Originally published on Billboard.com here.
Every week, Spotify updates their "New Music Friday" playlist, featuring 50 of the freshest new tracks hitting the service that week.
On the heels of Billboard's partnership with the streaming giant, we'll be tapping Spotify's editors to sift through the soon-to-be-hits and highlight the best of the bunch.
Check out the picks and listen to the entire "New Music Friday" playlist below.
Nine Inch Nails - "Dear World,"
Nine Inch Nails blesses our #NewMusicFriday playlist this week, with the release of their new EP, Not The Actual Events, a project member Trent Reznor describes as "an unfriendly, fairly impenetrable record" that they "needed to make." Following creating music for various film scores this year, such as NASA's short film Juno and the forthcoming Peter Berg-directed movie, Patriot's Day, the veteran industrial rock group today shares five new tracks, marking their first release since 2013's Hesitation Marks. Of the project's conception, Reznor elaborated back in 2015, saying, "It's more just feeling around in the dark and seeing what sounds interesting." For the EP, longtime-collaborator Atticus Ross lends his talents for the first time as an official member, and together the two achieve what Reznor was hoping to, with "Dear World," a curious adventure, full of looming danger and mystery in the form of an disheartening open letter, reminiscent of the experimental sound Nine Inch Nails is reputed for.
Cheat Codes - Spotify Singles Session
Cheat Codes today shares the magic they made during their Spotify Session at our studio in NYC, offering a stripped-down live recording of one of their favorite singles to date. Although "Queen Elizabeth" was released only a month ago, the single has already garnered over 7 million plays on Spotify, showing the electronic trio is gearing up to further take over in 2017. This year elevated their career to a new level, with the widespread success stemming from their select few releases, such as the mega-banger "Sex" with Kris Kross Amsterdam racking up over 300 million streams, helping solidify their impressive place as the 88th most-streamed artist on Spotify. Additionally, as part of their Spotify Session, the group also recorded a special cover of D.R.A.M.'s smash hit with Lil Yachty, giving the already playful track a lighthearted, synth-filled twist. Needless to say, whatever the group has planned for in the new year, we're more than ready for.
Yo Gotti - "They Like" featuring YFN Lucci
After dropping his The Art of Hustle album back in February, Yo Gotti is back today (Dec. 23) with the release of White Friday, a project that doubles as a bit of a victory lap celebrating how kind 2016 was to him career-wise. After achieving platinum status with his track "Down in the DM," Yo Gotti went on to hit the road with G-Eazy and Logic as part of their Endless Summer tour and later signing to Roc Nation. Needless to say, the Tennessee native has long earned himself some bragging rights 16 years after dropping his debut album, choosing to flex in his music and with a star-studded selection of guest features on his new project. With "They Like," the 35-year-old recruits YFN Lucci and together the two trade verses reflecting on being "real ones" over a blissed out, piano-laden beat.
Big Sean ft. Chance the Rapper and Jeremih - "Living Single"
When it comes to reflecting on romance, Big Sean shows he's got words we all can relate to on his new track, "Living Single." Recruiting the likes of Chance the Rapper and Jeremih, the collaborative song's easygoing grooves balance out the narrative lyrics perfectly, leaving fans hopeful this won't be the last time these three get in the studio together. With storytelling lyrics detailing the struggle of dating, such as, "Look, I know what it's like to think you found the one / Told my mom that so many times I'm sounding dumb," we can't help but applaud Big Sean for always keeping it 100 when he gets on the mic, all while still giving a little hope to the hopeless romantics. The single also doubles as the third promotional offering in advance of Big Sean's fourth studio album, I Decided, which is slated for a February 3rd, 2017 release. "My whole life changed when I Decided," the rapper recently shared on Twitter, hinting that "Living Single" is just one chapter for us to indulge in and reminding us he's got a full book on the way.
Twenty One Pilots - "Ride" featuring MUTEMATH
Fresh off the news of being nominated for three Grammy Awards, Twenty One Pilots recruits MUTEMATH to rework their hit single "Ride," as part of a special collaborative EP, beautifully combining each group's respective talents. Perhaps inspired by their time on tour together this year, the two groups joined forces to create a unique collection of five tracks that fans of both parties can enjoy. Mashing their sounds together, as exemplified by the rework of "Ride," truly was a wise decision, with the song highlighting each group's signature style while giving new life to a smash single that helped soundtrack a majority of this year.