New Music Friday: Lauren Watkins, Kevin Jonas, Lakelin Lemmings, Waylon Wyatt, And More. 

Need a playlist refresh? Fandom Daily compiled the ultimate roundup. Pop in your earphones and stream our top picks we’ve been playing on repeat.

by Tiffany Goldstein - May 15 2026
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New Music Friday brings a well-rounded slate this week. This roundup includes intimate confessionals, authentic country storytelling, polished pop craftsmanship, and raw rock anthems. 

You’ll hear established artists branching out, writers honing their craft, and promising newcomers making bold first impressions. If you’re refreshing playlists or putting together a commute set, we’ve got you covered. Continue reading for a carefully selected list of this week’s standout tracks and the reasons they deserve attention.

Let us know your favorite by leaving a comment below or by sending us a message on social media @fandomdaily_

Kevin Jonas – "Little Things"  

Kevin Jonas’s "Little Things" is a polished pop single that further defines his emerging solo identity. Produced again by Jason Evigan, the track favors warm acoustic guitar, restrained percussion, and intimate vocal production. Lyrically the track emphasizes specificity over grand gesture – shower steam, feet on the dash, whispered morning banter. For fans, "Little Things" matters for a few reasons. It presents Kevin as a thoughtful songwriter comfortable with nuance and restraint, offering a tonal contrast to the brothers’ arena-oriented material. Longtime listeners will recognize the emotional warmth they expect, while new listeners will find a well-crafted, relatable single that fits radio and streaming playlists aimed at mature pop listeners. In career terms, this is a meaningful milestone. Coming after a long period of reluctance to pursue solo work, a second single that articulates a coherent aesthetic signals momentum and artistic intention, not a one-off experiment but the start of a sustained personal catalogue. "Little Things" demonstrates both confidence in his songwriting voice and a clear direction to build upon. This track is not designed to dominate charts, but it establishes Kevin Jonas as a credible solo artist with material worth following.

Megan Moroney – "Traitor (Roles Reversed)"

Megan Moroney’s "Traitor (Roles Reversed)" is exactly the kind of bonus-track flex that turns casual listeners into full-on fans. Right away it feels familiar in the best way. That pop-country sheen we love, a synth-backed pulse, and Megan’s relatable storytelling. If you adored "Tennessee Orange" and "Traitor Joe," this one lands like a natural sequel. It’s playful, pointed, and utterly satisfying. Lines like "I check my phone, it says you aren't at home / So I study your steps like my whole life's dependent on it” are small, cinematic moments that pull you right into the scene. The song flips the blame game on its head, as she calls out a manipulative partner who tries to label her the "traitor" while being the one who breaks promises. It’s cathartic, empowering, and perfect for anyone who’s ever had to call someone out for gaslighting. Production-wise, Kristian Bush and Megan hit a sweet spot, cushioning, guitar-driven textures, a clean synth undercurrent, and a vocal delivery that’s both polished and punchy. Bottom line for fans, stream it because it’s classic Megan.

Bri Fletcher – "It’s Too Late" 

Bri Fletcher’s "It’s Too Late" tells a relatable story about trying to hold back in a new romance, but realizing you’ve already given in. With lyrics that feel specific and honest. Musically, she expands her sound by blending warm country storytelling with smooth R&B harmonies and modern pop production, giving her vocals space to shine while keeping the emotion front and center. Fans should listen because the song balances immediacy and polish. The chorus hits hard, the details stick with you, and the production feels fresh without overshadowing the story. Fletcher stands out as an artist because she pairs genuine songwriting with confident, genre-blurring choices, making her both familiar and exciting to follow. Bri is everything you want in a singer-songwriter. 

Payton Smith - "Lived Up"

Payton Smith’s "Lived Up" announces itself as an uplifting, guitar-forward anthem about living a life you can be proud of and showing up for people and moments that matter. This song nails that rare balance between personal honesty and universal truth. Smith’s vocals carry a lived-in sincerity and the lyrics feel conversational. Co-writers Andy Sheridan, Beau Bailey, and Blake Bollinger help shape a track that’s both radio-ready and authentic, one that can sit comfortably next to mainstream hits while keeping its edges. This single builds on his growing momentum and sharpens his identity, a storyteller with country-rock grit and an instinct for big, emotional hooks. Hailing from Louisiana, he brings a genuine voice and perspective that feels timely. "Lived Up" isn’t just another release, it’s proof he’s evolving into a mainstay. Play "Lived Up" when you want a song that’s uplifting without being cheesy, earnest without being cloying, a powerful reminder to live fully. 

