10 Big Things That Happened in Music the Week of April 18, 2025
It's another one of those weekends with everything going on, with the second weekend of Coachella 2025 kicking off today ahead of the Easter holiday, and it shouldn't come as a surprise that our favorite artists stayed busy this week with the perfect releases to accompany the festivities.
Once again, Lana Del Rey has left us speechless with her turn to country music, and with some fiery collabs and drops from exciting artists, big and small, we've got an unforgettable mix of tunes to take us into the weekend and beyond. Just keep scrolling to discover the 10 biggest things that happened in music the week of April 18, 2025.
('Bluebird' via Lana Del Rey)
1. Mt. Joy Celebrate Life on the Road With 'God Loves Weirdos'
Indie folk band Mt. Joy are having a big moment, kicking off the 70-date Hope We Have Fun tour across North America and Europe starting tomorrow, April 19. Their next album, Hope We Have Fun, drops on May 30, but first, they've given us the latest taste with new single "God Loves Weirdos." The vulnerable and heartfelt track is thematically in line with recent releases as they capture the experience of being on the open road, and traveling the world to share their musical story.
"'God Loves Weirdos' dives deeper into life on the road, after the stage lights go out," shared frontman Matt Quinn in a press release. "You pull into the gas station and those are your date nights—goofing around at a truck stop, looking at all the funny T-shirts. Maybe the road is pulling you apart, but then you have those moments where you're laughing and thinking, this is so fun… I love this person.'"
Also read about: Matt Quinn Shares How Mt. Joy Reconnected With the Earth in New Album, Orange Blood
2. Asha Maclean Reflects on Mastering Love With 'Yoga (Back & Forth)'
NYC pop-R&B artist Asha Maclean should be on everyone's radars this spring, and her new single "Yoga (Back & Forth)" is bound to drum up plenty of attention for the rising star. Featuring Ashe's mesmerizing honeyed vocals, the song channels our favorite '90s R&B sounds into a pulse-pumping reflection on love. Over the course of the track, she recounts the roller coaster of triumphant highs and heartbreaking lows that characterize any relationship, likening finding the balance within to mastering a difficult yoga pose. It's part nostalgic, part modern, and 100% Asha.
"My mom is a visual artist," Asha shared in a press release, "and my dad worked with people who were in the music industry and was an artist himself … I just loved the sound of the greats. They were a huge inspiration for me to start singing."
You can listen HERE on Spotify.
3. Peech. Lets Go to Find Himself in 'Don't Miss Your Moment'
Up-and-coming Utah singer-songwriter Peech. just joined the TAMLA Records and Capitol Christian Music Group roster, and his first single with them, "Don't Miss Your Moment," couldn't be a more perfect way to set the scene for everything to come. The soothing and inspiring soul-country track shares an important message about leaving behind the familiar in pursuit of the things that matter to you most. It's the perfect showcase of both his one-of-a-kind sound and his natural talents as a storyteller, and in the wake of his These Times Don't Feel Right EP, which has garnered more than two million streams, it's the next big step in his musical journey.
"I wrote 'Don't Miss Your Moment' about leaving home and the excitement and hardships that come with chasing a dream," Peech. shared in a press release. "Sometimes you have to walk away from the people you love to find out who you are. These moments—however hard—are what shape us into who we're meant to be."
4. Julien Baker and TORRES Share Their Debut Collab Album, Send a Prayer My Way
Julien Baker and TORRES are two of today's biggest indie-rock stars, so we've loved seeing the musical duo join forces for a country project. The collaborative album, Send a Prayer My Way, has been in the works since the two first performed onstage together in 2016 and decided they needed to make a country album together. The result is something honest, raw and apologetically queer, with country grit and heart shining through each of its 12 tracks. These include "Sugar in the Tank," "Dirt" and "Sylvia," powerfully tackling themes of discovering their own strength and finding the power to persist, even in the face of adversity and heartache.
