Hello and welcome! Are we nearing the end of a semester? Do you want something to forget about the December blues? Then welcome to V’s new music round-up, where we tune you into some of the week’s biggest and best releases, whether they be singles or albums.

Here’s this week’s top picks:

evermore by Taylor Swift

Leave it to Taylor Swift to drop ANOTHER surprise album in 2020, a sister record to the already acclaimed folklore, and then manage to top it. evermore leans into Swift’s more country beginnings and weaves these tales of murder, deceit, and love coming back like 90s trends that manages to feel like a reflection and confluence of where her career has come since her self-titled debut.

For Certain by BIA

BIA knows how to spit bars with the best of them. And you can tell that it’s not just beginner’s luck with her new EP, there’s some real talent involved. Featuring the likes of Lil Jon, Lil Durk, Doe Boy, and 42 Dugg, the Boston-born BIA cleverly weaves through 808s and wordplay to give us some potential rap staples.

Covers by James Blake

It’s fitting that James Blake decided to end 2020 on a somber yet haunting note with his new Covers EP, which is, like the name suggests, a compilation of covers. His piano-led record features some beautifully prepared renditions of Billie Eilish’s “when the party’s over,” Roberta Flack’s “The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face,” and Joy Division’s “Atmosphere” among others.

That’s What They All Say by Jack Harlow

Jack Harlow keeps the hits coming with his debut album. After the success of his single “Whats Poppin,” Harlow continues to exude the same confident blend of vulnerability (there’s your oxymoron) that made him one of the year’s big breakout stars. Doesn’t hurt that the album includes features from industry heavyweights like Adam Levine, Big Sean, and Lil Baby.

The Fight (remixed) by Overcoats

The Overcoats took their already battle-ready sophomore record, The Fight, and gave it a remix that turns it into a battle-ready synth-pop jam. Featuring remixes from Shura, Porches, Billy Lemos, and Yoke Lore, the new reworking dives into a mix of dreamy, lo-fi, new wave pop melodies that’ll have you feeling like you’re in a trance and just compelled to move, somehow.

“All Three” by Noah Cyrus

Newly Grammy nominated Noah Cyrus’’s twisted ballad is about the toxicity that can come with a relationship gone sour. Lifted by some strings and haunting vocals, Cyrus sings about what it’s like to be with someone who hurts you yet you can’t get away from. Hence, this lyric as exhibit A: “But we’re suckers for the thrill/ Playing fuck, marry, and kill/ Honey, we’re all three”

“Gone” by CLOVES

Aussie artist CLOVES takes on the job of covering the cult classic Charli XCX and Christine & the Queens’ collab “Gone.” But instead, she makes the song her own, dropping the Robyn-esque production by tapping into the anxiety and dread in the song’s lyrics. CLOVES brings a lot more sadness and anger to the song that gives its message some powerful emotion.

“Change My Mind” by Carly Rose

It would be unfair to term Carly Rose as just an indie-pop songstress, since the term comes with the unfortunate connotation of not being able to hit it big. But with a song like “Change My Mind,” which sees Rose discover the parts of herself she can’t really change, she’s able to balance the mainstream’s love for large pop melodies and soulful voices with an alt-pop sensibility that lends her some maturity beyond her years.