New Music Friday: 7 albums to hear this week

It’s here. After a short Covid-related delay, Lady Gaga has released her long-awaited sixth studio album, Chromatica. Featuring collaborations with Ariana Grande and BLACKPINK (the previously released singles “Rain on Me” and “Sour Candy”, respectively), as well as a further team-up with Elton John, the album sees Gaga return to making pop bangers after a good few years exploring different trajectories on Cheek to Cheek, Joanne, and A Star is Born. The album is essentially front-to-back club tunes, bar the odd cinematic interlude – there are no ballads, so the pace remains high throughout. It’s just a shame we can‘t go to a club to hear them right now.

Elsewhere this week, a red braid-less Lil Yachty drops Lil Boat 3, and Soulwax release a new album recorded entirely on the ultra rare EMS Synthi 100 synthesiser. Take a listen below.