Also read about: 20 Angsty Julien Baker Lyrics to Use as Your Next Instagram Caption
5. Ariel Fitz-Patrick Shares the Importance of Faith in 'Angels'
Canadian gospel R&B singer-songwriter and content creator Ariel Fitz-Patrick uses her platform as a powerful way to share her faith, and her new single "Angels" might be her most irresistible yet. The track flows with smooth Y2K R&B sounds as she reflects on the confidence and love that come from belief in a higher power.
"I wrote 'Angels' as a way to remind people that they are not alone," Ariel shared in a press release. "Even when we can't see it, there's a whole army behind us. That's what being part of God's family comes with—peace, protection and promise."
6. Doechii Drops a Stress-Inducing New Music Video for 'Anxiety'
Doechii has been keeping the magic coming, and we're instantly infatuated with the narrative of her new music video for "Anxiety." She officially released the single last month due to fan demand after the song was originally shared on a mixtape back in 2019, and the song is the gift that keeps on giving, racking up more than 23 billion views across social media. Directed by James Mackel, the video sees Doechii navigating an enormous and expensive home. Despite being surrounded by dutiful staff, she can't seem to avoid the stressful and unfortunate events that follow wherever she goes.
Also read about: 25 Iconic Doechii Lyrics to Use as Your Next Instagram Caption
7. Ayra Starr Shows Us What Love Looks Like With New Music Video for 'All the Love'
Grammy-nominated Afrobeats artist Ayra Starr has been rapidly on the rise, and we're fully enchanted by the new music video for "All the Love." Shot in her native Nigerian, the music video visually brings the vibrancy of the song to life. As she sings about the powerful of unconditional love, promising her affection no matter what happens, we see the quaint neighborhoods and striking beaches of her home, feeling the warmth and love she has for her culture with every beat.
8. Leon Thomas and Halle Join Forces for the Haunting 'RATHER BE ALONE'
When we heard that Leon Thomas and Halle had teamed up for a new track, we knew it was going to be something special, but they've exceeded all of our expectations with "RATHER BE ALONE." The song has a hauntingly heartbroken sound, driven by acoustic guitars and a hummed tune as both artists reflect on a broken relationship that's been eating away at both parties, with both understanding things can't go on any longer. Believe us when we say these vocals are going to stick with you well beyond the weekend.
"@hallebailey really brought something special to this one," Leon wrote in a post on Instagram. Let it play, let it sit with you."
Also read about: 8 Iconic Songs by Aries Artists That Capture the Sign's Spirit
9. Jon Bellion and Pharrell Team Up on 'Horoscope'
We weren't sure what to expect when he saw that powerhouse artists and producers Jon Bellion and Pharrell had collaborated on a new song, and "Horoscope" has defied our assumptions in all the best ways. It's a heartfelt reflection on unconditional love and being willing to sacrifice everything for the ones you know so well you can always read them. Jon has also announced his next album, Father Figure, set to release on June 4.
"Pharrell is one of the greatest musical inspirations in my life," Jon revealed in a press release. "He's the reason I got into music. We had long, deep conversations about him being a father and what being a father means in his world, and how to balance it, and what it means for your children, for the life that you choose to live, as far as being a successful musical creative. He's one of my favorite people in the world."
10. Lana Del Rey Continues Her Country Music Journey With 'Bluebird'
With Lana Del Rey preparing to perform at Stagecoach Festival this year, we've loved hearing her unique and poetic take on country. After last week's release of "Henry, come on," she's back at it this week with the new single "Bluebird." It's an intimate and luscious country-inspired ballad that joins a long lineage of American classics about bluebirds. They're said to represent hope, change and opportunity, and though the narrator herself may be feeling trapped, she urges the bluebird to escape and make a new life for itself.
Missed our favorite tracks last week? Click HERE to check out our top 10 favorite releases for the week of April 11, 2025.