GRAMMY U is headed to Nashville for its second annual Fall Summit. The two-day Summit will feature a dynamic lineup of performers and speakers, including a keynote from GRAMMY-nominated artists Charli XCX and Troye Sivan. 

A cornerstone of the GRAMMY U program, Summit attendees will participate in a curated networking session followed by a live showcase featuring performances from a GRAMMY U member and a surprise closing artist. The feature program, held on day two of the Summit, will dive into the ins and outs of marketing an album, with a conversation between Charli XCX and Troye Sivan about their influence on pop culture.  

Kicking off the Summit on Monday, Sept. 30, the GRAMMY U Showcase will feature Nashville-based artist Soccer Mommy as the headliner, with supporting sets from GRAMMY U member performers Keearah and Mille Manny from Tennessee State University. After the show concludes, attendees will have the opportunity to network with industry professionals from the Recording Academy, Amazon Music, Mastercard, and elsewhere. 

On Tuesday, Oct. 1, the GRAMMY U Fall Summit will feature two exciting livestreamed panels. The first panel, titled #Trendsetters, will highlight industry professionals in discussion about innovative album marketing strategies. The closing keynote conversation will be moderated by Leland, a songwriter and frequent collaborator of Charli XCX and Troye Sivan. 

While the showcase is only open to GRAMMY U members and will not be available digitally, the panels will be streamed on YouTube and Twitch on Oct. 1 at 6 p.m. CT. Read on for more details on what to expect from the GRAMMY U Fall Summit — whether you're attending in person or online.

Learn Pop Star Essentials From Charli XCX & Troye Sivan

Troye Sivan has been keeping busy. With the release of his third studio album, Something To Give Each Other, in October 2023, the singer firmly established himself as an icon in the worlds of pop music, fashion, and LGBTQIA+ representation. He recently completed the European leg of his Something To Give Each Other Tour, and kicked off his SWEAT Tour on Sept. 14 with close friend and collaborator, Charli XCX. 

Learn more: Meet The First-Time GRAMMY Nominee: Troye Sivan On "Rush," The Importance Of Dance-Pop & The Spirituality Of Partying

Troye Sivan, 2024 GRAMMY nominee for Best Pop Dance Recording and Best Music Video, Sivan has amassed over 26 billion streams and sold 10 million adjusted albums globally. His hit single "Rush," earned global accolades and praise, including GRAMMY nominations Best Pop Dance Recording and Best Music Video. The "One of Your Girls" music video features Troye transforming into his feminine energy and strutting some sassy choreography, which GRAMMY U Reps emulate below:

Avant-pop and electronic superstar Charli XCX released her sixth studio album BRAT in June to much acclaim. The two-time GRAMMY nominee shattered norms and took risks on BRAT, sharing new lyrical themes and stylistic influences. The album also made its mark on the cultural zeitgeist as "brat summer" flooded social media feeds. 

Read more: Charli XCX's Road To 'Brat': How Her New Album Celebrates Unabashed Confidence & Eccentricity

A dance to Charli's song "Apple" has gone viral on TikTok and though it may just seem catchy, the lyrics are embedded with a deeper meaning related to generational trauma. Check out the GRAMMY U Representatives dancing along below:

In partnership with the Recording Academy’s Songwriters and Composer's Wing, the keynote panel will feature Charli XCX and Troye Sivan discussing their co-headlining SWEAT tour and how they became pop culture phenomena as trendsetters, or as Charli puts it,"[I’m] your favorite reference."

Charli and Sivan will be in conversation during a keynote panel moderated by GRAMMY U alumni Leland, a Golden Globe-nominated songwriter, executive producer, and DJ. Leland is Troye Sivan’s main collaborative partner, having co-written all previous albums with Troye (including nine out of 10 songs on Something to Give Each Other). Notably, Leland co-wrote the two-time GRAMMY-nominated lead single, "Rush."

At the keynote, GRAMMY U members will discover Charli XCX and Troye Sivan's approach to songwriting, blending genres, and pushing boundaries as a means for reshaping pop culture. 

