searchsearch
11 Electric Coachella Surprise Guest Moments From Weekend 1: Post Malone, Billie Eilish, Rauw Alejandro & More
Rauw Alejandro comes out as surprise guest at Coachella 2023 during fiancé Rosalía's set.

Credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Coachella

list

11 Electric Coachella Surprise Guest Moments From Weekend 1: Post Malone, Billie Eilish, Rauw Alejandro & More

Weekend 1 of Coachella 2023 has come and gone, but not without countless surprises and viral moments. Take a look at some of the most exhilarating surprise guests — from Billie Eilish and Rauw Alejandro — from one of the year's biggest music festivals.

GRAMMYs/Apr 17, 2023 - 08:05 pm

As delightfully dizzying as its famous ferris wheel, the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival fills Indio's Colorado Desert with never-ending fun.

This year, Coachella booked history-making headliners Bad Bunny, BLACKPINK, and Frank Ocean, along with more than 150 other artists to perform across six stages. But one of the festival's most exciting parts, however, is its surprise performers.

The first weekend of Coachella is traditionally known for its big surprises and busy crowds — and this year didn't disappoint, offering surprise performances from global superstars to underground darlings.

From Tyler, The Creator to The Weeknd, here are some of the standout surprise guests from Coachella Weekend 1.

How Bad Bunny Took Over The World: From Urbano Upstart To History-Making GRAMMY Nominee

Metro Boomin Astonished With Not One, But 7 Star Guests

In perhaps the most star-studded performance of the weekend, Metro Boomin welcomed a slew of collaborators to color his already spectacular set at the Sahara Tent. Throughout the night, The Weeknd, Future, 21 Savage, Don Toliver, Diddy, John Legend, and Mike Dean all joined the producer on stage to perform highlights from Heroes & Villains, Savage Mode, and more. Metro Boomin ended the evening with a live debut of "Creepin" alongside 21 Savage and Diddy.

MUNA Brought Out boygenius For "Silk Chiffon"

Life's so fun, life's so fun. While many festival goers anticipated Phoebe Bridgers to join MUNA for their bubbly collaboration "Silk Chiffon," the band shocked their audience by bringing out not just Bridgers, but Julien Baker and Lucy Dacus as well — all members of the supergroup boygenius, who performed their own lively set at Coachella the next day.

Bad Bunny Tapped Post Malone, Jhayco & More Stars

Now a headliner four years after making his Coachella debut, Bad Bunny made sure to pull out all the stops for his highly-anticipated performance. The Puerto Rican superstar brought out Post Malone for guitar-driven renditions of “La Canción” and “Yonaguni"; Jhayco (and a jet ski) for “Dákiti”; and Ñengo Flow and Jowell & Randy for “Safaera.”

Among Many Guests, Gorillaz Brought Out De La Soul To Dedicate "Feel Good Inc." To Late David Jolicoeur

On the festival's main stage, Gorillaz brightened their already glowing set with many surprise stars. Thundercat appeared first for "Cracker Island," shortly followed by individual performers Peven Everett, Jamie Principle, Bootie Brown, and Slowthai.

De La Soul appeared for their collaboration "Feel Good Inc.," dedicating the song to their late member, David ‘Trugoy The Dove’ Jolicoeur. For the closer "Clint Eastwood," Del The Funky Homosapien returned to the stage, after assisting with "Rock The House" earlier in the set.

Becky G Enlisted Marca MP, Jesús Ortiz Paz, Peso Pluma & Natti Natasha

Becky G made her Coachella debut this year, and she made sure to fill her 45-minute set with several guest stars. Marca MP joined her for “Ya Acabó," and Jesús Ortiz Paz of Fuerza Regida sang “Te Quiero Besar" and "Bebe Dame" alongside the star. Fans went wild when Peso Pluma showed up to perform his collaboration “Chanel," and after an outfit change, Becky G welcomed Natti Natasha for their joint track “Sin Pijama.”

