This week’s edition of New Music Friday highlights the latest tunes from rising pop artists Sunday Best and Chloe x Halle, country-pop artist Maren Morris, R&B soul singer Kiana Ledé & DJ Dzeko whom collaborated with award-winning country artist Keith Urban.
“Learn To Fly” by Surfaces (w/ Elton John)
Rising Texas based duo, Surfaces have followed up their first ever RIAA certified hit single, “Sunday Best” with a pretty cool and interesting collaboration. They’ve teamed up with none other than 5x Grammy winner, Sir Elton John! They’re continuing those feel good, no-stress needed vibes of “Sunday Best” in this lofty positive tune designed for listeners who consider themselves broken, lost, or lonely.
According to their recent tweet, this song was supposed to be dropped sooner but they felt now more than ever in times of uncertainty and unrest, this song needed to be released today. The group’s intention was to share their optimism for those who needed it. They “hope this song will be a source of encouragement” and “if you are broken, hurting, lost, or just going through it…this one’s for you.”
Check out the guys vibing with Elton John in this clip:
Looks like their collab session was a blast! Download/stream “Learn To Fly” today!
“Forgive Me” by Chloe x Halle
Rising R&B duo Chloe x Halle have dropped their second studio album, Ungodly Hour and that comes with a more mature sound. They’ve co-wrote, co-produced and co-engineered this new project that even has the approval of Beyoncé herself who told the sibling duo that they didn’t need any major edits after she heard through their new record.
The accompanying music video exhibits their confidence, and determination to move on in a relationship. The harmonies on this song are very pleasing to the ears. They have what it takes to be the next Beyoncé tier artist in my opinion.
Go check out Ungodly Hour by Chloe x Halle now!
“Just For Now” by Maren Morris
Country pop singer-songwriter, Maren Morris used her quarantine downtime to work on and finally release two new “old” songs from her 2019 album, GIRL. In “Just For Now,” she’s content for being in a relationship that’s temporary without fear of any stress. Just go with the flow and see where it takes one day at a time.
Morris also released “Takes Two,” a track that gives in to love. She belts out the lyrics “it takes two to love like this” in a passionate delivery. If you love any of her previous works, you’ll love these two unreleased songs. Overall I feel these tracks are a nice gift to hear from the Grammy-winning artist considering her tour has been postponed til next year due to the ongoing pandemic! It gives her fans something to look forward to for sure.
Hear the bonus tracks off her latest album, GIRL today!
“Dear Mr. President” by Kiana Ledé
Singer-songwriter Kiana Ledé covers P!nk’s “Dear Mr. President” from her 2006 album, I’m Not Dead. In P!nk’s version, she criticized the Bush administration on issues like the Iraq War and the No Child Left Behind Act. Now with Ledé’s version which criticizes the current administration, most of the lyrics were kept but the issues surrounding police brutality and immigration are now in the forefront of the song.
It’s a chilling ballad to listen to and I encourage you to hear it for yourselves. Proceeds of the song will be going to the NAACP Empowerment Programs which will fight against various issues like police brutality, wrongful convictions, voter suppression and racial biased education.
Download/stream “Dear Mr. President” now!
“Both Still Young” by Dzeko & Keith Urban
Closing out this week’s selection of picks is this EDM love song by Canadian DJ/producer Dzeko who teamed up with 4x Grammy winner, Keith Urban!
The upbeat lyrics to this song sung by Urban portrays eternal love as most evident by the post-chorus lines, “I will love you like we’re both still young.”
Even when somebody gets old, the person will always love their significant other as if they were still in their youth. This song will make you happy and will have you getting up on your feet and dance.
Check out Urban’s Instagram clip performing a snippet of the song on piano:
You can hear and get their collaborative track, right here.
Thanks for reading another edition of New Music Friday! I know we’re living in unprecedented times, so I hope these recommended songs will bring you a welcome distraction from the headlines.
But when you’re done listening, please continue to support the Black Lives Matter movement and let your voice be heard. Whether you attend a peaceful protest or sign important petitions fighting for justice, equality and reform in your community, state, and overall our country as a whole, know that we’re just one step in the right direction for a better future.
Visit here for an updated list of comprehensive resources and ways to help out!
Philip's Music Corner 