Learn To Create Impactful Music Marketing Campaigns

Have you ever wondered what makes a music release successful? On Oct. 1, #Trendsetters will feature a host of esteemed industry professionals who will offer insight into crafting a unique, memorable campaign. Bri Small, Director of Digital Content Strategy & Partnerships at Warner Music Nashville, Fred Rubenstein, VP of Digital Marketing at Sony Music Nashville, and Erica Buchi, VP Marketing Partners at mtheory LLC will be in conversation, discussing how innovative album marketing strategies can garner audiences and reshape pop culture.

Moderated by Nathan Pyle, Director of Operations at Songfluencer, in this panel session, attendees will learn how to captivate attention through the public relations and digital marketing strategies behind trendsetting albums. Panelists will share how artists, producers and marketers can not only stand out, but position themselves as leaders in the music industry.

Don’t miss your chance to be part of this unforgettable event. Reserve your spot at the 2024 GRAMMY U Fall Summit taking place in Nashville, TN on Monday, September 30, and Tuesday, October 1. Space is limited and RSVPs will be confirmed on a first-come, first-served basis, so RSVP now. A special thank you to our presenting sponsor, Mastercard, and participating sponsor, Amazon Music, for supporting the development of emerging music industry professionals.  

RSVP: Space is limited and RSVPs will be confirmed on a first-come, first-served basis. RSVPs do not guarantee admission, and confirmations will be emailed within 5 days of RSVP.  RSVP is required to attend in-person in Nashville, TN. You must be in Nashville for the event and travel will not be provided.

Hundreds of GRAMMY U members excitedly gathered at Riverside Revival in Nashville for the annual GRAMMY U Fall Summit. Presented by Mastercard, the two-night summit offered networking and educational opportunities, as well as several performances.

The 2024 Fall Summit kicked off on Sept. 30 with a networking mixer and performance showcase featuring Nashville-based artists Bekah and Josh of Girl Named Tom, as well as Keearah and Mille Manny, the latter of whom are GRAMMY U members from Tennessee State University. Following the performances, attendees participated in a curated networking mixer with notable mentors from the Recording Academy, Mastercard, Amazon Music, and other organizations. This colorful evening also included a Y2K-themed photo activation and a Mastercard sensory experience that left attendees excited to return for the next night.

The second day of the Summit began with the #Trendsetters panel, a conversation in which industry marketing professionals discussed the past, present, and future of album marketing. 

Afterward, GRAMMY-nominated artists Charli XCX and Troye Sivan took the stage to kick off "From Concept To Culture," the keynote panel. In collaboration with the Recording Academy’s Songwriters & Composers Wing, Charli XCX and Troye Sivan discussed how their pop culture disruption connects with their commitment to authenticity through songwriting and collaboration.

Read on for five takeaways from this year’s GRAMMY U Fall Summit in Nashville, presented by Mastercard and in collaboration with participating sponsor Amazon Music.

All photos by Danielle Del Valle/Getty Images

Embrace Your Individuality To Create Successful Collaborations

Troye Sivan (L) and Charli XCX (R) speaking at the 2024 GRAMMY U Fall Summit

During their joint SWEAT Tour, Charli XCX and Troye Sivan discussed how they embrace their individuality as solo artists in the midst of artist collaboration and touring.

Sivan and Charli said their songwriting journeys have grown exponentially. For his part, Sivan has continued to trust his gut when it comes to songwriting, embracing both individuality and feeling. "Make what you love," Charli echoed Troye’s sentiment, adding that they no longer write music in a "commercial style."

Sivan said his and Charli’s individual "manifest[ations of] different versions of pop music" are exciting individually, but become even more so as they intertwine during their national joint tour. Sivan described this collaboration as "the collision of worlds," recounting how their individual sounds complement each other when brought together on tracks like "Talk Talk."

The key to staying open-minded in any collaboration is "letting yourself be moved and really zoning in on something magical," Sivan said. That ability to hear and trust new ideas has led to fruitful collaborations with touring partner Charli.

Change The Narrative By Being Authentic

Charli XCX

The second day of the GRAMMY U Fall Summit, held simultaneously as Music Advocacy Day 2024, highlighted the importance of authenticity, a prominent topic amid the rise of AI’s role in music creation.

