10 Big Things That Happened in Music the Week of July 25, 2025
Summer 2025 has continued to be a standout season for music lovers in every genre, and this week was no different.
The last seven days saw unforgettable new releases from K-pop standouts including ZEROBASEONE and STAYC, surprise drops from our favorite viral artists and captivating releases from up-and-comers, closing out July with a bang. Just keep scrolling to discover the 10 biggest things that happened in music the week of July 25, 2025.
(Photo credit: WAKEONE)
1. Aidan Bissett Yearns for What He Can't Have With shut up and love me
Viral artist Aidan Bissett has been an undeniable force in the world of alt-pop music, and with the release of his debut album, shut up and love me, he's cementing his status as one of pop's next big things. Featuring popular singles "are we in love yet?," "ricochet," "2 much 2 handle" and "dance around it," the album's 13 tracks tackle the heartache of unrequited love and the constant yearning that comes with wanting what you can't have. If you love singing your heart out to songs about anguish, you're definitely going to want to catch him on his tour across North America this fall.
"I truly cannot express how grateful I am that this album is finally out in the world," Aidan wrote in an Instagram post. "shut up and love me made me the person I am today. Thank you to everyone who was a part of this it truly could not have been done without the helping hands of so many friends and collaborators. Now go laugh, cry, and shake ass while steaming the best album of the year🤍"
Also read about: Aidan Bissett Breaks Down Every Track of His Debut EP, I'm Alright If You're OK
2. Gina Zo Lets It All Out With 'I Need to Cry'
Rock-pop singer-songwriter Gina Zo has had quite the journey as a musical artist. In 2016 at the age of 17, she made a name for herself on The Voice before signing with a label and eventually stepping away from the industry altogether, feeling like she was forced to be something she's not. She later returned as the frontwoman of rock band Velvet Rouge and came out as bisexual. Now, in 2025, she's making herself known again with new singles "Dirty Habits," "Only Bad Men Make Me Feel This Way" and her latest, "I Need to Cry." Don't let the title fool you—it's a warm and uplifting synth-backed track about figuring yourself out, found family and letting it all out. Is there anything more relatable than needing the relief of a good cry?
"'I Need To Cry' is my anthem of self-discovery and self-love," Gina wrote in a post on Instagram. "The funny thing about it is that, although it is called 'I Need To Cry,' it is really about that feeling of needing to cry not only in sad times, but also in happy times, exciting times and shocking times. This song is a reminder that you can be on your own journey to discovering yourself at all moments in your life. We think we have to have it 'all figured out by x age,' but the reality is you're always pushing forward to finding a better you."
3. CMAT Defines Her One-of-a-Kind Pop Sound With 'EURO-COUNTRY'
Irish pop star CMAT is having an absolutely stellar year, wowing audiences at Glastonbury and taking over TikTok with the viral dance for "Take a Sexy Picture of Me." It's about to get even bigger with her third album, EURO-COUNTRY, set to release on Aug. 29. Earlier this week, she released its evocative and emotional title track, giving us a taste of what "EURO-COUNTRY" really means to her. CMAT leaps into the track with soaring and passionate pop vocals with a full Irish-language verse before diving into the trials of growing fame, making it through the ups and downs of lives in her home country and her complex relationship with everything Ireland encompasses.
"I have certain phrases that reverberate around my head over and over again – and EURO-COUNTRY was one of them," CMAT said in a press release. "It's the title of the album, and the name of the first song on the record… it's not pop, it's not country. I've always struggled to describe the genre of music I make. And I landed on EURO-COUNTRY."
Also read about: CMAT on Her Upcoming Album and Working With John Grant to Create 'Where Are Your Kids Tonight?'
4. Ashley Anne and Eli Winders Cling to the Familiar in Gorgeous Duet, 'Fence'
Ashley Anne and Eli Winders are two of our favorite up-and-coming artists on the country music scene, and their new duet on "Fence" couldn't be more beautiful or heart-wrenching. The song details a relationship on its last legs as both voices join together, clinging to what they have despite no longer being happy together. They can't let go of the comfortable and seemingly ideal life they've built together, preferring to fake it until they can't anymore. It's a soulful and yearning country track with stripped back acoustic instrumentation that allows the the vocal performances to shine, making it all the more devastating.
"'Fence' is a song that explores the not-so-perfect secrets behind a relationship that looks perfect," Ashley shared in a press release. "Some couples tend to cover up the truth behind a beautiful Southern Living-looking home and a white fence wrapped around it. The song explores what goes on behind closed doors—or behind the white picket fence, to be exact."
