Best New Music This Week: Olivia Rodrigo, sombr & Madonna

Olivia Rodrigo, sombr, Madonna and more stars all dropped new music this week. Which release is the best?

Apr. 17, 2026 at 7:22pm

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A striking, minimalist composition of bold, jagged shapes in red, white, and black, conveying the diverse range of new music that dropped this week through an abstract, graphic aesthetic.A vibrant, abstract visual encapsulating the energy and variety of this week's new music releases from pop's biggest stars.Midland Today

This week saw a slew of new music releases from major pop stars like Olivia Rodrigo, sombr, and Madonna, as well as a number of other artists across genres. Rodrigo returned with the lead single 'Drop Dead' from her upcoming third album, while sombr shared 'Potential' ahead of his Coachella performance. Madonna also debuted 'I Feel So Free,' the first taste of her forthcoming Confessions II album. Other notable releases include new singles from Tyla, Zara Larsson, Demi Lovato, Lana Del Rey, and Rosalía, as well as full album drops from Nine Inch Noize, ZAYN, Sexyy Red, and more.

Why it matters

The new music releases this week showcase the continued evolution and diversity of the pop music landscape, with established stars like Rodrigo and Madonna trying new sounds while up-and-coming artists like sombr make their mark. The poll allows fans to weigh in on their favorite new track, providing insight into the current musical tastes and trends.

The details

Olivia Rodrigo leads the pack this week with 'Drop Dead,' the lead single from her forthcoming third studio album 'You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love.' The track features a cowriting credit from Amy Allen and a nod to The Cure. Fellow pop-rock artist sombr also shared his new single 'Potential' ahead of his Coachella performance on Saturday. Meanwhile, Madonna debuted 'I Feel So Free,' the first taste of her upcoming 'Confessions II' album, on iHeartRadio's Pride Radio. Other notable releases include collaborations between Tyla and Zara Larsson ('She Did It Again') and a Britney Spears-inspired track from Demi Lovato ('Low Rise Jeans'). Lana Del Rey contributed 'First Light' to the new James Bond video game, and Rosalía reloaded her acclaimed 'Lux' album with new songs like 'Focu 'Ranni.'

  • Olivia Rodrigo's 'Drop Dead' and sombr's 'Potential' were both released on April 14, 2026.
  • Madonna's 'I Feel So Free' debuted on iHeartRadio's Pride Radio on April 14, 2026.

The players

Olivia Rodrigo

A Grammy-winning pop star who is preparing to release her third studio album 'You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love.'

sombr

A rock-adjacent pop artist set to perform at Coachella weekend two on April 18, 2026.

Madonna

The iconic pop superstar who is teasing her upcoming 'Confessions II' album with the new single 'I Feel So Free.'

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The takeaway

This week's new music releases showcase the continued evolution and diversity of the pop music landscape, with established stars trying new sounds and up-and-coming artists making their mark. The fan poll allows readers to engage with the latest trends and provide insight into current musical tastes.