Phoebe Bridgers, KATSEYE, Troye Sivan, Ayra Starr & More: New Music Friday Guide
Check out the must-hear releases of the week.
Billboard's Friday Music Guide presents a curated selection of the week's most essential releases. This week, three standout artists are featured: Phoebe Bridgers, KATSEYE, and Ayra Starr, all releasing their third projects.
Phoebe Bridgers, renowned for her emotionally charged indie-rock, has returned with her highly anticipated third album, Lost Weekend. The 16-track album traverses a spectrum of emotions, from grief to elation, agitation to contentment, showcasing Bridgers' ability to convey deep personal experiences through her songwriting. Billboard's Christine Werthman praises the album for its fluctuating moods and Bridgers' vocal delivery.
Meanwhile, KATSEYE, a girl group navigating through lineup changes, has dropped its third EP, WILD, through HYBE x Geffen Records. Despite the instability, the group remains high-energetic, with tracks like "Pinky Up" and "Hootie Frutti" standing out. The EP, described as capturing the feeling of a wild ride fueled by growth and transformation, marks a new era for KATSEYE.
Nigerian Afropop sensation Ayra Starr also contributes to this week's guide with her third studio album, STARRGIRL. The 16-track album, first full-length effort since 2024's The Year I Turned 21, broadens Ayra's sonic foundation with more pronounced dance and R&B elements. Collaborating with artists like Leon Thomas, kwn, ZAYN, and Danny Ocean, Ayra Starr delivers a versatile and dominant album.
Written by urgent.news from Billboard's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
