10 Big Things That Happened in Music the Week of June 6, 2025
It's the first New Music Friday of June, and it's really starting to feel like summer with this week's scorching hot new releases.
That, of course, includes Sabrina Carpenter's scathing new single, which is bound to be an instant classic, plus Ed Sheeran's latest tease of his upcoming album and so much more. Curious about all of the iconic new songs you need to add to your weekend playlist? Just keep scrolling to discover the 10 biggest things that happened in music the week of June 6, 2025.
(Image courtesy of Sabrina Capenter)
1. Ethel Cain Clings to the Comfort of Love With 'Nettles'
Southern Gothic indie artist Ethel Cain painted quite the picture with her debut album, Preacher's Daughter, and next, she's building further upon its fictional narrative with its prequel, Willoughby Tucker, I'll Always Love You. The first release from the upcoming album, out Aug. 8, weaves an epic folk dreamscape over eight minutes, starting with a nightmare about the death of her fictional love—the titular Willoughby—and seeking assurance that it won't come to pass, and a promise that their love will last. Despite her insistence that her love comes with a sting, like nettles, we can't help but root for this love, and we're curious to see how the rest of the story unfolds.
"This song and the last track on the record were both written the same week, the very first week I moved into the house in Alabama where I finished Preacher's Daughter," Ethel said in a press release. "In similar fashion to Preacher's Daughter (specifically 'A House in Nebraska' and 'Strangers'), I wrote what essentially became the beginning and end of the story without realizing it. What were originally just little vignettes of emotion I was feeling at the time ultimately became the tentpoles for a larger narrative. 'Nettles' became a dream of losing the one you love, asking them to reassure you that it won't come true and to dream, instead, of all the time you'll have together as you grow old side by side. Every once in a blue moon, it feels good to slough off the macabre and to simply let love be."
2. Daniel Ellsworth & The Great Lakes Expand on the Story of HIGH LIFE With 'KEEP IT COOL'
Indie rock band Daniel Ellsworth & The Great Lakes are beloved for their energetic stage presence and made quite a mark with their short yet sweet 2024 album, HIGH LIFE. Next, they're gearing up to build on that story with its deluxe version, HIGH(er) LIFE, out June 27. In addition to a stripped-back version of "AFTER ALL" and a remix of the title track by Kyle Andrews, the new album is set to feature the irresistibly funky new single "KEEP IT COOL," a song about staying calm and collected, despite infatuation
"'KEEP IT COOL' is an unreleased track we pulled from the DE+TGL vault," the band shared in a press release. "It didn't quite fit on the album, but we had so much fun making this one we didn't want to just let it sit on a hard drive collecting dust. The track explores the tension between desire and composure—someone looking to find that balance of vulnerability and bravado."
3. FLETCHER Opens Up With New Single, 'Boy'
Pop artist FLETCHER's queer identity has always been front and center in her music, and it's no stretch to say that her newest single, "Boy," has been surprising some fans. It's a gentle and reflective country-tinged track, driven by acoustic guitars and soft piano keys, as FLETCHER reflects on her sexuality in light of developing feelings for a boy. As she examines her own confusion, and fear for what people might think, she decides instead to simply follow her heart and share her story as authentically as possible. We're curious to see how the song fits into the bigger narrative of her newly announced third album, Would You Still Love Me If You Really Knew Me?, out July 18.
"Thank you for showing up with an open heart today or just for expressing what's on it," FLETCHER shared in a post on Instagram.
4. La Raca Flaca Reflects on the Power of Love in 'Peaks and Valleys'
La Raca Flaca is an L.A.-based dark-pop artist whose music showcases her journey of evolution and self-discovery, and that's evident with the release of her lush new single, "Peaks and Valleys." It's a moody and reflective pop-R&B track about the bonds we forge with overs and the way true love can overcome any challenges and persevere.
"'Peaks and Valleys' is a heartfelt melodic pop song about love's resilience in the face of distance and adversity,"" she shared in a press release. ""The lyrics speak to the power of connection, persistence and determination to overcome any barriers separating two hearts."
