Updated

Updated · Billboard · Jun 26

Billboard Spotlights 12 New Friday Releases Led by Phoebe Bridgers, Steve Lacy and Katy Perry

Updated

Updated · Billboard · Jun 26

Billboard Spotlights 12 New Friday Releases Led by Phoebe Bridgers, Steve Lacy and Katy Perry

Q: With new albums by Steve Lacy and Gracie Abrams dropping the same day, who will ultimately win the summer's biggest chart battle?

Gracie Abrams looks better positioned to win the July 17 chart showdown, though Steve Lacy remains a credible challenger. The strongest evidence is current momentum. Abrams’ lead single “Hit the Wall” has already reached No. 42 on the Billboard Hot 100 and, according to the provided data, has outpaced Lacy’s recent rollout in streaming: more than 57 million Spotify streams and roughly 982,000 daily streams, versus 13.6 million and about 437,000 daily for Lacy’s “the feeling.” Her overall daily streaming footprint is also reportedly higher, around 7.2 million versus 4.8 million. Abrams also appears to have the bigger commercial machine behind this release. *Daughter From Hell* is being pushed with a major Aaron Dessner collaboration, strong media promotion, and a 64-date international tour announcement, all of which typically help sustain album consumption beyond opening week. That gives her an edge not just for debut numbers, but for staying power through the summer. Lacy’s case is still strong. He has the more proven peak-chart résumé, with *Gemini Rights* reaching the Billboard 200 top 10 and “Bad Habit” hitting No. 1 on the Hot 100. If *Oh yeah?* produces a breakout viral single, he could still overtake Abrams, especially because his crossover appeal is already established. But based on the available release-week indicators—lead-single performance, daily streams, and rollout scale—Abrams is the safer bet to come out ahead in this summer’s biggest chart battle.

2 articles · Updated · Billboard · Jun 26

Billboard’s latest New Music Friday guide highlights 12 key releases, with sombr’s “My Body Isn’t Ready,” Phoebe Bridgers’ “Lost Boys” and Steve Lacy’s SZA collaboration “is it cool?” leading the picks.
Phoebe’s “Lost Boys” arrives as the lead single from her third album, Lost Weekend, due in August, while Lacy continues rolling out his third album era after earlier single “the feeling.”
The roundup also features Gracie Abrams’ second Daughter From Hell single, Katy Perry’s under-3-minute “Watch It Burn,” and Ryan Beatty’s fourth album Sweet Fortune, released Friday.
Beyond the biggest pop names, Billboard spotlights kwn’s new EP, TEEKS’ Pride Month single, Axwell’s return with Bonn, Cobrah and Grimes’ collaboration, and new tracks from Turnpike Troubadours and Alan Jackson.

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Billboard7h ago

Billboard's New Music Friday Guide Features sombr, Phoebe Bridgers, Steve Lacy, Katy Perry

kjwl.com7h ago

Sombr, Phoebe Bridgers, Steve Lacy with SZA & More: New Music Friday Guide | K-Jewel 99.3 FM

With new albums by Steve Lacy and Gracie Abrams dropping the same day, who will ultimately win the summer's biggest chart battle?

After his Grammy win with Beyoncé, will Ryan Beatty's country-infused new album successfully pivot his career towards mainstream stardom?

Beyond its star-studded lineup, what will Alan Jackson’s final performance truly signify for the future of traditional country music?

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2 total

Billboard7h ago

Billboard's New Music Friday Guide Features sombr, Phoebe Bridgers, Steve Lacy, Katy Perry

kjwl.com7h ago

Sombr, Phoebe Bridgers, Steve Lacy with SZA & More: New Music Friday Guide | K-Jewel 99.3 FM

Billboard Spotlights 12 New Friday Releases Led by Phoebe Bridgers, Steve Lacy and Katy Perry

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