Sunday Spin: New Releases From Laufey, BINI, Denise Julia, Kehlani, and Simone Ashley

‘Twas the night before Coachella, when all through the desert, all the creatures are stirring with heads on alert. Not only are they expecting to hear hard-hitting selections from their favorites’ discographies, some artists are also releasing new music ahead of their stage appearances. But those who aren’t tuned into the yearly music festival can still explore new drops from artists around the world. From GRAMMY-winning sensations, underground popstars-in-the-making, to screen actresses turned songstresses — there is something for everyone.

AMPERS&ONE – “GOD” 

AMPERS&ONE have returned after eight months with their most hype and powerful EP yet, DEFINITION. After releasing their third EP, LOUD & PROUD, the seven members set off on tour with their company seniors, P1HARMONY, to show attendees the choreography and vocally intense discography they have built since their debut. Now with DEFINITION, they are proving themselves to be an ever-changing force in the music industry. 

Their title track, “GOD,” takes inspiration from traditional Korean dance and music to strengthen their identity and expand their repertoire. The water-like movements during the chorus shine as the song’s focal point while all the members chant, “Raising from the underground / You’ll see me, now you’ll see me.” The word “GOD” echoes throughout the track as the group realizes that they can choose and create their own destiny. 

AMPERS&ONE will be performing songs from DEFINITION and many hits from their previous works on their upcoming tour, “Born to Define.” With many locations already sold out, the excitement is growing, and this surely will not be a tour to miss. 

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DAYOUNG – “What’s a girl to do”

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After her hit single “body” took over everyone’s 2025 playlists, DAYOUNG is now bringing summer to our ears early with “What’s a girl to do.” Hailing from the K-pop girl group WJSN, DAYOUNG is no new face to the music industry, and her 10-year experience and strong vocal training are fully on show. 

“What’s a girl to do” is a fun, R&B track that presents the singer falling in love and wondering how to handle her feelings. In the music video, she is surrounded by dancers as she decides she is going to do whatever she has to in order to win over the one she desires. From her energetic, clean dance moves to her perfectly curated main character looks, DAYOUNG is proving why she has already found so much success as a soloist. 

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BINI – “Sugar Rush”

One thing about BINI is they will find a way to add a little bit of sweetness to all of their projects. Since adopting a more bubblegum pop sound, the Filipino girl group has been interpreting the genre quite literally. Each release over the past year has included a saccharine confection among its tracklist, from BINIverse’s “Cherry On Top” to FLAMES’s “Sweet Tooth.”

Those anticipating the octet’s latest EP, Signals, would be more than familiar with the pre-release single “Honey Honey,” a Jersey club-esque take on this sugary love song motif. But, among the new songs introduced on Thursday’s drop — a strategic move ahead of Coachella — is “Sugar Rush.” Departing from the velvety glaze and candy-coated soft R&B-pop hybrid, this track adopts a new jack swing sound that emulates the heartbeat surge that comes with crushes.

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Denise Julia – “2GOOD4U”

Although she was born in 2002, Denise Julia isn’t a stranger to the decade preceding her. The 1990s influence in her music is too hard to miss; every track she has released seems to veer closer and closer to the lanes of Aaliyah’s and Mariah Carey’s glory days. Still, she finds ways to keep her distinct voice grounded in the present, whether through a producing hand rivaling that of Ariana Grande (especially during the Positions era) or an honesty that never conceals her Filipina and queer identity.

Her most recent single, “2GOOD4U,” keeps the New York-based singer on this glossy R&B lane. Her velvety vocals are layered on top of each other, creating an ambient blanket that charms the ears. They almost distract from the frustration and jadedness written all over the lyrics — “Say it’s just a friend you’re seeing / We both know you’re out here cheating”, “So, go get your next girl, I’m not taking you back.” It’s an apropos story that echoes sentiments from the genre’s biggest hits.

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ALICIA DC – “IDM”

As a certified introvert, Singaporean musician ALICIA DC’s answer to going out is most likely to be a “no.” But when her closest friends and colleagues — her support system, if you will — asked her to join them for lunch amid a studio session, “I guess, maybe, I don’t mind” was her answer. 

