It’s the time of year when folks start gearing up for costumes and candy, but before you hit the streets for a little Trickin’ and Treatin’, you might want to check out the new music that’s dropping this week before Halloween.
Earlier this week, Megan Thee Stallion let fans know “Lover Girl” is coming. Ari Lennox is back and inviting you “Under the Moon,” while Cautious Clay drops his new album, The Hours, with some real heavy hitters. Daniel Caesar delivers his latest, and we get a new EP from Leon Thomas — who is having a helluva 2025.
After a string of well-recieved singles, Miguel’s CAOS finally arrives, meanwhile we get the collaborative project from Hit-Boy and Alchemist we’ve been waiting for. Samara Cyn is gearing up to close out the year on a high, and if you love hip-hop, you’ve gotta love the new joint from Bruiser Wolf and Harry Fraud. Pure cinema.
Each week, Okayplayer will deliver a roundup of all the latest new heat from some of our favorite artists. Check out the latest offerings in our playlist below:
NEW SONGS
MEGAN THEE STALLION - “LOVER GIRL”
She’s having a good year. And Megan now drops her second solo single of 2025, an infectious bop armed with a sample of Total’s “Kissin’ You.”
ARI LENNOX - “UNDER THE MOON”
R&B/soul fans rejoice — as the singer-songwriter has announced Vacancy, her third album, is coming soon. And on her new single, Lennox offers fans a glimpse of what she’s got cooking.
JULS W/TAY IWAR - “MAGIC”
The duo has joined forces on this new release — which serves as the first single from their highly anticipated 2026 collaborative project.
MR. EAZI - “VIOLENCE”
An emotional, somber examination of the roughness that lies between pain and love. Stripped down and introspective, boldly personal and another step forward for the artist.
VALERIE JUNE - “RUNNIN’ AND SEARCHIN’”
The Tennessee born singer-songwriter releases this single as the follow up to her acclaimed Owls, Omens, and Oracles. A gripping, singular sound— psychedelic folk, orchestral pop, and blues.
SAMPHA - “CUMULUS/MEMORY”
An outtake from the sessions for his 2023 album, Lahai. the British star’s new single was co-written with frequent collaborator Romy of the xx — who also lends vocals to the track
SHENSEEA - “BOSS UP”
The Jamaican dancehall superstar has officially inked a record deal with Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment. She announced her new chapter with the release of her latest single.
KOFI STONE W/ADY SULEIMAN - “CHAMOMILE”
The British rapper/singer has been delivering the goods since 2017’s “Stories In Pyjamas,” and he’s dropped recent heat like “May Sound Crazy” with Benjamin Zephaniah. Now he teams with fellow producer/singer for their latest.
MAJOR LAZER - “BRUK DOWN”
Featuring Parris Goebel and Sadboi, the new track from the British-Jamaican crew could be their breakout single and a showcase for America Foster.
EDDIE CEE-VO - “I’M GOING TO THE CLUB”
The guy knows how to have a good time. From pre-gaming with friends to late-night adventures, he promises a forthcoming album — called White Boy Wasted — to ignite the dance floor and keep the good vibes flowing.
VALEE & MVW - “DANISH”
Last year, Valee teamed up with MVW on their collaborative album, Valeedation. Well, they’ve announced a second go-round. Next month, Valee and MVW will release their new LP, Where Were We.
EEM TRIPLIN - “COMING UNDONE”
The producer-turned rapper out of PA has built his name from the ground up and he delivers a strong single that shows he’s learning how to maximize his talent.
SAMARA CYN - “VITAMINS N MINERALS”
The cornerstone of any healthy musical diet is an artist who cooks up every dish with care and passion. Cyn is a recording master chef — who gets to flex her lyrical chops a bit here.
LELO - “BANKSY”
The rapper’s hot streak continues. No shortage of top tier material as of late, and this dose of Midwest swagger is no exception. A Detroit representative of the highest order.
CIZA - “ABANTU”
The Afrobeats star is thanking his fans across social media for their patient. But his new single is an indicator that strong art is worth a little bit of a wait.
SALIMATA - “SWEETTHANG”
She just announced her new album this week. Fans should be geeked that they don’t have too long to wait: her project, The Happening, is out December 12.
BRANDY HAZE - “WEEK AGO”
Written by Haze and produced by Liston Gregory III, the track shows how fast things change—an honest reflection on the volatility of life and love — how peace and chaos can exist side by side.
TYLA - “CHANEL”
The new single from the South African singer is an intense workout that serves as a dance floor anthem that could also double for the soundtrack to a shopping spree. Dare you to sit still.
NEW ALBUMS
MIGUEL - ‘CAOS’
An album that shows the artist wants to delve deeper into his introspective bag, the singer-songwriter has been dropping some interesting singles throughout the year. It was a good runup to arguably his boldest album yet.