Kali Uchis Amazed With Tyler, The Creator, Omar Apollo & Don Toliver

Kali Uchis' performances are always magical, and her surprise guests helped enchant audiences during her Coachella set. Tyler, The Creator joined Uchis to perform their Flower Boy collaboration “See You Again,” and later, Omar Apollo and Don Toliver took the stage to perform "Worth the Wait" and “Fantasy" respectively, both duets from her hypnotic latest album Red Moon In Venus.

Charli XCX And Troye Sivan Took It Back To "1999"

For one of the last few explosive shows of her CRASH era, Charli XCX brought the lightning by inviting Troye Sivan on stage to perform their poppy joint song "1999." Donning shades and silver accessories, the close friends and collaborators wore all-black attire but still shined during their shared performance.

DOMi & JD Beck Welcomed Mac DeMarco & Thundercat

During their bouncy set on Friday, innovative jazz duo DOMi & JD Beck surprised with two high-profile guests: Mac DeMarco and Thundercat. At the Mojave Tent, the four celebrated DOMi & JD Beck's bright debut album NOT TIGHT.

Rosalía Shared Stage With Fiancé Rauw Alejandro

Partway through an already invigorating, dance-filled set, Rosalía took her show to a new level: her fiancé, Rauw Alejandro, joined her to perform "Beso" and "Vampiros" from their joint EP RR. The music video for the former song announced the global superstar couple's engagement last month, showing off Rosalía’s stunning diamond ring.

Ellie Goulding Was The "Miracle" Calvin Harris' Set Needed

With his set starting around midnight, Calvin Harris was just getting Coachella's party started on Saturday. After playing several high-profile collaboration mixes, Harris finally introduced his one guest of the evening — and a major one at that. Frequent collaborator Ellie Goulding appeared to perform "Miracle," the duo's single that dropped last month.

Labrinth Surprised Everyone With Billie Eilish

Loneliness didn't last long at Labrinth's Saturday set. The singer's massive crowd was pleased to see former Coachella headliner Billie Eilish stop by to perform the pair's latest collaboration, "Never Felt So Alone." The track originally premiered on HBO's Euphoria, and Labrinth and Eilish made its live debut at Eilish's headline show at California's Kia Forum back in December.

Frank Ocean Essentials: 10 Songs That Embody The Elusive Icon's R&B Genius

Listen To GRAMMY.com's Hispanic Heritage Month 2023 Playlist: Featuring Shakira, Peso Pluma, Karol G, Bad Bunny, Feid, & More
(Top row) J Balvin, Romeo Santos, Christian Nodal, Kali Uchis, Anitta (Bottom row) Grupo Firme, Yahritza y Su Esencia

Photos: (Top row) Jaime Nogales Medios y Media/Getty Images; Latin GRAMMYs/Getty; Erika Goldring/Getty Images; Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for Coachella; Mike Coppola/Getty Images (Bottom row) David Livingston/Getty Images; JOSE ALAVEZ

news

Listen To GRAMMY.com's Hispanic Heritage Month 2023 Playlist: Featuring Shakira, Peso Pluma, Karol G, Bad Bunny, Feid, & More

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, listen to 50 songs by groundbreaking artists from the U.S., Latin America, and Spain.

GRAMMYs/Sep 22, 2023 - 01:50 pm

Latin music continues to make incredible strides, as language barriers between the world and music in Spanish and Portuguese become a thing of the past. 

After going through a difficult chapter in her life, Shakira found healing and empowerment through her anthems, including her surprise collaboration with Argentine producer Bizarrap. Karol G made history in March when her album Mañana Será Bonito debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. She became the first woman to top the chart with an all-Spanish LP.

Regional Mexican music became a global force this year thanks to the success of acts like Peso Pluma, Eslabon Armado, Grupo Frontera, Fuerza Regida, and Yahritza y Su Esencia. Many of them argue that Mexican music is no longer regional. Also, Feid, Myke Towers, and Young Miko have become breakthrough stars with their music being streamed on the same level as heavy-hitters in English. 

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, GRAMMY.com is celebrating Latin music through the biggest and most impactful songs of 2023.  Below, take a listen to 50 songs by Latin artists from the U.S., Latin America, and Spain —- including "BZRP Music Sessions, Vol. 53" and "Ella Baila Sola" — on Amazon, Apple Music, Pandora and the Spotify playlist below.

