K-pop group P1Harmony did not start with the odds in their favor. They debuted months into a global pandemic, without the resources of a huge company, at a time when live performances were nil. But the scrappy sextet persevered, and have now released six EPs, embarked on two tours, and headlined venues in five continents.   

Formed in 2020, the group's name is an amalgamation of "plus," "one," and "harmony," meaning members Keeho, Jiung, Intak, Theo, Jongseob and Soul can achieve endless harmonious possibilities as a unit. P1Harmony's latest album, Killin’ It, is their first full-length release. The album is both a confident celebration of their musical identity and a comprehensive introduction to any new fans.

Out Feb. 5, the 10-track Killin' It  features a minimalist, synth-driven title track with a catchy 808 base and masterful rap that pays homage to '90s hip-hop and K-pop. P1Harmony's catchy electropop permeates the sentimental "Late Night Calls'' and influences the freestyle chants on "Everybody Clap," and the anthemic "Street Star." The record's final track, "I See U," is a confession of love to their fans, known as P1ece.

P1Harmony have had a flair for drama since their debut teaser. In keeping with the K-pop trend of incorporating storylines into their visual releases, six EPs ended with the reveal that P1Harmony were hidden "heroes," facing the world fused as one. Killin’ It continues the "forgotten heroes" theme, with Keeho taking the conceptual reins on the album.

P1Harmony members have been contributing towards their releases since the beginning — a concept that has only recently gained popularity in K-pop. Killin’ It is no different, and Jongseob, Intak, Jiung, and Keeho are credited for lyrics and composition on several tracks. 

In a saturated industry, P1Harmony’s Gen-Z sense of humor gives them a leg up amongst their peers. In fact, they are known as much for their unfiltered personalities as they are for their music. In a particularly viral example, leader Keeho advised a fan to cut her friend's hair off because they were making fun of her curls. 

Ahead of the release of Killin' It, GRAMMY.com caught up with the group over Zoom, to chat about perfectionism, touring dreams, and career milestones.

**Tell us about the first full length album. What were you trying to go for with Killin’ It?** 

Keeho: This is an album where we could really cement what we're good at, what we like to do and what we want to keep doing in the future. I feel like it's kind of different from the EPs because those were more chances for us to experiment and filter out what does and doesn’t stick. 

We've created so many memories and experiences where we learned what things look good on us and sounds sonically good to us. It's a really good turning point as well. Our storylines from the previous EPs are wrapping up and it's a new chapter for us moving forward.

Jongseob: I wrote on all 10 tracks on this album, and that process was very exciting. I feel like I could fit more of my own style in this album than before. This was also like a playground for me because I got to do whatever I wanted with my own verses. 

Do you feel like it took more effort to make Killin’ It than with previous releases? Is there an added pressure because it's P1Harmony's first full length album? 

Intak: Because we were on and off tour, I always had to write on the move. As a writer it took me a lot longer and a lot more focus to write my raps than in previous albums. 

Keeho: Of course there is added pressure. Yes, I am confident and happy to show our P1eces what we’ve made, but even to this day, there's always that feeling of is there anything we could have done better? As perfectionists, we’re always trying to find the flaws so we can minimize them, but no matter how much we try they never go away. It’s not always bad though, because it’s also a way to constantly improve as artists. 

If we were always satisfied with everything we did, there would be nothing pushing us to go that extra mile. It gets stressful, but at the end of the day, if our fans love it then that’s all that matters. 

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Where is the point when you realize you have to stop and let go of what you’re working on?

Jiung: It’s different for each of us, but as a team we also think that if we fix something too much, it goes wrong. We try our best to keep each other from going overboard.

Keeho: They say the first take is always the best take. And also, we have a deadline! [Laughs.] No matter how many times I want to do more, I have to send it across. 

I did a lot of contribution in the conceptual and visual side of this album, and I remember because of the deadline I was at the airport lounge finishing up the PDF and sending it over before I got on the plane. We were writing in hotel rooms, on planes, in the lounges —— there's always a deadline to be met. 

Visually, what was the creative direction for this album? What concepts did you draw inspiration from?

Keeho: The main story created for this full-length album was about P1Harmony being the "forgotten" heroes. Hence the theme I was very inspired by the movie Suicide Squad. 

For the "Killin' It" version, I really wanted to show off each member's identity through the outfits. I feel like a lot of the time when we figure out outfits we tend to play it safe and match a certain color scheme or silhouette, but I really wanted each member to have their own style. If you watch The Hunger Games, each member of Katniss' team has a matching gold emblem to signify they are in one team, like the Mockingjay pin. The one thing that brought us together was our matching necklaces, brooches, and pant chains.

For the "Maximum" version, I thought if we make the set in contrast a lot smaller than we are, we can give off the illusion of literally being bigger than everything. We came up with the amusement park idea because there's something fun and colorful but also eerie and dark about it. Maybe it comes from my fear of clowns and rollercoasters but I liked that difference in feeling. 

