New Music Friday: ZAYN, Jesse Soloman, Lauren Alaina, ERNEST, And More 

Don’t miss our New Music Friday roundup! Packed with everything from bold pop, gritty rap to heart-tugging country...there’s something for everyone.

by Tiffany Goldstein - Apr 17 2026
Share

Ready for your next obsession? 

ZAYN’s globe-spanning KONNAKOL leads the charge, but don’t sleep on Jesse Solomon’s viral-pop track, Lauren Alaina’s drinking-into-wisdom twang, ERNEST’s quiet knockout, or the stacked surprises from breakout country and edgey rap stars. It’s a grab-bag of bangers, earworm confessions, and there’s something here for everyone!

Let us know which track is your favorite by sharing your Fan of View below or by sending us a message on social media @fandomdaily_

ZAYN – KONNAKOL

KONNAKOL represents Zayn’s most accomplished and culturally resonant project to date, marrying polished pop sensibilities with sustained South Asian vocal and rhythmic influences. Co-produced with Malay, the 15-track album is anchored by the striking opener "Nusrat," an explicit tribute that establishes the record’s vocal experimentation and sonic ambition, and moves confidently through radio-ready singles like "Side Effects," the falsetto-driven atmosphere of "Sideways," and the stage-ready pulse of "Fatal." The snow leopard artwork signals a deliberate embrace of heritage that informs both songwriting and production, resulting in a cohesive, mature body of work that refines the promise first heard on Mind of Mine. Fans should listen because KONNAKOL is simultaneously accessible and adventurous. It's Zayn’s strongest, most fully realized statement yet, one that rewards attention with emotional depth, cultural richness, and clear artistic growth.

Jesse Soloman – "Overrated"

Jesse Solomon’s "Overrated" lands like a confident next chapter – slick, catchy, and somehow more lived-in than his viral breakout “Guess I’ll Start.” Where that earlier single announced him as a surprising new voice, "Overrated" shows he’s thinking bigger and crafting a genre-blending pop song that balances glossy production with an emotional core. Right away you can hear the ambition. His vocal delivery is more assured here, too. He shifts between conversational lines and fuller melodic moments in a way that sells the song’s tension. Lyrically, "Overrated" hits a relatable nerve. The hook, basically a shrug toward the idea that staying friends is, well, overrated.  The track captures the complicated thrill of choosing romance over safety. Given Jesse’s Summer House notoriety and the timing around the West Wilson-Amanda Batula scandal, the song lands with extra resonance. It doesn’t feel exploitative; instead, it reads like an emotional snapshot that mirrors what fans are already gossiping about. That cultural relevance amplifies the track without defining it. And yes, Bravoholics are already begging for a live performance at the Season 10 reunion. The song’s drama and singalong chorus would land hard in that setting, and it would cement Jesse not just as a reality star making music, but as a pop artist worth watching.

Kelsey Hart – "Love To Be That Guy"

Kelsey Hart’s "Love To Be That Guy" is a confident, well-crafted country single that narrows its focus to a simple, relatable premise – a guy intent on winning over the most magnetic person in the room. Tight, streamlined songwriting from Ashley Gorley, Brad Clawson, Taylor Phillips and Casey Brown pairs with Blake Bollinger’s clean, driving production. The crisp percussion, clear guitar lines and a measured twang, lets Hart’s warm, confident voice take center stage without being overblown. Sitting between the intimacy of "Anything Like You" and punch of "Fireworks," the track showcases Hart’s range and stage readiness. 

Austin Snell – "You Being You"

Austin Snell’s "You Being You" is a compact, cheeky country earworm. It’s slick production, a singalong-ready chorus, and Snell’s warm, flirtatious delivery that makes the story feel lived-in. The lyrics trade bravado for charm, turning a simple barroom flirt into a memorable hook.Why he’s an artist to watch? Snell pairs honest songwriting with stage-ready energy. He can shift from earnest ballads like "Have It All" to playful numbers like this without missing a beat. That versatility, plus strong vocal presence and clear pop-country instincts, points to bigger things ahead. This song is instant, fun, and relatable, perfect for playlists, road trips, or live shows. As a preview of Colors (out May 1), it promises an EP that balances heart and lightness, showing Snell’s range and making him someone country fans will want to follow.

