10 Big Things That Happened in Music the Week of June 20, 2025
Today marks the official start of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, and with a new album from Keke Palmer, Benson Boone, Yungblud and HAIM, the summer's first New Music Friday couldn't be more sizzling hot.
If you haven't already, it's time to start curating all of your summer playlists to set the perfect backdrop for the next three months—starting with the irresistible releases from the last seven days. Just keep scrolling to discover the 10 biggest things that happened in music the week of June 20, 2025.
(Photo credit: Edwing Henson)
1. ONE OR EIGHT Want to Be With Those They Love Every Day of the Year With '365'
Eight-member global Japanese boy group ONE OR EIGHT is making a big splash across the world, and after recently announcing a partnership with Atlantic Music Group, they just released the new single "365." It's a smooth, high-energy love song about wanting to be with someone each and every hour of the day and every day of the year, while also serving as a heartfelt love letter to their fans, 1DERZ.
"Our new single '365' is ONE OR EIGHT's first love song, and with it our goal was to sincerely express how it feels when thinking about a special someone," ONE OR EIGHT's REIA explained in a press release. "The title also represents the length of time of our auditions for WARPs DIG, which was the beginning of our journey to become ONE OR EIGHT. That's why the number means so much to us. Through the lyrics, we want to express our immense gratitude and love for all of our fans, 1DERZ, who have been rooting for us over the past year and sharing many unforgettable moments with us."
2. Jeremy Zucker Sees His Birthplace From a New Perspective in 'hometown'
Singer-songwriter and producer Jeremy Zucker recently announced that his third album, Garden State (inspired by his New Jersey roots) will be out on Aug. 22, and he perfectly sets the scene with the release of new single, "hometown." The song creates a breezy, laidback and nostalgic sound, highlighting Jeremy's clean vocals as he reflects on what it means to leave home and see the place he grew up from an entirely new point of view.
"Garden State is all about growing up in New Jersey: how I never quite felt at home, how I had to leave to find myself and how coming back made it all make sense," Jeremy shared in a press release. "There's a lot in here that I've never touched on in my music and some things I've never fully processed myself. I'm not the same person I was when I started this journey, and I'm genuinely honored to be able to share it with you all."
3. sombr Struggles With Unrequited Feelings in 'we never dated'
19-year-old indie-rock artist sombr has been taking over the airwaves this summer, with his hit songs "back to friends" and "undressed" continuing to climb the charts. He just released yet another single, "we never dated," and it's just a matter of time before it joins them. Backed by a dark yet funky bassline, it's an anxious and yearning song lamenting a relationship that never was, and being unable to let someone go despite never having them to begin with. We recommend you learn the lyrics fast, because we think it'll be a perfect addition to the set list as he continues his tour through Europe, North America and Australia and New Zealand through the end of the year.
Also read about: sombr's Live Vocals Shook the Troubadour on Last U.S. Tour Stop
4. HAIM Is Done Doubting Themselves With I quit
Grammy-nominated sister trio HAIM are major innovators in the world of pop, and we love that their fourth album, I quit, evokes something brand new for the stars. It's made up of 15 tracks, including singles "Relationships", "Everybody's trying to figure me out" and "Take Me Back," as the artists "quit" self-doubt and trying to fit themselves to a mold and instead step into their most authentic selves with no shame or remorse. There's a unique sense of empowerment and joy, even through grief and loss. We can't wait to scream along with them once HAIM embarks on their the massive "I quit tour" across both North America and the U.K. kicking, off in June and running through the end of October.
Also read about: 25 Introspective Lyrics From HAIM's I quit as Instagram Captions
5. Max McNown Gets Dreamy in Love With 'This Side of Heaven'
Country singer-songwriter Max McNown has been on a roll with viral hit after hit, including songs such as "A Lot More Free" and "Better Me for You (Brown Eyes)." His latest single, "This Side of Heaven," feels poised to be the next track we can't take off repeat. It's a laidback, bluesy and romantic track about the kind of love that feels just as wonderful as heaven must. It's also set to appear on his upcoming deluxe album, Night Diving (The Cost of Growing Up), releasing July 18.
"When I wrote this I was listening to a lot of Ray Lamontagne, who is a big inspiration to me vocally and as a songwriter," Max shared in a press release. "I love the folk-blues slide guitar solos, and we tried to be honest and heartfelt with the lyrics. It's a love song but with that classic soulful feel you get from Lamontagne and maybe Chris Stapleton, too, who is another big influence on me."
