New Music Round-Up: Little Mix, Shawn Mendes, Normani, Calvin Harris & More

Okay, the music Gods have blessed us. Not only are Little Mix back in our ears with brand new music but we have surprise releases from Shawn Mendes, Drake, Normani, Sampha and Calvin Harris.

Jess Glynne's highly-anticipated second album is finally here, as is Quavo's debut solo set, which features the actual Madonna and Cardi B on the same song. What even is 2018? Amazing, that's what.

Singles

Little Mix - ‘Woman Like Me (feat. Nicki Minaj)

https://open.spotify.com/track/6rrTr2HEAzlpC4KWZxF3S1

They're baaaaack! Little Mix make a grand return this week with the long-awaited lead single from their upcoming fifth (!) album, the brilliant 'Woman Like Me' featuring the legendary Nicki Minaj. The girls perfectly balance female empowerment with a sexy invitation to their desired lover, as they embrace their strength and insecurities to celebrate the women they are, whether anyone likes it or not. A slay.

Shawn Mendes - ‘Under Pressure (feat. teddy<3)’

https://open.spotify.com/track/2fLyikLZmHxW4XdToFpDdN

Shawn Mendes surprises us with a truly gorgeous cover of Queen's 'Under Pressure', with teddy<3, recorded for the Bohemian Rhapsody movie about the band and to benefit the Mercury Phoenix Trust, a charity fighting against HIV and AIDS in honour of Freddie Mercury. A talented duo using their art for good - we stan.

Bad Bunny - ‘MIA (feat. Drake)’

https://open.spotify.com/track/116H0KvKr2Zl4RPuVBruDO

In one of the biggest surprises of the week, Bad Bunny has dropped a massive collaboration with Drake with no prior warning. Even better is that the song is sung entirely en español, so we can all swoon over Drizzy's dreamy accent and the pair's romantic lyrics, even if you can't understand them. Trust us: they're being cute.

Quavo - ‘Swing (feat. Normani & Davido)’

https://open.spotify.com/track/5KDfDLEaGAQ2uyuzsWByVa

Taken from Quavo's debut solo album - out today also - 'Swing' is a super fun, laidback collaboration with Normani and Davido. Easy, breezy, boppy.

Calvin Harris & Sam Smith - ‘Promises (David Guetta Remix)’

https://open.spotify.com/track/5plG80hc7j4siXDhcUamjU

Slightly more frantic than the chill of Quavo's tune above, the brand new David Guetta remix of Calvin Harris and Sam Smith's number one hit 'Promises' takes the banger to unbelievable new heights with brilliantly chaotic production that will absolutely go off in a club.

Camila Cabello - 'Consequences (Orchestra)'

https://open.spotify.com/track/1ArLnG0bHaHPXqf08sEKM0

Camila Cabello treats fans to sort-of-new music with the new version of 'Consequences', the fourth single to be taken from her debut solo album. The already-emotional ballad is moved to full-on tear-jerker status with the incredible orchestral production behind her raw vocals.

Sampha - ‘Treasure’

https://open.spotify.com/track/6mtnu7p8tkUzlDO3KOoaTY

What a lovely surprise it is to see Sampha back on the playlists this week. The otherworldly talent lends his voice to the Beautiful Boy soundtrack with 'Treasure', a heartbreaking wish to save a loved one from their troubles even when they're most likely beyond our control. This one is very, very special.

Sia - ‘I’m Still Here’

https://open.spotify.com/track/5KGTKwOePys7aH4o6EzXEP

We'll never know how Sia does it. The singer-songwriter pulls at our heartstrings effortlessly with her latest solo release, the gorgeous ballad 'I'm Still Here'.

ALMA - ‘Cowboy’

https://open.spotify.com/track/42LhX3iOFdkKsKjdMmfFA6

ALMA bares her soul on the funky lead single from her debut album. 'Cowboy' explores how she overcame the vulnerability she felt when first leaving home to be a pop star at 19 years old, creating a bad-ass alter-ego to handle the fickle world of showbiz.

Wilkinson - 'I Need (feat. Hayla)'

https://open.spotify.com/track/1A05JVopbyY1AcGcDVOEnA

Combining garage-inspired production with crashing synths and Hayla's soulful vocals, Wilkinson have created a soaring call for love with 'I Need'.

