The Lead Sheet ~ 10/28/25

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. 

London based rapper Dave’s new album, The Boy Who Played the Harp, released this week and is being met with phenomenal reviews from critics and general listeners. Dave’s debut 2016 EP, Six Paths launched the young musician’s career and immediately earned him widespread acclaim, with liberal application of phrases like “once-in-a-generation-talent”. Boy Who Played the Harp, his third studio album, is being met with similar enthusiasm; the record demonstrates a maturity and awareness that elevate the album with sophistication. Boy Who Played the Harp, a reference to the biblical king David, uses a somewhat religious aesthetic to communicate themes of morality, forgiveness, and faith, without outright being a praise album. Dave’s well-established lyrical prowess finds new depths and vulnerability, and listeners appreciate the subdued orchestrations of spanish guitars, piano and harp, beautifully complimenting Dave’s rhythmic flow and authentic voice. 

Powerhouse pop singer Demi Lovato released her ninth studio album, It’s Not That Deep on Friday to positive critical reception. The new project sees Lovato shift towards a more carefree, playful sound, similar to some of her earlier work like Confident. The eleven track album is chiefly dance-pop, with some rock elements, and standout singles like “Kiss” and “Here All Night” are praised for their party playlist appeal. Retro synths and driving beats lend the album some club potential, and at times Not that Deep even dabbles in more contemporary glitch-pop sounds. Lovato also recently announced an American tour, following a sold-out performance at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, to begin in Spring of 2026 and span twenty-three U.S. Cities. 

This week singer-songwriter Hannah Jadagu’s second LP, Describe, released to positive reviews, but mildly so. Hannah Jadagu first arrived on the music scene with her debut EP What is Going On? Which initially received mixed reviews, but Jadagu’s first LP Aperture earned her critical recognition. Describe is rated slightly lower, but demonstrates Jagadu’s willingness to explore new sounds, seeing a departure from the unpolished, distorted indie sound of her prior work, and instead shifting towards layered soundscapes and uses both analog and modern sounds to compliment her vulnerable but dextrous vocals. Thematically, Describe comments on the difficulties of modern relationships, their lack of cohesiveness, and emotional distance. 

Irish noise-rock band Just Mustard, released their third studio album this week, titled WE WERE JUST HERE, but reception is not as positive as their first two albums. The band’s sound consists primarily of shoegaze, post-punk and dream-pop, but critics and listeners agree that while the album doesn’t have any major flaws, it also isn’t as bold or creative as their albums Heart Under and Wednesday, which both took more musical risks. Consensus seems to be that We Were Just Here feels a bit generic overall, and doesn’t break any new ground. The album benefits from expert production quality from David Wrench, known for producing with Frank Ocean and FKA Twigs, and Just Here also moves the band to a more positive emotional landscape, breaking from Heart Under’s somewhat depressed tone. 

Lily Allen’s surprise album, West End Girl has quickly received widespread acclaim, releasing this week with only a few days notice. The album is a brutally honest response to the singer’s recent divorce from actor David Harbour, and doesn’t shy away from relationship drama, airing detailed dirty laundry from the ex-couple’s marriage. Recorded in just ten days, West End Girl is fearless and raw, and is receiving overwhelmingly positive reviews from fans and critics. The album is primarily pop, but also has some jazz and R&B elements, with overtly dramatic tracks like “Madeline” generating quite a bit of celebrity buzz and gossip. Allen’s return to music is a success to say the least, but despite West End Girl’s rave reviews, there is currently no news on whether the artist plans to take the new album on tour.

Dave - The Boy Who Played the Harp

Released October 23, 2025

Universal USA Records, Neighborhood

Demi Lovato - It’s Not That Deep

Released October 24, 2025

Island Records

Hannah Jadagu - Describe

Released Oct 24, 2025

Sub Pop Records

Just Mustard - We Were Just Here

October 24, 2025

Partisan Records

Lily Allen - West End Girl

Released October 24, 2025

BMG Records