I would love to do something cinematic again like we did during our debut. 

What do you want your next milestone to be?

Jiung: I think the next tour, because I feel it would be even better than the one we just finished. I'm excited to fill up the setlist with the album that we're about to release.

**What would need to happen for you to think, okay, we've made it, I can retire peacefully?**

Keeho: We're very young. [Laughs.]  I don’t know about retiring yet. 

Jiung: I don’t think we're gonna retire. We're so passionate and we're so happy to show ourselves in every area. 

Theo: If we did a stadium tour, I would retire. 

Keeho: We’d have to get Beyoncé level. We’re talking big production, we’re talking Renaissance. 

I don't know how convincing it might sound but I feel like, as long as we have a reason and it's something that we love to do, we are so, so, so hardworking. It is almost violent and scary to see. We will sacrifice sleep, food, anything if it's really something we love to do. And if it gets to the point where we get the opportunity to do a stadium tour, I think it'd be awesome. 

**Some of that is a little alarming — please take care of yourselves! Your last EP, Harmony: All In, spoke a lot about the challenges that come with loving yourself. How do you experience self-love today?**

Theo: Nothing has really changed for me. I feel like up until the point where I pass away, I don’t think it will be a difficult task for me to love myself.

Jiung: For me, sometimes it's a roller coaster but I'm good now. It’s all good with my bros.

Five out of the 10 songs on Killin' It are about love. How would you explain what love is to somebody who's lost all their memory?

Jiung: I got the same question about two years ago at a fanmeet. I don't know how to translate it, but in Korean I said something like "love is when I'm thinking about you with my full energy."

Keeho: It’s a tricky question, though because I feel like love you is such a strong [phrase]  and it holds so much meaning. I would just answer like this [Keeho makes several heart shapes with his hands]. 

11 Rookie K-Pop Acts To Know In 2024: NCT Wish, RIIZE, Kiss Of Life & More

The complexity of Korean pop music is akin to an ocean of changing tides. Every year brings a stream of new elements that, in due course, become part of the fabric of the genre. That’s the part of the magic of K-pop: a guaranteed churning of trends and influences that continue to mesmerize millions.

While last year saw an awakening of girl groups, the current landscape of boy groups is reaching an interesting phase. Well-established ensembles are growing more soloists than ever, and different generations of performers exist side-by-side in a way previously unseen. At the same time, survival television shows (those similar to “American Idol” or “The Voice”) remain a cultural phenomenon in Korean music, serving as a vault for trainees and many in this new wave of boy groups.

Within this new wave, K-pop acts such as VERIVERY and ONEUS are experiencing long-awaited recognition, while the groups who debuted during the pandemic are finally performing in front of live audiences. Meanwhile, rookies like xikers are raising their hands with a desire to conquer, and yet-to-debut acts like ZEROBASEONE are hotly anticipated.

Here, get to know 11 rising boy groups — in order of debut — consolidating their position under the bright lights of K-pop’s dominion.

VERIVERY

Energy and precision are integral parts of Verivery’s identity. The group seems to flip a switch in the audience with their impeccable coordination and lively dance-pop sound. But they also embrace dualities in their music — exploring the emotional highs and lows of life.

Hailing from Jellyfish Entertainment, the septet debuted in January 2019 with the new jack swing single "Ring Ring Ring," and continually sharpened their skills to drive impact. Verivery’s third single album, Liminality - EP. Love, and its title track, "Tap Tap," opened a new chapter, and the group captured their first-ever wins in MBC’s "Show Champion" and KBS’s "Music Bank."

ONEUS

If there’s one group that thrives on defying creative limits and building timeless narratives, it’s ONEUS. They’re called "stage geniuses" for a reason. 

Formed by music label RBW in 2019, the quintet have established themselves as versatile performers with intricate choreographies and vocal prowess. Each record reveals a new soundscape, and with it, there’s a seamless unpredictability that increases their public acknowledgement. 

Their eighth mini-album, Malus, released last September, proved to be a breakthrough. ONEUS earned four trophies from South Korean music shows, and they crossed the barrier of one million accumulated sales on the Circle Chart, one of the most notable music charts in their home country.

CRAVITY

CRAVITY combines the words "Creativity" and "Gravity" to state their aura can draw you in like a magnet. They’re joie de vivre personified and may switch gears from "monster rookies" to K-pop dynamos at any moment.  

Since debuting in 2020 under Starship Entertainment, the group has displayed great adaptability when tackling different musical colors. But the arrival of Liberty: In Our Cosmos, the second part of their first full-length album, in March 2022, channeled a youthful approach that’s become their signature sound. This conceptual glow-up fully fleshed out CRAVITY’s abilities that shine the most in feel-good pop terrains, crafting a unique niche as a result. 

