We may be gearing up for the end of July in the month’s fourth and final week, but the new music just keeps coming – and this week, it’s better than ever. From J-Pop star Shinjiro Atae’s groundbreaking single “Into The Light” released alongside his coming out journey to Echosmith’s vulnerable self-titled album, this week’s new releases can’t be categorized as one thing or put into a box. Holly Humberstone and d4vd teamed up for the collaboration we all needed, and Morgan Saint released her latest gorgeous single “Did You Lose Your Heart.” There is truly something for everyone this week, so dive right in and add these tracks to your playlist!

Shinjiro Atae, “Into The Light”

This week, J-Pop Shinjiro Atae became one of the first-ever API idols to come out as part of the LGBTQ+ community. Atae, who rose to prominence as a member of the chart-topping J-Pop group AAA and then as a solo artist, bravely announced his identity as a gay man in a moving speech to a group of more than 2,000 attendees at a fan event in Tokyo. Along with his news, he released his latest single “Into The Light,” which chronicles his journey to self-acceptance and serves as a lifeline to fans going through a similar experience.This visibility is particularly significant for a J-Pop artist at this moment in time – Japan is the only G7 nation with no legal protection for same-sex unions, and advocates have been calling for the government to pass stronger pro-LGBTQ+ legislation. Atae is set to donate a portion of the song’s revenue to Pride House Tokyo, Japan’s first permanent LGBTQ+ center, and ReBit, a Japan based organization providing resources and support for LGBTQ+ youth. 

Echosmith, “Echosmith”

A decade after Echosmith rose to prominence with their 2013 hit album featuring hits like “Cool Kids” and “Bright,” the band is back and better than ever with a brand-new sound on their self-titled album. The multi-platinum alt-pop trio began their new chapter with the album’s lead single “Sour,” which delves into band member Sydney’s long-distance marriage. The group of siblings will embark on a tour of their new album this fall, so be sure to tune in to hear Echosmith at their most authentic and invigorated selves.

Ashnikko, “Cheerleader”

Alt-pop trailblazer Ashnikko just unveiled her most groundbreaking track yet – “Cheerleader” – as the latest single on her highly-anticipated upcoming debut album “WEEDKILLER” out August 25. The song is a tongue-in-cheek critique of the modern societal beauty standards imposed on women today and our cultural obsession with perfection. Ashnikko is always breaking barriers, and her latest body of work is simultaneously rebellious and vulnerable.

Holly Humberstone, “Superbloodmoon (feat. d4vd)”

UK-based indie-pop rising star Holly Humberstone is back with the third single on her highly-anticipated debut album “Paint My Bedroom Black” featuring genre-bending American artist d4vd. After meeting in London, the pair wrote the song in just a few hours after imagining two people witnessing a lunar eclipse from opposite ends of the earth. Their styles blend together seamlessly, making this the perfect collaboration for Humberstone’s album.

TREASURE, “REBOOT”

Electrifying K-Pop group TREASURE is back with their sophomore full-length album “REBOOT” two years after their debut project “THE FIRST STEP: TREASURE EFFECT.” The 10-track album – released alongside the music video for single “BONA BONA” – showcases a new side to the dynamic group, who broke a huge record recently on their biggest Asian tour to date. TREASURE performed to a staggering 300,000-plus fans in Japan – the largest audience ever for a K-Pop group on tour for the first time since its debut. After the release of their second album, it’s clear that TREASURE will continue to captivate audiences around the world.

Morgan Saint, “Did You Lose Your Heart”

Singer-songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Morgan Saint returns with her latest highly-anticipated stunning single “Did You Lose Your Heart” released in tandem with a video she self-directed alongside her wife. The synth-pop track explores themes of self-discovery, independence, and reaching your highest self. Saint’s gorgeous vocals work with the catchy synth beats to captivate and draw listeners into her innermost thoughts.

Sugarhill Ddot, “3AM in the Yams (feat. Luh Tyler)”

Hip-hop superstar Sugarhill Ddot is back with his latest single “3AM in the Yams” in collaboration with Luh Tyler inspired by his first night in Miami. The new track has all the necessary ingredients to be your next summer anthem – including a sample of Drake and Nicki Minaj’s 2010 classic hit “Moment 4 Life.” Go add this celebratory track to your pregame playlist!

Adekunle Gold, “Tequila Ever After”

Afro-pop artist Adekunle Gold just released his fifth studio album “Tequila Ever After” after much anticipation from fans. After amassing almost a billion streams to date, it’s clear that the multi-faceted artist can do just about anything – and each and every one of the 18 tracks on this album are a testament to that. His talent and influence are undeniable, but “Tequila Ever After” might just be his greatest work yet.