New Music Friday picks

New Music Friday landed with a stack of big-name rock and pop releases, and Live Nation used its social feeds to spotlight four of the most visible drops: Foo Fighters’ “Of All People,” Evanescence’s “Who Will You Follow,” Chris Brown’s “Obvious,” and “RUNWAY” by Doechii and Lady Gaga. (x.com; x.com) Foo Fighters’ “Of All People” arrived on April 10 and quickly hit No. 1 on the United States iTunes songs chart, according to Forbes. Rolling Stone reported the single as the latest preview of the band’s upcoming album, while Consequence said it is the fourth song released ahead of *Your Favorite Toy*, due April 24. (forbes.com; rollingstone.com; consequence.net) Evanescence also used the Friday release window to push album momentum. The band’s official site said “Who Will You Follow” is out now and serves as a preview of *Sanctuary*, which is scheduled for release on June 5, with formats including digital, compact disc, deluxe compact disc, and a box set. (evanescence.com) The release-day chatter spread beyond singles. Enter Shikari surprise-released *Lose Your Self* on April 11 with no advance teaser campaign, and multiple rock outlets reported the album spans 12 tracks and is being followed by a run of small release shows this month. (blabbermouth.net; therockpit.net; theprp.com) That mix of singles, surprise albums, and tour talk is shaping the current Friday cycle as a live-business story as much as a streaming story. Live Nation is already selling Foo Fighters’ 2026 dates, with the band’s official site listing shows from April through November and the North American stadium leg beginning August 4 in Toronto. (livenation.com; foofighters.com; newsroom.livenation.com) The same is true for the bands circulating in rumor-heavy fan posts. Bring Me The Horizon’s 2026 North American “Ascension Program 2” tour was announced in October 2025, and Live Nation currently lists additional 2026 festival dates in Europe. (nme.com; livenation.com) My Chemical Romance is not operating on rumor alone either. Live Nation lists “The Black Parade 2026” dates across the United Kingdom, Europe, and North America, and NME reported the full stadium tour was announced in September 2025, with support acts added later for the European run. (livenation.com; nme.com; nme.com) By Sunday, April 12, the picture was clear: Friday’s music conversation was not centered on one blockbuster album, but on a crowded release-and-tour pipeline that tied new songs to tickets, preorders, and summer routing. Live Nation’s picks captured the headline names, while the surrounding fan chatter filled in the rest of a weekend built around what comes next onstage. (x.com; x.com; livenation.com; livenation.com)