Victory, Jessie Reyez, Fetty Wap & Noah Guy

Victory’s name appears across the writing credits of Ye’s Grammy-winning Jesus Is King and Donda albums (as well as Travis Scott’s “Telekinesis”), and her solo work is an even greater treat. Confessions of a Lonely Girl — an intimate, 17-track affair that seamlessly blends folk and soul music — arrived on Friday (March 27), and “What If Love Was Free?” is an immediate standout. Written and composed by the Detroit singer-songwriter, who’s also the sister of sibling soft-rock band Infinity Song and “Good Flirts” guest star Momo Boyd, “What If” is seven-and-a-half minutes of sweeping instrumental, restrained yet passionate vocals and incisive lyrics that bridge self-love and love for humanity through gospel-rooted sentiments. “Lonely hearts are a target/ Our need for love fuels the markets/ They’re sittin’ over there fillin’ up their pockets from our insecurities,” she declares in the chorus. — KYLE DENIS

89 the Brainchild out of the Jersey underground just dropped his latest project on Bandcamp, and it features this really dope track produced by 4banga, which features a posthumous Gangsta Boo verse. If that’s not gonna get you to check it out, then I don’t know what will. I also think this has the chance to cross over a bit, and will be played this summer by people who have taste, because this song is an absolute banger. — A.D.

Noah Guy took another lap in his “sea of grief,” as the Philly native puts it, with the release of Memoria, in Blue. Guy faces his demons on the project standout “Green Vows,” which finds him grappling with deteriorating relationships and coming to terms with letting go and moving forward. With a refreshing blend of indie soul, Americana and R&B — and a trace of Justin Timberlake inspiration — the singer turns his trials and tribulations into a “celebration” and an “ode to feeling all of it.” He’s also set to hit the road for his first headlining North American tour, which kicks off on April 19 in Seattle. — MICHAEL SAPONARA

Jessie Reyez explores emotional independence and its unintended consequences on “Hot N $WEET,” a self-aware reflection on how confidence and detachment can be misread as deeper commitment. Written and produced by Timothy Suby, the track leans into a minimalist yet expressive sound that mirrors Jessie’s introspective tone. “Hot” unpacks a recurring dynamic for Jessie: men becoming quickly attached while she remains grounded in her independence, highlighted by the realization that not everyone knows how to process someone who doesn’t need them.  — CHRISTOPHER CLAXTON

This decade, country and hip-hop have become more intertwined than ever, and Trinity, N.C., artist Anella is the latest to share his take on this fusion. Housed on his new Ask Me How I’ve Been project, “Thinkin Bout Us” finds the 23-year-old interpolating the chorus melody of T-Pain’s classic “I’m N Luv (Wit a Stripper),” across a mixture of finger-picked guitars and a skeletal drum pattern. Rising hip-hop country artist Big Mo slides through for a breezy guest verse that solidifies “Thinkin” as the next anthem for spring semester parties on campuses across the country and beyond. — K.D.

Paterson and Jersey City connect on this heartfelt track about the trauma, pain and disappointment of growing up in the trenches of North Jersey. Both Albee and Harrdy have been putting work in the underground for years, so it’s amazing for them to be featured on a project as monumental as Fetty’s comeback album. I’m from Paterson, so I had to show love. Shout out my old hood E. 18th & Park Ave, a.k.a. the 187. — A.D.

Bellah writes, produces, and fully embodies the emotional unraveling at the center of “Critical Condition,” turning a toxic relationship into a deeply personal breaking point. The track captures the slow realization that love has shifted from healing to harmful, as she reflects on trying to fix someone at the expense of herself. As the track progresses, Bellah shifts into a more defiant energy, reclaiming her identity and masking pain with confidence. Even in those moments, there’s a sense that healing isn’t complete. “Critical Condition” is about delayed clarity: the moment you realize you’ve been overgiving in a one-sided love, and the difficult process of finally choosing yourself. — C.C.

Chief Keef is as consistent as they come in rap these days. It’s like pulling up to your favorite pizzeria and leaving satisfied every meal. Sosa even delivered on his first planned release date for Skeletor, which arrived on Friday (March 27). The drill pioneer wastes no time supplying the heat with the album opener “Breaking Down,” which samples a recording of Sosa’s grandma, who he raps about disciplining him back in the day. Lyrically, Chief Keef comes out of the gate firing over hard-hitting production, comparing his trackhawk’s seats to a cracked omelette, and later sneaking in a Fairly OddParents reference. It feels like he’s been doing this forever, and the Chicago native’s still only 30. Mr. Keith Cozart, you will always be famous. — M.S.

Fans have been waiting for a proper MIKE and Earl collab tape for a minute now, and they’ll finally be getting it on April 3 with the double LP Pompeii // Utility, on April 3 fully produced by Surf Gang. And they just dropped another single and video in “Leadbelly,” named after the influential blues singer, where Earl raps lines like, “I feel like Leadbelly, pullin’ strings/ Bro got a tech, called on the team/ Prone to attack, it’s time to eat/ Put a few real n—s on they feet.” There’s something about these two that just brings the best out of each other. — ANGEL DIAZ