10 Big Things That Happened in Music the Week of November 21, 2025
Before we head off next week for festive Thanksgiving celebrations, we're indulging in a very special New Music Friday, and our favorite artists have not let us down.
Of course, the release of Wicked: For Good and its hotly anticipated soundtrack are going to be all everyone's talking about for the foreseeable future, but we also got releases from iconic stars including Leigh-Anne, Ella Eyre and so many more to add to your end-of-2025 soundtracks. Can't wait to dive in? Just keep scrolling to discover the 10 biggest things that happened in music the week of Nov. 21, 2025.
(Photo credit: Tallulah Ballard)
1. Mae Stephens Finally Cuts Out Toxicity With 'Done With U'
22-year-old English artist has Mae Stephens is no stranger to viral hits, including "If We Ever Broke Up." We think her new single, "Done With U," has the potential to be just as big. It's a confident, synth-laden pop anthem about recognizing someone who always takes more than they give and realizing you have the strength to tell them precisely what you think of them and cut them out of your life. We also adore its bizarrely bold music video lampooning TV talent shows—except this time, try-hard contestants are vying for Mae's love, but she's only interested in the producer.
"It's only up to you to decide if a relationship is worth your effort,time and emotions," Mae shared in a press release. "'Done With U' is a strong reminder of that. You don't have to tolerate it let alone bring yourself to that level… you simply have to be 'done with it'."
a music video
2. Catie Turner Tackles Insecurity and Shyness That Never Goes Away in 'Shrinking Violet'
Singer-songwriter Catie Turner has a way with words, capturing painfully relatable scenarios with vulnerable lyricism and luscious pop production, and her new single "Shrinking Violet" is yet another example of why she's one of our favorites. It's a shimmery pop song about growing up and yet never outgrowing all of the emotions you thought you would, feeling just as insecure, shy and outcast as you were in middle school. You might get better at masking it and getting by in social situations, but those sensations never truly go away.
"'Shrinking Violet' is about getting older but still feeling like the kid who could never fit in," Catie explained in a press release. "The adult you promised yourself you'd become, the one that outgrew all of your perceived shortcomings, never came and now you're just the same kid who's playing 20-something dress up … This is for the victims of a middle-school girl trio and the wall flowers who were only ever described as 'nice'."
3. Baby DONT Cry Stay True to Themselves With 'I DONT CARE'
Baby DONT Cry is P NATION's first-ever K-pop girl group, and since debuting this summer, the rookies have already established themselves as stars. Members Yihyun, Kumi, Mia and Beni have shown us they can be sensitive yet strong, and beautiful, yet fierce, defining their signature baby rock genre to win hearts around the globe. Their newest song, released earlier this week, is "I DONT CARE," a confident and high-energy anthem about ignoring gossip and strength that can be found in simply being as authentic to yourself as possible.
"'I DONT CARE' is a song that is filled with Baby DONT Cry's signature strengths, confidence and honesty," the group's Kumi shared in an interview with Sweety High. "It expresses the mindset of not being swayed by people's opinions or rumors and accepting yourself by saying, 'I'm just fine just as I am.'
"It delivers a powerful, almost declarative message," added Beni. "No matter what anyone says, I'm not going to waver, and I'm going to keep moving forward."
4. no na Set a Romantic Scene With 'the one'
We're calling it now—Indonesian girl group no na is poised to be the next big thing, and if you're not already a fan, their latest single will have you hooked. Their new release is called "the one," showcasing how perfectly in sync members Christy, Esther, Baila, and Shaz are with each other, creating melodic harmonies that pull us into a romantic dreamscape with them. It's a confessional '80s-inspired snyth-pop song about yearning for true love, complete with a music video that channels a late night commercial for a psychic hotline. After debuting earlier this year, no na has already been on a roll, and we'll be following along very closely as their story unfolds.
5. Ella Eyre Makes the Album She Was Always Meant to With everything, in time
English artist Ella Eyre's sophomore album, everything, in time, is a piece of art that couldn't be rushed. Quite a lot has happened in the decade since her first album, Feline, was a viral phenomenon, but it took a taxing vocal surgery and leaving her label to really find herself and wrestle back the creative control that was essential to making the album she's always wanted to make. If you ask us, everything, in time, was worth every risk she took, gorgeously telling Ella's story in the most vulnerable way possible over 15 tracks blending, soul, funk and R&B sounds, and propelled by the undeniable richness of Ella's vocals. It's not just an album, but a mission statement that reminds us precisely what she's all about.
