Billboard’s Friday Music Guide serves as a handy guide to New Music Friday’s most essential releases each week — the key music that everyone will be talking about today, and that will be dominating playlists this weekend and beyond. 

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Last week, we featured Ariana Grande, Labrinth, aespa and more.

This week: Taylor Swift’s much-teased Toy Story 5 song, “I Knew It, I Knew You,” arrives ahead of the film; Niall Horan serves up the main course with his new album Dinner Party; and Tinashe teases her next chapter with a new single… plus much more. Check out all of this week’s picks below:

Taylor Swift, “I Knew It, I Knew You”

After dropping a basketful of easter eggs, Taylor Swift confirmed this week that fans “knew it” all along when her came to her musical involvement on Toy Story 5. She wrote on Instagram, “I’ve always dreamed of getting to write for these characters who I’ve adored since I was a 5 year old kid watching the first Toy Story movie.” And on release night, she uploaded a video of her young self dressed much like Jessie, who inspired “I Knew It, I Knew You.” While the song was teased by Disney as a return to Swift’s country roots, the production does fittingly tap into the genre, though her vocals are distinctly modern-era — resulting in a track that “felt like a musical departure and coming home at the same time,” as she wrote in the caption of her cowgirl clip. “Creating something for Jessie was a new challenge and also felt like second nature all at once.” — LYNDSEY HAVENS

Role Model, “High Hopes 3000“

This week, Role Model shared the first taste of new music post-“Sally” virality (“Sally, When the Wine Runs Out” became his first Billboard charting hit, eventually reaching No. 1 on Adult Alternative Airplay, thanks in part to a live show gimmick in which celebrity guests became each evening’s designated Sally). After announcing his forthcoming third album, Chuck Timely & The Hourglass, the artist dropped lead single “High Hopes 3000” that explores the same country-inspired folk-pop landscape of his last album, Kansas Anymore. The new song tugs at a similar lyrical thread, too, with Role Model questioning his faith in finding love. “I need some high hopes, Lord knows I could use ’em…They say I’m unappealing when I shoot my shot/ Come here, honey, don’t know how to do it/ Does love come around or does one come around to it?” Tune in to find out. — L.H.

Niall Horan, “Tastes So Good”

Niall Horan’s fourth solo album, Dinner Party, arrives today and delivers on its title — offering up a delectable soundtrack perfect for any intimate gathering over food and drink. “Tastes So Good” in particular plays into the title as well as the overarching theme of the album — being in love — by describing just how smitten he is. “Can’t take another breath without you/ Can’t walk down the street/ No, I don’t know what you’re made of/ But it tastes so good to me.” With a line like that, who needs to see a menu? We’ll have what he’s having. — L.H.

Tinashe, “Too Easy”

Following an appearance at Coachella’s DoLab in April, Tinashe is back — and she’s letting friend and foe know it. The bouncy “Too Easy” is coated in confidence, as she sings, “If you’re mad, then go to therapy/ I can’t help that I make it look so easy.” The clubby pop track clocks in at just under two minutes, only further proving that Tinashe really does have this locked; it sends a message to listeners, too, because it really is that easy to hit replay on a song this sticky. — L.H.

Ryan Beatty, “Secret Language”

Alternative singer-songwriter Ryan Beatty was once a quiet force behind the scenes, offering backing vocals on BROCKHAMPTON projects among other collaborations. But his 2023 album, Calico, changed his career, becoming critically acclaimed and boosting his exposure — so much so, that Beyoncé came calling. Beatty co-wrote a handful of songs on Cowboy Carter, winning him his first Grammy as the project took home album of the year in 2025. Now, he’s teasing his fourth solo album, Sweet Fortune, out later this month. The sweet and serene lead single, “Secret Language,” shows off his tender writing, hinting at how his silence can say more than words ever could get across: “I’ll admit, I’m a bit of a mess/ ’cause I’m fragile and tired/ wounded and weak/ and my words are a useless defense.” — L.H.

