New Music Friday: Sept. 18, 2026
By Ricky G. | Austin, Texas
Happy New Music Friday. Today was a loaded Friday for new releases, and so many artists delivered. I didn’t get a chance to listen to everything, but I spent hours late into the night and early morning, getting through as much as I could. Here are some of the big drops this Friday that I think deserve your time.
Listen — New Music Friday: Sept. 18, 2026: Spotify · Apple Podcasts · YouTube
Albums
This was my first Riley Green album, and I enjoyed it. That's Just Me, Go Again, Beach Happy, and P.O.S. are some good, radio-ready cuts, but the most refreshing thing is that he's not copying anybody. He's writing his own songs and is credited as a solo writer on many of the 19 tracks. He isn’t following the current modern country trend and props to him for that.
Laci Kaye Booth — Love Ain't For The Faint Of Heart
This one's special. Not your modern-day country album, either, and her voice is so unique that it pulls you into the storytelling. The title track sounds like a lullaby and she flips to a dive-bar-singing princess showcasing her husky vocals on Different and Daddy's Mugshot. I watched and voted for her on American Idol, and even got the chance to interview her at the CMT Awards in Austin a few years back. She was lovely and was working her butt off to independently push music to fans. I’m happy she's still at it and I feel like this is a solid piece of work that she should be very proud of. She's carving out her own lane in country music. If you’re a fan of Ella Langley, Lana Del Rey, or Loretta Lynn, you will find something here.
One word to describe this album: duality—the same thing she's been doing since Hannah Montana. It’s equal parts playful, experimental, and sexy but also mature and healed. Overall it feels authentic and classic. Orbit is a special ballad that sounds like it belongs in Interstellar or Project Hail Mary. Zane Lowe called this project a mirror of a mirror of a mirror of Miley. I agree with that because it echoes the past Miley past and even a bit of Hannah Montana. It’s also a reflection of where she is now in life. I’m a big Miley fan. This project doesn't sound like anything else out there. I need to give it a few more listens before saying how I really feel about it.
beabadoobee — Pylon & Aron! — Too Close for Running
Haven't gotten to these yet, but they are on deck this week. Will report back if something catches my ear.
Carly Rae Jepsen — Day and Night
This album is split into two halves, Day is softer and lighter; Night is dancier and sexier. It’s a journey, and an interesting listen—I don't think everyone will get it on the first pass, but she's doing genuinely cool stuff. The switch-up in Versailles throws you around a bit; but songs like Something Tragic and Soft sound right for her. This feels like the album that suits Carly and her voice the most. If I had to pick a side, I’d choose Night because the beats are addictive. There are hits here, even if I'm not sure the general public will give her the credit. I'll hype this one any chance I get. A solid pop record from start to finish.
I love Lizzy. Her voice, songwriting, and composition put me in a cozy space. I feel like I’m in a cabin in the middle of a pretty mountain range. This album is picturesque. Over Country talks about nature and life in a way that makes me think she knows exactly how her music affects people. Her songwriting places you in that environment whether the song is sad (Ugly Things, The Crowd) or not. I would love to see her live in the next year, and I'm curious about her fanbase. Are they young or old? I feel like everyone should be listening to Lizzy McAlpine.
No skips. Pure pop because Swedish pop stars just do it better. She's real on this one too: If I Could I Would digs into insecurities while being courageous about what she'd do in the relationship she wants. There are playful moments, too—I'm the Cake has a sick beat, and I'm surprised it didn't get a feature or a push as a single. It sounds like it would catch on TikTok. I LOVE THIS ALBUM!
After — Fell Asleep in the Sun
I've caught a few After songs over the years and always loved their early-2000s alt-pop-rock vibe. This album is really good. I don’t know how to describe it though. I’d say maybe it's Michelle Branch meets Imogen Heap. Let that sink in…
Singles
This is the talky-club Troye era. Fun beat, wild music video. His vocals are forgettable because the Madonna sample is what really makes it.
These two should do a full album together because their voices work so well together. They already have so many great collabs together. This song sounds reminiscent of another Shakira song. I’m thinking of Rabiosa.
So many country songs lean on fishing-and-boat imagery and that makes it hard to stand out, but Dylan finds something fresh here. I want to listen to more of him.
ARIA VEGA — Compa Coleto (uy_como)
New to me, but the beat hooked me first and then her vocals did. It’s a cool tropical cumbia with a subtle rasp in her voice that complements the beat.
Picks of the Week
Tove Lo's ESTRUS and After's Fell Asleep in the Sun.
Songs of the Week
Orbit and Aftermath by Miley
Let me know what you’re listening to and I hope you listen to something new today.
Xoxo Ricky G.