Lauren Watkins – "Heartbreakaholic" 

Lauren Watkins’ "Heartbreakaholic" arrives as a confident, polished single that blends sharp songwriting with genuine emotion, marking a clear next step in her career. Co-written with Will Bundy, Nicolle Galyon, and Rodney Clawson, the song draws on Watkins’ own habit of clinging to heartbreak, turning that personal experience into concise, relatable lyrics that resonate without resorting to cliché. Her warm, slightly gritty vocal delivery brings authenticity to both the wry and vulnerable moments, while restrained production supports the story with tasteful twang and contemporary clarity. Backed by a renewed publishing deal with Big Loud Publishing, "Heartbreakaholic" demonstrates Watkins’ growth as a songwriter and performer. "Heartbreakaholic" is a memorable track that reinforces why she’s a promising voice in modern country music.

Dawson Anderson - "Like You Never Left"

Dawson Anderson’s "Like You Never Left" is a tender, modern country gem that turns quiet vulnerability into something unforgettable. Anderson’s raw, intimate vocal makes the song feel like a personal confession, while Brett Truitt’s tasteful production gives the lyrics room to breathe. Co-written with Chris Ganoudis and Jason Duke, the songwriting strikes a perfect balance between specific detail and universal feeling – capturing that familiar ache of trying to move on while someone still occupies your heart. Anderson’s note that the song “came together effortlessly” shows in the natural, lived-in quality of the words. "Like You Never Left" is painfully relatable, emotionally honest, and confirms Anderson as a singer-songwriter to watch. 

Kimberly Dawn – "Might Be a God Thing" 

Kimberly Dawn’s "Might Be a God Thing" is tender, honest, and utterly magnetic. From the opening line she draws you in with small, everyday moments that bloom into something much larger. That lived-in realism turns the song into an anthem for anyone who’s ever whispered, "Maybe that was for the best." What lifts the track is Kimberly’s knack for balancing vulnerability with quiet strength. Her delivery feels intimate without ever sounding fragile. Musically, her irresistible country twang is the hook. It feels warm, slightly weathered, and unmistakably radio-ready, sitting perfectly atop a restrained arrangement where tasteful production keeps the story front and center. The song comforts without preaching, offers hope without cliché, and validates those strange, beautiful moments that make life make sense in hindsight. For anyone who loves storytelling in music, "Might Be a God Thing" is one you’ll return to again and again. "Might Be a God Thing" is heartfelt, memorable, and proof that Kimberly Dawn is a voice to watch.

Wyatt Lowe – "The Road Back to You"

Wyatt Lowe returns with "The Road Back to You," his first new music in nearly six years, a milestone that breaks the silence with purpose. This isn’t a tentative comeback…it’s a full-throttle reintroduction from a tighter, tougher songwriter and guitarist. Raw Telecaster grit collides with heartland rock, Americana, and blues, while a burst-written lyric about coming home – to a person, a place, or your truer self. "The Road Back to You" lands with plainspoken truth. Lowe has clearly evolved without losing his edge. Stream it for the hooky chorus, cathartic momentum, and storytelling that pushes you to look inward. Perfect for playlists, late-night drives, and anyone who likes their country rock raw and real.

Lakelin Lemmings  – "19 & Single"

From the first plucked mandolin and warm acoustic-guitar arpeggio, "19 & Single" announces itself as both timeless and of-the-moment. Lakelin Lemmings’ voice – clear, honest, and deceptively seasoned, carries a storytelling soul that makes every line feel relatable and lived-in. The arrangement smartly lets the verses breathe, then lifts into a defiant, soaring chorus where electric-guitar power chords and tight production give the song real punch. What makes the track captivating is its combination of vulnerability and confidence. This is a standout for a few reasons. First, the production (credit to Bowers) balances intimacy and stadium-ready energy, so it’s radio-friendly while retaining emotional heft. Second, Lemmings’ storytelling ability is front and center. She paints a clear snapshot of a moment and invites listeners to inhabit it. Finally, the song’s message, there’s no rush to settle. A lesson that could resonate resonates across age groups: teens find validation, twentysomethings get permission to breathe, and older listeners get a welcome reminder. "19 & Single" is reliable and hard to ignore. Lakelin Lemmings is a storyteller to watch, and someone who can teach us all a little about freedom and confidence on her own terms.

Waylon Wyatt – "But There Was A Time" 

Waylon Wyatt’s "But There Was A Time" is a compact, aching confession, perfect lead single energy for his debut Dustpiles (out July 17). Built on slide guitar and dark acoustic textures, Joe Becker’s sparse production puts Waylon’s raw, lived-in vocals front and center. Lyrically, it nails that awful moment when you reconnect with someone who meant everything to you and realize it meant little to them. Co-written with Brett Truitt, the lines feel specific and true, the kind of songwriting that sticks because it’s utterly relatable. The, emotional chorus and vivid storytelling that honor classic country while feeling modern. Fans should care because Waylon’s voice and penmanship make this not just a single but a promise of an intimate, honest record ahead.

Feature Photo Credit: Amber Asaly 

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