Vybz Kartel, God & Time

It’s been almost two years since Kartel beat the case and walked out of prison a free man — and he’s finally ready to explore that vast range of emotion on a new studio album. Comprised of 14 slickly produced tracks, God & Time finds the superstar reuniting with TJ Records, the producer who helped craft landmark albums like Viking (Vybz Is King) and King of the Dancehall. Featuring collaborations with Shenseea, Wizkid, Skillibeng, Farruko and Spice, God & Time expands on Kartel’s commitment to bridging dancehall, Latin music and Afropop, alongside a healthy dose of crossover appeal. The true standout, however, is “Hype Life,” a historic reunion between Kartel and his Gully rival Mavado that champions maturity and the incomparable power of music. — KYLE DENIS

Vince Staples, Cry Baby

Vince Staples has been one of music’s most alluring artists for well over a decade, and his new Cry Baby LP marks a riveting new chapter. After turning inward on his last few releases, the Compton-born rapper prioritized live instrumentation on his new 10-track project. From the prickly, confrontational nature of “Do You Know the Devil” to the militant pace of “7 in the Morning,” Cry Baby is a remarkably comprehensive look at the urgency, tumult and tension of present-day America — an impressive feat considering the album’s succinct runtime. — K.D.

horsegiirL, Nature Is Healing

What could have been a gimmick instead presents dually as performance art and pure aural pleasure with horsegiirL and her debut album, Nature Is Healing. The Berlin-based producer — who never appears without her horse mask and embodies the character of Stella Stallion, a half-woman, half-equine — has released a gorgeous 15-track LP that, as its title indicates, centers themes of the natural world. This too is done with great sophistication and real meaning, as the project crosses genres from ambient to house to gabber and Stella gallops through themes from love for another to love for nature itself, infusing the productions with samples of birds, insects, reptiles and fellow mammals. A cool, inventive and deeply listenable project, Nature Is Healing sticks the landing on the hype around horsegiirL. — KATIE BAIN

Prospa, Free Your Mind

UK duo Prospa have been kicking around the scene for years, so it feels at once strange and exciting that their debut album is out just today. Worth the wait, we say! The project wastes no time getting into the club vibe, opening with the slinky (and previously released) “Love Songs” with Kosmo Kint and then propelling itself along with nine other sleek house tracks that embody every phase of a quality night out, from the pre-party to the afters. Standouts including the Cloonee collab “Free Your Mind” — that heavily samples the vocals from Sybil’s 1993 anthem “Oh, How I Love You” and “Let The Music” — which drips with emotion about why dance music really means so much. Free Your Mind is out on the mighty CircoLoco Records.  — K.B.

Laci Kaye Booth, “Ethereal Redneck Shit”

Booth intertwines sultry melodies with a penchant for vivid lyricism on this languid track, conjuring a scene of chaotic freedom in lines such as, “I wanna levitate, dance on your Escalade…French kiss with some Skoal in my lip.” Her husky, worldly vocal delivery grounds the cooly romantic track, which offers a compelling preview of her forthcoming third album, Love Ain’t For The Faint of Heart, due Sept. 18 via Lost Highway Records. — Jessica Nicholson

The Red Clay Strays, Grateful

Recent Billboard Country Power Players honorees The Red Clay Strays serve up more of their signature blend of Southern rock, gritty country and soul on their new album Grateful, while weaving in themes of faith, betrayal and yes, thankfulness. The rollicking country-soul of “Down South” feels like a perfect fit for any gritty small-town roadhouse, while their well-known Gospel inflections soar on “Demons In Your Choir.” They delve into social commentary on “People Hatin’,” while piano and refined percussion spearhead “Don’t Wanna Know,” as frontman Brandon Coleman’s powerful voice efficiently lays out the storyline of a man who realizes a family member’s marriage is marked by adultery. Elsewhere, “Do Today” is an uplifting ballad about making the most of every moment. This Alabama band has long established itself as a well-oiled musical group, whose musicianship is distinguished by precision and raw emotion. Their latest album cements that reputation. — J.N.

Baby Rasta y Gringo, “Visión”

Baby Rasta y Gringo is one of the longest-lasting duos in reggaetón history and to continue cementing that title, they have released a new single called “Visión.” Mainly known for their old-school perreo and reggaetón de marquesina sound, the duo returns to those romantic roots that also made them a household name in the 90s. “Visión” is a sweet tune powered by a groovy electric guitar and sultry reggaetón beats. Lyrically, the Puerto Rican pair sings about the important things every woman wants from their partner: reassurance, sincerity, love and commitment. — JESSICA ROIZ