It became the hook of her latest single, “IDM,” the second off her upcoming debut album WANNA KISS. The blippy, house-inspired dance-pop track is equally fun and off-kilter, mirroring the uneasy excitement that comes with stepping out of introversion. A granular, bit-crushed quality takes over in the pre-chorus as the chord progression moves in a way that Jacob Collier would approve. It’s a small detail that matches the section’s lyrics about overthinking, the stormy mindfog before it clears out into a more joyous shimmer.

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Kehlani, Missy Elliott – “Back and Forth”

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GRAMMY Award-winning singer-songwriter Kehlani teams up with music icon Missy Elliott on new single “Back and Forth.” The laidback R&B track is an exploration of relationships and freedom. Kehlani’s smooth voice pairs with Missy Elliott’s powerful lines and adlibs, resulting in a magnetic track ideal for pregaming a fun night out. “Back and Forth” highlights independence and self-confidence for both singers. This track is yet another in a long line of collaborations between Kehlani and standout artists from the R&B genre. Her 2025 hit single “Folded” sparked an “homage” EP featuring big names like Ne-Yo and Toni Braxton. 

As a two-time GRAMMY Award winner and seven-time nominee, Kehlani continues to grow her personal musical identity each year. “Back and Forth” is the last preview of the singer’s upcoming self-titled album, KEHLANI, set for a birthday release on April 24. The album “captures her at her most honest,” according to a press release. Kehlani is slated to perform at Billboard’s Women in Music Awards and be honored with the Impact Award for her influence on music. 

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Laufey – “Madwoman”

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Laufey brings the best of contemporary jazz in the new track “Madwoman,” one of four new tracks on her deluxe album, A Matter of Time, The Final Hour. In this easygoing, jazzy track, the Icelandic Chinese singer tackles the never-ending dynamic of an unhealthy relationship. Laufey professes that despite the relationship following the same terrible cycle, she still desires her partner “like a mad, mad woman.” The strings and percussion join together with unique chords, creating a relatable, easy-listening jazz pop track. The “Madwoman” music video is set to drop on April 13, notably led by Laufey herself alongside Olympic figure skating champion Alysa Liu, The Summer I Turned Pretty actress Lola Tung, KATSEYE member Megan Skiendiel, and Heated Rivalry breakout actor Hudson Williams.   

Laufey’s smooth vocals and emotional lyrics landed her a GRAMMY for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album at the 2026 Grammy Awards. She will carry that momentum through the year to perform at Coachella, launch her first children’s book, and release a live version of her album, performed at Madison Square Garden. In the summer, she will embark on her “A Matter of Time Tour” across Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.       

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hrtz.wav – “NINETEEN”

Teenage years are often difficult, caught halfway between childhood and adulthood, but not yet in your 20s. Hrtz.wav take us back to reminisce about the young age of being “NINETEEN,” bringing a fresh mindset with their latest track from their first EP, The First Wave. A fun pop-rock song, it captures the youthful energy of the five-member boy band and their emotions tied to that age, with dynamic guitar riffs and fast-paced drum beats. Written by the members themselves, the track carries an added sense of sentimentality. The accompanying music video brings together the five members in different frames, playing together and getting into a bit of trouble for being in places they aren’t supposed to be. The video continues to showcase the youthful glow and charm that the band will likely be recognized for in the near future.

Hrtz.wav consists of five winners from the band-making project Steal Heart Club. The group is composed of Keiten on guitar, Hagiwa on drums, Dane on bass, Riaan on main vocals, and Youn Young-jun on keyboard. Together, they bring hrtz.wav to life, a name that combines “heart” and “wave,” symbolizing the frequency of sound. Introducing a new generation of young pop stars, this is only the beginning for the future of hrtz.wav.

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CHEVON – “B.O.A.T.”

Japan’s emerging Sapporo-based trio, CHEVON, boldly arrived to the music scene with their latest album, SanShaSanYou. The 13-track project includes their leading single “B.O.A.T,” in which the band sings about moving forward and continuing with life’s path to reach the light despite the darkness. The heavy rock track starts with a smooth symphonic intro, leading up to the vocal-heavy verses and steady hit of the drum set. The song continues with small singing pauses between the track and reaches its climax with a key change, sporting solid performances from vocalist Mayuu Yaginu, guitarist Ktjm, and bassist Tatsuya Ono.

