10 Big Things That Happened in Music the Week of August 22, 2025
It's another sizzling summer New Music Friday, with all of our favorite artists turning the dial way up with their latest releases.
We've got unmissable new albums from Ava Max, sombr, Jon Batiste and Jeremy Zucker, surprise announcements and singles from Perrie, Florence + the Machine and Amber Mark, and so much for to satiate every type of music lover under the sun. Keep scrolling to discover the 10 biggest things that happened in music the week of Aug. 22, 2025
('If He Wanted to He Would' via Perrie Louise Ltd.)
1. Will Linley Learns to Move on With 'Up All Night'
Get ready, because 22-year-old South African pop artist Will Linley is gearing up to release his eagerly anticipated debut album. Don't Cry Because It's Over finally releases on Sep. 5, detailing the highs and lows of a first love, from the giddy optimism of fresh starts to ending in heartache. Today, we also got another glimpse at what's to come with the new single "Up All Night." It's a vibrant and anthemic track, driven by '80s-inspired beats and synths, as Will sings about finding new love in the aftermath of a breakup, to the chagrin of his ex.
"I wrote 'Up At Night' with Jackson Foote, Colin Foote, and Alex Borel," Will shared in a press release. "This song is pure joy—it's for dancing around your bedroom or screaming in the car. I knew from the moment we wrote it that it was meant to be a single, not just another album track."
2. Amber Mark Makes Her Intentions Clear With 'Let Me Love You'
R&B star Amber Mark just announced that her sophomore album, Pretty Idea, is set for an Oct. 10 release, further teasing the drop with new single "Let Me Love You." The laidback track, driven by disco and funk sounds, is a declaration of romance and she urges a potential lover to recognize their feelings for her and accept her love.
"This album carries many highs and lows and lessons I didn't know I needed," Amber revealed in a post on Instagram. "So excited to finally share these songs with you. Consider this my way of turning all my bad ideas into Pretty ones."
3. Jeremy Zucker Dives Into His Origin Story With Third Album, Garden State
Singer-songwriter and producer Jeremy Zucker is one of our favorite voices in indie-pop, and his third album, Garden State, has us entranced. Its 14 stripped back tracks, including "hometown" and "surprise!," visit Jeremy's origin story and relationship with his native New Jersey. It talks about leaving home at 18 go to college and eventually pursue his musical ambitions, with his hometown representing everything from comfort and nostalgia to stagnancy, bitter memories and feeling stuck in the past. It all culminates in a luscious cover of The Postal Service's "such great heights," suggesting just how far he's come.
4. Jon Batiste Gets Back to Basics With Big Money
Jazz artist Jon Batiste is one of those undeniable talents who can do it all, and with multiple Grammys and an Academy Award under his belt, it's great he's getting the recognition he deserves. Today, he also released his ninth album, Big Money, moving away from highly produced and sweeping sounds to focus an creating something raw and real. Jon wrote and recorded the entire nine-track album in only two weeks, going back to the basics and mostly recording the album live. Rather than capturing perfection, he wanted that special, in the moment energy to reflect in the songs, and he's succeeded. He may be best known for jazz, but these songs tackle a little bit of everything from soul and R&B to bluesy gospel and even reggae, showcasing his diverse talents at every turn.
"This is the circus of love," Jon explained in a press release. "Under our tent there is revival and joy. You don't lose your soul—you gain it. When Mama says, 'Don't be a dummy, everybody chasing that BIG MONEY,' Mama is pushing you—while warning you. It cuts both ways."
5. sombr Makes an Impression With Debut Album, I Barely Know Her
sombr is such a radio mainstay these days that it's hard to remember he's only 20 years old and that he hadn't yet released at album—that was, at least, until today. His full-length debut, I Barely Know Her, is finally here, consisting of 10 tracks—including megahits "back to friends," "undressed" and "12 to 12″—further proving his irresistible talents as a moody indie-rock tastemaker. His approach to heartache, yearning and loss is unique yet universal, and it's no wonder he's selling out shows across North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand into 2026.