TREASURE

Backed by YG Entertainment (Blackpink, BIGBANG), TREASURE burst onto the scene in the summer of 2020 with the hard-hitting single "Boy." It was the crowning of sky-high expectations since they came together a year prior through the challenging survival show YG Treasure Box. However, in November 2022, vocalists Bang Yedam and Mashiho left, and TREASURE had to redirect their trek with 10 members.

TREASURE aren’t only known for their blistering levels of performance, as they also flaunt a diverse sonic palette and self-written material. Take, for example, the potent "JIKJIN," which contrasts with the zestful charisma surrounding "Hello," or the enchanting (and viral) "DARARI," composed by former member Bang Yedam. They’re creative powerhouses and this is just the beginning for them.

DRIPPIN

This seven-member group assembled by Woollim Entertainment demonstrates how it’s possible to mature a career without compromising brilliance. DRIPPIN boasts one of the most solid repertoires in the fourth generation of K-pop. 

When DRIPPIN debuted in 2020 with their EP, Boyager, their musical compass signaled lightness, but as time passed, the course steered towards a darker route. It was an organic and smooth transformation, exemplified by their fantastic Villain album series released throughout 2022.

P1Harmony 

The start of P1Harmony’s journey in October 2020 was literally a cinematic experience that laid the foundation for their exciting artistry. They’re adventurous and fun, so better be prepared every time they take the stage — because you’re in for a ride.

Of course, nothing of this would be possible without having a mesh of talents working in tandem. The voices of Keeho and Theo balance out the fierceness of rappers Intak and Jongseob, while Soul and Jiung are proven all-rounders. This blend and a penchant for electrifying tracks are the main propulsors behind P1Harmony’s international popularity.

TEMPEST

Living up to the essence of their group’s name, up-and-coming stars TEMPEST are a force to be reckoned with. And contrary to the title of their debut song, "Bad News," their entrance into the K-pop realm was a harbinger of potential.

The septet comes from Yuehua Entertainment, home to Iz*One alum Choi Yena and girl group EVERGLOW. Several members participated in competition programs like "Produce 101" and "I-LAND" — so their perspective, along with their collective strengths, indicates that these newcomers wield the confidence of veterans. Last year, the group won accolades across different South Korean music ceremonies as best new artists – including the New Wave Award from the Asia Artist Awards.

TAN

When exploring the vastness of K-pop, it’s always a pleasant surprise to discover captivating hidden gems. This is the case of TAN, a septet formed through MBC’s survival show "Extreme Debut: Wild Idol." 

What makes TAN such an alluring act is its musical nostalgia, which is reminiscent of one of the most brilliant eras of K-pop. Press play on their first single "Du Du Du," and you’ll find yourself immersed in a second-generation revival layered with stunning vocals. Fortunately, the group is holding the line, and their latest record, "FIX YOU," continues with this evocative quality even a year after their debut.

xikers

Xikers are the freshest (and youngest) idols on this list, yet they’re threading a path that has many paying close attention. 

Formerly known as KQ Fellaz 2, the world witnessed the group’s onstage verve when they opened for labelmates ATEEZ during their 2022 North American tour. In March, they debuted with the double-punch "TRICKY HOUSE" and "ROCKSTAR," both singles from their first mini-album, HOUSE OF TRICKY: Doorbell Ringing. The seven-track project has sold more than 140,000 copies in South Korea. With their vibrant teamwork, aural intensity, and rapidly growing recognition, xikers are certainly a bunch to keep your eyes on.

BOYNEXTDOOR

At the end of 2020, K-pop giant HYBE announced the acquisition of KOZ Entertainment, a music label spearheaded by Block B’s leader Zico. The news was received with surprise, and fans wondered what kind of endeavors this business alliance could offer.

What followed has been a series of revelations that have created enthusiasm about their first project together: A group called BOYNEXTDOOR. The six members – Sungho, Riwoo, Jaehyun, Taesan, Leehan and Woonhak – were officially presented on May 12, and the concept is already striking as bright and juvenile. We will get the whole picture once BOYNEXTDOOR debuts on May 30 with their first single album, WHO!    

ZEROBASEONE 

Although the story of ZEROBASEONE (shortened as ZB1) is yet to unfold, a promise of success is darting their presence in the industry. Word on the street says they will inaugurate K-pop’s fifth generation, but that will be a topic of discussion when they step into the spotlight next summer. In the meantime, we’ll see how many records go down before that happens.

This nine-member, multinational ensemble emerged from Mnet’s reality competition Boys Planet – a spin-off of 2021’s Girls Planet 999, which created their sister group Kep1er. It’s a well-rounded lineup that will allow for artistic agility and breathtaking stages, the same characteristics that attracted hundreds of thousands of viewers during ZB1’s formation process week after week. Worth mentioning that Zhang Hao, a music prodigy from Fujian, China, made history as the first foreigner to win a Korean survival show of this kind, and he will be the group’s center.

