This week has been busy with new music releases from both established and emerging artists. Among the A-listers are Pitbull and Lil Jon with a new party anthem, Jonas Brothers with a new summer jam, Thirty Seconds To Mars returning after five years, BTS, Janelle Monáe, Shaggy, Becky Hill and many others. I have selected 15 tracks for your review. Kicking things off is an explosive track from none other than the legend, Dolly Parton! Enjoy your beautiful May weekend!

Dolly Parton - World on Fire

Country music legend Dolly Parton debuted her new rock song "World on Fire" at the 2023 ACM Awards. The song is the lead single from her upcoming debut rock album, "Rockstar". Last night, she performed the song on the American Music Awards, showcasing her versatility as an artist.

 Parton, who co-hosted the ACM Awards with Garth Brooks, revealed that "World on Fire" is her first rock 'n' roll song. The song has already garnered attention and praise from fans and critics alike, and it is sure to be a hit among Parton's loyal fanbase.

This blog is mainly for electronic dance music, but this is Dolly friggin' Parton!

Enjoy the electric performance below!

Pitbull, Lil Jon - Jumpin'

The party boys are back! Pitbull and Lil Jon have teamed up once again to release their new track "Jumpin". The song is an electro anthem that samples "Jump Around" by House of Pain, one of the most recognizable songs ever. The song is a modern and upbeat track that is sure to get people jumping and dancing.

Jonas Brothers - Summer Baby

"Summer Baby" is a new song by The Jonas Brothers. The track was produced by Jon Bellion, Pete Nappi, TenRoc, and The Monsters & Strangerz. It has a certain je ne sais quoi element that makes it a great contender for a song of the summer. The lyrics of the song talk about a full-blown summer romance, with the singer exclaiming "you feel like summer baby, heating up my body." 

It's a feel-good,  breezy track and would make a great addition to your Summer playlist.

Thirty Seconds to Mars - Stuck

Thirty Seconds to Mars, the band consisting of brothers Jared and Shannon Leto, has released their first original song in five years, "Stuck." The song is the lead single from their upcoming sixth studio album, "It's the End of the World But It's a Beautiful Day," set to be released in September 2023.

"Stuck" is an electropop-leaning song that showcases the band's shift towards electronic music centered on mainstream pop elements. The accompanying music video, directed by Jared Leto, is inspired by the human form and combines high fashion with art for a sleek, minimalistic result. The song is about knowing you need to get out but simply being unable to, whether that's from fear or comfort or confusion.

BTS - The Planet

K-pop sensation BTS has returned with a new song titled "The Planet," which serves as the theme song for the upcoming South Korean animated series, Bastions. The upbeat and anthemic single celebrates nature and features an array of artists on the soundtrack. Fans are delighted with the purposeful song and eagerly await the release of the series.

Janelle Monáe - Lipstick Lover 

Janelle Monáe's latest single "Lipstick Lover" is a reggae-infused track that celebrates the sensual pleasure of leaving lipstick marks behind. The song is the lead single from her newly announced album, The Age of Pleasure, and the video, directed by Monáe and Alan Ferguson, features vivid visuals that are more or less NSFW. In an interview with Apple Music One’s Zane Lowe, Monae explained that the song is about her experiences of being both the giver and receiver of a "lipstick kiss". See the lyric video below! 

Becky Hill, Lewis Thompson - Side Effects 

Becky Hill, one of the most talented and versatile artists in dance music, has teamed up with Lewis Thompson to release their latest track "Side Effects". The song is a perfect blend of Becky's soulful vocals and Lewis's production skills, creating a catchy and upbeat tune that is sure to get you moving. As a fan of Becky Hill, I am excited to see her continue to collaborate with other talented artists and produce amazing music.

aespa - Spicy

"Spicy" is the latest title track from the K-pop girl group aespa's mini-album "MY WORLD". The song is described as a dance genre with a strong synth base sound and dynamic beats. The lyrics talk about a spicy love that is irresistible. While the song has consistent energy and is exciting throughout, some reviewers have noted that it could have used a bit more spice. Overall, "Spicy" manages to spice up aespa's EDM base with a more pop-leaning comeback.

This is the first I am hearing about aespa, but they must be something, having nearly 50M views in 4 days! The video is fun and trendy, good old-fashioned pop!

Jorja Smith - Little Things

"Little Things" is a new single by British singer Jorja Smith. The song is a fun and flirty track that fuses R&B with clubby rave music. It was produced by P2J and New Machine and features steady percussion and rhythmic bass, accompanied by Jorja Smith's characteristically soulful vocals. The lyrics are about spontaneity and the small details that get Jorja Smith high. The music video for the song is also fun and flirty, featuring Jorja Smith in various party and nightclub settings.

MEDUZA - Friends

"Friends" is a dance song by the electronic music trio MEDUZA. The song was released on May 12, 2023, and is their latest release. MEDUZA has taken the dance music scene by storm with their unique blend of deep electronic music. The trio consists of friends who are all active as DJs, electronic musicians, and producers. "Friends" is sure to get you moving on the dance floor, so grab your friends and get ready to dance!

James Hype - Lose Control 

James Hype's latest track, "Lose Control," is a seismic new single that features a classic R&B vocal from the '90s. The track was released on May 12, 2023, through Insomniac Records. The chorus of the song talks about how sometimes the love is so strong that it can make one lose control. 

When listening to the track, I am reminded of the classic hooks of "Inner City."  I always love a good throwback to the 90s, but in an up-to-date way!

Joel Corry - Dance Around It with Caity Baiser

Joel Corry and Caity Baser have collaborated on a new single called "Dance Around It". The song is described as an infectious slice of future-facing dance music. As always with Corey, it's a dancefloor jam that's catchy and fun. So get ready to boogie down, trip the light fantastic, and hit the dance floor with this latest hit. 

Shaggy ft. Patrice Roberts - Whine & Jumping

"Whine & Jumping" is a song by Shaggy featuring Patrice Roberts. The official music video showcases the vibrant culture of Jamaica, with colorful costumes and energetic dance moves. The song is part of Shaggy's latest album "In The Mood" which also features collaborations with Kes, Konshens, Noah Powa, and more. The album is available on Apple Music and other streaming platforms.

This track and video compels me want to jump on a plane to a tropical destination and party!

Kah-Lo - fund$ 

Grammy-nominated Nigerian dance-pop vocalist Kah-Lo releases her new single ‘Fund$’ on Epic Records.

From Femmusic.com: "Spinning a tale of greed and glory, Kah-Lo’s latest single sees her fierce vocals cut with a darker edge. A powerful anthem that flaunts Kah-Lo’s intrinsic ability to seamlessly blend genres at her will, ‘Fund$’ commands attention with its shiny synth stabs, punchy basslines, and rhythmic percussion. Kah-Lo’s playfully audacious lyrics add a feminist flare to the track as she sings, “Girls just wanna have funds, can’t have fun if you don’t have funds”. As with all of Kah-Lo’s originals, her vibrant persona shines through on ‘Fund$’ as she teases her more rebellious side."

Anish Kumar - Little Miss Dynamite

Anish Kumar is a 22-year-old British-Indian artist who is currently studying to be a vet at the University of Cambridge. He is also a producer and DJ who is known for his distinctive sound and sample-heavy spin on dance music. Despite his busy schedule, he has been able to balance his music career with his academic pursuits. His debut project, 'Postcards', was released in July 2022 and has received acclaim.

The latest track by the artist is "Little Miss Dynamite," which stands out due to its combination of vintage oldies sounds and modern dance beats.