Friday Favourites: The Best New Tracks of the Week 23/10/26

There's so much new music being released in the world these days that it's hard to keep up. Even if you consider yourself a music nerd, it's impossible to listen to the hundreds of new tracks dropping every week. That's why we're here to help.

The crew at The Note are constantly turning up the volume in the office, checking out all the latest tunes from local emerging artists right through to your favourite global superstars.

We want to make sure you stay ahead of the curve, so every Friday we are bringing you our favourite tracks of the week.

This week's list features new music from Fenne Lily, De La Soul, TEEKS, Los Bitchos and more.

Fenne Lily – 'Stranger Things'

London-born, Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Fenne Lily has just released her fourth studio album, Win Win. Inspired by heartbreak, the album explores the aftermath of a breakup, with Lily rediscovering herself and what brings joy in her life through the album's 10 captivating tracks.

One of my favourites is 'Stranger Things', a track that was recorded four times during the sessions, with the final version a lush pairing of Lily's delicate vocals with subtle synths and guitars.

It's a great snapshot of the album, which you can listen to here.

De La Soul – 'Stakes Is High (J Dilla Remix)' feat. Mos Def and Truth Enol

Today, hip hop greats De La Soul have released a 30th anniversary edition of their fourth studio album, Stakes Is High. The newly remastered version of the original album arrives with previously unavailable instrumentals, remixes and rare recordings, including a J Dilla remix of the title track featuring Mos Def and Truth Enol.

The original lyrics take shots at hip hop culture, which was turning on itself with the East v West beef that dominated the '90s, while the addition of Mos and Enol gives the track a contemporary vibe. It's also a nice reminder of how skilled Mos is on the mic.

sugarwife – 'Getting Closer'

Boorloo six-piece sugarwife have shared their thrilling new single 'Getting Closer', a hopeful track about experiencing burnout and coming out the other side.

Drawing inspiration from bands such as Bright Eyes, Jeff Buckley, Fontaines D.C., Slowdive and Blur, sugarwife deliver a melodic indie guitar winner with 'Getting Closer', which was written by frontman Damien Goerke, who also produced, mixed and mastered the song alongside Ryan K Brennan.

"'Getting Closer' is a song about starting a new year full of fresh ambition while being grounded in reality and blunt self-awareness. It's all burnt-out lyrics hidden in hope-filled jangle," says Goerke.

Los Bitchos – 'El Pençe' feat. Kit Sebastian

We're big fans of this three-piece. Comprised of West Aussie Serra Petale (guitar), Swede Josefine Jonsson (bass guitar) and South Londoner Nic Crawshaw (drums, percussion), Los Bitchos craft cumbia-influenced instrumental music perfect for jiving along to in your lounge room.

'El Pençe' is the fourth single taken from their soon-to-be-released album, Los Bitchos & Friends Vol 1. The track features London duo Kit Sebastian, who supply the vocals that flirt over the Middle Eastern rhythms. Just a great tune.

Cloud Nothings – 'Death Keeps Me Alive'

Cloud Nothings strike the right balance between '90s alt-rock and post-punk heaviness without veering too far into the ether. Until now.

The Cleveland outfit's latest, 'Death Keeps Me Alive', finds singer-songwriter Dylan Baldi's devastating rasp venturing into screamo territory, with the music chock full of frantic guitar riffs and hard-hitting percussion.

This brasher, harder edge is something fans can expect with the band's next album, with Baldi explaining, "I hope people hear this song and get excited for what the rest of the record could possibly sound like, and recognise that this is going to be a new version of Cloud Nothings that didn't really have a precedent prior to this recording."

Fanny Lumsden – 'By the River' feat. Paul Kelly

Getting an icon like Paul Kelly to duet with you is some sort of acknowledgment that you're on the right track, which is exactly what Fanny Lumsden is on with 'By the River', the latest release from her new album, Traditions.

The country-leaning singer-songwriter has joined forces with one of Australia's great lyricists for a pleasant, finger-plucking ditty that allows Lumsden to showcase her chops against a true legend.

TEEKS – 'Feel My Love' feat. MAJIC

In a recent chat with The Note, TEEKS said he's entering his "villain era", and if songs like 'Feel My Love' are what we can expect, we are here for it.

This sparse piano ballad pairs TEEKS with fellow New Zealand singer-songwriter MAJIC, the two creating lush harmonies that'll give you goosebumps.

Michael Kiwanuka – 'California'

UK artist Michael Kiwanuka returns with his long-awaited fifth album, FUDGE. Arriving after Kiwanuka suffered a stroke and spent the past 12 months recovering, the album has a much more gritty feel to it, less polished than his previous work.

Take the five-minute 'California' – an understated pop song that highlights Kiwanuka's soft vocals, shifting through the space created by the strings and moody guitar riff, using the American state as a metaphor for his hopeful state of mind.

Cyndi Lauper, CYRIL & Tones And I – 'Time After Time'

'Time After Time' is an '80s classic, so any type of cover or remix has to be approached with careful hands.

Thankfully, Australia's own DJ and producer CYRIL and singer-songwriter Tones And I have done a decent job of transforming Cyndi Lauper's original into a global dancefloor smash that's sure to soundtrack the clubs this summer.

It captures the vulnerability of Lauper's version with the euphoric dance feel CYRIL has become known for, with Tones And I's effervescent vocals the perfect match to the production. Good stuff.

FOURA & Shuga – 'PARAR'

If you're after a morning pickup, hit play and turn up the volume on FOURA & Shuga's latest effort.

'PARAR' is a magnetic dubstep crusher from the Naarm DJs and producers that weaves moments of UK bass and drill throughout its three-minute runtime.

FOURA calls the track "Tough, fierce and very club-focused", and it's hard to disagree.

RINI – 'Set Me Free'

If it's smooth, soulful R&B vibes you're looking for, RINI has your back.

The Melbourne crooner's gorgeous track 'Set Me Free' showcases his silky vulnerability on a track about dealing with the loss of someone special due to you taking them for granted.

It's the type of song that's easy to relate to, and RINI's voice just melts the heart.

Nabihah Iqbal – 'Heaven Can Wait'

London-born, New York-based Nabihah Iqbal channels '80s shoegaze pop bliss on new single 'Heaven Can't Wait'.

Her first release since signing with Ghostly International follows her 2023 album DREAMER and explores the joy of friendship through Iqbal talk-sing vocals.

"'Heaven Can Wait' is a song about the happiness of friendship," explains Iqbal.

"It's about loving life, feeling good and appreciating all the positive things that this world has to offer. The song is inspired by summers in London and New York City: it's about having fun with your friends, and really, truly feeling alive. I wrote the song in a small, quirky basement studio in the East Village, Manhattan, and I wanted to channel the energy and freedom of this iconic New York neighbourhood."

Westside Gunn – 'ZILLA'

There's nothing better than gritty, New York boom-bap, which is exactly what you get from East Coast favourite Westside Gunn.

Having announced his first album on Mass Appeal, Heelmatic, the rapper and pro wrestling promoter has shared the record's first single, 'ZILLA'.

Produced by Denny La Flare, Gunn is his usual braggadocious self over the droning production, with his customary "Boom, boom, boom, boom!" ad-lib dropped throughout.