New Releases: Jonas Brothers, Lil Durk & J. Cole, and Shakira Drop New Music This Week

The music industry continues to release new music that everyone will be talking about this Friday, and it’s time to take a closer look at the key releases that will surely enjoy heavy rotation on playlists this weekend and beyond. From the Jonas Brothers, Lil Durk, and J. Cole to Shakira, Bailey Zimmerman, BTS, and Lauren Daigle, it’s clear that this week’s most essential releases cover various genres and interests.

Starting with the Jonas Brothers, it’s obvious that the trio has little to prove at this point in their careers, and their latest project, “The Album,” seems to telegraph their idea of “this is where the real fun begins.” The siblings move briskly across shared ideas and throwback musical interests, as “The Album” consists of retro FM radio offerings stuffed with warm harmonies like “Waffle House,” “Summer Baby,” and “Montana Sky.”

Moving to the Lil Durk/J. Cole team-up “All My Life,” the two rappers wisely expand their shared focus on the track, with Durk lamenting the systemic issues that forced him to turn to rap as a form of survival, and Cole sounding haunted by the violence that too often pervades his world. The choir of children singing on the track underscores their doubt at having to face hip-hop gatekeepers as they evolved their careers over the past decade-plus.

In “Acróstico,” the tender new single from Shakira, fans experience a more delicate side of the Colombian singer, as it shimmers with restrained production and technically dazzling emotion. The song serves as a gently beautiful piano ballad with a powerhouse vocal display that follows a pair of ostentatious team-ups, making it a delightful addition to any playlist.

Bailey Zimmerman’s debut album, “Religiously. The Album,” finds cohesion in Zimmerman’s songwriting and has a mature sound that belies his young age. From phrases that cut right to the listener’s core in “Fix’n To Break” to a dimly lit setting in “You Don’t Want That Smoke,” Zimmerman brings a well-rounded album to the music scene.

BTS’s “The Planet” is a soundtrack single from the action-adventure animated film “Bastions,” and the K-pop group continues its break from group activities. The snappy electro-pop track features a pogoing beat and playful vocal performances from all of the members, and it has the hooks and tempo to highlight several summer playlists.

Lauren Daigle’s self-titled follow-up to her 2018 album “Look Up Child” showcases the multiple directions that the singer-songwriter has taken with veteren producer Mike Elizondo on board. Instead of focusing on the stately balladry of her breakthrough hits, Daigle explores ’60s pop, folk, jazz, and R&B, creating a fantasia of inspiration powered by her mammoth vocal takes.

In conclusion, this week’s most essential releases offer genre-spanning varieties that appeal to different interests and tastes. Fans of rock, K-pop, and Christian gospel would find something to appreciate from these releases, especially since they are likely to dominate playlists in the coming weeks.

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