LEON THOMAS - ‘PHOLKS’
As his star his risen and his breakthrough became official over the past two years, he hasn’t stopped spoiling his fanbase with strong music. And this EP is an embarrassment of riches. Kudos.
DANIEL CAESER - ‘SON OF SPERGY’
It’s the most open and conflicted that we’ve heard from the star. After some high-profile missteps, he’s going inward and daring you to join him for the listen. One of the boldest releases of the year.
HIT-BOY AND THE ALCHEMIST - ‘GOLDFISH’
A project that is conceptually centered around the feeling of being stuck in a bowl and going in circles. This soundtrack to the accompanying film boasts features from Havoc, Boldy James, and Conway the Machine.
BRUISER WOLF & HARRY FRAUD - ‘MADE BY DOPE’
No skips on this one. The project was produced entirely by Fraud and has some serious firepower in the features department. We get appearances from Benny The Butcher, Mick Jenkins, Zeeloperz, Young Mehico and Curren$y.
HURRICANE WISDOM - ‘PERFECT STORM: SORRY 4 THE RAIN’
Along with the new “Clippers” video featuring G Herbo, the rapper out of Florida delivers a long player that lets you know he isn’t interested in sanitizing and he has a wealth of experience to inform his music. Good and bad.
BABYCHIEFDOIT - ‘WARNING SHOT’ (EP)
The five-track project showcases the 17-year-old’s range: with 2000s snap-inspired production and R&B samples that evoke the 1990s. It comes on the heels of a nonstop run–including a sold-out performance at Chicago’s Avondale Hall.
HANNAH JADAGU - ‘DESCRIBE’
The 23-year-old singer out of Texas offers a look at love’s changes. The project is inspired by a relationship she had while living in New York, but had to struggle to sustain from a distance after moving away.
DAVE - ‘THE BOY WHO PLAYED THE HARP’
Subtlety in the form of direct arrangements, and soothing piano figures; collaborations with producer Jim Legxacy and Tems. An accomplished set that shows he’s both a stunning craftsman and deft emcee.
BILLY DEAN THOMAS - ‘MX’
An embrace of their own creativity and unique perspective. The album’s title is a reference to both the gender neutral honorific that many nonbinary people use and the legacy of mixtapes.
REUBEN VINCENT & 9TH WONDER - ‘WELCOME HOME’
A sixteen-track tour de force that showcases two of the absolute best in music – and also features contributions from an impressive guest list: including Raheem DeVaughn, Wale, Ab-Soul, Raphael Saadiq, Kelly Moonstone, Heather Victoria, and others.
YUNGMORPHEUS x DIRTY ART CLUB - ‘A SPYGLASS TO ONE'S FACE’
The rapper/producer out of Miami (by way of Los Angeles) has become one of the more consistent acts in indie rap, and the duo out of North Carolina give him the perfect boost.
MONTE BOOKER - ‘NOISE/MEANING’
He’s worked with acts like Smino and Kenny Mason and you can hear the polish that comes from experience and just knowing how to make great records. Electronic music with ghostly vocals that actually speak to the spirit.
NELLY MOAR - ‘LOVE’S LAW’ EP
Sometimes an EP just sets the table. The fiery soul singer returns with a smoldering EP dedicated to what the heart wants, and showcasing just how engaging her songwriting has always been.
QUEEN NAIJA - ‘30.’ EP
This project signifies new beginnings and new chapters. Not only is she turning 30 and announcing it with this release, it also serves as her debut after signing with the legendary Motown Records. Sometimes it all just aligns.
CAUTIOUS CLAY - ‘THE HOURS (NIGHT)’
Pushing R&B past it’s borders and re-examining the genre’s limits might sound like heady praise, but Clay is one of the boldest artists currently recording and The Hours sports legends like Q-Tip and Raphael Saadiq connecting it to greatness.
JPEGMAFIA & DANNY BROWN - ‘SCARING THE HOES: DIRECTOR’S CUT’
The “Directors’ Cut” of their acclaimed 2023 project, it comes with more deluxe music plus an alternate mix.
KALI CLAIRE - ‘HOW I FEEL’
She’s long been one of the more expressive soul singers in the United Kingdom, and her new album features some stellar collaborations, including the emotive title track, which features Moelogo.
BNYX®️ - ‘LOADING…’ EP
The Working On Dying collective plays by their own rules, and he’s established his own lane outside of any “rage rap” box. His new EP features Earl Sweatshirt, George Clanton, Yeat and more.
MICKEY GUYTON - ‘FEELS LIKE CHRISTMAS’
Yes, Halloween is all the rage right now. But Christmas will be here before you know it. And Mickey Guyton has you covered with this accomplished set of holiday classics. Get ahead of the curve.