"My debut album I Barely Know Her is out," sombr wrote in an Instagram post. "I don't eat, I don't sleep, I don't talk to many people. My life is devoted to this music and serving you forever. Nothing else. I love you with my whole heart. This is just the start. It was an honor to be able to shut down the street that I grew up on for a hometown album release show. Thanks to everyone that came out. It could all end for me today and I would be more than satisfied with the ending."
6. Max McNown Turns 'Turned Into Missing You' Into a Thrilling Duet With Avery Anna
24-year-old viral artist Max McNown is one of the year's biggest breakout country artists, and it's already obvious he'll be keeping that magic going into the new year. In 2025 he performed at CMA Fest, Boston Calling, Lollapalooza and more, in addition to his own sold-out headline tour, and he's about to embark on yet another massive tour across North America and Europe into December. In the middle of all of it, he just released a new version of his 2024 hit song "Turned Into Missing You," making it a thrilling duet with Avery Anna. It's a nostalgic and heartfelt track about how the triggering the right memory can suddenly having you yearning for a past love, and it's even more powerful with both perspectives involved.
"Ever since seeing Avery's content online I've had the feeling that we'd hit it off, and sure enough, now that we've met, I can confirm she's as talented and authentic in person as she seems to be online," Max shared in a press release. "Her vocal capability brought this song to a different level and I'm so honored that she was willing to jump aboard!"
Max is having an incredible year
7. Florence + the Machine Steps Back Into the Spotlight With 'Everybody Scream'
The news is true—Florence + the Machine is back, and the group's sixth album, Everybody Scream, is set for a Halloween release on Oct. 31. It's been an unusual couple of years for frontwoman Florence Welch, who underwent a life-saving emergency surgery in 2023 amidst the group's Dance Fever Tour. The healing process led her down some interesting rabbit holes, exploring witchcraft, mysticism and themes of folk horror, which promise to be prominent across the new album. This week, they shared its pulse-pumping title track, with an appropriately spooky sound as Florence embraces her new perspective, finding herself most alive on the stage, with her audience dancing, singing, moving and screaming to her command.
8. Dominic Fike Bares His Soul With New Rocket Mixtape
We can always count on Dominic Fike to surprise us, combining raw and poignant lyricism with emotive soundscapes to draw us in and hold us there, and that's precisely what he's done with his new Rocket mixtape. Consisting of 12 tracks, these songs feel like diary entries, catching a direct glimpse as Dominic's psyche—especially given the fact it's named after his newborn song, Rocket. From song to song, he effortlessly movies between moody indie-rock and hip-hop sounds, tackling everything from fatherhood and the industry to heartache, and he does it in a way no one else can.
9. Ava Max Keeps the Magic Flowing With 3rd Album, Don't Click Play
Pop superstar Ava Max is one of those rare artists with multiple tracks in Spotify's coveted Billions Club, and for good reason. With both "Sweet but Psycho" and "Kings & Queens," she established herself as an unapologetically confident and authentic artist who holds absolutely nothing back, and she's at the height of her powers with the release of her third album, Don't Click Play. It's as raw and daring as ever as Ava enters a new musical era with a dozen new tracks, including hits "Wet, Hot American Dream," "Lovin Myself," and "Lost Your Faith." The songs are as empowering as they are instantly infectious, and as the title track suggests, if you're not ready to lose yourself to the beat, just don't click play.
"In due time, I have so much to say," Ava teased in a post on Instagram. "But for now, Don't Click Play."
10. Perrie Teases Her Eagerly Anticipated Debut Album With 'If He Wanted to He Would'
English artist Perrie has established herself as a pop icon, both as a member of Little Mix and as a soloist, and we couldn't be more elated about the news that her self-titled debut album will be arriving on Sep. 26. She also unveiled its first track, "If He Wanted to He Would," an anthemic yet tongue-in-cheek pop song that has Perrie urging a friend to dump a guy for refusing to step up to the plate and breaking her heart again and again. We also adore the cinematic music video, co-starring the song's co-writer, Nina Nesbitt.
Missed our favorite tracks last week? Click HERE to check out our top 10 favorite releases for the week of Aug. 15, 2025.