New Music Friday June 26, 2026: Katy Perry Returns, Tyler the Creator Drops, and the Year's Most Stacked Release Day

Summer has officially arrived, and with it comes the most explosive New Music Friday of 2026 so far. June 26 delivers an extraordinary wealth of new releases spanning pop, hip-hop, K-pop, country, electronic, and rock — with something for every music lover. From Katy Perry's long-awaited new single to Cody Johnson's deeply personal album and Stray Kids' global takeover, this is the week where summer soundtracks are made.

Let's dive into the biggest albums and singles landing today.

Katy Perry's Fiery Return with "Watch It Burn"

Katy Perry closes out a difficult year with "Watch It Burn," a defiant new single that showcases the pop icon at her most vulnerable and powerful. After premiering the track during her headlining set at Spain's O Son do Camiño festival on June 18, Perry officially released the song to streaming services today.

In a recent podcast interview, Perry opened up about the emotional journey behind the track. "I am wrestling with my darkness, but last year was pretty tough," she shared. "I have not given myself permission to be angry my whole life over things where I should be angry about. What I've done is I pushed it down, but I should be angry. I'm allowed to be angry."

Written with Justin Tranter, "Watch It Burn" marks Perry's first new music following her 2024 album 143, which debuted at No. 6 on the Billboard 200. Fans eager to revisit her catalog of hits can explore the lyrics to classics like Dark Horse and California Gurls on TheLyricsOf.

Tyler, the Creator Finally Unleashes "That Guy"

One of the most anticipated hip-hop drops of the year has finally arrived. Tyler, the Creator's "That Guy" was originally released as a freestyle over Kendrick Lamar's "Hey Now" beat on Christmas Day 2024. For eighteen months, fans clamored for an official streaming release — and today, it's finally here.

The track showcases Tyler's signature blend of energetic, off-kilter rapping and infectious hooks. Accompanied by "Sag Harbour" as a B-side, the single arrives via Columbia Records and has already generated massive buzz across social media platforms. For those discovering Tyler's music for the first time, his earlier work like See You Again (feat. Kali Uchis) remains a fan favorite and a perfect entry point into his discography.

K-Pop Powerhouses: Stray Kids and ATEEZ

K-pop continues its global dominance this week with major releases from two of the genre's biggest acts.

Stray Kids dropped "Run It," a blistering digital single that serves as the first taste of their upcoming album This & That, set for release on August 7. Following their milestone performance at Governor's Ball, the eight-member group has also announced a massive "Run It" world tour that will take them across North America, Asia, and Europe through 2026 and 2027. The track showcases Stray Kids' signature blend of hard-hitting rap verses, soaring vocals, and genre-defying production.

Meanwhile, ATEEZ released Golden Hour: Part. 5, continuing their ambitious album series. The EP extends the group's reputation for theatrical, cinematic K-pop that draws from rock, EDM, and traditional Korean influences. With both Stray Kids and ATEEZ releasing on the same day, K-pop fans have an embarrassment of riches to dive into.

Cody Johnson Goes Deep on "Banks of the Trinity"

In the world of country music, few albums this year carry as much weight as Cody Johnson's Banks of the Trinity. The 16-track collection, produced by Trent Willmon, is the follow-up to Johnson's 2024 CMA Album of the Year winner Leather.

The album is deeply personal for the Texas-born artist. "On this album, I wanted to tell the story about my childhood," Johnson explained. "When I heard the song 'Banks of the Trinity' for the first time, it was like this portrait showed in my head of memories that I had honestly forgotten."

Highlights include "Fool Proof" featuring Brothers Osborne, "Shoot the Bull" with Luke Combs, and the reflective lead single "I Want You." The album also features two songs written solely by Johnson — "Time Bomb" and "Yippy Ty Oh Hey Hey" — offering fans a direct line into his artistic vision.

With four RIAA Platinum No. 1 singles and 10 billion global streams to his name, Cody Johnson has firmly established himself as one of country music's most vital artists. His headline tour, including the largest concert-only performance in RODEOHOUSTON history with 80,203 tickets sold, continues through the fall.

Electronic & Dance: Diplo, Marshmello, DJ Snake, and More

The electronic music scene is absolutely stacked this week with new releases from some of the biggest names in the game.

Marshmello and Kelsea Ballerini team up on "Another Drink," an unexpected but delightful country-electronic crossover. The collaboration came to life after a playful Instagram exchange where Ballerini ranted about unwanted attention at bars — with Marshmello sitting right beside her, nodding along. Fans of Ballerini's storytelling songwriting can explore her existing catalog of lyrics.

Diplo's Major Lazer returns with "Papi with Tokischa," a Latin-infused electronic banger featuring Dominican superstar Tokischa. The track merges Major Lazer's global rhythms with Tokischa's unfiltered, authentic style. Major Lazer continues an ambitious 2026 campaign that includes performances at the Winter Olympics and FIFA World Cup.

DJ Snake drops "Club Soda," continuing his run of catchy, festival-ready house tracks. And Peggy Gou teams up with Nigerian sensation Ayra Starr for "Wo, Man," a cross-continental collaboration that blends house grooves with Afrobeats energy — a testament to electronic music's increasingly global reach.

More Must-Hear Singles This Week

The depth of this week's new releases is staggering. Here's a quick tour of other essential tracks:

• Tame Impala releases "Hummer," the latest psychedelic gem from Kevin Parker's ever-evolving project. Fans can explore his earlier masterpiece The Less I Know the Better while waiting for full album news.


• Carly Rae Jepsen delivers "On Wires," a perfectly crafted pop confection that proves her hitmaking instincts remain as sharp as ever.


• Ravyn Lenae showcases her silky R&B vocals on "Saturday Night," a standout that solidifies her place in the neo-soul landscape.


• Alok and Jennifer Lopez join forces on "Everything's Fine (PM)," an international dance-pop collaboration.


• The Pretty Reckless return with their album Dear God, delivering the hard-hitting rock that fans have come to expect from Taylor Momsen and company.


• Au/Ra releases Heartcore, an electronic-pop project that pushes the boundaries of genre fusion.


• Paloma Mami and Cris MJ team up for "Nota," bringing Latin pop heat to the summer.


• Barenaked Ladies prove they've still got it with "Almost Ready," a charming slice of Canadian alt-pop.

The Summer Soundtrack Starts Here

June 26, 2026, will go down as one of the most consequential New Music Fridays of the year. From Katy Perry's emotional catharsis to Tyler, the Creator's long-awaited freestyle release, from Stray Kids' world tour kickoff to Cody Johnson's masterful storytelling — this week offers an incredible breadth of musical expression across genres and continents.

Whether you're building a summer playlist, discovering new artists, or diving deep into the lyrics of your favorite songs, today's releases provide countless hours of listening pleasure. Head to your streaming platform of choice, explore the new arrivals, and let the music of summer 2026 begin.

Which release are you most excited about? Let us know and keep checking TheLyricsOf for lyrics, artist features, and all the latest in music news.