Also read about: Ashley Anne Weaves an Irresistible Story of Falling in Love With Her call me when you land EP
5. elijah woods Is Haunted by an Ex in 'Ghost on the Radio'
Pop singer-songwriter and producer elijah woods has built an impressive career as an indie artist over the last half of a decade, and it's finally culminating with the release of his debut album, Can We Talk? on Oct. 14. He just released its striking lead single, "Ghost on the Radio," once again highlighting his penchant for intimate yet resonant and ridiculously catchy pop. It's a shimmery and slow-paced pop track about the connection between memory and music, and how the songs we once shared with a lost love can break our hearts all over again as they make all of those big emotions rush back in.
"'Ghost On The Radio' is about memorializing a past relationship that still haunts you," elijah shared in a press release. "No matter where you go, their voice finds a way to follow, like a song you didn't ask to hear but can't turn off."
Also read about: How elijah woods Went on a Journey of Self-Discovery With His Hey There Elijah EP
6. Mandy Corrente Explores the Different Facets of Her Musical Creativity With Debut EP, Dreams
11-year-old pop artist and dancer Mandy Corrente may be young, but she's already established herself as a powerful performer with even bigger things ahead of her. Today, Mandy released her debut EP, Dreams, consisting of six tracks that showcase her incredible range, from viral single "Do the Hit" to the bilingual collab with Venezuelan artist Nacho on "Follow Your Dreams." and more. She's equally capable on playful dance tracks, heartfelt ballads and high-energy bops, and she's still just getting started.
"This EP is a mix of everything I love—dancing, singing, dreaming big and having fun," Mandy shared in a press release. "Every song shows a different side of me. It's my first EP, so I wanted it to really feel like my story."
Also read about: Mandy Corrente Reveals the Meaning Behind Her Bold Latin-Infused Track, 'Super Duper'
7. Mon Rovîa Reminds Us All What Connects Us With 'Heavy Foot'
As longtime followers of Mon Rovîa on TikTok, we've loved seeing him get all of the acclaim and attention he deserves. Ahead of embarking on his A Place to Gather headline tour across North America in the fall, he just released the stunning and poignant new single, "Heavy Foot." Through the song, Mon makes a bold social commentary on everything from gun violence and homelessness to mass incarceration and dishonest media, contrasted by its soothing Appalachian folk sound as he reminds us of the importance of empathy, connection and fighting back against these wrongs.
"'Heavy Foot' lays bare the scars of a broken system, all under the weight of a heavy-footed government," Mon revealed in a press release. "Yet, through this gravity, it sings of unbreakable unity—reminding us that in the face of oppression, our love and solidarity can defy the forces that try to hold us down."
8. All sombr Wants Is the Girl He Can't Have in '12 to 12′
Breakout alt-pop star sombr has fully taken over the world in 2025, and he just turned 20 earlier this month. His new single, "12 to 12," feels destined to join the ranks of "back to friends" and "undressed" as one of his all-time greatest hits. The song takes a funky, disco-infused turn as sombr sings about being so infatuated with someone that nothing else matters—but the person who completes him is tearing him apart by being with someone else. It's an unrequited love anthem for the ages, and likely to be everywhere as we close out summer 2025.
Also read about: sombr's Live Vocals Shook the Troubadour on Last U.S. Tour Stop
9. STAYC Make a Big Comeback With I WANT IT Single Album
K-pop girl group STAYC is back in a big way with the release of their special single album, I WANT IT. It's led by the irresistibly summery title track, driven by a confident yet relaxed dance-pop sound. The group sings about embracing the positive and being okay, no matter what life might throw at you, while embodying the unrestrained potential and fun of the summer season. The single album is also rounded out by the laidback R&B-infused crush anthem "BOY" and the lovelorn urban-pop track "Honestly," all of which are bound to be stuck in your head all weekend long.
10. ZEROBASEONE Tease Their First Full-Length Album With 'SLAM DUNK'
K-pop icons ZEROBASEONE are gearing up to release their first-ever full-length album, NEVER SAY NEVER, on Sep. 1, and after hearing the pre-release single, "SLAM DUNK," we know it's bound to be an instant classic. The album's title gives a sense of optimism and persistence that's fully reinforced by "SLAM DUNK," using the metaphor of the excitement of a basketball game to detail their own unstoppable success story. The song fuses hip-hop and EDM sounds to simulate the fast-paced action on the court, showing us just how far ZEROBASEONE has come as a group in the two years since their debut. We seriously can't wait to hear the rest of the album.
Missed our favorite tracks last week? Click HERE to check out our top 10 favorite releases for the week of July 18, 2025.