This week’s new releases include some of music’s biggest names across multiple genres. Blake Shelton, Pink and Twenty One Pilots all have highly anticipated releases out this week, but it is the new kids on the block that are wanting the spotlight shined on them. I am not referring to those New Kids but rather some artists that are up to bat with their debut releases. Disney protégé Olivia Rodrigo has the most awaited album out this week, coming off the heels of her monster breakup anthem “Drivers License” and her recent star making performance on Saturday Night Live, but it is two other artists known more through social media that have the attention of this week’s New Music Friday.
Qveen Herby A Woman
Amy Noonan is not new to releasing albums as she has done so numerous times over the last 10 years as one-half of the husband-wife duo Karmin. Amy and her husband Nick grew their popularity through their creative recreations of hip-hop and R&B classics uploaded to YouTube. Karmin released their debut EP Hello and album Pulses on Epic Records before releasing the independently released Leo Rising.
Recently, Amy and Nick transitioned from Karmin to Amy’s alter ego Qveen Herby where the focus is put on her solo career and Nick continues to work as a producer. After releasing several EP’s and continuing to grow a strong and dedicated online presence, Qveen Herby’s debut full length debut album is finally here. A Woman is an ambitious, provocative debut that sees Amy returning to her hip-hop, R&B roots that fans first fell in love with and away from the more pop focused work of Karmin.
Lead single “Naughty Girl” finds the singer acknowledging who she has become as Amy and Qveen Herby begin to blend. Herby has grown into her sexuality over the years after growing up in a strict Christian home and is finally able to feel liberated and free in her own skin.
The Berklee College of Music graduate put all of her doubters on notice in “Juice” rapping “One hit wonder but I been on your radar, three, four times now. Got no label, read my natal chart(horoscope).”
Although there are moments of Pink, Fergie and Gwen Stefani influences sprinkled throughout A Woman it must be said that Qveen Herby’s voice is all her own and original. Only time will tell if Karmin will ever release new music again but knowing that Amy and Nick are still together making music is enough for me. Also make sure to check out all nine EP’s from Qveen Herby. All hail the Qveen. @qveenherby
Teddy Swims Unlearning
There are artists that one can listen to and easily see that they could fit comfortably under the umbrella of numerous genres. Teddy Swims is one of those artists. His voice is rich and soothing and can easily mix it up with pop, R&B, country, gospel, and even hard rock.
Recently discovering Teddy on Tik Tok, of all places, I have been anxiously awaiting his debut effort and the wait has been more than worth it. Current favorite “Blowin’ Smoke” has a modern doo-wop feel to it and sounds like it would have fit perfectly on Leon Bridges’ first album. Another track that is guaranteed to have people on the dance floor is the Thomas Rhett featured “Broke.” This song is also one most of us would have been shouting at the top of our lungs after the first stimulus payment hit last year.
Like Karmin, the Atlanta native garnered attention through his creative renditions of classic R&B and country songs. After a single listen to Unlearning it is apparent that Teddy Swims has the chops to make it in the music business and will have a seat waiting for him at many of music’s genres tables. Teddy Swims gives off vibes of the aforementioned Leon Bridges, Ed Sheeran, Rag-N-Bone Man and even Robin Thicke vibes back when he was just known as Thicke. @teddyswims
Steven McCash is the Music Columnist for SoBros Network, and host of the ‘Drinking With…’ podcast. He is the pioneer of New Music Friday, highlighting each week’s new releases in the world of music, in addition to the occasional live show review. Follow on Twitter: @MC_Cash75
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