"[I’m] all for new tools, but there will always be people who exploit new tools," Charli XCX said. Both she and Sivan described AI as a potential musical instrument, rather than something to fear. Artificial intelligence and other digital tools can lower barriers in music, empowering anyone to create and express themselves.

Moving beyond AI’s use in music production, the pair also discussed the importance of authenticity in songwriting. Both GRAMMY-nominated artists’ originality and honesty has not only transformed pop culture, but also made safe spaces for fellow songwriters.

To Be A #Trendsetter, Define The Artist’s Vision

Erich Buchi, Fred Rubenstein, Bri Small and Nathan Pyle during #Trendsetters panel

The GRAMMY U Fall Summit kicked off with an insightful marketing panel featuring industry executives reflecting on how to create impactful music marketing campaigns.

During the #Trendsetters panel, esteemed marketing experts Erica Buchi, VP of Marketing Partners at mtheory LLC; Fred Rubenstein, VP of Digital Marketing at Sony Music Nashville; and Bri Small, Director of Digital Content Strategy & Partnerships at Warner Music Nashville discussed how to create innovative music marketing strategies that captivate audiences and disrupt the pop culture landscape. Moderated by Nathan Pyle, Director of Operations at Songfluencer, the panel also included discussion about influencers, experiential marketing and fan engagement.

The panelists discussed their experiences working with artists to ignite their creative personality. Buchi described her position at mtheory LLC as being "very artist-centric," keeping the artists’ creative visions in mind as campaigns are curated.

"We get to help steward along these artists' great work, and there's a load of responsibility with that, but there's also the lean-in that we can provide to help realize their vision," Sony Music Nashville’s Rubenstein said.

Network With A Purpose

Bekah and Josh of Girl Named Tom

Following the success of the curated speed networking session at the 2024 GRAMMY U Conference in New York, the Fall Summit in Nashville curated a similar networking opportunity. Attendees gathered at various mentor stations to meet and learn from esteemed professionals including Todd Dupler (Chief Advocacy & Public Policy Officer, Recording Academy), Latoya Bennett-Johnson (Vice President of Global Sponsorships, Mastercard), Sarah DeMarco (Label Relations, Country, Christian & Gospel at Amazon Music), and Jon Blass (Mixing Engineer and Recording Academy Board Member). 

"It was incredible to see GRAMMY U members so driven to get to know the mentors and each other," said Della Anderson, GRAMMY U National Membership Representative, who led the networking mixer. "It can be intimidating to network with people you don’t know, but respect so much. I thought this type of experience, where members have a limited time to connect and had to move on to the next mentor, was valuable because it allowed them to discover different types of people in the industry and network with a purpose."

After the networking session, members stayed and mingled in between performance acts and returned the following night eager to continue connecting with their new industry contacts.

Immerse Yourself For A Rewarding Experience

GRAMMY U Reps Ily Aguilar, Samantha Kopec and Jim Slife at the Mastercard Photo Activation┃Photo Courtesy of GRAMMY U

Summit attendees explored various activations throughout the venue. These immersive and "Instagrammable" activations allowed attendees to experience the moment from many perspectives.

Mastercard's red-and-orange infinity photo booth and ambient candle-ladden courtyard setup enabled attendees to activate all their senses. GRAMMY U members could also try some of Mastercard’s signature cocktails — the Passion and the Optimism — and enjoy these refreshing tastes as they mingled with other attendees. The setup of the event also included an immersive stage, which had an otherworldly look set with neon pink and green pieces; the Y2K photo corner featured a bright pink inflatable couch, tying into the SWEAT Tour Y2K style.

GRAMMY U members were also interviewed on GRAMMY U Live!, which allowed members tuning in virtually to hear another perspective of what was happening in real time and gave attendees their own moment in the spotlight. 

The GRAMMY U Fall Summit was jam-packed with as much excitement as there were learning and networking opportunities. Rewatch the #Trendsetters marketing-focused panel HERE and the keynote panel with Charli XCX and Troye Sivan HERE.

The annual GRAMMY Awards voting process this year kicks off Friday, Oct. 4, with First Round Voting for the 2025 GRAMMYs, a process that determines the nominees at the GRAMMY Awards each year. 

