Best New Music of September: SZA, Coi Leray, Tems and More
Add these top tracks to your fall playlist.
With only three more months left of 2020, artists are coming out with singles, EPs, albums and music videos left and right before we head into a new year. This month, we’ve seen releases from a number of artists like Teyana Taylor, who dropped a powerful visual for her track “Still” off her record, THE ALBUM. Elsewhere, SZA finally returned with a new single, “Hit Different,” following her debut 2017 studio album CTRL, while queer pop songstress Gia Woods released “CHAOS” accompanied by a self-filmed visualizer.
Read on for all the best new music for the month of September. While you’re here, be sure to read our BAEwatch interview with emerging artist NIKI.
Teyana Taylor – “Still”
Earlier this month, Teyana Taylor dropped a powerful music video for her track “Still” from her latest project, THE ALBUM. Directed by Taylor herself under her pseudo title Spike Tey, the contemporary R&B artist’s visual features footage of key moments of the U.S.‘ ongoing fight for social justice.
SZA – “Hit Different” Ft. Ty Dolla $ign
After being held back by Top Dawg Entertainment and CEO Punch over the past year, SZA was finally able to release a new single in collaboration with Ty Dolla $ign via RCA Records. Produced by The Neptunes, the mid-tempo track features the songstress’ signature hypnotic vocals that seamlessly go well with Ty’s smooth tone.
Alex Mali – “GOOD GOOD”
Merging the sounds of her Jamaican heritage and her upbringing in New York City, Alex Mali is an emerging artist everyone needs to put on their radar. Known for blending R&B and pop in her work, the singer and songwriter’s visual for her track “GOOD GOOD” off her Phenom EP highlights the annual Trinidad and Tobago Carnival.
Gia Woods – “CHAOS”
Continuing to tease the release of her debut EP CUT SEASON, which is set to drop on October 2, Gia Woods shared a new single earlier this month. “‘CHAOS’ is my most subdued track,” Woods explained in a press release. “The beat is still experimental but because this song is a little floaty, it sounds like a melodramatic daydream.”
Armani Caesar – The Liz
Following her recent single “Simply Done,” Armani Caesar has finally debuted her fourth album titled The Liz. The record includes 11 tracks, including collaborations with Westside Gunn, Conway the Machine and Benny The Butcher.
Baby Rose – To Myself
Grammy-nominated artist Baby Rose‘s To Myself (Deluxe) album features three brand new songs: “Damn,” “August 5th” and “Marmot.” In celebration of her new project, the R&B/soul songstress performed a special “socially distance” show at a secret location in Atlanta, according to a press release. Additionally, she also partnered up with Lyft to provide $5,000 USD worth of free rides to single mothers in need in the city.
Rico Nasty – “Own It”
Directed by Philippa Price, Rico Nasty‘s “Own It” music video features the artist in a number of bold and eccentric outfits, as well as eye-catching makeup looks. The unique visual also includes different colorful sets that transition from time to time while Nasty raps: “Hold it/Grab the Dom P, yeah, pour it/Down to your feet for your homies/Know what I mean, b*tch, own it, own it, own it, own it.”
Coi Leray ft. Gunna – “Slide”
Last month, Coi Leray released her six-track Now or Never EP featuring collaborations with Gunna, Kiana Ledé, Sevyn Streeter and Fetty Wap. For her latest project, Leray decided to film a steamy music video for her collaborative song with Gunna, “Slide.” Watch the sultry visual above.
Savannah Ré – “Homies”
Up-and-coming Toronto-based R&B artist and songwriter Savannah Ré is set to debut her upcoming EP titled Opia later this year. Prior to the release, Ré has shared her new slow-groove single “Homies” via Universal Music Canada. “You know all my songs are based on a true story,” Savannah Ré said in a press release. “‘Homies’ is an all too familiar situation-ship going through the motions. It’s about being in that ‘talking’ stage with your person and waking up the next morning and that person just acting like they the homie. Like nah there’s history here, we know each other. I think a lot of people can relate to those feelings.”
Tems – For Broken Ears
Nigerian alternative R&B and neo-soul vocalist Tems has returned with a seven-track EP dubbed For Broken Ears. Known for her Afropop hits like “Try Me,” “These Days” and “Mr. Rebel,” Tems previously worked with Khalid and Disclosure on their “Know Your Worth” remix, a track that appeared on Obama’s 2020 Summer Playlist. Having produced four out of the six songs from For Broken Ears herself, Tems is definitely an artist to watch this year.
