Ariana Grande and Maki Release Our Favorite New Music of the Week

Get into the latest music releases from Ariana Grande, aespa, Maki, and many more artists from the week of May 25-31.

By Rafael Bautista June 01, 2026

Believe it or not, it’s already June, which means we’re halfway through 2026. Time really does work in funny ways sometimes. And with a new month and the start of the second half of 2026 upon us, there’s a lot to look forward to, especially in June, which is Pride Month. So, start June and the new week right with these fresh music picks you may want to add to your playlists.

hate that i made you love me – Ariana Grande

The first taste of Ariana Grande’s upcoming album petal is a lowkey and vulnerable pop-R&B number that’s laced with regret and emotional honesty about the way things went in a failed relationship.

habangbuhay pansamantala – Maki

Maki’s exploration of the color wheel continues with the color pink in this soft, yearning pop jam where love is viewed through rose-tinted glasses.

LEMONADE – aespa and Becky G

aespa delivers another electropop banger with LEMONADE, which also serves as the lead single off their new album of the same name. The track feels like Whiplash’s sister with an equal amount of spunk, sass, and confidence.

Richest Man Alive – James Reid

James’s new love song is all about savoring those mundane moments with your special someone, where quiet and ordinary interactions are worth more than grand gestures of love.

teka lang – TJ Monterde

TJ turns up the beats and bass in his upbeat love song about the realization that you may just be in love.

Pag-ibig Fun – VVINK

P-pop girl group VVINK enters a new era with the release of their debut studio album, IT STARTS WITH A WINK – The First Full Album. Composed of 14 tracks, the album showcases the group delivering a body of work about those special and relatable moments young Filipinos go through.

Handle – Ravyn Lenae

The third single from Ravyn Lenae’s upcoming album, Blue Island, the song makes an impressive use of electric guitars and drums for a hypnotic love song about letting that special someone know you’re no typical partner.

Laguna – RAMONA

RAMONA’s vindictive era is a gift that keeps on giving with her new single that puts an ex from Laguna on blast for cheating on her.

I’m Good – jikamarie

jikamarie spits bars and vocals as she puts an ex on blast who didn’t treat her right in this R&B track. But in the end, she’s still doing good.

Teleserye – Shanni

This emotionally raw song narrates the story of someone trying to move on after being betrayed and manipulated in toxic relationships and friendships. But in the pain also comes the journey to courage, peace, and healing.

PWLT – KRYSTAL

KRYSTAL’s new solo R&B release blends Korean pop with warm ’80s and ’90s soul, boogie, and modern alt-R&B influences for a track that reminds listeners of artists like Sade and Janet Jackson.

Telebong – MEI MEI

The newest P-pop girl group on the scene comes courtesy of PULP (yes, that PULP). And for their debut, the eight-member girl group delivers a made-for-social-media catchy novelty pop song that’s dripping with Filipino energy.

Featured Image: ARIANA GRANDE (via Instagram)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ariana Grande’s new song released in the week of May 25–31, 2026?

Ariana Grande released hate that i made you love me, the first single from her upcoming album petal. The track is a lowkey pop-R&B number centered on regret and emotional honesty about the end of a failed relationship.

What is Maki’s new song habangbuhay pansamantala about?

habangbuhay pansamantala is a soft, yearning pop release from Maki, continuing the Filipino artist’s exploration of the color wheel — this time through the color pink. The song frames love through an optimistic, rose-tinted lens.

What is aespa and Becky G’s LEMONADE about?

LEMONADE is the lead single from aespa’s album of the same name, released in collaboration with Becky G. The electropop track carries the same energy as their earlier single Whiplash, built around confidence, sass, and bold attitude.

Which Filipino artists released new music during the week of May 25–31, 2026?

Filipino releases that week included James Reid’s Richest Man Alive, TJ Monterde’s teka lang, VVINK’s debut album IT STARTS WITH A WINK, RAMONA’s Laguna, jikamarie’s I’m Good, Shanni’s Teleserye, and MEI MEI’s debut single Telebong.

Who is MEI MEI and what is their debut release?

MEI MEI is a new P-pop girl group from PULP. Their debut single Telebong is a catchy, novelty pop track described as made-for-social-media and rooted in distinctly Filipino energy. The eight-member group marks PULP’s entry into the P-pop space.

Rafael Bautista

Senior Pop Culture Writer

Rafael Bautista is the Senior Pop Culture Writer of MEGA Asia, with a focus on producing articles and features about local and international entertainment, popular culture, and lifestyle.

Before this role, he spent five years in the youth-oriented magazine NYLON Manila, where he served multiple positions, including Deputy Editor, and created stories, profiles, and content on digital and print geared towards a Gen Z audience. In 2025, he was awarded Jr. Deputy Editor of the Year.

With years of experience in digital media, Rafael has an interest and passion for writing about movies, shows, pop culture, and entertainment, with a particular emphasis on titles, trends, and personalities who are making waves in modern culture or are on the cusp of becoming the next big thing people will talk about.

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