Voting Members of the Recording Academy, the organization behind the annual GRAMMY Awards, are able to cast their ballots for a variety of GRAMMY Categories to be awarded on Music's Biggest Night. The 2025 GRAMMYs, officially known as the 67th GRAMMY Awards, will be held Sunday, Feb. 2, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Nominations for the 2025 GRAMMYs will be announced Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, so it's essential to get involved from the beginning. 

Before First Round Voting for the 2025 GRAMMYs gets underway, hear from some of music’s leading artists and Recording Academy Voting Members, including Troye Sivan, Coco Jones, Will Smith, John Legend, and others, speak about the importance of GRAMMY voting this year and every year.

Learn more about the Recording Academy's membership process and requirements.

For more information about the 2025 GRAMMY Awards season, learn more about the annual GRAMMY Awards process; read our First Round Voting guide for the 2025 GRAMMYs; read about the key updates happening at the 2025 GRAMMYs; read our FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) section; view the official GRAMMY Awards Rules and Guidelines; and visit the GRAMMY Award Update Center for a list of real-time changes to the GRAMMY Awards process.

Read More: The Recording Academy Adds More Than 3,000 Women GRAMMY Voters Since 2019, Surpassing Its 2025 Membership Goal

On Sept. 20, GRAMMY U members had the opportunity to learn from GRAMMY-nominated rapper Offset, who shared insights into his creative process behind his sophomore album, SET IT OFF. 

The second-ever GRAMMY U Unwrapped event was held in Offset's Atlanta hometown, and the rapper was joined by several collaborators. Featured in the exclusive panel discussion were recording engineer and GRAMMY U alum JRich, producer/songwriter/rapper, and co-founder of the 808 Mafia collective Southside, and moderator by SheShe Pendelton, the creative and fashion director for SET IT OFF. 

Nearly a year after the release of his sophomore album, SET IT OFF, the three-time GRAMMY nominee emphasized the importance of trust and honesty with contributors throughout the album's creation. Step inside the Ray Charles Performing Arts Center and read on for insights from all four creatives. GRAMMY U's Unwrapped was held in collaboration with the Recording Academy’s Atlanta Chapter and Black Music Collective, and made possible by participating sponsors Amazon Music and Mastercard.

Real Talk Begets Real Music

When Offset first played his album for Southside, Southside pointed out that while everything sounded great, there was no real intro. This surprised Offset, who had spent two years working on the album and thought it was nearly complete. That feedback was crucial, and led to the creation of "ON THE RIVER" as the opening track. 

As soon as Offset heard the beats from Southside, he knew the opening track needed to convey a more serious and vulnerable tone, rather than the high-energy and "turnt" vibe he’s known for. Offset and Southside's sessions are built on brutally honest feedback and a friendship that fosters strong creative trust. Once again, that relationship created powerful music.

Engineer JRich provided a glimpse into their recording routine for "ON THE RIVER" and the larger album, noting that he's always prepared to capture Offset's spontaneous ideas. JRich noted that they keep the music going, aiming to capture the "full vibe" of the experience with minimal technical interruptions. Since Offset does not write down his lyrics, this approach allows them to always be able to reference earlier ideas.

JRich offered a crucial piece of advice from the engineering perspective: never delete anything in a recording session. You'll never know which parts may become valuable to the artist later on. Offset praised JRich for his dedication. 

Let The Moment Shape The Art

Producer JRich ┃ Derek White/Getty Images

The music video for "SAY MY GRACE" was filmed in Thailand and envisioned as a fast-paced and aggressive contrast to Offset's emotions. Featuring Travis Scott — whom Offset described as "always on the move" — Offset opted for a low-budget approach, capturing the stunning scenery with a simple camera setup.

The song reflects on Offset's loss of his grandmother, noting that he continues to persevere despite all of the "losses [he's] taking." He told the GRAMMY U audience that he's proud of the song's success on streaming platforms, considering it was one of the most difficult tracks for him to make.

JRich added that making this song was a unique experience, because Scott has a very different style of recording. In fact, Scott's verse in "SAY MY GRACE" differs from the original version because of a last-minute change Scott wanted to make. 