Latin GRAMMYs 2023: Song Of The Year Nominees — Read Them Here
Art for the 2023 Latin GRAMMYs

Graphic Courtesy of the Latin Recording Academy

news

Latin GRAMMYs 2023: Song Of The Year Nominees — Read Them Here

Here are the nominees for Song Of The Year at the 2023 Latin GRAMMYs, which will air Thursday, Nov. 16 from Sevilla, Spain.

GRAMMYs/Sep 19, 2023 - 01:25 pm

The Latin Recording Academy has announced the complete list of nominees for the 2023 Latin GRAMMYs, and the race for Song Of The Year is on.

The prestigious Category features this year’s most-nominated artist, Mexican American songwriter and producer Edgar Barrera, who earned an impressive 13 nods. It also includes three Colombian singers who have collaborated with Barrera Karol G, Camilo, Shakira — the latter of whom set a record as the first artist to have three entries in Latin GRAMMYs' Song Of The Year Category.

The 2023 Latin GRAMMYs show will also make history, as the Thursday, Nov. 16, ceremony will be the first-ever international telecast in the history of the organization and awards, broadcasting from the Conference and Exhibition Centre (FIBES) in Sevilla, Spain.

Read on to learn more about the 10 bops nominated for Song Of The Year, and the artists and songwriters that penned them. (All lyrics noted below are translated from Spanish.)

Read More: 2023 Latin GRAMMYs: See The Complete Nominations List

"Acróstico" — Kevyn Mauricio Cruz Moreno, L.E.X.U.Z, Luis Fernando Ochoa & Shakira, songwriters (Shakira)

"Acróstico," the third lead single from Shakira's upcoming 12th studio album, is a heartfelt love letter to her young sons Milan and Sasha, in the wake of her split from their father Gerard Piqué. The tear-jerking ballad features her sons' vocals.

The track's Spanish title translates to acrostic, which is a poem where the first letter of each line spells out a word — and in Shakira's song, the opening lyrics spell out Milan. "This year Milan has written songs that have made me tear up, and Sasha has dedicated hours playing the piano and discovering his voice. Both have spent some time with me in the studio, and upon hearing this song, they've asked to be part of it," she wrote in Spanish in an Instagram post about the song.

Shakira co-wrote the song with a powerhouse team of Colombian gold:Keityn and L.e.x.u.z, of La Crème collective, and longtime collaborator Luis Fernando Ochoa, who first linked with Shakira back in 1995 on Pies Descalzos. (Keityn, born Kevyn Mauricio Cruz Moreno, also worked on two of Shakira's other big 2023 hits and Song Of The Year contenders: the record-breaking "Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53" with Bizarrap and "TQG" with Karol G.)

"Amigos" – Pablo Alborán & María Becerra, songwriters (Pablo Alborán Featuring María Becerra)

Spanish singer/songwriter Pablo Alborán linked up with Argentian reggaetónera María Becerra on "Amigos," a platonic love song to the friend that always has your back — and makes life a party. They wrote the sweet, vibey song together for his late-2022 album, La cuarto hoja.

"Amigos" opens with a chilled guitar instrumental, building up to an anthemic shout-it-with-your-bestie chorus: "I can see life in color/ the whole neighborhood looks at us/ We drink the hours as if it were liquor."

"De Todas Las Flores" – Natalia Lafourcade, songwriter (Natalia Lafourcade)

On "De Todas Las Flores," the title track of Natalia Lafourcade's first album of all original music in seven years, she beautifully paints the picture of a lost love. "Of all the flowers we plant/ There are only a few left/ Every morning they wonder/ When you will arrive to sing to them," she sings over sparse, tenderly melancholic instrumentation.

The backing vocals offer ethereal ooohs and ahhhs, like the fading memories shared with the lover no longer there. The Latin GRAMMY- and GRAMMY-winning Mexican singer/songwriter has always been a compelling storyteller, and it's a joy to hear her rich voice share new sonic poems on the project she's called an "extremely personal musical diary."

