10 Big Things That Happened in Music the Week of April 25, 2025
We can't believe it's already the final New Music Friday of April, and with both weekends of Coachella 2025 fully behind us, it's clear things aren't slowing down at all in the music world. In fact, they're about to pick up, and the week's hot new releases are proof.
This week saw new album releases from Lyn Lapid, Stephen Stanley and d4vd, new album teases from Kali Uchis, Lorde and Benson Boone, and so much more. To listen to everything we loved best, just keep scrolling and discover the 10 biggest things that happened in music the week of April 25, 2025.
(Photo credit: Amaury Nessaibia)
1. Lyn Lapid Finds Herself With Debut Album, BUZZKILL
We've been following viral TikTok phenomenon and musical artist Lyn Lapid for half a decade now, and her relatable songwriting prowess and effervescent sound are on full display with her new debut album, BUZZKILL. Written over the last few years, its dozen tracks—including singles "coraline" and "i'll be happy when"—use buzzy pop vibes to tell her true story of disconnection and solitude moving from Maryland to L.A. to follow her music dreams. The songs weave a resonant coming-of-age story about the road to self-discovery and acceptance, and the idea that maybe feeling like a "buzzkill" is telling you something.
"Moving to the West Coast was a struggle," Lyn revealed in a press release. "It was the first time I was in a new place by myself, and I didn't know anyone outside of my roommates. I'd go to parties because I thought it was better than being alone. It was an attempt to find community, but it just became a cycle of meaningless interactions. Every time I went out with my friends, I felt like a 'buzzkill' because it seemed like I had always brought the mood down. However, it only seemed that way because I was with the wrong people. I needed to accept that I shouldn't have to force myself to settle for surface-level friendships and relationships. It opened an opportunity to find new and truly meaningful connections and friendships."
Also read about: Lyn Lapid Weaves a Tale of Situationships and Heartache in to love in the 21st century
2. Karissa Ella Writes a Love Letter to Her Mom With 'Mamas Do'
Rising country singer-songwriter Karissa Ella has had a very busy 2025 so far, releasing "Heartbreaker" in January and "Last Call Cowboy" in February, but her latest single ""Mamas Do"" is our favorite from her yet. The heartfelt track arrives just ahead of the Mother's Day holiday as an ode to her mom and the special comfort only the unconditional love a doting mother can provide. It comes to life over lush vocals and slowly plucked guitar strings, akin to a lullaby, as she sings about the power her mom has to soothe her soul, even in the face of crushing heartbreak.
"'Mamas Do' came from that moment we all face—when we know we might be making a mistake, but we need to find out for ourselves," Karissa shared in a press release. "It's a love letter to the one person who never says, 'I told you so,' even when she could. My mama has always been my safe place to land, and this song reflects that kind of quiet, unconditional love. Sometimes growing up means falling down, but knowing someone's there to catch you makes all the difference."
3. Stephen Stanley Drops Epic New Album, trustfall
Following a string of irresistible hit releases, alt-rock artist Stephen Stanley's new album, trustfall, has to be his most anticipated project yet. The stirring collection includes 12 tracks—all of which were co-written by Stephen—fuses rousing rock and contemporary Christian sounds to tell a relatable story of faith, release and the power of accepting the unknown. It includes fan-favorites including hits "hell or high water," "this far down," "signs," "gonna have to trust you," "not by sight" and "your heart," as Stephen finds his greatest inner strength in the face of uncertainty.
"Every song on trustfall is about some aspect of faith," Stephen shared in a press release. "I wanted to capture what it feels like to have no other option other than trusting God. And the serendipity that comes with letting go."
4. d4vd Bares His Soul on Debut Album, WITHERED
20-year-old genre-bending artist d4vd has been one of the fastest-growing artists of late, and he's captured his unique artistry in its purist form with the release of his debut album, WITHERED. Its 15 tracks can be unpredictable yet are fully cohesive, fusing hip-hop, indie-pop, alt and R&B sounds to thematically track the evolution of a relationship through the metaphor of a rose, from the magical beauty of blooming new love to the inevitable death of a wilting flower. It's an exciting time for the artist, who made his Coachella debut earlier this month and just announced a global tour across North America and Europe.
"Thank you all eternally for waiting on me," dv4d wrote in a post on Instagram. "This album means so much to me you have no idea the blood sweat and tears that came with trying to create this project over the past two years. Constantly starting over and over and over until there was nothing left on this audio landscape of a canvas than thoughts, melodies and emotions that were unequivocally me."