Making that change to the verse was only possible because JRich's album deadline was eight days away, giving them time to re-work the track. But deadlines can be tricky for Offset; as someone who creates a lot, he doesn't know how many songs he'll make in a recording session. Deadlines, for Offset and many other artists, make it hard to guess how many tracks will come out of the studio.

Listening Is Always Worth It  

Southside and Offset pose┃Derek White/Getty Images

"WORTH IT" was born from an unused sample from Don Toliver's producer. During a session together, Don Toliver played the sample, and Offset immediately liked the beat and vibe, which was different from his usual style. 

Offset shared that sometimes artists can get caught up in perfectionism and overlook the potential in sounds they're not initially drawn to. While Toliver was a bit hesitant to release Offset's take on the track, "WORTH IT" ended up doing really well.

This concept can also apply to being open to changes suggested by producers. On "WORTH IT" Southside suggested that Offset change a couple of the verses. Since Offset trusts Southside's judgment, he took the advice. 

Similarly, on  "Clout" (featuring Cardi B), a song off of Offset’s first solo album, Southside recommended repeating "Do anything for clout" in the chorus instead of rapping straight through. That repetition became a defining feature of the song's success.

Southside added that he employs a philosophy of "simplicity always wins," and being communicative and open to feedback during the music creation process is essential.

Innovation Over Investment  

Offset asked his sister to help with the music video for "DON'T YOU LIE," and with only spending $2,000–$3,000, it became one of his most popular videos on YouTube. This experience was a major learning moment for Offset, showing him that a successful music video doesn't require a huge budget. The video, filmed at his house, drew viewers in with its lifestyle focus.

Much like the "homey" vibe of the music video, Southside created the beat for "DON'T YOU LIE"' while just hanging out with Offset. Their collaboration, which dates back to 2014, thrives on their shared energy, making the creative process feel entirely natural — especially with this track.

JRich shared that he was given more creative freedom with "DON’T YOU LIE", adding drops to the track. Just as Southside has built a trusting relationship with Offset, he too has confidence in JRich to bring his vision to life. When offering advice to the audience and fellow engineers, JRich emphasizes that engineers can do more than just handle artist vocals; they can be creative with beats as long as they don’t overdo it and establish trust within the studio.

Trust Your Instincts & Create For Yourself

"I gave it my all," Offset said, reflecting on making the "FAN" music video, which took 26 hours to film at the Paramount Studios Lot in New York. SheShe Pendleton, who played a key role in the creative direction, called it her favorite project. The video features high-energy scenes that shift from Offset watching a movie in a theater to crashing cars in the street, performing on stage (a tribute to Michael Jackson), dreaming in bed, and even transforming into a werewolf.

Offset had a clear vision for the video, and despite some people telling him he was going overboard, he trusted both his instincts and his team. Offset invested in the cameras and choreography, with the support of Michael Jackson's family. In fact, much of SET IT OFF was inspired by Jackson, and thanks to Offset's connection with the family, he even wore one of Jackson's original jackets in the video.

By the time Offset was recording "FAN," he realized the project was deeply personal. If people liked it, great; if not, that was okay, too. He created "FAN" with the mindset that it was something he made purely for himself.

He shared that he doesn't like being boxed into one category and that it's important for creatives to explore different subjects and avenues in the industry. This mentality led to SheShe's transition from being Offset's personal shopper to his creative director, manager, and much more.

Be Passionate And Persistent

Offset┃Derek White/Getty Images

The panelists also offered some words of encouragement to the audience of aspiring music industry professionals and creatives:

"You just have to be creative. Money doesn't determine how far you go," Offset said. "All of us up here started with zero... Believe in your heart... and find people to help you complete your puzzle because you can't do everything alone. Also, never give up because it takes time to be great." 

Southside encouraged the audience to keep moving. "You should never stop. Dream big and go for it." 

Offset concluded the panel humbly, thanking his panelists and partners.: "A lot of hard work goes into creating an album from the lyrics to the visuals to picking the beats to the fashion," he said. After thanking GRAMMY U, the Recording Academy and the BMC for "giving me a platform to put on for Atlanta," Offset noted that "the kids here are the future and I wanna inspire the next generation." 

