This week's New Music Friday features notable releases across genres, including Charli XCX's soundtrack album Wuthering Heights and Brent Faiyaz's third studio album Icon. Central Cee drops the single Iceman Freestyle, while various artists in metalcore, hardcore, and indie contribute to a diverse lineup. The releases coincide with Valentine's Day weekend, offering fresh tracks for listeners.
New Music Friday on February 13, 2026, brings a mix of albums and singles from prominent artists. Charli XCX leads with Wuthering Heights, a 12-track original soundtrack for Emerald Fennell's film adaptation of Emily Brontë's novel, starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi. The project marks her second full soundtrack effort and arrives alongside the film's theatrical debut. Brent Faiyaz releases Icon independently through ISO Supremacy and UnitedMasters, his third studio album executive produced by Raphael Saadiq. The 10-track, guest-free record emphasizes classic soul textures with contemporary R&B edges, following a scrapped version delayed from last year.
Central Cee contributes the single Iceman Freestyle, described as proving his untouchable status. Other pop and R&B highlights include Danny L Harle and Dua Lipa's Two Hearts, Victoria Monét's Let Me, and Meghan Trainor's Get In Girl. In alternative and indie scenes, Muna's Dancing On The Wall and Joji's Piss In The Wind stand out for their emotional depth.
Genre-specific roundups highlight metalcore and hardcore: Converge's Love Is Not Enough on Epitaph, Heriot's deluxe edition of Devoured by the Mouth of Hell on Century Media, and Knocked Loose's Hive Mind featuring Denzel Curry on Pure Noise. Staff picks from Boolin Tunes include Cassus's Virtue Signals single, praised for its melodic screamo energy ahead of their album Scalis Felden in April, and Showing Teeth's Rip, featuring Periphery drummer Matt Halpern.
Canadian-focused releases feature Boy Golden's fourth album Best of Our Possible Lives on Six Shooter, blending alt-country and folk with political lyrics, and PONY's Clearly Cursed on Take This to Heart, inspired by a psychic reading. Story of the Year returns with A.R.S.O.N. on Sharp Tone, maintaining post-hardcore conviction. These drops provide variety for the mid-winter long weekend across Canada.