5. My Chemical Romance Revisits Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge With a New Deluxe Edition
In news that makes us feel extremely old, My Chemical Romance's sophomore album, Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge, is about to celebrate its 21st anniversary. To celebrate, they've released a new deluxe edition of the classic album, building on the original with live versions of four of their most iconic songs, first recording in 2005 for BBC Radio 1's "The Lock Up." Yes, the album still holds up, and the recordings remind us precisely what put the band on the map in the first place.
6. MARINA Embraces Her Truest Self With PRINCESS OF POWER
With the release of MARINA's sixth album, PRINCESS OF POWER, it feels like everything's been building up to this moment. It's her first album release on her own label, Queenie Records, feeling perfectly aligned with the messaging of the unapologetic album and its 13 powerful tracks. PRINCESS OF POWER is equal parts dark and playful, bubbling with disco-pop sound as she shares her own story of survival, sensuality and self-love. She lays her soul bare—and that's never been more fun.
"I've accessed this new part of myself," MARINA shared in a press release. "It's really a rebuilding-my-life-from-scratch type of album. Which is probably why it has an exciting energy."
7. Marshmello, Ellie Goulding and AVAION Join Forces for 'Save My Love'
When we first discovered that producer Marshmello, singer-songwriter sensation Ellie Goulding and composer AVAION had teamed up for a new track, we new it would be something special, and "Save My Love" lives up to all of our expectations. The song is a true tour de force, hooking listeners with Ellie's soaring voice before the danceable beats sweep them off their feet. It's a pure and emotional declaration of love, and a plea to be loved in return.
8. BAEKHYUN Celebrates a Million Sales of His Latest Mini-Album With a Music Video for 'Lemonade'
South Korean actor and singer BAEKHYUN may be best known for his time in EXO, but he's definitely proven his chops as a solo artist. In less than three weeks, his fifth mini-album, Essence of Reverie, has broken the one million sale mark, and he's celebrating with the release of a music video for his beloved song, "Lemonade." It's a laidback R&B song about reigniting a romance with your first love, and we love the bizarre, lemon-centered narrative within the video and its unexpected twists.
9. Ed Sheeran Shares His Favorite Song From His Upcoming Album, 'Sapphire'
As we count down the days until the release of Ed Sheeran's next album, Play, on Sep. 12, we've been getting more and more of an idea of what's in store for us. The new single, "Sapphire," might be the best example yet, as it's Ed's favorite song on the album. The track is a warm, sweet and uplifting ode to the joy that comes from making authentic connection with others, with a musical video that feels like a cross-cultural celebration. The song was recorded in India and its South Asian instrumentalist influences are readily apparent, specially with vocals from renowned Indian artist Arijit Singh.
"'Sapphire' was the first song I finished for Play that made me know where the album was heading. It's why I finished the recording process in Goa surrounded by some of the best musicians in India," Ed shared in a press release. "It was an incredible creative process. I shot the music video with Liam and Nic across my India tour earlier this year, we wanted to showcase the beauty and breadth of the country and its culture. The final jigsaw piece for me was getting Arijit on the record. It was a journey to get there and such an amazing day of music and family. Me and him have done a full Punjabi version of the song that will come out in the next few weeks, which has a lot more of him on it. This is the album version of the song, and my favorite song on the album. Hope you guys love it."
Also read about: 25 Ed Sheeran Song Lyrics That Make 'Perfect' Instagram Captions
10. Sabrina Carpenter Keeps Attracting the Same Type in 'Manchild'
Grammy-winning pop sensation Sabrina Carpenter has become one of the biggest artists in the world, particularly with the release of her latest album, Short 'n Sweet, she's upping her game yet again as she steps into a new musical era with the new single "Manchild." It's an infectiously infectious synth-pop anthem, complete with a hint of country twang in the vocals, as Sabrina laments the fact that she keeps attracting immature, brainless and incompetent men. The music video, featuring Sabrina hitchhiking through the desert, drives that biting point home even further.
"No animals were harmed in the making but some men were," Sabrina joked in a post on Instagram.
Missed our favorite tracks last week? Click HERE to check out our top 10 favorite releases for the week of May 30, 2025.