What’s Hot in Music June: New Albums, Local Concerts (2024)

Perhaps best known to the general public for her smash pop hits “Boom Clap” and “Fancy,” Charli XCX has cultivated a devoted fan base within the queer community. Her 2020 album how i’m feeling now was heralded by critics and fans alike as one of the preeminent “quarantine albums,” appreciated for its honest lyricism and bold, electronic production. BRAT, her new album out June 7, pushes the British singer-songwriter to new horizons, with instant earworms like “Club classics” and “360.”

This is a big year for the band. Not only is Bon Jovi celebrating their 40th anniversary, but on June 7, the band is releasing their 16th studio album. Frontman Jon Bon Jovi has described the album as a “return to joy,” proven by the album’s lead single, “Legendary.” A summery bop that begs to be blasted as loud as possible, “Legendary” sees Bon Jovi embrace gratitude for those they love, singing “Got what I want ’cause I got what I need, got a fistful of friends that’ll stand up for me. Right where I am is where I wanna be.” With Bon Jovi now entering their fifth decade of performing, Forever proves the band is still going strong.

Previously a member of girl group Fifth Harmony, Normani is finally releasing her debut solo album on June 14. The multitalented star dropped her first solo single, “Motivation,” back in 2019 and since then has teased fans with hints about the upcoming album. She broke a two-year music hiatus with the smooth and sultry single “1:59,” featuring Gunna, proving that Normani is one to watch. The album cover for Dopamine depicts Normani seated on a sleek rocket, likely foreshadowing her inevitable launch to stardom once the album is released.

After her busy year traveling the world as an opener for Taylor Swift’s record-breaking Eras Tour, Gracie Abrams is treating fans to a new album—her eighth—on June 21. Where she was somber and emotional on her 2023 album Good Riddance, here she comes across as assured—especially on the single “Risk,” an upbeat bop that sees the singer-songwriter fantasizing about a life with someone she has never met. Taylor Swift herself is featured on the track “us.” Abrams has been in the music game for years, and this album proves she’s a force to be reckoned with.

Omar Apollo is truly an internet success story. He began releasing covers on Soundcloud before saving up money to upload “Ugotme” on Spotify, where it quickly went viral. Since then, he’s released critically acclaimed albums like Ivory, which garnered Apollo a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist in 2023. The artist describes his latest record, God Said No, as a “survey of the emotional wreckage that followed the end of a torrid love affair.” The new work features Apollo’s trademark sultry voice and bouncy, danceable sound. God Said No sees him reaching new artistic heights.