With 2023 officially in the books, the new year will soon see holiday songs disappear from the Billboard charts to make way for new music — and the first new music Friday of 2024. This week’s offerings includes a diverse mix of tracks from Scottish crooner Lewis Capaldi, The Game, Gabby Barrett and more to kick off the first week of the year.
Capaldi is in balladry mode on new single “Strangers,” which sees him stepping back into the familiar territory of his breakthrough hit single, “Someone You Loved.” The crooner’s signature tone, tinged with heartache, shines on the track as he sings of his departed lover. The track also pulls double duty and reignites his ongoing feud with Liam and Noel Gallagher, as it mentions him and the object of his affection once bonding over a mutual dislike of Oasis’ “Wonderwall” (“You say you hate this song… my dear, you’re not the only one”).
The Game ushered in the new year with the nine-track project Paisley Dreams, a collaboration with Big Hit, which finds Game coolly rapping over smart and structured production. The set follows last year’s The Truth Is in My Eyes, Big Hit’s first album after spending much of his adult life in prison.
Despite hailing from Pennsylvania, Barrett shows her love for the Lone Star State — a metaphor for the man she loves — in new single “You’re My Texas.” The country star passionately sings, “My home away from home/ You’re blue bonnets growin’ wild/ Boy, no matter where I roam/ You’re my Nacogdoches sky,” positioning it for engagement songs, wedding playlists and more.
The Last Dinner Party, Green Day and Liam Gallagher & John Squire also released new material this week, but which was your favorite? Vote in our poll below.