Charli XCX leads the vote with Bleachers and Jill Scott in new music poll

Charli XCX tops this week

Charli XCX’s Wuthering Heights soundtrack sits alongside new releases from Bleachers, Jill Scott, Brent Faiyaz, MUNA, and others in Billboard’s latest new-music poll, where fans can vote for their favorite release of the week.

Early coverage highlighted Charli’s cinematic, gothic-pop sound on the Wuthering Heights companion album, while listeners this week had a mix of veteran stars and rising acts to explore across soul, R&B, and pop.

Why is Charli XCX getting so many votes?

Billboard’s latest new-music poll features Charli XCX’s Wuthering Heights alongside releases by Bleachers and Jill Scott, inviting fans to pick their favorite. Charli’s companion album for Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights film blends cinematic orchestral pop with moody lyrics and guest turns from artists like John Cale and Sky Ferreira, which has resonated with listeners and critics.

Billboard’s poll mixed albums and singles, so fan turnout came from many corners of streaming platforms and radio. This format can favor artists with dedicated fan bases who coordinate listening and voting, and it also highlights discoveries, boosting its streaming numbers quickly across global platforms daily.

Jill Scott’s big return noted

Jill Scott’s To Whom This May Concern marks her first full-length studio album in roughly a decade and has been widely described as a rich, soulful return. The record features collaborations with Trombone Shorty, JID, and Tierra Whack, blending contemporary hip-hop energy with classic R&B arrangements.

Early reviews have praised the album’s emotional depth and polished production, and fans have welcomed it as a long-awaited comeback.

Bleachers’ new single shines

Bleachers returned with the single “You and Forever,” a warm, guitar-driven track that pairs Jack Antonoff’s rock songwriting with bright pop hooks.

Critics have highlighted the single’s cinematic, emotionally expansive sound as a natural evolution of Bleachers’ style. While it trailed in the overall poll, Bleachers shows the power of steady songwriting and a loyal core audience.

Fun fact: You and Forever’s video, starring Margaret Qualley and featuring frontman Jack Antonoff, is the lead single for Bleachers’s upcoming fifth album, Everyone for Ten Minutes.

Brent Faiyaz and R&B return

Brent Faiyaz’s new album Icon leans into lush, classic-leaning R&B while using modern, minimalist production touches.

The album mixes slow grooves with tight melodies and guest turns that add texture without stealing the spotlight, which helped it appear on editorial lists across streaming services. Listeners praised the songwriting, and Icon found strong support on R&B playlists and specialty radio this week, and critics noted his growth.

Little-known fact: The production team for Icon is a who’s who of hitmakers. Besides Raphael Saadiq, the album features production from Chad Hugo of The Neptunes, Benny Blanco, Tommy Richman, and Dpat.

MUNA’s catchy comeback

MUNA’s single “Dancing on the Wall” previews the band’s upcoming fourth studio album, scheduled for release in May. The track pairs bright, synth-driven production with guitar lines and a big, sing-along chorus that fits squarely within contemporary pop.

Early reactions praised the band’s energy and songwriting, noting the track fits right into modern pop radio, drawing new listeners to the band’s deeper cuts.

Lykke Li’s new mood

Lykke Li kicked off a new era with “Lucky Again,” and she calls it an existential phase of music and feeling. The single mixes dreamy pop textures with introspective lyrics that invite replay and deep listening, giving radio and playlist curators a rich, moody single to place in late-night and chill lists.

Critics noted the atmospheric production and praised how the song feels both vulnerable and confident at once, often rewarding repeat listens. For fans, it signals more music soon and continues Lykke Li’s steady path of artistic exploration, and live dates could follow later this year, online.

Flea’s jazz turn

Flea revisited jazz roots with a tender take on Frank Ocean’s “Thinkin Bout You,” showcasing trumpet and subtle phrasing. The song previews his solo album Honora and highlights a softer musical side beyond his rock fame, and the gentle tone surprised listeners used to high-energy performances.

Fans and critics responded to the warm rendering, noting how the adaptation keeps the song’s heart while adding mellow brass textures. This move also points to greater variety in artist projects this year as musicians cross genre lines with confidence, and it may inspire other rock players to explore jazz sounds this season.

Hip-hop highlights this week

Hip-hop had a busy weekend with new EPs and freestyles from A Boogie, Central Cee, Waka Flocka, and others making noise. The variety showed how different scenes keep feeding playlists, from trap bangers to thoughtful lyricism and experimental beats, and that range keeps the weekly list interesting for curious listeners.

These releases can stir listeners to vote in weekly polls if fan communities rally on socials and streaming platforms, and coordinated fan efforts still influence poll outcomes significantly. Artists with viral moments often find extra traction, which can move them up in short-term charts and conversation, especially after social trends.

Streaming trends shaping polls

Streaming playlists, especially editorial and mood-based lists, play a major role in what listeners hear first, which can influence short-term polls and social-media trends. Tracks tied to film and TV soundtracks, or featured prominently in shows, often gain extra visibility when fans share clips and edits online.

Artists like Charli XCX, who is currently in the spotlight for her Wuthering Heights soundtrack and other high-profile collaborations, can benefit when this kind of exposure aligns with new-music voting windows.

Curious how soundtrack features and collabs are giving artists an extra boost this week? See how Charli XCX is making waves with The Moment and capturing attention everywhere.

How to vote and join in?

Many music sites run weekly polls asking listeners to pick their favorite new release, and fans often share voting links on social media after sampling the week’s biggest drops. Recent new-music polls and roundups have spotlighted artists including Charli XCX, Jill Scott, Bleachers, Lykke Li, MUNA, Brent Faiyaz, and Flea, reflecting how wide-ranging listeners’ tastes are right now.

If you want to take part, listen through the featured songs or albums, cast your vote where allowed, and join fan discussions online to discover even more new music.

Want to see which tracks and artists dominated this week’s polls? Check out how Charli XCX and others are making waves with their latest releases.

What do you think about how Charli XCX is using soundtracks and collaborations to make an impact? Share your thoughts in the comments, and don’t forget to leave a like!

This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.

Don’t forget to follow us for more exclusive content right here on MSN.

Read More From This Brand:

• Scarlett Johansson reflects on the challenges of supporting Woody Allen publicly
• The Conjuring: Last Rites closes the book on the Warrens
• Jason Statham’s latest update on thriller ‘Shelter.’