It’s that time again – New Music Friday is here, and this week’s lineup is overflowing with big names, bold debuts, and songs destined to take over playlists everywhere. From Taylor Swift’s headline-making twelfth album The Life of a Showgirl to powerful new offerings from Luke Combs, Kane Brown, and Gabby Barrett, country fans are feasting.

Meanwhile, pop and R&B lovers get fresh doses of innovation from Lauren Spencer Smith, Leon Thomas, and Louis Tomlinson, each pushing their sound in daring new directions.

The week also spotlights rising talents staking their claim: Emily Ann Roberts delivers a career-defining EP, Carter Faith shares her deeply personal debut album, and Annie Bosko leans into a California-meets-Nashville sound that feels both nostalgic and brand new. Add in genre-bending projects from Ink, fiery collaborations like Faith Schueler & Levi Hummon, and the playful edge of Nashville trio Deltona, and you’ve got one of the most diverse New Music Friday slates of the fall.

Whether you’re craving a pop anthem, rootsy country storytelling, or groove-heavy R&B jams, there’s something here to soundtrack every mood. Let’s dive into the 13 releases you need to hear right now.

The Life of a Showgirl (Album) – Taylor Swift

Global superstar Taylor Swift returns with her twelfth studio album, The Life of a Showgirl, and it’s already one of the most buzzed-about releases of the year. With no singles teased in advance, fans were left guessing until release day, and the anticipation has paid off.

For this project, Swift reunites with longtime collaborators Max Martin and Shellback, but rather than repeating the pristine pop of 1989, she charts new territory. The album still packs massive hooks and booming percussion, but its sonic palette leans more organic and textured — at times recalling the rich, timeless feel of Fleetwood Mac rather than pure dance-pop sheen.

Standout tracks are already sparking conversation: “Actually Romantic” and “Wood” raise eyebrows with bold subject matter, while “Ruin the Friendship” and “Eldest Daughter” tug at the heartstrings with reflective lyrics and wistful melodies. The Life of a Showgirl proves Swift is still redefining her sound more than a decade into pop dominance, balancing intimacy with spectacle in a way only she can.

Memory Lane (EP) – Emily Ann Roberts

Brilliant rising country artist Emily Ann Roberts takes listeners for a stroll down Memory Lane with her brand-new seven-song EP. Pulling from personal history and imaginative storytelling, Roberts blends honky-tonk heartbreak, witty narratives, and tender reflections into a project that showcases her lyrical craftsmanship and crystal-clear twang.

From the poignant title track to the vengeful closer “Bus to Augusta,” Roberts paints vivid portraits of love, loss, and resilience. Highlights include “Jack & Jill Daniel’s,” proof of her growing reputation as a stellar songwriter, alongside fan favorites “Easy Does It,” “The Fence,” and “Scratching Out A Living.”

“Thick Skin” – Lauren Spencer Smith

Breakout vocalist and songwriter Lauren Spencer Smith delivers a striking new single with “Thick Skin.” Written during a moment of anger and empowerment, the track transforms setbacks into resilience, turning pain into fuel for strength.

With powerhouse vocals front and center, Spencer Smith offers a universal reminder that “what was meant to break me only made me tougher.” Equal parts vulnerable and victorious, it’s a bold anthem of survival and self-worth.

“Love Me To Pieces” – Faith Schueler & Levi Hummon

Country-pop rising star Faith Schueler teams up with acclaimed artist Levi Hummon for the fiery new single “Love Me To Pieces.” Bursting with passion and energy, the track celebrates the exhilarating chaos of all-consuming love. Driven by an upbeat tempo and infectious hooks, the collaboration radiates feel-good joy while carrying emotional weight, transforming raw emotion into a sing-along-ready anthem.

BIG BUSKIN’ (EP) – Ink

GRAMMY-nominated hitmaker Ink makes a bold entrance as a recording artist with her debut EP BIG BUSKIN’, out via Big Loud Records/Electric Feel Records. Across 13 genre-blending tracks, Ink fuses country grit, rock swagger, and hip-hop punch with her signature songwriting chops.

Balancing barn-burning anthems with poignant reflections on family and resilience, the project is a fearless declaration of authenticity. As Ink says: “The hell with all that BS — press play and find out — real music is back!”

“How To Not Help A Heartbreak” – Deltona

Nashville-based trio Deltona drop “How To Not Help A Heartbreak,” a breakup anthem that’s as funny as it is painfully relatable. Produced by Jason Massey (Cole Swindell, Kelsea Ballerini), the track blends country-rock energy with soulful honesty. Written with Jacob Scherer and Canaan Smith, the song captures the universal feeling of making all the wrong choices post-breakup – with raw humor and irresistible catchiness.

California Cowgirl (Album) – Annie Bosko

With roots as authentic as her sound, Annie Bosko channels a lifetime of country tradition into her debut album California Cowgirl, out now via QHMG/Stone Country Records.

The project delivers an 80s/90s-inspired country explosion, complete with boot-stomping shuffles, sweeping ballads, and powerhouse anthems celebrating resilience and womanhood. California Cowgirl establishes Bosko as a voice rooted in tradition but ready to lead the charge for a new era of unapologetic country storytelling.

“Days Like These” – Luke Combs

Country superstar Luke Combs strips it back on “Days Like These,” armed with just his unmistakable voice and an acoustic guitar. The track is a heartfelt ode to life’s simple pleasures – blue skies, green grass, and the quiet moments that matter most. Though understated in production, the song’s raw sincerity makes it destined for undeniable country radio success.

“Congrats” – Leon Thomas

R&B singer-songwriter Leon Thomas flips expectations with “Congrats.” Instead of a ballad, the track delivers a razor-sharp, funk-driven kiss-off. Over a sleek soul-funk groove, Thomas unleashes searing lyrics aimed at a love who stayed silent even as he poured himself into songs for them.

Equal parts biting and danceable, “Congrats” proves Thomas can pack venom and vulnerability into a groove that’s bound to light up the dancefloor.

“Lemonade” – Louis Tomlinson

Former One Direction star Louis Tomlinson kicks off his next era with “Lemonade,” the lead single from his upcoming 2026 album How Did I Get Here? Channeling Adam Lambert–esque swagger, Tomlinson struts over a disco-rock groove that feels both playful and confident.

With its irresistible chorus—“She’s so bitter / She’s so sweet / Lemonade”—the track signals a new, high-energy chapter for Tomlinson.

“Unspoken” – Kane Brown

Award-winning country star Kane Brown releases “Unspoken,” a faith-fueled ballad first teased on social media. He describes the song as “a powerful message the world needs to hear,” delivering heartfelt lines about prayer, conviction, and leaving nothing unsaid. With soulful delivery and timeless country storytelling, “Unspoken” is an anthem of resilience and faith.

“Ain’t Supposed To Be” – Gabby Barrett

MULTI-PLATINUM star Gabby Barrett offers another glimpse into her bold new era with “Ain’t Supposed To Be.” Co-written with Jon Nite, Ross Copperman, and Chase McGill, the gorgeously cinematic track tells the story of an unlikely romance between two restless souls. Barrett’s powerhouse vocals soar over sweeping production, making the track both intimate and widescreen in scope.

Cherry Valley (Album) – Carter Faith

Rising country storyteller Carter Faith unveils Cherry Valley, a debut album that doubles as a document of her Nashville journey—successes, heartbreaks, new loves, and family ties all woven into song. Named after a road sign she once saw that became a metaphor for her creative home, Cherry Valley fuses influences from Tammy Wynette, Nancy Sinatra, and Pet Sounds with modern country flair. The result is a striking signature sound that’s all her own.

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