Music’s biggest stars certainly didn’t leave the world hanging this Valentine’s Day weekend.
Charli xcx leads this week’s Friday Music Guide with her lush Wuthering Heights companion album, which features spunky collaborations with John Cale (“House”) and Sky Ferreira (“Eyes of the World”). The soundtrack accompanies the release of the film of the same name, directed by Oscar-winning screenwriter Emerald Fennel and starring Oscar-nominated actors Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi.
Jill Scott also dropped her new album — and it’s her first full-length offering in a decade. Featuring collaborations with Trombone Shorty, JID and Tierra Whack, as well as a gritty, soulful soundscape, To Whom This May Concern set a high bar for 2026 R&B LPs. Holding it down for the genre’s new school, Brent Faiyaz also shared his new Icon LP, executive produced by the great Raphael Saadiq.
On the hip-hop side, a plethora of artists shared new music, including A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie (Before Artistry EP), Domani (Forever Lasting Tape), Feng (Weekend Rockstar), Waka Flocka Flame (Lebron Flocka James 2K26), Eem Triplin (A Love Song for U EP), Buddah Bless (Buddah Bless the Streets) and Ras Kass (Leopard Eats Face). Central Cee also dropped his long-awaited “Iceman Freestyle,” while Mike Will Made-It teamed up with Chief Keef and YoungBoy Never Broke Again for “Rooms.”
As far as singles go, Bleachers, the Jack Antonoff-led rock outfit, followed up the A-list producer’s recent Grammy wins (best rap song for “TV Off” and record of the year for “Luther”) with a new, National-esque track titled “You and Forever.” Pop trio MUNA also returned with “Dancing on the WALL,” the title track off their forthcoming fourth studio album, and enigmatic Swedish singer Lykke Li unleashed “Lucky Again,” kicking off her “existential era.”
Not to be outdone, Red Hot Chili Peppers founding member Flea went back to his jazz roots with “Thinkin Bout You,” a tender Frank Ocean lift that serves as the latest taste of his upcoming debut solo album, Honora, due this March.
Vote between this week’s new releases — or share your own — in Billboard‘s New Music Friday poll below:
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