5. Ari Lennox Celebrates Her 'Soft Girl Era' in New Music Video
R&B sensation Ari Lennox is back and as sizzling hot as ever, and she's reminded us what she's all about with the new music video for "Soft Girl Era." The sassy pop-infused track released last month on her birthday, with Ari flirtatiously seeking out the chivalrous man who's going to treat her right and let her embark on her "soft girl era." The music video makes the song even more playful as a joyful celebration of love and friendship, with dazzling monochromatic visuals bathed in hot pink, blue and yellow s her story unfolds.
6. Lauren Spencer Smith Makes Her Intentions Clear in 'IF KARMA DOESN'T GET YOU (I WILL)'
Hit artist Lauren Spencer Smith's sophomore album, THE ART OF BEING A MESS, is out June 27, and we all just got a lovely new taste of it, courtesy of her new single, "IF KARMA DOESN'T GET YOU (I WILL)." Driven by a rousing country-rock sound, the song channels the rawness and honesty of anger in the face of heartbreak—as well as a promise to get even.
"'IF KARMA DOESN'T GET YOU (I WILL)' taps into a sound that's edgier, darker, and more honest than anything I've released before," Lauren said in a press release. "It's a reflection of the anger, power, and fire I've felt—and a sign of how much I've grown, both personally and musically. This song is just the beginning of exploring deeper, more unapologetically angry emotions and being honest about the sides of ourselves we don't always show."
Also read about: Everything You Wanted to Know About 'Fingers Crossed' Singer-Songwriter Lauren Spencer-Smith
7. PinkPantheress Teases Her Upcoming Mixtape With 'Stateside'
English artist and producer PinkPantheress is gearing up to release her next mixtape, Fancy That, on May 9, showcasing her eclectic dance-pop sound, and her latest single "Stateside" reveals a new aspect of the star's sound. PinkPantheress's vocals are like silk against a slick electronic beat and pulsing bass sounds as she tells a love story that spans the Atlantic.
"So excited to share with you my favorite song off of the project, 'Stateside'," PinkPantheress shared in a press release. "it explores my growth as an artist and I hope everyone enjoys it as much as me."
Also read about: 28 Yearning Lyrics From PinkPantheress's Heaven knows to Use as Instagram Captions
8. Benson Boone Romanticizes the Power of Love in 'Mystical Magical'
After unveiling the new song "Mystical Magical" at Coachella earlier this month, Benson Boone just dropped its stunning music video, and we have to say it's exactly what the title promises. It's a sunshiny almost operatic pop celebration of unbridled love—even if the object of his affections if playing hard to get—and knowing that once that door is opened, that love is bound to stand the test of time. Maybe he's romanticizing things that will never come to be, but that doesn't make the song any less infectious. It's also set to appear on his upcoming album American Heart, out June 20.
Also read about: How Writing 'In the Stars' Helped Benson Boone Grapple With Loss
9. Lorde Reflects on Heartache in 'What Was That'
After almost four years without releasing a solo single, New Zealand pop icon Lorde is back and ready to step into a new musical era. She sets the stage with new single "What Was That," a synth-pop anthem that's equal parts dark and breezy as she looks back on a relationship—the good times, and the bad—and reckons with the aftermath.
"My new music video 'What Was That,'" Lorde wrote, announcing the release on Instagram. "As little between us as possible. Aliveness over prowess. Naïveté over disenchantment. I LOVE YOU WE START HERE 𝑳ĿŁု⑷♶"
Also read about: Lyrics From Lorde's Album Solar Power That Double as Instagram Captions
10. Kali Uchis Channels the Love of Motherhood With 'ILYSMIH'
Kali Uchis has been a very busy woman in more ways than one, with her upcoming album, Sincerely, releasing on May 9, and her son celebrating his first birthday last month. Her new single "ILYSMIH" ("I love you so much it hurts") serves as the album's second single and an ode to her child. In fact, it was the first song she wrote after becoming a parent for the first time. The dreamy and emotional ballad is infused with retro-soul sounds as she embraces the intense feelings of love that come with motherhood and finds a way to put them into words.
"ILYSMIH is me sharing a piece of my heart with the world," Kali revealed in a press release. "Living a life that is rich in love and inner peace hasn't come easy. I hope this song will find anyone who needs it."
Missed our favorite tracks last week? Click HERE to check out our top 10 favorite releases for the week of April 18, 2025.