From Seasons to Stages, it's another big and unique week of music. A Country star continues to find her voice and a Brooklyn band adds some edge. We have a return three decades in the making, a stripped-down sound for a good cause, and a global superstar continuing his hot streak. These are the highlights from this week's New Music Friday.
The song titles on Cassadee Pope’s first studio album in more than five years tell the story. “How I Feel Now” and “If My Heart Had a Heart” encapsulate where the former winner of The Voice has been recently. Pope called Stages the most honest work she has ever done. In a statement, she said the album “takes you through the hurt, healing, freedom and hope” that she’s experienced over the past few years. The 11 tracks on Stages are emotional, laid back and concise, highlighted by the single “One More Red Light.” Pope pleads: “Let's take the long way home, nice and slow before we have to say goodnight. Let's find one more red light.” - Bob Diehl
Pop Rockers American Authors have returned with a bit of an edge that we weren’t expecting… but we totally dig it! Best described as a little darker and a little grittier, Seasons is the band’s third studio album and their first in three years. The album’s first single “Deep Water,” signaled the transition from happy-pop to a deeper, more soulful sound. Tracks like “Calm Me Down” and the anthemic “Can’t Stop Me Now” both give off a supremely satisfying hip-hop vibe that we just can’t get enough of. Seasons certainly proves that American Authors is a band more than capable of adapting to the ever-evolving rhythm of pop music. - Kyle McCann
Luis Fonsi is starting off the most romantic month of the year with sultry vocals and gushing lyrics. His ninth studio album is VIDA, a 15-track work that spans from loving ballads to upbeat bops. As one of Puerto Rico’s biggest stars, the Latin American singer danced his way to global success with the help of single “Despacito.” Along with the Justin Bieber and Daddy Yanke-assisted track, VIDA also enlists A-list features from Demi Lovato and Ozuna. From upbeat tracks like the club-ready “Apaga La Luz” to his more frequent ballad style seen in tracks like “Dime Que No Te Iras,” Luis is continuing to prove he’s much more than just the “Despacito” guy. - Tiana Timmerberg
Metallica - Helping Hands Live & Acoustic
Helping Hands Live & Acoustic finds Metallica in a special moment, who at the time were in the middle of raising 1.3 million dollars for their All Within My Hands Foundation. An auction and this fundraising concert at The Masonic in San Francisco helped the band do a lot of good, and now it's available for everyone to hear. Beyond being for a good cause, it's a fascinating listen. For the most successful heavy band in history to boil down thrash classics like "Disposable Heroes" and "The Four Horsemen" to their most basic sonic skeleton is instructive and astounding. Without the aid of that thumping adrenaline that the band gives off at full scale, these Metallica songs shine with jangly blues arrangements and soulful simplicity. Hetfield's voice is rich and dynamic, embodying the emotions that usually gets an assist from those blazing guitars. There's no polish, and it's obvious in-between each performance that this is outside the comfort zone for the mighty Metallica. But like pros, when the last cymbal count sounds they take off like they've been doing these acoustic shows for years. - Michael Cerio
The supernova of The Specials first formed 40 years ago in 1979. Since then their impact has been immeasurable, sending shock waves through ska and punk music for generations. Now in urgent times the band returns with Encore. The band's first new material in decades shows them once again anxious to speak truth to power and dive headfirst into flashpoint cultural issues. The two-tone pioneers haven't lost any luster or fight, making an album that feels born out of necessity and personal conviction. - Michael Cerio
Also out this week is new music from Beirut, Girlpool, and Within Temptation.