As summer slips away into September, the soundtrack to the fall is beginning to emerge with major releases from A-list stars across genres, along with promising rising talents from the worlds of pop, pop-punk, R&B, and international music scenes.

This week's new full-lengths include Miranda Lambert’s Postcards from Texas, The Wild Things’ concept album Afterglow (produced by Pete Townshend of The Who), COIN’s I’m Not Afraid of Music Anymore and Babyface Ray’s The Kid That Did.

Also out this week, Maddie & Tae drop their new EP What A Woman Can Do, BOYNEXTDOOR share the 7-track mini-album 19.99 and The All-American Rejects deliver a cover of Harvey Danger’s classic 1998 debut single “Flagpole Sitta.” Kendrick Lamar surprised fans with an exclusive release on Instagram following last weekend's announcement that he will headline the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show. Eminem and 2Chainz pay tribute to Kyrie Irving and Luka Dančić of the Dallas Mavericks with the single "Kyrie & Luka," while FKA Twigs dropped the single "Eusexua" alongside the announcement of her new album of the same name arriving January 2025. FINNEAS also released his second single, "Cleats" from his upcoming album, For Cryin' Out Loud. 

Below, dive into 10 more releases worth checking out for New Music Friday, including new singles by Charli XCX and Troye Sivan, The Weeknd, Tate McRae, as1one and more.

Read more:15 Must-Hear Albums In September: Paris Hilton, Katy Perry, Luke Bryan & More

“Talk talk” and it’s completely different but also still “Talk talk.” Charli XCX puts an earworm of a period on "Brat summer" by tapping bestie Troye Sivan to help totally reinvent the Brat fan favorite.

The new version is a tale of two flirtations, with Charli teasing a new fling to “talk to me in French/ Talk to me in Spanish/ Talk to me in your own made-up language” while Troye offers up an extravagant — and rather explicit — invitation to someone who’s about to have quite a good time with him in an Amsterdam hotel room.

Following Charli’s recent buzzy collabs with Lorde (“The girl, so confusing version with lorde”) and Billie Eilish (“Guess”), the latest remix off the pop star’s smash, zeitgeist-defining LP is a pitch-perfect amuse-bouche to her and Troye’s upcoming Sweat Tour, which kicks off Sept. 14 in Detroit. 

GRAMMY U Members will have an exclusive opportunity to catch Charli XCX and Troye Sivan together at the 2024 GRAMMY U Fall Summit on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 in Nashville, sponsored by Mastercard and Amazon Music. 

Read More: Charli XCX's Road To Brat: How Her New Album Celebrates Unabashed Confidence & Eccentricity

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Just days after revealing the title of his highly anticipated sixth studio album, Hurry Up Tomorrow, The Weeknd offers the first taste of it with the lead single, “Dancing In The Flames.”

The pulsating track lands right in the 4-time GRAMMY winner’s sweet spot of synth-drenched, blissed out R&B while revving up the tempo as he catapults toward loves destruction, singing, “I can’t wait to see your face / Crash when we’re switching lanes / My love’s beyond the pain/ But if I miss the brake / We’re dancing in the flames / It’s indescribable.”

The cinematic music video sends the singer into a kinetic, head-on collision, and the entire rain-soaked, colorful saga was shot on the new iPhone 16 Pro.

Still riding high off the success of her 2023 sophomore album Think Later, Tate McRae enters a new era with her latest single, “it’s ok i’m ok.” Building on the momentum of hits like “Greedy” and “Exes,” the song (released on Sept. 12) finds the Canadian pop star's ability to balance an unbothered attitude in the spoken word chorus with floaty, sensual falsetto verses.

The music video is a risqué romp through the chaos of New York City, complete with showstopping choreography from the 21-year-old Calgary native. The visuals pay homage to Britney Spears — a style McRae also referenced at Wednesday night’s MTV Video Music Awards, where she wore a sheer lace dress reminiscent of Spears’ iconic look from the 2001 VMAs. 