TXT, Blackpink, Aespa & More: Here Are All The K-Pop Tours And Events You Can Catch This Summer

Since 1959, the GRAMMY Award has been music’s most coveted honor. Each year at the annual GRAMMY Awards, GRAMMY-winning and -nominated artists are recognized for their musical excellence by their peers. Their lives are forever changed — so are their career trajectories. And when you have questions about the GRAMMYs, we have answers.

Here are seven facts to know about the value of the GRAMMY trophy.

How Much Does A GRAMMY Trophy Cost To Make?

The cost to produce a GRAMMY Award trophy, including labor and materials, is nearly $800. Bob Graves, who cast the original GRAMMY mold inside his garage in 1958, passed on his legacy to John Billings, his neighbor, in 1983. Billings, also known as "The GRAMMY Man," designed the current model in use, which debuted in 1991.

How Long Does It Take To Make A GRAMMY Trophy?

Billings and his crew work on making GRAMMY trophies throughout the year. Each GRAMMY is handmade, and each GRAMMY Award trophy takes 15 hours to produce. 

Where Are The GRAMMY Trophies Made?

While Los Angeles is the headquarters of the Recording Academy and the GRAMMYs, and regularly the home of the annual GRAMMY Awards, GRAMMY trophies are produced at Billings Artworks in Ridgway, Colorado, about 800 miles away from L.A.

Is The GRAMMY Award Made Of Real Gold?

GRAMMY Awards are made of a trademarked alloy called "Grammium" — a secret zinc alloy — and are plated with 24-karat gold.

How Many GRAMMY Trophies Are Made Per Year?

Approximately 600-800 GRAMMY Award trophies are produced per year. This includes both GRAMMY Awards and Latin GRAMMY Awards for the two Academies; the number of GRAMMYs manufactured each year always depends on the number of winners and Categories we award across both award shows.

Fun fact: The two GRAMMY trophies have different-colored bases. The GRAMMY Award has a black base, while the Latin GRAMMY Award has a burgundy base.

Photos: Gabriel Bouys/AFP via Getty Images; Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

How Much Does A GRAMMY Weigh?

The GRAMMY trophy weighs approximately 5 pounds. The trophy's height is 9-and-a-half inches. The trophy's width is nearly 6 inches by 6 inches.

What Is The True Value Of A GRAMMY?

Winning a GRAMMY, and even just being nominated for a GRAMMY, has an immeasurable positive impact on the nominated and winning artists. It opens up new career avenues, builds global awareness of artists, and ultimately solidifies a creator’s place in history. Since the GRAMMY Award is the only peer-voted award in music, this means artists are recognized, awarded and celebrated by those in their fields and industries, ultimately making the value of a GRAMMY truly priceless and immeasurable.

In an interview featured in the 2024 GRAMMYs program book, two-time GRAMMY winner Lauren Daigle spoke of the value and impact of a GRAMMY Award. "Time has passed since I got my [first] GRAMMYs, but the rooms that I am now able to sit in, with some of the most incredible writers, producers and performers on the planet, is truly the greatest gift of all." 

"Once you have that credential, it's a different certification. It definitely holds weight," two-time GRAMMY winner Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter of the Roots added. "It's a huge stamp as far as branding, businesswise, achievement-wise and in every regard. What the GRAMMY means to people, fans and artists is ever-evolving." 

As Billboard explains, artists will often see significant boosts in album sales and streaming numbers after winning a GRAMMY or performing on the GRAMMY stage. This is known as the "GRAMMY Effect," an industry phenomenon in which a GRAMMY accolade directly influences the music biz and the wider popular culture. 

For new artists in particular, the "GRAMMY Effect" has immensely helped rising creators reach new professional heights. Samara Joy, who won the GRAMMY for Best New Artist at the 2023 GRAMMYs, saw a 989% boost in sales and a 670% increase in on-demand streams for her album Linger Awhile, which won the GRAMMY for Best Jazz Vocal Album that same night. H.E.R., a former Best New Artist nominee, saw a massive 6,771% increase in song sales for her hit “I Can’t Breathe” on the day it won the GRAMMY for Song Of The Year at the 2021 GRAMMYs, compared to the day before, Rolling Stone reports. 

Throughout the decades, past Best New Artist winners have continued to dominate the music industry and charts since taking home the GRAMMY gold — and continue to do so to this day. Recently, Best New Artist winners dominated the music industry and charts in 2023: Billie Eilish (2020 winner) sold 2 million equivalent album units, Olivia Rodrigo (2022 winner) sold 2.1 million equivalent album units, and Adele (2009 winner) sold 1.3 million equivalent album units. Elsewhere, past Best New Artist winners have gone on to star in major Hollywood blockbusters (Dua Lipa); headline arena tours and sign major brand deals (Megan Thee Stallion); become LGBTIA+ icons (Sam Smith); and reach multiplatinum status (John Legend).

