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New Music Friday: Jay-Z, Calvin Harris and more

Here are our highlights from today's album release schedule.

It’s our favourite time of the week – New Music Friday is the new release fix you need to get your weekend started. This week we’ll be listening to Jay-Z, Calvin Harris, Stone Sour and more.

What’s even better about New Music Friday is that you can listen to a lot of the new music live. We’ve also found a few artists who’ve got new records out and are about to take them on tour. Double win!


Release of the week: Jay-Z – 4:44
It’s all true – hip hop legend Jay-Z has released his new album 4:44 today. It dropped via TIDAL at midnight and it may be the best thing to happen in 2017 (besides Beyonce giving birth to her twins, of course). Some say it’s Jay-Z’s answer to Bey’s iconic Lemonade record – track Kill Jay Z, for instance, deals with the infamous elevator incident. “Obviously, it’s not to be taken literal. It’s really about the ego. It’s about killing off the ego, so we can have this conversation in a place of vulnerability and honesty,” Jay-Z says about the track. Have a listen for yourself and don’t miss him love at Virgin V Festival this summer with tickets still available via Ticketmaster.co.uk.

httpv://youtu.be//6uikJTnmtgw

Calvin Harris – Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1
It’s no surprise that Calvin Harris‘ new album is packed with star-studded appearances and guest vocalists including Ariana Grande, Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry and more. Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1 is a 10-track record that will have you ready to party all summer long. Grab your copy of the album here.

httpv://youtu.be//ozv4q2ov3Mk

Stone Sour – Hydrograd
As well as planning to tour the UK this December, American rock band Stone Sour have also just released their sixth studio album, Hydrograd. We had a chat to Corey Taylor and Josh Rand about their new record and life on the road, which you can watch below. You can get tickets for their tour via Ticketmaster.co.uk and grab your copy of the new album here.

httpv://youtu.be//oFMbyVqWK6I

LANY – LANY
Cali-based LANY share their self-titled debut album today. If you’re looking for a record that explores the ups and downs of love in all its romantic and heartbroken forms, then LANY is for you! You can also hear the synth pop-heavy tracks live this winter across the UK with tickets for the band’s tour available here. Grab your copy of the album here.

httpv://youtu.be//Vyvsyf6HhrQ

Baio – Man Of The World
Vampire Weekend bassist Chris Baio has released his sophomore solo record Man Of The World today. His DJ project Baio started in 2015 when he released his debut album The Names. Funky guitar riffs and pounding drums give the new record its soul. Grab your copy of the album here.

httpv://youtu.be//Z9KjBq15zEk

TLC – TLC
TLC have come a long way since iconic records like Waterfalls, No Scrubs and Unpretty hit the airwaves. Today they release their fifth studio album, – their first since 2002 and since TLC member Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes was tragically killed in a car accident. Crowdfunded by fans, this record offers RnB tunes and Rihanna-style beats. Grab your copy of the album here.

httpv://youtu.be//jyreArEAShE

Sworn In – All Smiles
There’s new metalcore this week courtesy of American five-piece Sworn In and their new album, All Smiles. Their third record since 2013’s debut The Death Card has all the dramatic emo melodies and nu-metal sound you need. Sworn In are also part of Impericon’s Never Say Die tour, which comes to London’s Electric Ballroom on 5 November. Tickets are on sale via Ticketmaster.co.uk.

httpv://youtu.be//GZJ8kHp8FNk

The Acacia Strain – Gravebloom    
More metal is also coming your way from Massachusetts-based The Acacia Strain. Gravebloom is the band’s eighth studio album and offers a solid deathcore sound, with gloomy tunes and gurgling vocals. Grab your copy of the album here.

httpv://youtu.be//VkZ8IZSnmmU

SAINTE – Smile, And Wave (EP)
We Are The In Crowd’s Tay Jardine, Cameron Hurley and Mike Ferri have a brand new side project: SAINTE and Smile, And Wave, their debut EP, is out today. Speaking about the new band, Tay said: “I was constantly finding it really difficult to truly be myself on stage or on record. Frustration pushed me to want to create something that felt more natural.e However, this is not a goodbye for We Are The In Crowd, mor of a ‘BRB’.” SAINTE are playing London and Manchester in August – and we have tickets right here.

httpv://youtu.be//7oVefMrL7WM

Check back next week for more new releases.