New Music Friday Drops Major Albums
This week's New Music Friday features albums from Harry Styles, Bonnie Prince Billy, Black Stone Cherry's "Celebrate," Godsmack's "Awake," R.E.M. at the BBC, and Talking Heads demos according to JamBase coverage. Additional releases include EPs from Voices of Fire & Pharrell Williams, LaRussell & Lil Jon. The diverse lineup spans pop, indie, metal, and hip-hop, making it one of the stronger release weeks of 2026.
Harry Styles' fourth solo album, "Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally," was crafted with frequent collaborators Kid Harpoon and Tyler Johnson. The album's sound is reportedly inspired by the artist's experiences attending concerts incognito, including an LCD Soundsystem show in Madrid. Godsmack's release is a 25th-anniversary deluxe edition of their sophomore album, "Awake." This commemorative version includes five bonus tracks, among them a cover of Black Stone Cherry's "Sweet Leaf" and "Why" from the *Any Given Sunday* soundtrack. The band has also announced a major North American tour for 2026 with guests Stone Temple Pilots and Dorothy. The R.E.M. release, "R.E.M. at the BBC," is a comprehensive box set that includes eight CDs and one DVD of archival performances. The collection spans nearly 25 years of the band's career, from 1984 to 2008, featuring sessions with John Peel and a 1999 Glastonbury performance. As part of their ongoing 50th-anniversary celebration, Talking Heads have released "Tentative Decisions: Demos & Live." The three-CD set features 15 unreleased demos from 1975 and various live recordings from the band's early years as a trio. Kentucky rock band Black Stone Cherry's new 7-track EP is titled "Celebrate." The self-produced effort includes a cover of Simple Minds' "Don't You (Forget About Me)," which features a guest appearance by Tyler Connolly of Theory of a Deadman. Bonnie "Prince" Billy's latest, "We Are Together Again," is reportedly the 31st studio album from the artist, also known as Will Oldham. The album is described as having a communal spirit and features a wide array of collaborators. The gospel collective Voices of Fire, led by Pharrell Williams, has given their album "OPHANIM" a wide release on streaming platforms. The project, which had a limited release in 2025, features a diverse lineup of guest artists including Tory Kelly, John Legend, CeeLo Green, and Quavo. Bay Area rapper LaRussell has teamed up with producer Lil Jon for the full-length album "Something's In The Water." The collaboration follows a significant year for LaRussell, who performed at the Super Bowl LX Tailgate Concert and signed a deal with Roc Nation.