Most recently, several winners, nominees and performers at the 2024 GRAMMYs saw significant bumps in U.S. streams and sales: Tracy Chapman's classic, GRAMMY-winning single "Fast Car," which she performed alongside Luke Combs, returned to the Billboard Hot 100 chart for the first time since 1988, when the song was originally released, according to Billboard. Fellow icon Joni Mitchell saw her ‘60s classic “Both Sides, Now,” hit the top 10 on the Digital Song Sales chart, Billboard reports.

In addition to financial gains, artists also experience significant professional wins as a result of their GRAMMY accolades. For instance, after she won the GRAMMY for Best Reggae Album for Rapture at the 2020 GRAMMYs, Koffee signed a U.S. record deal; after his first GRAMMYs in 2014, Kendrick Lamar saw a 349% increase in his Instagram following, Billboard reports. 

Visit our interactive GRAMMY Awards Journey page to learn more about the GRAMMY Awards and the voting process behind the annual ceremony.

2024 GRAMMYs: See The Full Winners & Nominees List

With spring just around the corner, it’s time to welcome AAPI Month in full blossom. From rising musical artists to inspiring community leaders, it’s essential to recognize AAPI members of the artistic world and their achievements.

While AAPI Month is a U.S. holiday, the Recording Academy takes a global approach in celebrating artists and creators from across the Asian and Asian American diaspora. This aligns with the Recording Academy's growing mission to expand its reach on a global scale and celebrate international creators outside of the U.S.  

Musicians of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander heritage have not only helped establish the music industry, but have transformed it. From Diljit Dosanjh being the first artist to play a Coachella set entirely in Punjabi to Laufey winning a GRAMMY for her jazz-inspired pop, AAPI artists continue to influence music by both honoring tradition and reshaping modern standards.

It’s thrilling to see AAPI musicians continue to take centerstage — from Atarashi Gakko! to Tiger JK’s memorable sets at Coachella, to surprise appearances from Olivia Rodrigo, Dominic Fike, and Towa Bird. As festival season gets underway, examples of the AAPI starpower from every corner of the world abound.

As one of many ways to celebrate AAPI Month, listen to the GRAMMY.com playlist below — as a reminder to give AAPI musicians not just their May flowers, but their flowers all year-round!

As a month that welcomes rising temperatures and blooming flowers, May will also bring a flurry of new albums. In its first week, Dua Lipa will put forth her third LP and inject the world with a good dose of Radical Optimism. She will be joined by Sia and her tenth album, Reasonable Woman, and by R&B newcomer 4Batz, who will debut with the mixtape U Made Me St4r.

On May 17, it's Billie Eilish's turn to drop the much-awaited Hit Me Hard and Soft, as well as the return of Cage the Elephant with Neon Pill, Twenty One Pilots' final concept album, Clancy, and former One Direction member Zayn experimenting with new sounds on Room Under the Stairs.

Later on, Sam Tompkins and Tems will both make their studio album debuts with hi my name is insecure and Born in the Wild, respectively. The month will close off with Pakistani singer Arooj Aftab's Night Reign, but before that, there's plenty of other releases to explore.

GRAMMY.com compiled a list with 15 must-listen albums dropping in May 2024 so that you can take a stroll at this month's burgeoning, diverse garden.

Dua Lipa - Radical Optimism

Release date: May 3

"A couple years ago, a friend introduced me to the term 'radical optimism'," said Dua Lipa in a press statement about her upcoming third album, out May 3. "It struck me — the idea of going through chaos gracefully and feeling like you can weather any storm."

This perspective on life inspired the British-Albanian singer both personally and musically. Radical Optimism comes brimming with the "pure joy and happiness of having clarity in situations that once seemed impossible to face." With 11 tracks and production by Danny L Harle and Kevin Parker, the record spins psychedelia and Britpop into a "tribute to UK rave culture," as Lipa described it in an interview for Rolling Stone.

Read more: Dua Lipa Danced The Night Away with "Training Season" & "Houdini" | 2024 GRAMMYs Performance

A preview of the sounds she will approach in the successor of 2020's Future Nostalgia can be seen through singles "Houdini," "Training Session," and "Illusion." Starting June, Lipa will perform a string of concerts in Europe and headline Glastonbury Festival in the U.K.

Kamasi Washington - Fearless Movement

Release date: May 3

It's been six years since jazz virtuoso Kamasi Washington released his latest album, 2016's Heaven and Earth. Hence, his return is highly anticipated: Fearless Movement will come out on May 3, and is described in a press release as Washington's first "dance album." 

"It's not literal," he explained. "Dance is movement and expression, and in a way it's the same thing as music — expressing your spirit through your body. That's what this album is pushing."

