Month: August 2026

Singer-songwriter Genia has released her new EP Intense Lover via Def Jam Recordings. The project focuses its attention on Genia’s experiences with love, desire, independence, and emotional vulnerability.

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Two previously released singles showcase that range perfectly. “Can’t Wait” finds Genia directly expressing desire and asserting what she wants, while “Miss Your Touch” focuses on the difficulty of denying a connection she genuinely needs. The songs approach intimacy from different positions: one is built around certainty and pursuit, while the other acknowledges the emotional cost of trying to keep your distance. Together, they establish the tension at the center of Intense Lover, where being open to another person does not require surrendering a sense of independence.

The EP follows a run of singles Genia released earlier in 2026, including “Baby Ima Star,” “Downfall,” “Doomsday,” and “Toastyyy,” the latter featuring Timbaland. The releases introduced several sides of the sound and writing that led into the new project. “Toastyyy” leaned into a more futuristic rhythmic direction, while “Downfall” centered a more vulnerable emotional perspective. “Baby Ima Star” took a more declarative approach, placing Genia squarely in the spotlight. Across the four releases, the changes in tempo and tone established a broader palette around Genia’s work rather than tying the run to a single mood. Last year, meanwhile, one of Genia’s biggest highlights was her return to the fan favorite “Give.” A new version of the song featuring Monaleo was released. Among many heralding its release, Global Grind included the Monaleo version of “Give” in its weekly “New Music Roundup” upon its release.

Listen to Intense Lover here.

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Jae Stephens has released the video for her new song “Sugar Trap” via Def Jam Recordings and RAEDIO. The Dallas Caton-produced track is the latest preview of Stephens’ forthcoming debut album AUDACITY, which is due September 25.

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Built around heavy bass and bouncy percussion, “Sugar Trap” uses candy-coated hooks and innuendo to frame flirtation. In the video, she takes over a dive-bar setting with an all-female crew and her JaeBaes, serving drinks and dancing as the room turns into her own stage. The visual draws on the bar-room energy of the 2000 film Coyote Ugly, while its concept centers on the contrast between desire and earning Stephens’ attention. Stephens said the song is about “knowing your power and how to use it,” adding that she wrote it as a reminder for women not to place their value in someone else’s hands.

AUDACITY follows Stephens’ run of SELLOUT releases, including SELLOUT, SELLOUT II, and TOTAL SELLOUT THE DELUXE. Across those projects, her music drew coverage from Billboard, Rolling Stone, Clash Magazine, and more. SPIN named SELLOUT II among its Best EPs of 2025, while Stephens later appeared on the November cover of NME and received the Popheads 2025 Best New Artist Award.

In 2025, Stephens opened for FLO on the U.S. leg of the “AAA Tour” before launching her own SELLOUT tour in October, with initial dates in Los Angeles, New York City, and London selling out within 24 hours. She expanded the SELLOUT tour into additional North American cities in 2026. Stephens also recently performed at Lollapalooza in Chicago. Later this year, Stephens is scheduled to join Khalid on the European leg of his “It’s Always Summer Somewhere” tour.

Listen to Jae Stephens’ “Sugar Trap” here.

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