"Ella Baila Sola" – Pedro Julian Tovar Oceguera, songwriter (Eslabon Armado, Peso Pluma)

"Ella Baila Sola" (or, she dances alone) was written by 20-year-old Pedro Tovar, lead singer of Mexican regional band Eslabon Armado. It's about two friends noticing a pretty girl at a party, and one of them winning her affection.

The song features rapidly rising Mexican singer/rapper Peso Pluma, who is bringing Mexican corridos worldwide, fused with reggaetón and Latin trap. The dynamo pairing has helped "Ella Baila Sola" have a massive, record-breaking run; after it went viral on TikTok, it became the first regional Mexican song to reach the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 (reaching No. 4) and the first performed on late-night TV. It was also the most-streamed song globally on Spotify this summer, and second-most streamed song in the U.S.

"NASA" – Édgar Barrera, Camilo & Alejandro Sanz, songwriters (Camilo & Alejandro Sanz)

On "NASA," Latin GRAMMY-winning Colombian singer/songwriter Camilo teams up with Latin GRAMMY- and GRAMMY-winning Spanish star Alejandro Sanz to ask his lover for forgiveness for what he admits is unwarranted jealousy.

"I know/ That NASA has cameras rotating in space/ They spend day and night looking up and down/ And I'm about to call and ask for a job/ To see if I relax." It's a tender, vulnerable love song with playful lyrics exchanged back-and-forth by the two Spanish-language crooners, who also co-wrote the song together.

"Ojos Marrones" – Luis Jiménez, Lasso & Agustín Zubillaga, songwriters (Lasso)

"It's the first time/ I invited someone/ Since you left/ And I'm fine," Lasso opens on "Ojos Marrones," before revealing he's only kinda sorta fine. "Nothing is the same / Nothing is the same/ Nothing/ without your brown eyes," Lasso repeats empathetically in the chorus.

It's a sunset-hued pop rock heater with dreamy guitar licks reminiscent of those in Chris Issak's classic "Wicked Game." The Venezuelan singer/songwriter paired up Luis Jiménez and Agustín Zubillaga to pen the impactful track about trying — and failing — to get over an ex with a new lover, which is featured on his latest album, Eva. The track went viral on TikTok after a user compared its narrative to Justin Bieber's relationships, and its success spawned a remix with Sebastian Yatra.

"Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53" – Santiago Alvarado, Bizarrap, Kevyn Mauricio Cruz & Shakira, songwriters (Bizarrap Featuring Shakira)

It's an understatement to say that Shakira has had a momentous year. As she went through a very public separation — and tabloids across the globe zeroed in on her every move and social media post — she proved yet again she's a global pop superstar at the top of her game.

She started the year off with the viral "Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53," a sassy, synth-pop clap back at her ex. In just 24 hours, it garnered over 15 million streams on Spotify to top the platform's Top 50 global list, and the video saw over 55 million views on YouTube, the record for a Spanish-language track.

On it, she asserts herself and reclaims her power — who needs trashy gossip rags when Shakira is here to tell it like it is? "A she-wolf like me/ isn't for guys like you," the Colombian queen declares. "I was out of your league/ That's why you're/ With someone just like you," also coming for her ex's new girlfriend (the Casio he traded in for a Rolex, as Shaki put it). The fiery diss track came out of a session with forever-sunglassed Argentinan DJ and producer Bizarrap. They co-wrote the song with Keityn and Santiago Alvarado.

"Si Tú Me Quieres" – Fonseca, Yadam González & Yoel Henríquez, songwriters (Fonseca & Juan Luis Guerra)

It was a dream of Latin GRAMMY-winning Colombian singer/songwriter Fonseca to collab with Latin GRAMMY- and GRAMMY-winning Dominican superstar Juan Luis Guerra. "Si Tú Me Quieres" is a sweet tropical pop love song, a gorgeous result of Fonseca's dream brought to life.

It was co-produced by Colombian pop/rock king Juanes, and was co-written by Fonseca with two Latin GRAMMY-winning songwriter/producers: Puerto Rican Yoel Henríquez and Cuban Yadam González. When Fonseca finished the initial demo, he imagined Luis Guerra's distinctive voice on it, who quickly agreed to join in on it. They bring their voices, styles and homelands together for a joyful fiesta, with delightful touches of Colombian vallenato and Dominican bachata.

