Music

New Music Friday

New albums you need to hear: Ariana Grande + more

Here are our highlights from today's release schedule.

Welcome to our weekly roundup of the best album releases. With 2019 now in full swing, we pull together our highlights from the UK album release calendar, featuring new music by the biggest, best and brightest. Best of all, we only select artists with new music who you can catch live over the coming months. Check back every week for more of our curated tips, from emerging talent to stadium veterans.


RELEASE OF THE WEEK: Ariana Grande – thank u, next

Following on from 2018’s Sweetner, Grande’s fifth album thank u, next is already breaking records.

The first single, and album title track, was released in November 2018, with 7 rings released in January 2019. The album samples melodies by The Notorious B.I.G, Rodgers and Hammerstein, N*SYNC and Wendy Rene.

See Ariana Grande live in support of her fourth and fifth studio release in August and September 2019. [Find tickets ]

Ariana Grande - 7 rings (Official Video)


Ward Thomas – Restless Minds
UK country-duo Ward Thomas return with their third album Restless Minds.

The record’s release was announced back in July 2018, along with the first single Lie Like Me which tackles the hot topic of fake lives lived online.

The second single followed in January 2019, No Filter. See them live later this month, and throughout March and April 2019. [Find tickets]

Ward Thomas - No Filter (Official Video)


AJ Tracey – AJ Tracey

The debut studio album from English record producer, grime MC and rapper AJ Tracey spans a variety of genres, from country to Trinidadian Soca and traditional dancehall tracks.

He released the singles Butterflies, a collaboration with Hackney rapper Not3s, and Doing It in 2018. The album also features guest stars Giggs and Jay Critch.

See him live across the UK this March, and at UK festivals this summer. [Find tickets]

AJ Tracey - Psych Out!


HEALTH – Vol. 4 :: Slaves of Fear

LA noise-rockers HEALTH return with their fourth album, and follow-up to 2015’s Death Magic.

Vol 4:: Slaves of Fear was preceded by two singles, Slaves of Fear and Feel Nothing.

The band will be back in the UK next month, and you can still get tickets to their shows in Leeds and Cardiff. [Find tickets]

HEALTH - SLAVES OF FEAR


Lau – Midnight and Closedown

British folk trio, Lau drop their fifth album this week.

Recorded with John Parish (P.J Harvey, This Is The Kit, Eels + more), the latest release is self-financed.

It was written in the Shetlands and features experimental and stripped back acoustics.

Lau will perform in Portsmouth later this month, and York in June 2019. [Find tickets]

Lau She Put On Her Headphones (Reveal Records) live session


Check back next week for our favourite album releases.