THEY. - ‘What I Know Now (feat. Wiz Khalifa)’

https://open.spotify.com/track/3wImXdE4bliIVSEl3lVue1

The 'emo rap' breakout has introduced us to many major new talents this past year or two, and THEY. are on to a winner with their defiant anthem 'What I Know Now', featuring Wiz Khalifa.

M.O & Chip - 'Wondering'

https://open.spotify.com/track/0W62hhso3n2u9mq7g2D6Hn

M.O and Chip navigate romantic dramas in the WhatsApp age over dramatic-yet-somehow-still-quite-laidback production. A vibe.

Sundara Karma - 'Illusions'

https://open.spotify.com/track/12FSdXvwvT79VkwtxPPQjZ

Ahead of their second album's release, Sundara Karma drop their new single 'Illusions', which may just have the best instrumental we have heard all year. What a song!

Paloma Faith - 'Loyal'

https://open.spotify.com/track/0XOzFDp6KCEuAF2GWO8vmt

Paloma Faith unleashes her powerful new single 'Loyal' to launch the re-release of her UK number one album 'The Architect'.

Cheat Codes - 'Home'

https://open.spotify.com/track/72rMovcXnFRHQHDXBFnzvb

Cheat Codes go solo for their latest single - after cooking up hits with Demi Lovato and Little Mix - 'Home', a romantic electro-pop rush about the honeymoon phase.

Astrid S - 'Emotion'

https://open.spotify.com/track/09rj7jigutgAkveJGpSDBT

Announced as being her favourite song she has ever written, Norwegian pop star Astrid S returns with the brilliant 'Emotion' - another piece of synth-pop perfection.

Rozzi & Scott Hoying - ‘Lose Us’

https://open.spotify.com/track/4fL9xR7M4E8ITvHixMimuA

Rozzi follows up 'Never Over You' with 'Lose Us', a stunning duet with Scott Hoying - of Pentatonix and Superfruit - that will just make you sad that you can't sing like they can.

Albums

Jess Glynne - Always In Between

https://open.spotify.com/album/2Uv0SsIwRolyvE76e0CaBM

Three years after she first disrupted UK pop music, Jess Glynne delivers her brilliant sophomore album Always In Between. Featuring the number one singles 'I'll Be There' and 'These Days', her trademark combination of big vocals, aspirational pop production and empowering lyrics is packaged in exciting new ways to give us anthems that will soundtrack our lives for years to come.

Usher & Zaytoven - A

https://open.spotify.com/album/7JZi4kTfYCJcqOzVbKAYh5

Surprise! Usher releases an 8-track album in collaboration with producer Zaytoven to celebrate his 40th birthday. Made in just five days and released 48 hours after production wrapped up, Usher steps into new territory as he lets loose in honour of his beloved home of Atlanta. It's a more laidback set from the perfectionist, and the risks pay off as he delivers songs like 'Peace Sign' and 'She Ain't Tell Ya'.

Quavo - QUAVO HUNCHO

https://open.spotify.com/album/2DjfazR5N3TgXBQ7oVALA1

A solo Quavo album has always been on the table, as the Migos superstar was the first to break off to pursue side projects, including a joint album with Travis Scott in 2017. On his debut solo set, Quavo positions himself with the greats as he collaborates with Madonna (!) and Drake, while Cardi B and Normani feature on other standouts.

Ella Mai - Ella Mai

https://open.spotify.com/album/67ErXRS9s9pVG8JmFbrdJ0

Ella Mai finally releases her debut album, a self-titled moment, after the major success that single 'Boo'd Up' has seen overseas. The talented singer-songwriter's first LP is a slick and sexy collection that succeeds in finding something fresh in R&B, as opposed to chasing the oft-wanted nostalgic feeling of "'90s R&B" that many try to capture. One of the standout tracks is undeniably Ella's collaboration with H.E.R as both singers sound just wonderful together.

Odunsi (The Engine) - rare.

https://open.spotify.com/album/2rCQfEwg1KO3gksFF2Wq48

At just 22 years old, Odunsi (The Engine) has produced one of the most brilliant debut albums in recent memory. No subject is too dear to approach and no sound is too intimidating, for he transcends genre to create a cohesively versatile record that takes listeners on a journey. Lead single 'divine' holds up among its fresh competition but Odunsi shines most on the more tender tracks like 'take me there' and 'wanted you'.