"Tqg" – Kevyn Mauricio Cruz, Karol G, Ovy On The Drums & Shakira, songwriters (Karol G Featuring Shakira)

Shakira and Keityn strike again — this time alongside Colombian reggaetónera Karol G, and her regular collaborator Ovy On The Drums.

On "TQG," Karol G and Shakira link up for the first time and come for their exes, reminding them who's on top. "You left and I went triple 'M'/ Much hotter, much tougher, much more class," Shakira sings defiantly.

"TQG" stands for te quedó grande, which roughly means too much for you to handle, and is featured on Karol's fourth album, MAÑANA SERÁ BONITO. When Karol saw the gossip fodder about Shakira, she knew she was the perfect collaborator to add fire to the reggaetón diss track,which she wrote with Keityn and Ovy during the same session of "Mamiii," her collab with Becky G.

"Un X100to" – Bad Bunny, Édgar Barrera, Marco Daniel Borrero & Andrés Jael Correa Ríos, songwriters (Grupo Frontera Featuring Bad Bunny)

With "un x100to," Grupo Frontera, a Texas-based regional Mexican band specializing in norteños, struck gold and brought regional Mexican music to the top of the charts. The song peaked at No. 5 on Billboard's Hot 100 — the fifth regional Mexican song ever to chart on it — with a little help from Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny.

Frontera lead singer Adelaido "Payo" Solis II and Bad Bunny sing passionately about trying to reconnect with an ex with a harrowing 1 percent battery left on their phone, on a playful romp that mixes norteño and cumbia. What makes the track even more remarkable is that Grupo Frontera didn't know Bad Bunny would be on the track until he appeared at the music video shoot — proving that sometimes the most impactful collabs can come from an unexpected pairing.

Latin GRAMMYs 2023: Record Of The Year Nominees — Read Them Here

12 Post Malone Songs That Showcase His History-Making Vision, From "White Iverson" To "Mourning"
Post Malone performs at the 2023 BottleRock Festival in Napa, California.

Photo: Jim Bennett/Getty Images

list

12 Post Malone Songs That Showcase His History-Making Vision, From "White Iverson" To "Mourning"

Post Malone wants you to know his name. As the rapper — born Austin Post — releases his latest album, 'AUSTIN,' dive into 12 essential Posty tracks.

GRAMMYs/Jul 28, 2023 - 03:15 pm

Post Malone's stage name might have come from a randomized rap name generator, but his ascent to fame has been anything but spontaneous.

The 10-time GRAMMY nominee's very first single, 2015's "White Iverson," landed him a record deal with Republic Records and hinted at a star in the making. While his 2016 debut album, Stoney, spawned two other massive hits, it was 2018's beerbongs & bentleys that solidified Malone's place as one of the biggest rappers of his generation.

Debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, beerbongs & bentleys scored Post Malone his first chart-topping album as well as his first No. 1 hit with "rockstar"; the album also earned Malone his first four GRAMMY nominations in 2019, including Album Of The Year. The next year, "rockstar" became Malone's first diamond-certified single in November 2020 — and not even three years later, he's now the artist with the most RIAA diamond singles of all time.

Commercial success aside, Malone's artistry speaks for itself. Taking a closer look at Malone's discography reminds us of his versatility, whether he's leaning into hip hop's flashier side or letting down his guard for confessional introspection. As his creative prowess continues to expand, so does his creativity and vulnerability.

In honor of his new album, AUSTIN, dig into these 12 Post Malone essentials as a reminder of what makes the rapper so special.

"White Iverson," Stoney (2015)

For Malone, his saucin', swaggin', and ballin' all started with "White Iverson." The song introduced Malone's hazy, echoing sound that he's carried through all four of his albums — an inventive style that has made him stand out from the get-go.

It also quickly ushered him into the mainstream, peaking at No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 after its casual 2015 SoundCloud release. And though the track is named after basketball star Allen Iverson, Malone's song predicts his own fame-filled future: "When I started ballin,' I was young/ You gon' think about me when I'm gone."