Also read about: Everything You Wanted to Know About 'A Lot More Free' Singer-Songwriter Max McNown
6. Yungblud Examines the Trouble With Having Heroes With New Album, IDOLS
Ahead of making a return to his own festival, Bludfust, tomorrow, and preparing to embark on a North American headline tour, starting in L.A. on Aug. 23., English singer-songwriter Yungblud just released his fourth album, IDOLS—and there couldn't be a more exciting time to see him live. Consisting of 12 tracks, IDOLS is actually just the first part of a double-album (with more news to come on the second half). The genre-bending rock includes viral hit "Hello Heaven, Hello" plus "Lovesick Lullaby" and "Zombie" and more, exploring the pitfalls on putting others on a pedestal and comparing ourselves to these idealized versions of people on the quest to find ourselves.
"We turn to others for an identity before turning to ourselves," Yungblud said in a press release. "Self-belief, self-reclamation, self-evolution and change. As we grow up, we lose our belief in magic and mystery. We begin to rationalize everything; our cage walls build up. We compare ourselves to 15 different people before we've even had our breakfast".
7. Noah Cyrus Teases Her Next Album With 'New Country,' Featuring Blake Shelton
Noah Cyrus is one of our favorite voices in all of country music, and with her sophomore album, I WANT MY LOVED ONES TO GO WITH ME, recently announced to drop on July 11 and a North American headline tour on the way, there's never been a better time to be a fan. She just gave us another glimpse of what's to come with the stunning "New Country," featuring Blake Shelton. The duet couldn't be more perfect as the two sing against a stripped-back yet anthemic melody about finding the power to keep on going and embracing your independence through it all.
"It's a song about finding a new place in life, about walking on your own two feet, and realizing that change is the only thing that's constant," Noah explained in a press release. "The only way out is through."
Also read about: 32 Heartbreaking Lyrics From Noah Cyrus's The Hardest Part to Use as Instagram Captions
8. Benson Boone Continues to Take Over the World With New Album, American Heart
Singer-songwriter Benson Boone is a bona fide pop phenomenon who continues to break record after record, and with the release of his sophomore album, American Heart we have no doubts he's going to keep the streak going. Featuring 10 tracks, including fan-favorite songs "Mystical Magical," "Momma Song" and "Sorry I'm Here from Someone Else," it's an endlessly catchy collect of glam-rock-tinged pop songs, with Benson's signature theatricality and authenticity at the heart of each one.
Also read about: How Writing 'In the Stars' Helped Benson Boone Grapple With Loss
9. Jonas Brothers Get Groovy With New Single 'No Time to Talk'
We're eagerly anticipating the release of the Jonas Brothers' eighth album, Greetings From Your Hometown, scheduled for an Aug. 8 release, especially after getting another taste with the new song, "No Time to Talk." It's a groovy, disco-infused track that interpolates The Bee Gees' 1977 hit "Stayin' Alive," telling a story of making a connection with someone just for the evening. It's about living purely in the moment and not ruining it with talk.
"Growing up on the music that our Dad played for us led to a lifelong influence from the legends that came before us," the guys wrote in a post on their Instagram page. "That influence was undeniably felt while writing what is now 'No Time To Talk' and putting it out into the world today with The Bee Gees blessing feels unreal. We hope you have as much fun with this one as we had making it! Time to danceeee."
Also read about: 22 Loving Lyrics From the Jonas Brothers The Album to Use as Instagram Captions
10. Keke Palmer Bares Her Soul With New Album, JUST KEKE
Keke Palmer is undeniably a superstar, and the singer-songwriter, actress and producer is ready to bare her entire soul with the release of her new visual album, JUST KEKE. Featuring 14 tracks across three acts, it's raw, honest and diaristic—a personal statement in the form of music—as Keke explores her tumultuous relationship and divorce, and the very public scrutiny she faced throughout this painful process. It's also a powerful reflection of her versatility, with R&B tracks embodying heartache, pride, empowerment and everything in between.
"JUST KEKE is the mark of a new era for me," Keke shared in a press release. "An evolution of everything I had to be and become to survive and grow as a person and artist. It's all about fragmentation and the path to integration. I created it with my best friend of 22 years, Tayla Parx—someone who knows me inside and out. This project is a raw, emotional journey of me facing myself, my love, my vulnerability, my relationships and my truth. My hope is that it takes you to a place of remembrance."
Missed our favorite tracks last week? Click HERE to check out our top 10 favorite releases for the week of June 13, 2025.