10 Big Things That Happened in Music the Week of October 17, 2025
We've said it before and we'll say it again—there's nothing quite like a fall New Music Friday. Change and musical evolution are definitely in the air this week as we dive into eagerly anticipated albums and major comebacks from our favorite stars.
Yes, that includes our very first taste of Charlie Puth's next big era in music, and so much more. To discover it all, keep scrolling to discover the 10 biggest things that happened in music the week of Oct. 17, 2025.
(Photo credit: Lindsay Ellary)
1. elijah woods Puts It All Out There With Debut Album Can We Talk?
Canadian singer-songwriter and producer elijah woods has rapidly become one of pop's biggest acts, with sold-out headline tours in Canada and Asia, and opening for Niall Horan. With the release of his debut album, Can We Talk?, we can only see his star power growing even further. elijah has always bean a master of vulnerable yet effortlessly catchy pop tracks, but the album's 11 songs are his most revealing and listenable yet. It includes beloved singles "Could You Love Me?," "Ghost On The Radio," "Slicked Back Hair" and "I Miss You," feeling diaristic yet somehow universal.
"Can We Talk? is the most personal project I've ever made," elijah explained in a press release. "It's a collection of late night thoughts and real conversations—things I've said, things I wish I'd said, and things I'll probably never say out loud. For me, it's about the messy, beautiful parts of trying to connect with people and how easy it is to get lost in miscommunication. At the same time, I was chasing a sense of sonic maturity—finding comfort in letting songs breathe emotionally while still pulling listeners in with production that feels big, bold and alive. This album feels like finally letting people sit in the room with me while I figure it all out."
2. Wet Leg Say 'Get Lost' With New Video for 'mangetout'
After the release of their aptly named sophomore album, moisturizer, in July, English indie rock band Wet Leg have been on the road, kicking off a North American tour at the start of September and they'll be playing throughout Europe through the end of the year. In the midst of it all, they decide to film and release a music video for fan favorite song "mangetout," directed by the band themselves. The song gets its title from a type of sweat pea that's eaten whole, but can also be read as "man get out," and the track is a fuzzy yet edgy song begging an unwanted hanger-on to finally get lost. The music video is strangely arresting, featuring frontwoman in an enormous, face-obscuring wig and an abundance of prop blood.
3. Alesso and SACHA Forge a New Dance anthem With 'Destiny'
Electronic music legend Alesso never misses, and his newest track, "Destiny" with Australian singer-songwriter SACHA, is no exception. The song is an instantly iconic dance anthem, driven by SACHA's glamorous vocals as she sings of fated love and destiny against a soundscape that makes you believe in such love, too.
"Been chasing that euphoric dance music energy I grew up loving and I think we finally caught it," Alesso shared in an Instagram post. "'Destiny' is out now."
4. Melanie C. Taps Into Her Sporty Side for 'Sweat'
Pop star Melanie C. (perhaps best known as Sporty Spice of the Spice Girls) is setting the scene for some huge things in 2026, and after working with Anna Lunoe on "Girl" earlier this year, she just dropped her new solo single, "Sweat." She's fully embracing her athletic reputation with the pulsing dance-pop track, which feels tailor-made for the gym, with lyrics about lust and releasing inhibitions. It'll also appear on her upcoming album, (also titled SWEAT), which will release on May 1, 2026.
"I'm so happy this track is finally all yours," Melanie wrote in a post on Instagram. "Dance to it. Run to it. Lift to it. SWEAT to it."
5. Kim Petras Goes Back to Her Roots With 'I Like Ur Look'
German pop sensation Kim Petras gave fans precisely what they wanted this week, tapping into a more classic Kim vibe with the release of her high-energy electro-pop single, "I Like Ur Look." It's a confident ode to infatuation and wanting someone else's man, not saying she likes how the other woman looks, but instead that she knows that her boyfriend would look so much better on her. It's clear she's not afraid to say what she thinks and go after what she wants, and nothing could be more Kim.