Fearless Movement was also inspired by the here-and-now, and the changes that Washington went through since the birth of his first child. "Being a father means the horizon of your life all of a sudden shows up," he shared. "My mortality became more apparent to me, but also my immortality — realizing that my daughter is going to live on and see things that I'm never going to see. I had to become comfortable with this, and that affected the music that I was making."

Washington's daughter also earned songwriting credits in "Asha The First," after coming up with a melody while playing on the piano. In addition to her, the LP also features appearances from André 3000 on the flute, Terrace Martin, Thundercat, Patrice Quinn, George Clinton, BJ The Chicago Kid, and more.

Soon after the release, Washington will kick off a North American tour throughout June, and then head over to Europe and the U.K. in October and November.

Charlotte Day Wilson - Cyan Blue

Release date: May 3

Following her acclaimed 2021 debut LP, Alpha, Canadian multihyphenate Charlotte Day Wilson dives into Cyan Blue for her sophomore release. "You passed through me like a light, but part of you would always remain," she shared about the record on Instagram. "Imprinted, stacked, a palimpsest of love and pain that left me with a world of blue. These are the stories and the palette I was given to paint them with."

Read more: Press Play At Home: Watch Charlotte Day Wilson Perform A Lithe Version Of "I Can Only Whisper"

Day Wilson has a gift for turning intimate reflections into timeless artwork, and this album sees her experimenting with a more carefree approach. "Before, I was extremely intentional about creating music with a strong foundation, a bed of artistic integrity…" she shared in a press release. "But that was a bit stifling, like, ‘Let me just make a great piece of art that will stand the test of time, no pressure.' Now, I think I'm getting out of this frozen state of needing everything to be perfect. I'm more interested in capturing feelings in the moment as they happen and leaving them in that moment."

Cyan Blue will feature 13 tracks, including singles "I Don't Love You" and "Canopy." For those lucky to experience Day Wilson's inimitable voice live, she will be touring North America from May through July.

Mdou Moctar - Funeral for Justice

Release date: May 3

"This album is really different for me," shares Mdou Moctar, the band's namesake, singer, and guitarist, in a press release about their upcoming release, Funeral for Justice. "Now the problems of terrorist violence are more serious in Africa. When the U.S. and Europe came here, they said they're going to help us, but what we see is really different. They never help us to find a solution."

Funeral For Justice doesn't hold back on examining the struggles of Niger and of the Tuareg people (of which Moctar, guitarist Ahmoudou Madassane and drummer Souleymane Ibrahim belong.) Recorded during the two years that the band spent touring after the release of 2021's acclaimed Afrique Victime, it is described as "louder, faster, and more wild," with fiery guitar solos and "passionately political" lyrics that permeate nine meteoric tracks.

"Mdou Moctar has been a strong anti-colonial band ever since I've been a part of it," adds bassist and producer Mikey Coltun. "France came in, f****d up the country, then said ‘you're free.' And they're not." So far, the band shared lead single "Funeral for Justice" and the mesmerizing "Imouhar" — an elegy to their Tamasheq language, which is at risk of dying out. "People here are just using French," said Moctar. "They're starting to forget their own language. We feel like in a hundred years no one will speak good Tamasheq, and that's so scary for us." 

After performing at Coachella in April, the band is set to tour the U.S. in June and Europe and the U.K. in August. The run includes several festival appearances, like Bonnaroo, Green River, and Glastonbury.

4Batz - U Made Me A St4r 

Release date: May 3

Viral R&B and hip hop singer 4Batz initially announced his debut mixtape, U Made Me A St4r, for April, but the release was postponed for a month. "Been making some of the best s**t of my life the last couple weeks," he shared on Instagram. "So ima push the mixtape to 5.3.24 so it can be perfect for yall." 

The contrast between 4Batz's tough appearance and high-pitched love songs propelled him to the stars. He garnered the attention of artists like Kanye West, Robin Thicke, and Drake — who ultimately signed him to his record label OVO in order to release this mixtape. Drake also featured on a remix of 4Batz's 2023 hit, "act ii: date @ 8."

Although there's not much info on the tracklist or any upcoming activities, the Dallas-born singer is excited by the mystery: "I'm really in love with this EP," he told Billboard in a recent interview. This EP's gon' break the f**kin' internet, world, all this s**t."

Sia - Reasonable Woman

Release date: May 3

Since the release of lead single "Gimme Love" in September 2023, fans have been eagerly awaiting for Australian superstar Sia's new album. Titled Reasonable Woman and set to drop on May 3, this is her 10th studio release overall, and her first proper pop solo LP since 2016's This Is Acting.

