This week’s offering of music was as mixed a bag as ever, with everyone from Eminem to Normani, Charli XCX, Shaboozey and more serving up new releases to close out the month of May.
Starting with “Houdini,” Slim Shady once again proved he’s the master of getting people talking. The Steve Miller Band-sampling track features several head-turning name-drops — most controversially, R. Kelly and Megan Thee Stallion — as Em reflects on his past self and the changing tides of culture. He also shared a campy superhero-themed music video to go with the track, featuring cameos from Pete Davidson, Dr. Dre, 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg and more.
Meanwhile, Normani emerged with the second track from her highly anticipated debut album Dopamine. On the exuberantly confident “Candy Paint,” the Fifth Harmony alum flexes her ability to nab any man she wants, regardless of their current relationship status.
Plus, Charli XCX put a new spin on her single “360” by uniting Robyn and Yung Lean. The alt-pop star’s upcoming LP is coming in hot, with Brat slated to drop in just over a week on June 7.
Finally, amid a rare lull in 2024 A-list album releases — following the drops of Billie Eilish’s Hit Me Hard and Soft, Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department and Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter, to name a few — both Shaboozey and Ayra Starr unveiled full-length projects Friday (May 31). The Virginia country star plays with different genres on his third studio record Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going, while The Year I Turned 21 finds the Nigerian singer-songwriter stepping into her own distinct sound.
Who had your favorite new music release of the week? Vote for your top pick below.
