10 Big Things That Happened in Music the Week of August 1, 2025
Just like that, it's officially August of 2025. We don't know where the time went, but even as the summer winds down, each New Music Friday continues to get hotter and hotter every week.
The last seven days were no exception, with surprise drops from some of the world's biggest artists—including Demi Lovato and Chappell Roan—plus majorly anticipated album releases, thrilling collabs and so much more. Can't wait to listen? Just keep scrolling to discover the 10 biggest things that happened in music the week of Aug. 1, 2025.
(Photo credit: Daniel Sachon)
1. Kevian Kraemer Gets Wrapped Up in Summer Love With 'Tan Lines'
Indie pop star Kevian Kraemer just wrapped up his first-ever headline tour, but he's not resting on his laurels. He's keeping the momentum going with the release of his breezy new single, "Tan Lines," beautifully capturing the feelings of young summer love and instant infatuation. With a smooth and romantic guitar riff driving the song, embodying what it feels like to fall completely for someone.
"'Tan Lines' is my attempt to capture that unique feeling of falling for someone in the summer when everything feels a little more exciting," Kevian said in a press release. "I wrote it with a sense of reverence for this person and the rush that comes with newfound love."
Also read about: Everything You Wanted to Know About 'Teenagers' Singer Kevian Kraemer
2. Eddie Benjamin Lets the Peace of the Road Wash Over Him in 'DRIVING'
Australian pop singer-songwriter Eddie Benjamin is fresh off of co-writing and producing much of Justin Bieber's latest album, SWAG, and he's ready to step back into the spotlight himself. He just released the self-produced new single, "DRIVING," also performing every instrument on the track. It's laidback yet upbeat, capturing the sweet feelings of an endless summer, as Eddie sings about letting everything go and focusing only on the bliss of being on the road. The song is also set to appear on Eddie's upcoming debut album.
3. EPEX Youth Chapter 3 : ROMANTIC YOUTH
Eight-member K-pop boy group EPEX have been weaving the story of Youth since last year, and finally, the trilogy conclues with the release of their full-length album, Youth Chapter 3 : ROMANTIC YOUTH. While in Chapter 2, they explored feelings of emptiness that can come with being young, and the quest to fill that space with meaning, Youth Chapter 3 : ROMANTIC YOUTH is about accepting imperfection and mistakes and learning to make room for them in your life. It features eight tracks, including fan-favorite "Picasso," once against showcasing their dynamic versatility as they effortlessly bounce between pop, rock, R&B and hip-hop sounds.
"Since this album is the last chapter of the Youth trilogy, I worked on it with even more affection," EPEX member MU shared in a press release. " In the first two chapters of the trilogy, we discussed the reality, various concerns, and the deficiency of youth. In the final album of the series, we're fully accepting all those elements and stepping forward to the next chapter. We hope you look forward to what EPEX will present after Youth Chapter 3 : ROMANTIC YOUTH, and please listen to it a lot, as it is filled with great songs."
Also read about: How EPEX Explored Themes of a Broken Heart in Prelude of Love Chapter 2. 'Growing Pains'
4. yung kai Explores the Delicate Nature of Love in 'flower'
Canadian indie-pop singer-songwriter yung kai is a very busy guy this summer, performing his own sold-out headline shows and supporting d4vd for a few West Coast shows on his tour. He's not too occupied, however, to grace us with new music, and that include his new single, "flower." The song feels like you're eavesdropping into an intimate conversation between lovers, with a soft and dream-like production courtesy of yung kai on the guitar, drums and piano.
"I wrote this song when I was in an Airbnb next to the beach," he explained in a press release. "I watched the sun set over the mountains in the distance and immediately picked up my guitar. I produced and wrote this song in one day and kept the instruments and vocals as lightly mixed as I could, giving it an intimate sound. To me, when I listen to this song, it feels like a heart to heart conversation with someone special."
5. Maren Morris Keeps the D R E A M S I C L E Alive With New Deluxe Edition
Genre-defying artist Maren Morris released her irresistibly sunny and summery fourth album D R E A M S I C L E in May of this year, and she couldn't help but add to the fan before the end of the season with its newly released deluxe edition. D R E A M S I C L E (deluxe) brings the album to a total of 18 tracks with the addition of "in love with me," "be a b****," "running" and "earth angel." Together, they feel like a summer dream come true.
