First Listen Fridays (12/6/26) – Olivia Rodrigo, Monifé, and More New Music

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After a week away in the sunshine of Barcelona’s Primavera Sound, I am back to bring the hottest new tunes. First Listen Fridays has plenty of tracks ready for the summer sun from the likes of Ayra Starr and BVNQUET. However, if you’re still feeling a bit glum, Olivia Rodrigo and Robert Smith or Terrianne may be more your vibe. Whatever the case, there is plenty of music to delve into, so for the first time in June, let us get started.

Olivia Rodrigo & Robert Smith – what’s wrong with me

The third studio album from one of pop’s biggest stars is finally here, and there was only one track I was heading towards first. Having collaborated before at Glastonbury and debuted the track at her surprise Primavera Sound set, there was a lot of anticipation for this collaboration. There is definitely a whiff of Cure influence in the airy synths on Dan Nigro’s production, with Olivia’s melancholic delivery matching that. She and Robert harmonise nicely on the chorus, before he sounds as great as ever on his verse. A great ballad about longing for someone, and to some extent, a passing of the torch.

Buy the track here.

Monifé – All In

We always give time for our Purple List Class of 2026, and this week is no exception. Monifé dropped a new EP yesterday, including her recent release, ‘Grown‘. Out of the newbies, ‘All In‘ is my fave, opening up the project with wavey and atmospheric production. It is such an earworm and complements this artist’s passion, as she gives her all on the chorus. From the gorgeous synths to those catchy ad-libs, this track does it all in showcasing the zeal between these two people.

Overmono FT. Kindora – Even Angels Ghost

Having seen this Bristolian duo put on a sensational set after a day of miserable rain in Barcelona, I cannot recommend them enough. However, today we are here to talk about this track from their upcoming record, ‘Pure Devotion‘, which has an absolutely addictive keyboard melody. The distorted and autotuned vocals from Kindora complement the bouncy beat nicely, providing a late-night jam for the listener. Whether on a drive or at a festival set under the stars, this one will have you moving.

Buy the track here.

BVNQUET FT. JayaHadADream – DILLA

The London producer teams up with Cambridge’s most prominent MC for some wobbly UKG, which will get the gun fingers out. The bass on this track is absolutely naughty, while Jaya’s punchy and impactful bars about loving ‘grime and Dilla’ just hit nicely. Perfectly timed for the summer/festival season, both artists get the best out of one another. This one is bound to get a few stank faces when it gets dropped in the rave.

Buy the track here.

Ayra Starr – Tornado

Set to come to a dancefloor near you, Ayra Starr knows how to get the heartbeat rising and the body moving. While this production has anthemic written all over it, the piano in particular adds that oomph to the proceedings. Her delivery shows confidence and vibrancy, detailing that she is, like the title suggests, when present in any room. It has been a busy year for this Nigerian star, that doesn’t show any signs of slowing down.

Buy the track here.

Terrianne – Adulthood

This came out last week, but as it is her first release of the year and this is one of our Purple Listed artists, we have to cover it. ‘Adulthood‘ is a very somber piano ballad about not getting a call back and worrying about what others think. A performance full of emotion and hitting those vocal high notes, it will be very relatable, particularly for fellow up-and-coming artists. Terrianne gives us a great introduction to her artistry in 2026, and hopefully, we get more great moments.

Buy the track here.

Shallipopi – Allergies

I feel many of today’s picks have been about getting on the dancefloor and vibing, but it is that time of year. Shallipopi is certainly bringing that feeling also (even if the title reminds me of the less pleasant aspects of the season). The rhythm of the drums will guide your steps, while his soothing delivery will have you entranced. The title is a cheeky play on being allergic to those without money, bringing some braggadocio into the mix. A fun moment that shows this artist’s ear for a hit.

Buy the track here.

Blood Red Shoes – Get Back Into Myself

Sometimes my picks come from PR, sometimes the Purple List, sometimes playlists, and sometimes from socials. However, a song can come on shuffle, and it just catches my attention. That was the case with this new track from Blood Red Shoes. Having been going for over two decades, this duo are veterans at this point, but those explosive riffs and raspy vocals sound just as great. This is anthemic alt-rock at its best and is sure to make their fans happy.

Buy the track here.

Eloise – Why Can’t You Love Me

Now for some old-school pop, that is perfect for a late-night bar setting. From her sophomore studio album, Eloise brings some jazzy vibes to this top-tier performance. Particularly when she hits those high notes, you hear this artist’s abilities in full and what a talent they are. The brass obviously gives the track some welly, but our lead is the start of the show, with this track surely going to be a crowd-pleaser when performed live.

Buy the track here.

Monjola – Weight On Me

To conclude proceedings, we have the long-awaited return of Monjola. ‘Weight On Me‘ is a very personal insight into being honest with oneself about one’s struggles. The production has the right kind of energy for this topic, with the appropriately plucked guitars and rolling drum beat. Meanwhile, our lead gives an impassioned delivery showing the difficulties he has faced and his hopes for things to get better. A musical moment that meets this topic head-on and delivers in message and sound.

Follow IndustryMe on Instagram, Threads, X, or YouTube. Press play on our First Listen Fridays playlist below to enjoy all our top picks.

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