Vincent Mason – "Don't Ask Me" 

Vincent Mason’s "Don’t Ask Me" is a compact, expertly crafted study in aftermath. Where many breakup songs opt for cathartic catharsis or glossy finish, Mason chooses restraint – a spare arrangement, taut rhythms, and sharply observed details that anchor the song in lived experience. Listeners feel the ache without being told how to feel it. Mason’s strength has always been disciplined storytelling, and this track reinforces that reputation. It’s the kind of song that proves Mason’s consistency. “Don’t Ask Me” reads as a mature pivot. It strips away melodrama and leans into specificity, which broadens its emotional reach. Compared with his earlier, broader-stroked work, this is more precise and character-driven, making it one of his most compelling recent offerings. Collaborating with heavyweight writers like Luke Laird and Hillary Lindsey signals Mason’s continued credibility and ambition within the songwriting community. By prioritizing authentic narrative over trend-driven hooks, he’s positioning himself as a songwriter of depth – one the industry respects for craft and the market can rely on for substance. 

ERNEST – "Time Is A Thief" feat. Lukas Nelson 

ERNEST’s "Time Is A Thief" featuring Lukas Nelson is a warm, low-key closer that sticks with you. Built on simple plucked acoustic, electric, and steel guitars, the song’s penny-on-the-sidewalk image lands hard – small moments ignored until they matter. They recorded the vocal live in one take, and Lukas’ single guitar pass and harmonies feel natural, not overproduced. Why listen? Because it shows ERNEST’s taste for restraint. He lets the songwriting and mood do the work instead of flashy hooks. Nelson adds a soulful, rootsy counterpoint that lifts the track without stealing it. If you like thoughtful lyrics, honest performances, and subtle production, this one’s worth your time.

Payton Smith – "See How It Sounds"

Payton Smith’s "See How It Sounds" deepens his profile as a breakout country voice with a song built on quiet tension and plainspoken emotion. Co-written with Austin Goodloe and Ava Suppelsa, the lyrics capture the specific awkwardness of two people circling “I love you.” Smith’s vocal is warm and immediate, the kind that makes intimate lines land like confidences, while the arrangement keeps space around the words so the feeling can accumulate. The real flourish is the guitar-driven outro. Instead of forcing a verbal resolution, the instrumental says what the singers won’t, turning nervous energy into catharsis. Fans should care because this is the sort of concise, emotionally honest songwriting that rewards repeat listens and reveals more subtleties each time. This track is not flashy, but a confident, memorable statement that signals real growth and points toward bigger moments ahead.

Maddie Lenhart – "Let Him Fly"

Maddie Lenhart’s "Let Him Fly" is worth listening to because it feels like an act of devotion rather than a bid for attention. Recorded live in one take, the performance strips the song down so the lyric and emotion breathe – a rare move in an age of overproduction that rewards honesty. This is a standout moment for Maddie. Her voice sits at the center with a warm, unforced clarity that feels fully formed. It's less about showing range and more about delivering truth. The single-take setting captures vulnerability and focus, marking her as an artist comfortable with restraint and confident in her instincts. You can hear that she’s a superfan of the source material not copying, but honoring. That reverence informs every choice she makes here, from the gentle phrasing to the unobtrusive pedal steel; it’s clear she cares about the song’s spirit first. Rather than reinventing the track, Lenhart breathes new life into it. The result is a cover that feels both faithful and newly intimate. Fans of Patty Griffin, The Chicks, and anyone who values nuanced interpretation should give this one a listen.

Paul Minnich – "Your Clown" 

Paul Minnich’s "Your Clown" doesn’t just charm,  it assaults complacency with wit. Stripped of showy sentiment, this mid-tempo, guitar-driven song weaponizes small, awkward acts of devotion until they feel heroic. Lines like “here’s a bouquet of words and rhymes / Clunky and bulky but meant to remind” could’ve sounded quaint, instead they land like confessions, raw and unvarnished. Minnich refuses to dress up the truth. There’s a sharp, playful honesty here that reads as both flirtatious and bravely vulnerable. Minnich owns his messiness and turns it into a hook. This is more than a good single, it’s an anthem for imperfect love. It’s flirty, fun, and feels inevitable the moment it hits the chorus. For fans, it’s one of his strongest statements yet.  For newcomers, it’s the kind of track that hooks you fast and refuses to let go. Standout? Absolutely.

