6 albums you need to hear this week

In the age of streaming, it’s never been easier to listen to new music — but with over 60,000 new songs added to Spotify every day, it’s also never been harder to know what to put on. Every week, the team at Rolling Stone UK will run down some of the best new releases that have been added to streaming services.

This week, we’ve highlighted records by Pa Salieu, FLO, Linkin Park, Jin, 070 Shake and Shawn Mendes.

Pa Salieu – Afrikan Alien

“My genre is freedom of speech,” Pa Salieu says of new mixtape Afrikan Alien. Released after a turbulent period of incarceration, this new batch of material marks a long-overdue step forward in the huge potential of the rapper. On these 11 tracks, he stretches his wings towards the sounds of Gambia, where his parents moved to the UK from. Melting this tradition together with snappy and innovative modern production, alongside storytelling that pushes his fascinating and often tough narrative forwards, it’s a most welcome return.

Listen on: Spotify | ‎Apple Music | TIDAL | Amazon Music

FLO – Access All Areas

British girl group FLO call long-awaited debut album Access All Areas “a labour of love,” adding: “To us it represents our growth and dedication to making girl group history, to making a project we are truly proud to call our debut album.” The album begins with a spoken word from Wicked star Cynthia Erivo, who introduces us to “a tenacious trio of talented young ladies,” telling the story of the trio meeting and aiming to bring back the glory days of the girl group. Over the next 15 tracks, they live up to the billing, refreshing the format and leading where many others should follow.

Listen on: Spotify | ‎Apple Music | TIDAL | Amazon Music

Linkin Park – From Zero

Linkin Park’s first new music in seven years, and first since the death of vocalist Chester Bennington, presents a rebirth that no-one can deny them. New vocalist Emily Armstrong (of the band Dead Sara) has an unenviable task of replacing the era-defining Bennington, but succeeds in forging her own path instead. Backed by the sort of boundary-pushing rock music that the band became world-beating titans with at the turn of the millennium, it’s a heartwarming return for a band whose journey didn’t deserve to end.

Listen on: Spotify | ‎Apple Music | TIDAL | Amazon Music

070 Shake – Petrichor

Since her 2018 breakout, 070 Shake has been at the vanguard of modern hip-hop and pop. Through a collaboration with RAYE on the chart-topping ‘Escapism’ and being sampled on a Fred again.. mega-hit, Danielle Balbuena has become an alternative hero embraced by the mainstream. On new album Petrichor, she continues to blaze an uncompromising path through deliciously dark soundscapes, all defined by her Auto-Tuned vocals, one that could become a defining voice of the 2020s.

Listen on: Spotify | ‎Apple Music | TIDAL | Amazon Music

Jin – Happy

‘With Happy, Jin becomes the latest member of BTS to fly solo. The six-track record – billed as a full album – sees him collaborate with Gary Barlow on the single ‘With Happy, Jin becomes the latest member of BTS to fly solo. The six-track record – billed as a full album – sees him collaborate with Gary Barlow on the single ‘Running Wild’, with other contributions coming from Japanese rock band ONE OK ROCK. These six songs are delightfully bright and melody-packed, full of handclaps and with not a minor chord in sight.

Listen on: Spotify | ‎Apple Music | Amazon Music

Shawn Mendes – Shawn

“This album feels like medicine to me,” Shawn Mendes said of new album Shawn, his most autobiographical record to date. “It helped me reconnect with myself—allowing me to work through emotions, find clarity, and feel stronger. Each song captures a moment from that journey, and I hope it brings a sense of peace and joy to everyone who listens.” With the quasi-self-titled album, he goes deeper than ever before and presents the findings openly and with care.

Listen on: Spotify | ‎Apple Music | TIDAL | Amazon Music