Anticipation only grew as Sia shared a number of lofty singles in past months, including the Kylie Minogue collaboration "Dance Alone," "Incredible" featuring Labrinth, and the recent "Fame Won't Love You," with Paris Hilton. Through the LP's 15 tracks, the singer collaborated further with Chaka Khan, Tierra Whack, Missy Elliott, Kaliii and Jimmy Jolliff.

Behind the scenes, Reasonable Woman also held a star-studded list of producers, engineers, and writers, such as Greg Kurstin, Jesse Shatkin, Benny Blanco, Bülow, Cashmere Cat, Mark "Spike" Stent, Rosalía and more.

Billie Eilish - Hit Me Hard and Soft

Release date: May 17

In April, when a series of billboards and posters with lyric snippets and Billie Eilish's signature "blosh" logo appeared in major global cities, fans knew that her anticipated third LP would be announced soon. A few days later, the GRAMMY and Oscar-winning artist shared a video teaser for Hit Me Hard and Soft, set to release on May 17.

Eilish took it to Instagram to disclose her excitement, and that she is "not doing singles i wanna give it to you all at once." As usual, the record was written by herself and brother, producer, and musical collaborator Finneas O'Connell. According to a press release, Hit Me Hard and Soft includes ten tracks, and "does exactly as the title suggests; hits you hard and soft both lyrically and sonically, while bending genres and defying trends along the way." The album launch also focuses on sustainability by using "the most sustainable practices available" with a page on her website dedicated to ecological production details. 

In an interview with Apple Music's Zane Lowe, the musician teased title track "Hit Me Hard and Soft" and b-side "Chihiro," which references the main character in Studio Ghibli's 2001 animation, Spirited Away. "I feel like every time you put anything out, it feels like your nudes leaked a little bit, and I think this [album], specifically, is like that," Eilish added. "Something that Finneas and I said to a couple of people when we were starting to play it for people was that we kind of made the album that if somebody had said, you know, ‘I want you to make an album, and no one is gonna hear it'... We pretty much, with exceptions, made that album. We made an album without really any — or much — thought of other people."

Of Montreal - Lady on the Cusp

Release date: May 17

Lady on the Cusp is the 19th album from of Montreal, the band project of multi-instrumentalist and singer Kevin Barnes. Inspired by a relocation from Athens, GA — where Barnes lived for nearly three decades — to Vermont together with his partner, songwriter Christina Schneider (aka Locate S,1), Lady is shaped by his reflections on that experience.

According to a press statement, the album is a "reintroduction" to of Montreal, comprising 10 "funny and sad, sexy and brooding, playful and serious" tracks. This carefree approach can be seen on lead single "Yung Hearts Bleed Free," which was influenced by Leos Carax's 1984 film Boy Meets Girl and by Bootsy's Rubber Band, as well as on the laid back "Rude Girl on Rotation."

Two weeks after dropping the album, of Montreal will embark on a major tour across the U.S., starting in Athens, GA, and wrapping it up on July 2 in Asheville, NC.

Cage the Elephant - Neon Pill

Release date: May 17

After winning Best Rock Album at the 2020 GRAMMYs for Social Cues, Cage the Elephant went through a rough patch. In addition to the COVID-19 pandemic, lead vocalist Matt Shultz weathered a mental health crisis, and the band lost several close family members and friends, including Matt and Brad Shultz's father.

Five years later, the alt-rock sextet is ready to reemerge with their sixth studio album, Neon Pill, out May 17. "To me, Neon Pill is the first record where we were consistently uninfluenced, and I mean that in a positive way," said Matt in a statement. "Everything is undoubtedly expressed through having settled into finding our own voice. We've always drawn inspiration from artists we love, and at times we've even emulated some of them to a certain degree. With this album, having gone through so much, life had almost forced us into becoming more and more comfortable with ourselves… We just found a uniqueness in simply existing."

Produced by John Hill, the record spans 12 tracks that "alchemized a season of tragedy and turbulence" into a whirlwind of riffs and emotions. A preview of Neon Pill can be seen through the title track and singles "Out Loud" and "Good Time." To celebrate their return, the band will tour North America throughout the summer, including performances at Bonnaroo, Hangout Music Festival, and Oceans Calling.

Twenty One Pilots - Clancy

Release date: May 17

On May 17, 2015, Twenty One Pilots released their breakthrough LP, Blurryface. The record also marked the beginning of an intricate concept album series — which is due to come to a conclusion almost a decade later, on May 17 of this year.

Titled Clancy, the final piece of the puzzle states that "a new chapter begins," while making several references to the GRAMMY-winning duo's past works. On lead single "Overcompensate," for example, they mirror the outro of "Levitate" and rehash lyrics from "Bandito," both tracks off their 2018 LP, Trench. Clancy was produced by frontman Tyler Joseph and Paul Meany, and contains 13 tracks.

Most recently, TOP shared the single "Next Semester," alongside dates for an extensive world tour that will cross North America, Australia, New Zealand, The U.K., and Europe.