Trap Dickey – "Tell Me Why"

Trap Dickey’s "Tell Me Why" isn’t just a new single, it’s a strategic power move. Signed to TDE and freshly escorted into the mainstream, the South Carolina upstart sheds some of his rougher edges for a slicker, radio-ready sheen without losing the grit that made him interesting. This track matters because it announces intent. “Tell Me Why” reads as Trap Dickey’s thesis statement for broader relevance – confident, consciously crafted, and calibrated for replay. His cadence is cleaner, the hook is deliberately sticky, and the production gives his voice room to flirt with mainstream appeal without completely abandoning his street narrative. That balance is difficult to manufacture. Here it feels earned. The song signals that Trap Dickey can walk the line between authenticity and accessibility. Fans of raw, regional rap get the same persona, but now packaged in something programmers and playlist curators can actually play. For casual listeners, it’s immediately hummable. For core fans, it’s a promising hint that he’s expanding his toolkit rather than selling out. Is it a standout? Yes – as a commercial breakthrough. It is his sharpest, cleanest track to date, a single designed to convert curious streams into sustained attention. 

Lauren Alaina – "Raining Whiskey"

"Raining Whiskey" is a blunt, wry country song about looking back on the reckless nights of your twenties from the steadier vantage of your thirties. Late-night drinking, heartbreak, and the kind of memories you can now tell with a smirk.Why listen? It's catchy and concise, with Alaina’s recognizable twang and clear storytelling front and center. Longtime fans get a sharper, more melodic version of the voice they love; new listeners get an immediately accessible country single built for radio and live shows. It’s relatable, well-crafted, and shows Alaina growing without losing what made her distinctive.

Faith Schueler – "Trouble"

Faith Schueler’s "Trouble" lands like a late-night gut punch. It’s direct, deliberate, and impossible to ignore. Sparse production puts her confident voice front and center while vivid details (cowboy hats, brown eyes, tattoos) turn a risky attraction into something immediate and believable. The chorus hooks fast, skipping melodrama in favor of clear-eyed storytelling. Why listen? It’s radio-ready, memorable, and refreshingly honest. Sharper delivery and cleaner production mark real growth and suggest Schueler is ready for a bigger stage. 

Matt Cooper – "Vices"

Matt Cooper’s "Vices" feels like a surprise you actually want. The song is  upbeat and singable, but with a serious heart. Built on acoustic guitar, bright banjo, and those big, crowd-ready choruses Cooper does so well, the song sounds like a celebration while offering a candid look at recovery and the struggles that come with it. Cooper wrote this himself and doesn’t hide. He talks about addiction and temptation with real vulnerability, making the lyrics relatable whether you’ve faced addiction, supported someone who has, or simply wrestled with tough choices. "Vices" goes deeper emotionally than many of his songs by confronting recovery openly and turning that honesty into a hopeful, no-regrets anthem. It’s a personal, powerful track for fans and a strong introduction for new listeners.

Ben Gallaher – "I'll Take You (The Taylor Gold Acoustic Version)"

Ben Gallaher’s "I’ll Take You (The Taylor Gold Acoustic Version)" strips the song down and reveals its heart. Intimacy replaces spectacle – small vocal inflections and a warm, ringing acoustic guitar become emotional anchors. The songwriting from Neil Thrasher, Wendell Mobley and Tony Martin comes into sharper focus, and lines you might’ve glossed over before land with real weight. Fans will care because this version proves the song’s bones. This version deepened the feeling for those who loved the radio edit and served as a clear, compelling introduction for new listeners who value authenticity. For Ben, it’s a return to his roots. 

Midland – "Drinkin’ Dark Whiskey"

Midland’s take on "Drinkin’ Dark Whiskey" lands exactly where you would  hope. The track leans into the song’s dance-hall DNA,  written by Chris Stapleton and the late Mike Henderson,  but Midland makes it theirs by amplifying the swing and carving out a soaring bluegrass-tinged chorus that gives the tune unexpected lift. What makes this version worth your time is the way Midland balance reverence and reinvention. They don’t erase the song’s classic grit, they polish it just enough with tight production and their trademark vocal blend so that it feels both immediate and comfortably familiar. Mark Wystrach’s delivery sells the confession/caution at the heart of the lyrics, while the band’s playing keeps the momentum rollicking and fun. In Midland’s catalog it’s a strong, entertaining cut. It won’t rewrite country history, but it is a standout for live shows and playlists where you want a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that showcases the band’s identity. 

Photo Credit: Delaney Royer

 

Share

Related Post