Read More: How Tate McRae Turned A "Full Identity Crisis" Into Her Debut Album, I Used To Think I Could Fly

Brantley Gilbert inks another portrait of small-town country life on his seventh album, Tattoos. Lead single “Over When We’re Sober,” featuring Ashley Cooke, is among several collaborations on the LP. Other stand out duets include the whistling opener “Dirty Money” with Justin Moore; the patriotic country-rap hybrid  “Me and My House” featuring Struggle Jennings and Demun Jones; and the soaring “God Isn’t Country” with Rascal Flatts' Gary LeVox. 

Taylor Acorn gets bright and brash on her debut album Survival In Motion. The rising pop-punk singer confronts a range of personal struggles, from battling mental illness and imposter syndrome on the energetic title track to brushing off the haters in “High Horse” and escaping a controlling relationship in “Greener.” All of this unfolds against a backdrop of hard-charging guitars, crashing drums and refreshingly candid songwriting. 

Read more: ​​11 Pop-Punk Artists To Watch: Taylor Acorn, American Teeth & More

Nearly four years after her last full-length, 2020’s holiday-themed Cider & Hennessy, Jordin Sparks returns with her new album, No Restrictions. 

The "American Idol" champ remains true to her R&B roots on her fifth studio album. Tracks like the surprise pre-release single “Remember,” along with standouts like “Forever” featuring T-Pain, “Where There’s Smoke…,” the Stonebwoy-assisted “No Cry” and the bumping “YCFWM,” show off her luminous voice with a surprising amount of swagger.

Related: How Many "American Idol" Winners Have Won GRAMMYs? A Rundown Of Wins And Nominations For Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood & More

JVKE and Nick Jonas have been teasing their new collaboration to eager fans for what feels like forever, but the wait was well worth it for the swooningly romantic track. Each singer takes a turn daydreaming about a love that will stand the test of time, lasting “until [they’re] 70.”

After JVKE, the “golden hour” crooner, recounts his first heartbreak at 17, Jonas steps in with a sweet and sultry verse that’s clearly dedicated to his wife of nearly six years, Priyanka Chopra, singing, “Baby, I’m so into you / I’ve lived a thousand lives/ can’t go a single night / Without you.”

Related: Inside Jonas Brothers' The Album: How Leaning Into Joy, Fatherhood & Dad Rock Spawned Their Most Definitive Music Yet

Fresh off walking the red carpet at the MTV VMAs, multicultural boy band as1one launch their bid for pop stardom with debut single, “All Eyes On Us.” The Israeli-Jewish and Palestinian-Arab sextet get an assist from Nile Rodgers on the funky dance floor anthem, which finds the group soaking up the spotlight as they sing, “It’s like the whole world’s watching / We gonna dance like we’re all on an mission / All eyes on us!”

Later this year, prospective fans will get a deeper look into as1one's formation, artistry, and message of unity through a four-episode docuseries on Paramount+. 

“This isn’t Fashion Week!” an enraged director screams early in the music video for Suki Waterhouse’s latest single, “Model, Actress, Whatever.” From that moment on, the English It Girl and indie pop darling proves yet again that walking the runway is just one of her many talents as she sings, “All of my dreams came true / The bigger the ocean, the deeper the blue / Call me a model, an actress, whatever / Other half of my baby, we stay together.”

The deeply personal track arrived just days before Waterhouse unveiled her sophomore studio album, Memoir of a Sparklemuffin, which also includes previously released singles “To Love,” “OMG,” “My Fun,” “Faded,” “Supersad,” and “Blackout Drunk.”

Ronnie Dunn and Ira Dean assemble an all-star cast of collaborators for their new single “Tele-Man” featuring Vince Gill, John Osborne and Brent Mason. Together, the five musicians create a modern-day homage to The Traveling Wilburys as they unravel an ode to one of country music’s most iconic instruments: the Telecaster guitar. 

With Mason playing the titular role of “Tele-Man” on the instrument, his collaborators string out an energetic, deliriously tongue-twisting yarn that name drops everyone from Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings to Johnny Cash, Jerry Reed and Patsy Cline before giving illustrious credit to the “finger-lickin’, chicken pickin’ Tele-Man” behind all the greats.