti’s OPIUM label, Carson teased more to come with an X post reading, “evryfridaylilbro.LF5”, which sounds like a promise of weekly Friday drops.

The Neighborhood, Wiped Out! (10th Anniversary Edition) 

Few bands capture the feeling of fall quite like The Neighbourhood. After briefly splitting up in 2022, the group has reunited and is gearing up for a new project titled (((((ultraSOUND))))), set to drop November 14.

In the mean time, the “Sweater Weather” group is celebrating the decade mark of their beloved sophomore album, “Wiped Out!”. The 10th Anniversary Edition features new songs as well as a handful of memos of existing tracks including “Daddy Issues”, “The Beach”, and “R.I.P. 2 My Youth”. It will undoubtedly be on repeat as I walk around campus, taking in the cold, crisp air and the crunch of leaves under my feet. 

Berghain, ROSALIA

She’s back! Spanish superstar, ROSALIA has returned with her first new music in over a year. “Berghain”, featuring Bjork and Yves Tumor, is launched as the lead single to her upcoming album “LUX”, dropping on November 6. 

The orchestral melody features a deeply dramatic violin with intense choir vocals layered into the background, perfectly matching the album’s cover art of ROSALIA in traditional latin religious clothing. It’s crystal clear that “LUX” will have a darker, more cinematic sound than her GRAMMY-winning 2022 album “MOTOMAMI”.

Happy listening, friends and stay safe this Halloweekend!