The music video heightens up the track’s epic presentation by opting for a futuristic look. Set in outer space, the band emerges from a rocky planet in a spaceship, and travels through the darkness of the universe. Contrasting the meaning of the song, the video reflects the band and the message they send towards those who are looking for brighter days ahead. 

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Simone Ashley – “Free”

Simone Ashley is the latest in a long list of actresses who are adding singer-songwriter to their resume. The Bridgerton and Sex Education star did so through her debut musical project. Songs I Wrote In New York is the 18-month handiwork she created alongside GRAMMY-winning producer Fraser T. Smith (who brought Adele’s 21 to life). An undeniable indie, bedroom-pop vibe is established from the start as the EP opens with a spoken voice memo, narrating the intro to “Sublime.” She then builds the diaristic storytelling through all six songs, each detailing different experiences of her move to the Big Apple.

While Addison Rae taps into the city’s more explosive hyperbole and Billy Joel captures its jazzy romanticism, Simone Ashley’s “Free” essentializes New York in her own way. It’s floaty, hopeful, freeing, expansive yet tight at the same time. There’s a slight tinge of bossanova sprinkled through a guitar line that never stops progressing, much like NYC itself. No one would’ve guessed it was written in a few hours, but that just showcases how personal this track is for the multi-hyphenate.

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Kylie Cantrall – “Carrie Bradshaw”

Teasing previews in her latest video diary series, Life of a Valley Girl, fans have been patiently awaiting this Disney star’s comeback. While she’s no stranger to the spotlight, the 20-year-old singer is ready to answer the age-old question: Who is Kylie Cantrall outside the glitz and glamor of fame? Following up from her 2025 debut EP, B.O.Y., Cantrall is dishing on how the change she’s experienced in the last year has impacted who she is now, for better or worse. 

“Carrie Bradshaw” serves as the lead single to her debut album, set to be released later this year, as well as her first release signed under Republic Records. Giving listeners some Y2K realness, the track follows an enchanting R&B instrumental with definitive references to one of Sex and the City’s most iconic characters. Spoken in the format of Carrie Bradshaw’s infamous inner monologues, the song opens with Cantrall asking herself, “(It has me thinking) / (Do you have to outgrow your past to fit into your future)?” True to Carrie’s many adventures of love and heartbreak, the lyrics include several fashion references as allegories that reflect on previous breakups of any kind. But even through all the messiness of life, Cantrall confidently strides through with grace by accepting, “I’ve never lookеd finer, makin’ bad decisions (Bad decisions) / Don’t know if I’m rеady, but I carry it all, Carrie, Carrie Bradshaw.”

Although the internet may share mixed opinions on the ‘90s TV character, perhaps there’s one thing we can learn from her, according to Cantrall. While you can’t always anticipate what’s going to happen next in your future, sometimes all you can do is breathe and reboot.

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Mon Laferte – “Nuestra Casa”

After her latest appearance on Mexican series La oficina and releasing a Spotify Sessions album, Mon Laferte is blooming like the flowers in spring with her new song “Nuestra Casa” for Prime Video’s new series, Casa de los Espíritus. A continuation of the FEMME FATALE universe, this track captures the moments of a fading relationship. Mon sings, “So much sorrow and loneliness no longer fit in this house. / It’s better to let you go / we are like two ghosts.” Imagining two people existing as ghosts and exploring the emotions between letting go and holding on, the song is a heartbreaking tale of a love that has run its course and is no longer compatible.

Following the announcement of the North American leg of the “Femme Fatale Tour,” starting this summer 2026, Mon Laferte has embarked on her Latin America tour, beginning in Mérida, Mexico, and visiting countries such as Brazil and Argentina, before ending in Mexico City this May.

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Other tracks in this week’s Sunday Spin playlist include “Runway” by Lady Gaga and Doechii, “Bubee” by ILLIT, and “KARMA” by DREAMGALS, MILLI, Flower.far, and GALCHANIE. Listen to everything mentioned and more, curated by Team EnVi only for you on Spotify.

Want more of the latest releases? Check out last week’s Sunday Spin!