One of TIDAL’s founding principles is that we do not rank creativity. To each their own, in terms of what constitutes a great song or makes one song “better” than another. However, each week there are a few tunes that really test our belief system, and we can’t help but elevate them above the thousand-plus tracks we’re pitched across genres. So keep checking this space on Fridays for a list of new songs that are sitting atop our own personal playlists. Maybe yours are different. That’s cool. After all, if you are part of the TIDAL family, your opinion matters and, also, you clearly have better taste in music than your friends. That’s one ranking we can make with certainty. - Tony Gervino
The Cords
“I’m Not Sad”
The autumn blues are soon upon us, but fear not — “I’m Not Sad,” the second single from Scottish indie sisters The Cords’ upcoming self-titled debut, is an antidepressant that will have you skipping through the rain. These irresistible, less-than-two-minutes of jangle pop, C86 style, are just what John Peel would’ve prescribed this time of year. Please, sir, can I have some more? - Christer Alexander Hansen
Forrest Frank
“GOD’S GOT MY BACK”
Forrest Frank is breaking barriers, recently surpassing Drake in monthly YouTube Music listeners, a remarkable feat for a Christian artist. Blending infectious hooks with meaningful lyricism, his songs are just as easy to dance to as they are to draw strength from. His latest single, “GOD’S GOT MY BACK,” was born out of personal hardship after a serious skateboarding accident left him with a broken back. The resilience and faith that fuel his music have not only defined his career, but carried me through storms of my own. - Tonya Nelson
GrAlvey and Companions
“Burning It Up”
Playful, futuristic jazz-funk with gooey keyboards and even some vibraphone. In an epic back and forth, the saxophonist takes turns with a Miles-influenced trumpeter. If you’ve ever closed your eyes and lost track of time listening to Herbie Hancock’s Head Hunters, this one is for you. - Brad Farberman
Gunna
The Last Wun
Gunna is focused, and while The Last Wun as a title sounds like an ending, the album itself feels like a declaration of a new chapter. On the intro track, “many nights,” he reflects, “Built a new foundation and it stabilized.” The album’s production is largely crafted by Turbo, who has for the past couple years provided the perfect backdrop for Gunna’s melodic approach. Although there are 25 songs, the production feels cohesive, from the harder-hitting “let that sink in” to atmospheric songs like “endless.” The album showcases a variety of sounds through collaborations that display Gunna’s universal appeal. Burna Boy joins him on the sexually charged “wgft,” Wizkid appears on the more romantic “forever be mine,” and Offset complements the luxurious lifestyle anthem “at my purest.” Throughout the LP, Gunna addresses his critics with precision, sending subliminals at rappers in “just say dat” with the taunt “You want a feature, just say dat.” And on “podcast,” he cleverly criticizes those who spend more time talking than creating music. The Last Wun might not be Gunna’s final album, but it’s a definitive statement about his longevity and evolution in hip-hop. - Juan Navarro
IAMNOBODI
OUT MY SYSTEM
OUT MY SYSTEM is one of the best albums of the summer, and here’s why: Berlin’s own IAMNOBODI returns to the scene with an entire album filled with feel-good vibes, regardless of the BPM. Mostly instrumental or with minimalist vocals, the songs draw from a wide range of inspirations, touching on retro hip-hop, Soulection grooves, neo soul instrumentation, ’80s R&B and soulful house. Already considered one of the most talented and versatile producers in Europe, IAMNOBODI is leaving no heads unturned here. - Philipp Senkpiel
Jonas Brothers
Greetings From Your Hometown
The Jonas Brothers are back with their seventh album, Greetings From Your Hometown, and it’s giving us all the nostalgia while still feeling brand new. Packed with catchy hooks, heartfelt lyrics and that signature JB charm, it’s a love letter to where you come from and how far you’ve gone. Each track feels like a snapshot from their lives, reflecting on love, growth and the places that shaped them. Twenty years into their career, the Jonas Brothers still know how to make music that feels personal, timeless and just for their fans. - Amberliz Mateo
The Necks
“Causeway”
Australian trio The Necks have been crafting their singular sound for nearly 40 years, and on October 10, they’ll unveil their 20th studio album, Disquiet — an ambitious statement spanning more than three hours of music across three albums. Its first glimpse, “Causeway,” is a 26-minute journey into their mesmerising world of patient, deliberate song construction. Armed only with piano, organ, percussion and bass, The Necks work their magic through a near-telepathic interplay honed over decades together. Anyone who’s been fortunate enough to see them live will know exactly what I’m talking about.
Like the best parts of their live sets — which never sound the same — “Causeway” ebbs and flows with gradual, hypnotic momentum, quietly drawing you in before swelling into full immersion and back. Not a single moment is wasted, and every note reaffirms that music can transport you and leave you breathless (yet eager to return). So we press play again. Truly extraordinary. - Bjørn Hammershaug
Zhamira Zambrano
“Quisiera Ella”
While reggaeton rules the roost when it comes to the charts now, in the ’80s and ’90s, Latin pop stars (Luis Miguel, Thalía, Chayanne, etc.) dominated. Venezuelan artist Zhamira Zambrano’s new single, “Quisiera Ella,” is a throwback to the times of Lupita D’Alessio. It’s the most beautifully written F U note to an ex who didn’t live up to any standards — low or high. Zambrano’s voice is soft, but her words are harsher than a Conway the Machine bar. - Jesús Triviño Alarcón
