It's the best day of the week! Happy New Music Friday — check out this week's roundup of best new songs and releases, including Ari Lennox, DJO (also known as Stranger Things' Joe Keery!), and an exclusive music video premiere from Genevieve Stokes. Get ready to smash that play button.
Genevieve Stokes, “Habits”
One of the best new songs of this week comes from alt-pop singer-songwriter Genevieve Stokes. The 21-year-old pianist and vocalist delivers the woodland fairy fantasy of your dreams in the music video for her newest single “Habits,” premiering exclusively here on Teen Vogue.
The rich, rousing ballad was written by Genevieve herself and produced by Tony Berg, who was previously worked with Phoebe Bridgers, Paul McCartney, and Taylor Swift. (The “Habits” video font gives major folklore vibes.) The visual is quirky and mesmerizing, almost as if Wes Anderson were the filmmaker behind Midsommar.
“The ‘Habits’ music video is an introduction to the world of my new music," says Genevieve in an exclusive statement to Teen Vogue. “It’s inspired by Alice in Wonderland and the idea of falling down the rabbit hole.” A perfect visual as we head into the mystifying chill of autumn, the “Habits” video is designed to be rewatched over and over again. Check out the premiere of the “Habits” music video above.
Ari Lennox, age/sex/location
Ari Lennox has done it again. The R&B star has released her sophomore album, age/sex/location, a 12-track project with lush, impressive, vocals. Ari will never forget her neo-soul roots, delivering Erykah Badu-inspired records like “Queen Space" featuring Summer Walker and the first track of the album, “POF.” Ari has called the narrative of this project the “transitional space” that preceded her current journey, which she's dubbed her “eat pray love” era.
“[That means] basically I'm dating myself," Ari told a cheering crowd at her NYC album listening party on Tuesday, September 6. “Which is a beautiful feeling. Sometimes it gets a little lonely and sad… but we get it together.”
The album boasts features from a few of R&B's most exciting acts, like the aforementioned Summer Walker, Lucky Daye, and a standout, passionate feature from Chlöe, who Ari says delivered her verse on the track only a week ago. “She's legendary,” Ari said at the listening session. Listen to “Leak It” featuring Chlöe from age/sex/location above.
DJO (aka Joe Keery), “Half Life”
In case you didn't know, actor Joe Keery — best known for his work as Steve Harrington in Netflix's Stranger Things — has an alter ego. Djo (pronounced like his name, Joe) is the solo project of the actor, producer, and musician. “Half Life” is the latest single from Djo's upcoming album DECIDE, the follow-up to his 2019 project TWENTY TWENTY.
Joe Keery has been making music since he was a teenager, and it's about time you tuned in. A synthpop banger infused with some funk, “Half Life” is Djo at his strongest. Decide by Djo will be released next week on September 16. Check out “Half Life” above.
Nicki Minaj, “Super Freaky Girl (Queen Mix)”
The original version of Nicki Minaj's “Super Freaky Girl” was released on August 12 — now, the rap icon has released “Super Freaky Girl (Queen Mix),” a star-studded, all-female remix of the hit song. The new cut features rappers JT from City Girls, BIA, Katie Got Bandz, Akbar V, and Maliibu Mitch. “Super Freaky Girl” was initially released as the lead single from Nicki's compilation album Queen Radio: Volume 1. Play the Queen Mix above!
Kaya Stewart, “Honey”
Today, 22-year-old musician Kaya Stewart drops her latest single, the in-your-face “Honey," along with its official video companion. The track is off of her upcoming second LP If Things Go South, expected September 30. The thumping anthem should be done justice by being blasted at full volume — that way, you're able to simultaneously headbang and take in all of Kaya's full-bodied vocals.
“I needed to have a straight up rock ‘n’ roll song on the record,” Kaya said in a statement about her new single. “At the end of the day, I’m a live performer. The reason I started making music is my love for playing live. I wanted something to rock out to on stage. I knew I wanted to be a part of rock’s resurgence.” See the video for “Honey” above.