"Feeling Whitney," Stoney (2016)

Starting memorably with the click of a lighter, it might seem like "Feeling Whitney" would be a fitting album opener. But instead, the track gently brings Stoney to an earnest close. After a weighty hour of trap-pop, the guitar-led song offers a serene self-reflection on Malone attempting to find peace.

The falsetto-heavy track sees Malone lean into his country sensibilities wholeheartedly. But besides suiting the singer's gruff yet tender voice well, the genre shift exhibits his versatile ingenuity. Whether he's rapping over a booming 808 bass or sitting down for a smoke with his guitar, Malone knows what works, and "Feeling Whitney" shows off an especially sincere side of his enterprise.

"I Fall Apart," Stoney (2016)

Even though Malone's raw vocal delivery makes "I Fall Apart" a clear standout from his debut album, the track wasn't initially released as a single. But when a video of the song's performance went viral a year after Stoney's release, "I Fall Apart" signed on as the album's sixth and final single.

The song has rightfully become a staple of the rapper's setlists. Malone's impressive live performances of the track spotlight how he captivates best with outright intensity, as he meanders through melancholy before bursting with uncontrolled emotion at the chorus. Only Post Malone could unironically bellow "You was my shorty, I thought" in an opportune heartbreaking tone.

"Stay," beerbongs & bentleys (2018)

While Malone's voice folds into trap and R&B faultlessly, "Stay" gives the rapper more room to breathe. An acoustic, folky ballad might seem out of left field for Malone, but the essential track features some of his most vulnerable songwriting and vocals to date.

In many of his live performances, including at the 61st GRAMMY Awards, Malone sings "Stay" solo while playing guitar, and it's on his setlist for good reason. Whether it's performed live in venues or living in your headphones, the song offers up a moment of sad solace and reflection, and it spotlights Malone's ability to capture bittersweetness perfectly.

"Paranoid," beerbongs & bentleys (2018)

When Malone performed "Paranoid" live at Rolling Loud Miami in 2021, he shared with the crowd that the track was inspired by losing trust in his best friend in the music industry. While many of his songs discuss both challenges with fame or relationship betrayals, "Paranoid" merges the two subjects in an honest search for hard-to-find peace.

The beerbongs & bentleys track feels more down-to-earth than grumbling, even as Malone hides behind tinted glass. But "Paranoid" cracks open a window into Malone's world, and the sympathy-inspiring candor in his hunt for relief hits a sweet spot that makes this track an easy standout.

"rockstar" featuring 21 Savage, beerbongs & bentleys (2018)

Malone's "rockstar" chronicles the extravagance of a celebrity lifestyle as if the rapper already knew this track would be his first No. 1. The glossy song makes the most of predictable rap motifs ("I've been f— h— and poppin' pillies," Malone riffs at the chorus) and greets 21 Savage's characteristically hypnotic monotony with open arms.

Mastering the art of flexing, the track's leisurely pace helps round out the kaleidoscopic trends of beerbongs & bentleys. But "rockstar" also stands its ground alone, solidifying itself as a Posty essential not just with its chart position, but with its entrancing trap allure that lends itself well to 21's feature.

"Sunflower" featuring Swae Lee, Hollywood's Bleeding (2018)

Crowned as the ultimate summer jam back in 2018, "Sunflower" highlights Malone's effortless ability to glide across genres — and here, his pop prowess takes centerstage. The unexpected gem from Marvel's Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse earned two GRAMMY nominations in 2020 for its balmy, casual radiance.

With Malone's candid verse complementing Swae Lee's brisk delivery, this inviting collaboration feels carefree in all the best ways. And their musical partnership clearly resonated: "Sunflower" is certified 18-times platinum, making it the all-time highest certified song by the RIAA.

"Take What You Want," featuring Ozzy Osbourne and Travis Scott, Hollywood's Bleeding (2019)

Hollywood's Bleeding<em></em> <em></em>boasts 10 features across its 17 tracks. But one of the album's most seamless comes  halfway through the record, as Ozzy Osbourne and Travis Scott join Malone on the haunting "Take What You Want."

