Every Friday, music lovers around the world anticipate a fresh wave of new releases from their favorite artists. This global tradition, known as New Music Friday, has become a cornerstone of the music industry.
Before 2015, music release days varied by country—Monday in the UK, Tuesday in the U.S., and Friday in Australia, for example. This created confusion and piracy concerns as fans in one region gained access earlier than others.
To unify the experience, the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) designated Friday as the global release day, aligning the industry and giving fans a consistent, weekly moment to discover new music.
Hoopla’s Role in Bringing New Music to Libraries
Hoopla has embraced New Music Friday by offering a dedicated collection that refreshes every Friday with the latest albums. This means that public libraries can provide same-day access to new releases with no waiting or delays. Patrons can stream music from top artists the moment it drops.
For libraries, this is a powerful way to stay culturally relevant and meet patrons where they are. By offering new music on release day, libraries become part of the conversation, whether it’s the buzz around a surprise album drop or the excitement of a long-awaited release.
Press play on something new >>
Explore the Latest Releases
- Florence + the Machine, Everybody Scream: A hauntingly beautiful release perfect for Halloween vibes.
- Bon Jovi, Forever (Legendary Edition): Featuring 13 fresh takes on songs from the band’s 2024 album Forever, with guest appearances by Bruce Springsteen, Lainey Wilson, Jelly Roll, and more.
- Brad Paisley, Snow Globe Town
- Trisha Yearwood, Christmastime
And here’s what’s still to come:
- November 21: Wicked For Good – The Soundtrack
Engaging Your Community with New Music
As with its entire music catalog—both new and old—Hoopla delivers access to entire albums with just one borrow, giving patrons the ability to listen to music as the artist intended. But for those that like to mix things up, the platform also offers a shuffle feature that patrons can use to shuffle between songs on borrowed albums.
Additionally, libraries can use New Music Friday as a springboard for creative programming:
- Listening parties: Host weekly events where patrons gather to explore new releases together. Create themed playlists or highlight specific genres.
- Study-with-music sessions: Offer quiet spaces with curated background music from the latest releases—ideal for teens and college students.
- Artist spotlights: Feature a different artist each week with displays, listening stations, and related materials like biographies or concert films.
These events not only promote Hoopla’s offerings but also foster a sense of community and discovery.
New Music Friday is more than just a release schedule, it’s a cultural moment. By tapping into this rhythm, libraries can connect with patrons in fresh, meaningful ways. With Hoopla’s New Music Friday collection, your library becomes a gateway to the latest sounds, stories, and celebrations in music.