6. Ella Langley Channels a Special Kind of Heartache in 'Choosin' Texas'
Chart-topping country singer-songwriter Ella Langley "Choosin' Texas" is one of the most exciting voices in the genre, and she's reminded us why we adore her all over again with her newest single, "Choosin' Texas." Ella co-wrote the track with Miranda Lambert, who also sings background vocals on the song, creating a timeless sounds as Ella laments losing her man to a captivating Texas girl.
"I had the amazing opportunity to sit down in a room with Miranda, Luke [Dick] and Joybeth [Taylor] on a writing retreat about a year ago," Ella shared in a press release. "We wrote a bunch of songs together, but the second one really stuck with me. Miranda, being from Texas, started telling us one of her wild stories about drinkin' and doing something ridiculous, and I said, 'Well, she's from Texas, I can tell.' As soon as I said that, we all just looked at each other like—yep, that's it! That's the next song. She's from Texas, the girl he went with. And I thought well… you know I love a song like that."
"Ella may have grown up in Alabama, but she has a rowdy, fiery side that us Texas women recognize and respect," Miranda added. "She's an artist through and through, and it was important to me to let her artistry shine through at every stage of the process, from co- writing to co-producing. I'm so proud of how "Choosin' Texas" does that, and can't wait to see the world continue to get to know Ella through this song."
7. Bryant Barnes Stuns With His Debut Album, SOLACE
Alt-R&B singer-songwriter Bryant Barnes has one of the most unmistakable voices in the music industry today, and it does not go to waste with the release of his debut album, SOLACE. Bryant may be just 22 years old, but his songs have an emotional depth that will resonate with any listener, especially carried by his rich tones and silky falsetto. Its 17 tracks include singles "My Everything," "Priceless" and "Two Sides of Goodbye" as Bryant explores the concept of finding healing and peace in the most troubling of times.
8. MEOVV Give Themselves to Temptation in 'BURNING UP'
Five-member K-pop girl group MEOVV have been on a roll this year, and after releasing their debut EP, MY EYES OPEN VVIDE in May, they're back in a big way with their fiery new single, "BURNING UP." The high-energy dance track was co-written by MEOVV's own GAWON AND NARIN, and it's sure to get your pulse pounding with its thumping beat and soaring, soulful vocals. It's a song about love, passion and allowing your impulses to take over.
9. Tame Impala Embraces Not Having Everything Figured Out in Deadbeat
Australian psychedelic artist Kevin Parker, best known by the stage name, Tame Impala has never been afraid of experimentation, and we think he taps into something truly special with the release of his fifth album, Deadbeat. Its 12 tracks cover an eclectic range of sounds, from his signature otherworldly club sounds too moody piano reflections, atmospheric synth soundscapes and and classic dance-pop, all the while channeling Western Australian rave sounds. It's stripped back, without losing out on his signature richness and dimension, with a more raw and spontaneous feeling than we're used to from the artist.
"There are some people that have spoken to me and gone like, I don't know why you called your album that man, like why are you being so down on yourself, like why so self-degrading?" Kevin shared in an interview with Zane Lowe. "But I just don't see it like that. For me it's like a celebration of the feeling of being these things, like a loser or a, you know."
10. Charlie Puth Welcomes Us Into a New Era With 'Changes'
Grammy-winning pop superstar Charlie Puth has been busy in the studio this year, and with his first musical release of 2025, he's finally ready to bring us into his new era of music. Today, he released his nostalgic new single, "Changes," featuring twinkling guitars and keys to create a warm and romantic vibe. It's a song about embracing change in life, professionally and personally, and we adore the fact that the '80s-inspired music video, complete with claymation silliness, also features Charlie's wife, Brooke Sansone. With the release, Charlie also announced that his upcoming fourth studio album, Whatever's Clever!, is set to release on March 6 of 2026.
"This is the song I wanted you to hear first because it's a perfect way to bring all of you into the most beautiful, colorful part of my life, which happens to be right now," Charlie shared in a post on Instagram. "You will soon know why…"
Missed our favorite tracks last week? Click HERE to check out our top 10 favorite releases for the week of Oct. 10, 2025.