"I thought I was done writing for a bit once D R E A M S I C L E was turned in, but in one week we got a flurry of new songs in the studio that I couldn't keep contained," Maren revealed in an Instagram post. "They still felt like they existed within the dreamsicle universe, so I decided to continue this musical chapter. Enjoy a little extra summertime with these four—made extra sweet just for you. D R E A M S I C L E (deluxe) is out now 🍦🍭✨"
Also read about: 21 Powerful Maren Morris Lyrics to Use as Your Next Instagram Caption
6. d4vd Teases His Upcoming Deluxe Album With 'L.O.V.E.U,' Featuring hannah bahng
Alt-pop hitmaker d4vd is making 2025 his own, and he's followed up the start of his WITHERED 2025 WORLD TOUR this week with an announcement of the extended version of his debut album, WITHERED DELUXE: MARCESCENCE. "Marcescence" refers to when a plant is dead but still looks somewhat alive, with all its leaves and petals, continuing the narrative of a flower's life cycle used in the original album. He also dropped the new lovely new single "L.O.V.E.U," featuring Australian indie artist hannah bahng. The two singers have gorgeously complementary voices in their duet against a lo-fi cozy sound as they sing a straightforward and honest song about trust and love. hannah will also be supporting d4vd on when he headlines on tour in Australia later this year.
Also read about: 32 Emotional Lyrics From d4vd's Debut Album WITHERED to Use as Your Next Caption
7. Reneé Rapp BITE ME
Reneé Rapp has come a long way since the release of her debut album, Snow Angel. The actress and singer-songwriter captured the world's attention reprising the role of Regina George in the MEAN GIRLS musical last year, and now, she's unapologetically announced who she is to the world with the release of her sophomore album BITE ME. Consisting of a dozen tracks, including hits "Leave Me Alone," "Mad" and "Why Is She Still HERE?," BITE ME is Reneé with zero filter. Its songs are pop with an edge with lyricism that's blunt, honest and expressive, yet emotionally vulnerable, as she fully embraces who she is.
In an Instagram post, Reneé described it as the "soundtrack to the last two years of my life," and it couldn't be more perfect.
Also read about: 37 Raw and Unfiltered Lyrics From Reneé Rapp's BITE ME Album to Use as Captions
8. HEYOON Can't Get Enough of New Love With 'Addicted'
Former NOW UNITED member and South Korean pop artist HEYOON is on a roll as a soloist, and if you're not already a fan, prepare to get absolutely hooked on her latest single, "Addicted." The song has an infectious U.K. garage house beat, reflecting the cool yet obsessive nature of the track. It's all about a passionate love that has her completely addicted, with a repeating chorus that's bound to be stuck in your head for the rest of August.
"It was inspired by a dream I had—a fantasy creature that lives in the R.E.M. state world," HEYOON shared in an interview with Sweety High. "Name says it all! 'Addicted' has been on repeat on my phone for months since we wrote it—I hope fans love it as much as I do, and hope it translates how much fun I had working on this one just by listening."
Also read about: Korean Artist HEYOON Discusses Her 'Pivot' to a Solo Career and New Single
9. Chappell Roan Finally Gives Fans a Studio Version of 'The Subway'
Viral pop star Chappell Roan has a way with making her songs hits before they even release, and after she started performing "The Subway" live last summer, she finally released its official studio version today. It's an emotional yet sun-soaked ballad about obsessing over the one who got away, with the yearning and sorrow only growing with time as those reflections linger. Its cinematic music video is just as unforgettable, featuring Chappell and the object of her affections as shaggy masses of colorful hair in New York City. Chappell loses her masses of red hair over the course of the video, with rats and clinging to her like unshakeable memories.
"The cliche of 'the girl that got away' barely scratches the surface for me with this song," Chappell shared in a press release. "I wrote it as I was stumbling around New York with a broken heart and I kept envisioning us on every street, fire escape, coffee shop, park and yes… the subway."
Also read about: 25 Introspective Chappell Roan Quotes to Use as Your Next Instagram Caption
10. Demi Lovato Showcases a New, Unfazed Era With 'Fast'
In her first musical release of 2025, pop sensation Demi Lovato is back and stepping into a brand new musical era with her captivating new single, "Fast." It's our first glimpse into the triumphant dance-pop sound she's embracing on her upcoming ninth album, exuding confidence and passion as she sings about a love she's ready to fully leap into. We also adore the music video, directed by Daniel Scahon, which shows Demi fully unburdened and focused on her path, so cool she doesn't stop for a second to observe the havoc unfolding around her, from fiery explosions to pedestrians stripped down to their underwear.
"'Fast' is out now and I am so excited to share this song and video with you!" Demi shared in a post on Instagram. "We shot this straight through the night last month and I could not be happier with how it turned out. For me, it represents how i move through life now—unbothered by the noise and chaos around me, and in control of where I'm headed. Tthank you @zhone for helping to bring this sound to life and @dsachon and @imogene for being the best creative partners. And to my Lovatics, thank you for always being there. I'm so ready to get this new era started. Let's have some fun ❤️"
Missed our favorite tracks last week? Click HERE to check out our top 10 favorite releases for the week of July 25, 2025.