The track stands out in Malone's discography for the way it easily bends to each artist's distinct style (and for its last-minute electric guitar solo). It smoothly shifts between hip-hop, metal, and pop, lending itself to all three musicians in a cohesive manner. And, as it exemplifies Malone's big-picture adaptability, "Take What You Want" never loses its full-hearted intensity.

"Hollywood's Bleeding," Hollywood's Bleeding (2019)

"Everyone's gone, but no one's leavin'," Malone laments in his 2019's trap-pop title track of Hollywood's Bleeding. Spinning an ominous narrative with vampiric motifs, the album's opener reflects not just on Malone's personal tumultuous experience with fame, but others' broadly as well.

Capturing the feeling of being tethered to something inescapable, "Hollywood's Bleeding" lays the groundwork for the rest of Malone's album, presenting as one of his clearest thesis statements yet. The two-and-a-half minute song almost feels like the condensed narrative of a short horror film, and Malone's evocative storytelling and compelling delivery have us seated in theaters.

"Circles," Hollywood's Bleeding (2019)

"Circles" is somewhat of an outlier in Malone's discography — but, perhaps ironically, it's also one of his biggest songs. Set to an uncharacteristically soft melody, the beloved track features a gentler, more soulful Malone reflecting on letting go. The musician is still as frank as ever, but "Circles" stands out with its palatable universality — Malone is especially sharp with regret and downhearted nostalgia.

The sunny song was nominated for two GRAMMYs in 2021 (Record Of The Year and Song Of The Year), showing that Malone's lean into soft pop's accessibility with full emotional force suits him well.

"Reputation," Twelve Carat Toothache (2022)

Melodrama bleeds from Twelve Carat Toothache's regret-filled opener, "Reputation." Over slow, meandering piano, Malone moodily contemplates the price of fame, dissecting how his celebrity status has severely impacted his perception of himself.

The track is uncharacteristically minimal in terms of production, yet "Reputation" holds listeners' full attention thanks to Malone's stirring vocal and emotional performance. Its moments of pause incur self-reflection, and the song's stream-of-consciousness style makes it one of Malone's strongest shows of vulnerability. The singer doesn't hold back, even as he chokes on cigarettes: "I was born, what a shame."

"Mourning," AUSTIN (2023)

Malone is no stranger to discussing struggles with sobriety in his music, and his openness is what makes so much of his music compelling. Following Twelve Carat Toothache's "Love/Hate Letter to Alcohol," the second single off his upcoming album, AUSTIN, continues writing this deeply honest letter.

Malone's radio-ready "Mourning" showcases the singer's ability to break down more serious topics over sunnier tunes, making this song an unmistakable Posty essential. And, while the track plays on morning/mourning as facing the regret of a wild night out, the singer still presents an almost comedic self-awareness: "Got a lot of shit to say, couldn't fit it in the chorus" or "The way I gotta flex you'd think I did pilates." Even when Malone is tackling darker content, he always finds a way to tap into lightheartedness.

5 Takeaways From Post Malone's New Album, 'Twelve Carat Toothache'

New Music Friday: Listen To New Songs From Travis Scott, Britney Spears, NewJeans & More
Travis Scott performs at the 2023 Wireless Festival.

Photo: Simone Joyner/Getty Images

news

New Music Friday: Listen To New Songs From Travis Scott, Britney Spears, NewJeans & More

July 21 marks a big day of new music releases, including star-studded collaborations like Travis Scott, Bad Bunny and The Weeknd's "K-POP" and a new EP from NewJeans. Hear some of the biggest new songs on GRAMMY.com.

GRAMMYs/Jul 21, 2023 - 08:06 pm

Like so many New Music Fridays before it, July 21 brought a cornucopia of fresh and unique sounds from all over the map.

Want to hear Travis Scott, Bad Bunny and the Weeknd get mellow and psychedelic? Raring to hear the latest dispatch from a One Direction member? Want a taste of A$AP Rocky's long-awaited next album? Is a Britney-shaped chunk missing from your musical life? Want to hear the future of K-pop? 

