A Guide to This Week's Essential Album Drops, from Jepsen to Cyrus
This week's notable new releases include Carly Rae Jepsen's double LP Day and Night, Empress Of's Dream House, and Miley Cyrus's latest album. Jepsen's record spans themes of marriage and travel, while Empress Of's work reflects on rebuilding after the Eaton Fire. The list also features new music from Team Dresch, Beck, and AZ Chike.
The article highlights Jepsen's 24-track double LP, which is split into two distinct halves and features standout tracks including "Versailles," "Blue Skies," and "Amalfi Coast." Empress Of's album was executive produced alongside Cecile Believe and includes guest vocals from Blood Orange and her mother, Reina, with the project rooted in her experience rebuilding after the January 2025 Eaton Fire destroyed her family's Altadena home.
Miley Cyrus's release marks a departure from her previous concept-album era, described as her first project performed simply as herself, blending club-oriented sounds with romantic themes and featuring contributions from the band Model/Actriz. Team Dresch's return delivers politically charged punk addressing LGBTQ+ visibility, while the broader roundup also includes new releases from Beck and AZ Chike, all available across major streaming platforms.
This weekly roundup reflects how streaming platforms continue to shape music discovery, with editors curating releases across genres from pop to punk. The albums touch on both personal and collective experiences—Jepsen's domestic contentment, Empress Of's recovery from wildfire loss, and Team Dresch's response to political pressures facing LGBTQ+ communities. These releases could resonate with listeners seeking escapism and reflection alike, potentially sparking conversations about resilience, identity, and reinvention in contemporary culture.