The Lead Sheet ~ 3/10/2026

The Lead Sheet is your guide to this week’s new music - taking a look at newly released albums, who made them, and how listeners are responding.

Harry Styles returns this week with his fourth studio album titled Kiss All the Time, Disco Occasionally, to generally positive reviews. The album’s lead single, “Aperture” debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, and the record sees Styles shift from his pop rock roots to explore new genres like EDM, funk and disco. Kiss All the Time, often shortened to “Kissco” for convenience, is called his most experimental and authentic project yet, though some critics prefer his earlier, safer pop work. Other standout tracks include the solo-written “Coming Up Roses”, which features a massive orchestra that recorded live in tandem with Styles’ voice, and “Dance No More” a funkadelic piece with catchy basslines, and Prince inspired adlibs. Styles will tour the album in several countries including the Netherlands, United Kingdom, United States and Australia. 

Swedish experimental pop musician Cobrah debuts her first studio album, Torn this week, following three successful EP’s. Known for electro-pop and industrial club music, Torn expresses a deeper vulnerability and contrast for Cobrah. Airy, sweet sections build tension to massive bass-drops, and Cobrah collaborated with Grammy award winning producer Illangelo (known for his work with The Weeknd) to find a mix that gives sweeping synths and rumbles, without any mud. Cobrah also embraces a more melodic vocal structure, departing from the monotone, robotic deliveries of the earlier club-suited work. Cobrah will kick off an album tour at the end of March, spanning North America, the UK and Europe. 

Jazz master and multi-instrumentalist Shabaka released his third studio album, Of the Earth on Friday, receiving positive reviews, but making less of an impact than his earlier releases. Written, produced, performed, and mixed entirely by himself, Of the Earth also marks the first release with his original label, Shabaka Records. The new LP incorporates both old and new, with Shabaka returning to the saxophone, but also rapping for the first time on “Go Astray” and “Eyes Lowered”. Shabaka also blends acoustic with electric- utilizing field recordings of “found sounds” in his travels, as well as an array of woodwind instruments to create an organic and intimate sound, even keeping room tone and echo from less-than-ideal environments like hotel rooms. Critics are a little split, with some appreciating Of the Earth’s relaxing energy, but others find it lacking in terms of overall production quality, which makes sense given the use of raw samples and recordings. Shabaka will tour the new album in spring and summer, in the United States and UK. 

Morrissey, perhaps best known as the former frontman for The Smiths, is back with his fourteenth studio album Make-up is a Lie. Recorded with producer Joe Chiccarelli at Studio La Fabrique in France, Make-up is a Lie is a unique mix of 80s alt-rock and trip-hop, channeling acts like KC and the Sunshine Band and Stevie Wonder. Top tracks include “The Monsters of Pig Alley”, which evokes a Smiths-esque sound with dreamy acoustic and electric guitars, and fan-favorite “Lester Bangs”, which comedically portrays Morrissey as a nerdy teenager, and doesn’t win big with critics. Due to a series of health reasons, Morrissey has unfortunately had to cancel some of his current tour, and things are somewhat up in the air as to when he plans to fully tour the new album, though assuming a recovery, will resume in Spain on March 12th. 

Abigail Smith, A.K.A. YEBBA, celebrates a strong release of her sophomore album, Jean, which is receiving excellent reviews from critics and fans. Known for her vocal agility and dexterity, YEBBA first gained renown for a viral 2016 rendition of her original song, “My Mind”, leading to a Grammy win for Best Traditional R&B Performance in 2019, for a cover of the Bee Gees’ “How Deep is Your Love”. Her new album, Jean, explores gospel, folk and delta blues, with a dream-pop backdrop. Praised for its lush textures and striking vocals, Jean is a strong followup to her debut, Dawn. Smith also dedicates the album to her late Grandmother, Jean, whose sharp wit, according to Smith, inspired some of Jean’s more upbeat, spunky tracks. YEBBA will tour the new album from Spring through the Fall, starting in North America and ending in Europe. 

Harry Styles - Kiss All the Time, Disco Occasionally

Released March 6 2026

Columbia and Erskine Records

Cobrah - Torn

Released March 6 2026

Gagball and Atlantic Records

Shabaka - Of The Earth

Released March 6 2026

Shabaka Records

Morrissey - Make-up is a Lie

Released March 6 2026

Sire

Yebba - Jean

Released March 6  2026

RCA