Latest Reviews

Willow Avalon is quickly carving out her own lane in country music and “Hypothetically Speaking” might be the sharpest example yet of why so many people are paying attention. Featuring fellow outlaw-country firebrand Kaitlin Butts, the new single leans hard into dark humour, old-school storytelling and vintage Southern attitude, sounding like something that could have been pulled from a smoky jukebox in 1965 and somehow still feel completely fresh in 2026.

Issac Ryan Brown is making a serious case for himself as one of the most exciting young names in modern R&B crossover pop. At just 20 years old, the singer, actor and social media star continues his breakout run with the release of his latest single, “Life of the Party”, a polished, high-energy anthem that feels built for summer playlists, packed live shows and late-night party soundtracks.

Dan + Shay are stepping into a reflective new era with “Young,” the title track from their newly announced sixth studio album of the same name, due August 21. The gentle acoustic ballad arrives alongside news that the three-time GRAMMY-winning duo are preparing what they describe as their “most personal album yet,” one shaped by family, faith, and the realities of growing older after more than a decade at the top of country music.

Harleymoon Kemp has always understood the power of personality in country-pop, and “Wash” is a perfect example of everything clicking into place. Following her Celebrity Race Across the World victory alongside brother Roman Kemp, and the momentum of previous single “My Girls” topping the UK iTunes Charts, the British singer-songwriter returns with a track that is sharp, funny and emotionally charged.

Stella Lefty has obviously got a talent for writing an addictive hook, and her new single “I Know I Know” proves she knows exactly how to use it. Released via Atlantic Outpost, the track lands at a moment when her breakout “Boston” is still climbing the Billboard Hot 100, and instead of easing off, she sharpens the formula that is quickly becoming her signature.

There is no point pretending this is a subtle pivot. Diplo has been circling country music for years, but “Two Steppin’” feels like one of his most confident swings at bringing the dance floor straight into the honky tonk. Teaming up with rising voice Adrien Nunez, he delivers a track that is built less for quiet listening and more for movement, noise, and late night energy.

There is something quietly stubborn about the way Cody Johnson keeps leaning into traditional country sounds while the rest of the genre keeps stretching in different directions. “Hello Lonesome,” the second glimpse into his upcoming album Banks Of The Trinity, feels like a statement of intent more than just another single. It does not chase trends or try to reinvent anything. Instead, it settles into a familiar barstool and lets the story do the work.

Tori Amos returns with her 18th studio album In Times of Dragons, released via Universal/Fontana, and it is one of her most conceptually dense and politically charged works in years. Built as a protest record wrapped in allegory, mythology, and modern fairy tale imagery, the album explores themes of political instability, democratic collapse, environmental anxiety, and personal transformation through a fictional narrative of a woman escaping a dangerous billionaire and gradually becoming the very “dragon” she must confront.

There is a sense of timing to Natalie Imbruglia’s return. As pop leans back toward the dancefloor, her new single Upside Down arrives as a bright, defiant step into that space, previewing the album Algorithm, due 4 September.

Tiffany Stringer, the Texas-born rising pop star, has officially launched The Lone Starlet EP, a new project that merges the grit of Lone Star roots with the glamour of old Hollywood. Set for release on Friday, May 8 via Atlantic Records, The Lone Starlet marks a bold new chapter in Stringer’s musical journey and sets the stage for a cinematic pop era that will have listeners feeling the bright lights and big-screen emotions.