NEW RELEASES: NF'S HOPE LOOKS HUGE

NF's HOPE (NF Real/Virgin) could debut in the 90-110k range on Friday's HITS Top 50. This is the rapper's first proper album since 2019's The Search, which opened at #1 with 130k (he released the mixtape CLOUDS in 2021). HOPE is expected to enter at #2 as Morgan Wallen's One Thing at a Time (Big Loud/Mercury/Republic) spends a sixth consecutive week at #1.

Daniel Caesar's Republic debut, Never Enough, will make a run at the Top 20 with first-week activity projected at 25-30k.

In singles news, Drake's new track, "Search & Rescue" (OVO/Republic)—whose artwork deftly trolls rival Kanye with an assist from his ex-wife, Kim—was streamed more than 7m times Friday, putting it on track for first-week on-demand audio of around 30m.

Now, if you'll excuse us, it's time to partake in a tradition unlike any other: sabotaging any hope of getting our summer bod into shape.

NEAR TRUTHS: WITCHING HOUR
It's not easy being green. (11/21a)
AN AWARD-WINNING CMA GALLERY
Cowboy hats and funny caps (11/21a)
GRAMMY CHEW: RUMINATING ON THE BIG 4 NOMS
80% is a lot better than usual. (11/15a)
NEAR TRUTHS: REALIGNMENT AND RECOGNITION
Underscoring the year's biggest stories (11/19a)
NEAR TRUTHS: THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM
Nervous time in the music biz and beyond. (11/16a)
NOW WHAT?
We have no fucking idea.
COUNTRY'S NEWEST DISRUPTOR
Three chords and some truth you may not be ready for.
AI IS ALREADY EATING YOUR LUNCH
The kids can tell the difference... for now.
WHO'S BUYING THE DRINKS?
That's what we'd like to know.
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