"I think one of the biggest compliments I've received so far about the album is from people who are familiar with my first album," Ella shared in an interview with Sweety High. "They say it sounds like Feline but from the adult version of me. That's exactly where my head was at. The whole reason I decided to even make another album was because I was listening to my first album thinking that I never quite got to release it the way that I wanted to, and it never ended being quite what I wanted it to be—and I'll be damned if I'm gonna be on this earth and not at least try and make that and do that. This album is very much an ode to what the first album to me was supposed to be. It's very soulful, still very pop, but also it's a little bit more explorative, in terms of my vocals, my writing, my structures. I haven't gone for any sort of copy-and-paste, formulaic songs. I think I've pushed my pop girl era and challenged it slightly. It's a more grounded, mature, but also emotionally secure sound."
6. The Story Is Finally Completed Wicked: For Good—and Its Epic Soundtrack
We can't believe it's been a year since the release of the first Wicked film, and at long last, Wicked: For Good finally hit theaters today, concluding the story that gripped audiences everywhere in 2024. Even if you can't make it on opening day, you can open yourself up to spoilers by diving into its iconic soundtrack, with lyrics and composition by Oscar-winning creative Stephen Schwartz. It consists of 11 songs, including two brand-new original songs that weren't featured in the original musical, performed by a legendary cast including Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey and so many more. If this sequel is half as big as the first film, the buzz is definitely going to follow us into 2026.
7. Natalie Jane Gets Us in the Holiday Spirit With wishlist
Pop phenom Natalie Jane's been a very busy woman as we close out 2025, and after releasing her new album, the world i didn't want, last month, she's back at it with an irresistible holiday EP called wishlist. It's made up of five Christmas songs—three brand-new originals and two twists on holiday classics—featuring Natalie Jane's signature sass and confidence. Natalie's retro-pop vibes feel timeless and perfectly festive, reminding us that November is never too early to start celebrating.
8. Kevin Jonas Refuses to Let Things Go Stale With Debut Solo Single, 'Changing'
As one third of the Jonas Brothers, Kevin Jonas has established himself as a music icon, and finally, he's ready to embark on something entirely new—a solo career. Kevin just released his first-ever solo single, "Changing," revealing a new side to his artistry in the form of a sweet and airy ballad about the necessity of change and evolution. We can't think of a better way to step into a new musical era.
"To me, it's evocative of going through the motions with life and continuously trying to improve yourself," Kevin explained in a press release. "Life keeps changing, and the song is a positive reinforcement of that idea. It says, 'Don't let things get stale,' which is embodied in the 'coffee's cold' line. You need to know when to move onto the next thing and you also need to keep moving no matter what the situation or relationship is. I'm stepping into my next thing."
9. CHA EUN-WOO Shows Us Something New With His ELSE Mini-Album
CHA EUN-WOO, perhaps best known for his work with the K-pop boy group ASTRO, is also a powerful soloist in his own right. With the release of his second mini-album, ELSE, he's on a mission to show us precisely what he's capable of. The mini-album showcases a new side of the star as a solo performer—the "else" signified in the title—as he steps into the unfamiliar, pushing himself in every direction as an artist. It consists of four genre-hopping songs—the funky and danceable "Sweet Papaya," disco-tinged "SATURDAY PREACHER," playfully edgy hip-hop sounds of "Selfish" and the richly romantic acoustic tones of "Thinkin' Bout U"—to prove he can do it all.
10. Leigh-Anne Chooses Herself With 'Friends'
English pop superstar Leigh-Anne is back at it again this week with her slick and empowered new single, "Friends." The track is a vibrant reggae-pop reflection on weeding out fake friends and the importance of learning to choose yourself. It's all about trust and following your intuition to understand who has your back and who doesn't, highlighting Leigh-Anne's unshakeable confidence and style.
"'Friends' is about clarity," Leigh-Anne shared in a press release. "It's about trusting your instincts and choosing yourself every time."
Missed our favorite tracks last week? Click HERE to check out our top 10 favorite releases for the week of Nov. 14, 2025.