To these and other questions, this slew of tunes will provide answers. In the below roundup, hurtle into the weekend with wildly divergent sounds from some of music's top acts — many with sizable GRAMMY legacies.

Travis Scott, Bad Bunny, The Weeknd — "K-POP"

A week before nine-time GRAMMY nominee Travis Scott's Utopia livestream event at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt on July 28 — which will debut his new studio album of the same name — he dropped his sixth collaboration with four-time GRAMMY winner the Weeknd.

"K-POP," the album's lead single, is rounded out by three-time GRAMMY winner Bad Bunny, in his first collab with Scott. This triple-threat track has a stony, smoldering feel, with luxurious production from Boi-1da, among others — and it's elevated by its panoramic, transportive video.

ZAYN — "Love Like This"

The former One Direction member continues his solo legacy with "Love Like This," his first new single since 2021.

Therein, ZAYN extols the virtues of throwing caution to the wind when it comes to infatuation: "Everything is on the line, but I would rather be dead/If it's gonna mean a life that's lived without you, baby," he sings. "I think I gotta take that risk/ 'cause I cannot go back."

In the video, ZAYN putters around on a motorcycle on a gorgeous day. Previously signed to RCA, the singer recently moved to Mercury Records; could "Love Like This" be the ramp-up to a new album? If so, "Love Like This" offers a tantalizing taste of what's to come.

will.i.am, Britney Spears — "MIND YOUR BUSINESS"

After the termination of her conservatorship, GRAMMY winner Britney Spears dipped a toe back into her music career in 2022 with "Hold Me Closer," a duet with Elton John that includes elements of "Tiny Dancer," "The One" and "Don't Go Breaking My Heart."

Now, she's back in earnest with "MIND YOUR BUSINESS," a sassy, pulsing, electronic duet with seven-time GRAMMY winner will.i.am of Black Eyed Peas fame. The track marks the pair's fourth team-up, and first since 2014's "It Should Be Easy" from Spears' Brtiney Jean.

NewJeans — "ETA"

GRAMMY.com called NewJeans one of 10 K-Pop rookie girl groups to watch in 2023, and keeping ears on them has paid off. On July 21, they released their new EP, Get Up, to critical acclaim: NME declared that "​​no one can hold a candle to K-pop's rising wonder girls."

Concurrently with the release of Get Up, they released a joyous, iPhone-shot music video to its effervescent single, "ETA," in which a group of girls find a friend's boyfriend making moves on another lady.

Chris Stapleton — "White Horse"

Chris Stapleton's last album, 2020's Starting Over, helped the country crooner make a clean sweep at the 2022 GRAMMYs. At that ceremony, he won golden gramophones for Best Country Solo Performance ("You Should Probably Leave"), Best Country Song ("Cold") and Best Country Album ("Starting Over").

On Nov. 10, the eight-time GRAMMY winner will release his next LP, Higher. As he revealed the news on July 21, Stapleton also unveiled a majestic rocker of a single, "White Horse." "If you want a cowboy on a white horse/ Ridin' off into the sunset," he sings thunderously, "If that's the kinda love you wanna wait for/ Hold on tight, girl, I ain't there yet."

A$AP Rocky — "RIOT (Rowdy Pipe'n)"

For his latest track, A$AP Rocky dropped a stylish, charming short film for Beats depicting a harried diaper run (a fitting narrative for the new dad, soon to be dad of two, with partner Rihanna). That only contains a minute of the song, though; it's worth luxuriating in the whole thing.

To an uneasy, lumbering beat, Rocky extols a lifestyle to die for ("My wife is erotic/ I'm smokin' exotic/My whip is exotic") as well as his unparalleled connections ("I just call designers up, I free ninety-nine it").

Backed by 13-time GRAMMY winner Pharrell, "RIOT (Rowdy Pipe'n)" is said to be the first single from A$AP Rocky's long-awaited fourth album, Don't Be Dumb; if the quality of the track is any indication, it'll be worth the long haul.

Road To 'Barbie The Album': How Mark Ronson Dolled Up The Movie's Polished Pop Soundtrack