Zayn - Room Under the Stairs

Release date: May 17

For his fourth full-length album, Room Under the Stairs, British singer and One Direction alum Zayn enlisted an unforeseen co-producer: Dave Cobb. Known for his work with Chris Stapleton, Brandi Carlile, Bruce Springsteen, and Lady Gaga, Cobb is responsible for aiding Zayn to step into a new musical direction.

Swiping his signature moody R&B, Zayn dives into country and adult contemporary for the upcoming release, as can be seen in debuted singles "What I Am" and "Alienated." In an interview for the Call Her Daddy podcast last year, the singer shared, "I'm doing a record I don't think people are really gonna expect. It's a different sound for me. And it's got some more narrative going on, like real-life experiences and stuff. My daughter's mentioned in there a couple of times".

"I think the intention behind this album fully is for the listener to get more insight on me personally as a human being," Zayn explained in a teaser video. The 15-track collection follows up 2021's Nobody Is Listening, and was written over the course of several years at Zayn's home in rural Pennsylvania. "That's why it's raw," he added. "It's just me writing this. I didn't want anybody else to be in between me and the music and the music and the people listening to it."

Sam Tompkins - hi, my name is insecure 

Release date: May 24

"I really like being in the company of my friends," shared rising British singer Sam Tompkins in a press statement. "But if you take me out of my comfort zone, and have me hang out at a party or an event or whatever, I just go inside myself and I find any excuse to get out of it."

That statement helps explain why Tompkins titled his anticipated debut album hi, my name is insecure, set to drop on May 24. Despite a genuine talent to produce stirring songs, the Brighton native still struggles with social anxiety and depression — themes that appear often in his lyrics, and contribute to his global resonance.

Tompkins is "championing authenticity without taking himself too seriously," and that might be why his work is so relevant. A tracklist for the LP has yet to be revealed, but Tompkins's sensitive writing can be seen in a slew of singles, including "phones in heaven," "someone else," and "see me."

Tems - Born in the Wild

Release date: TBA 

Nigerian singer Tems earned the eyes and the ears of international media with her Afrobeats-infused R&B. First raising attention with her feature in Wizkid's 2020 single "Essence," she later built up a devoted fandom through two EPs: 2020's For Broken Ears and 2021's If Orange Was a Place. In 2022, she was credited as a featured artist in Future's "Wait For U," which led her to win a GRAMMY for Best Melodic Rap Performance.

This month, Tems will finally release her long-awaited debut album, Born in the Wild. The official announcement came with a teaser video for the title track, disclosed one day after her Coachella set in April. "It's all over the news, all over the news, I know this/ Under the sun, struggling to find my focus/ When I was young, younger then/ I was always running away," she sings, reflecting on her childhood in Lagos. "I grew up in the wilderness/ Didn't know much about openness." 

Born in the Wild follows Tems' 2023 singles, "Me & U" and "Not an Angel." The singer has yet to reveal further info about the record, as well as a definite release date.

Kameron Marlowe - Keepin' the Lights On

Release date: May 31

Powerhouse country singer Kameron Marlowe is gearing up to release his sophomore effort, Keepin' the Lights On, at the end of May. "The namesake of the album came from a conversation with my dad over the holidays about how he's always thanking the man upstairs for keeping it all together, especially when times get tough," he shared in a statement.

"For me, this record is a reminder of hard work, dedication and keeping the promises that we make," he continued. Featuring 16 tracks, including previously released singles "Quit You," "Strangers" with Ella Langley, and "Tennessee Don't Mind," Marlowe stated that the LP "explores everything from loss to love, depression to joy, and overcoming the voices in your head telling you you're not good enough."

"It's still crazy to me that people are listening to a small town boy from Kannapolis, North Carolina, but here I am releasing my second album. I can't wait for y'all to hear it," he added. Marlowe is currently on his Strangers 2024 North American tour, where he plays some of his new tracks. 

Arooj Aftab - Night Reign

Release date: May 31

Just like the night, Pakistani singer Arooj Aftab's voice is deep and mysterious. Unsurprisingly, the night is also her "biggest source of inspiration," as she shared in a recent press release about her upcoming record, Night Reign, out May 31. 

Following 2021's Vulture Prince (from which single "Mohabbat" won Best Global Music Performance at the 2022 GRAMMYs), the album is a nine-song compilation about how "some nights are for falling in love, some are for solitude and introspection, some are to be annoyed at a forced social gathering — and so go the stories of Night Reign." The list of collaborators include the soulful Cautious Clay, musical ensemble Chocolate Genius, jazz artist James Francies, and more.

Aftab shared the single "Raat Ki Rani" as a preview of the album, and announced a North America, U.K., and Europe tour throughout the rest of the year. She will also support Khruangbin for a run of fall shows in Washington, DC, St. Louis, MO, and New Orleans, LA.

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