10 Big Things That Happened in Music the Week of September 26, 2025
It's the first New Music Friday of fall 2025, and we can already feel the magic of the change in the air with the music releases of the last seven days.
It's a season of major shifts, from debut albums to surprise comebacks, first releases, collabs and so much more from favorite artists, both new and familiar. Curious about what music has our hearts a-flutter as we close out the month of September? Just keep scrolling to discover the 10 biggest things that happened in music the week of Sep. 26, 2025.
('NOT OK' via 5SOS)
1. aron! and Joe la panic Join Forces for 'deja vu'
Vintage pop artist aron! and French singer-songwriter Joe la panic are both rising talents with unique musical points of view, and we adore the way they come together on their collaborative new track, "deja vu." It feels like it could be plucked right out of the past, combining moody samba sounds, jazz and pop to create a love story in both English and French. It's cozy, sweet and powerfully nostalgic, with both voices melding to create something greater than the sum of its parts.
2. Jordan Anthony Gets Confessional With Summery New Single, 'Tell Me'
At just 20 years old, Australian pop artist Jordan Anthony has made a name for himself on The Voice, the Junior Eurovision Song Contest and American Idol with his crystal-clear vocals and relatable storytelling, and he's definitely one to watch in 2025. The star just released his latest single, "Tell Me," a smooth, feel-good pop track about being done with mixed messages. He's in love and ready to commit, and he knows his feelings are reciprocated, but he needs to finally hear them come out and say it.
"It's about wanting so badly to be with someone and knowing they want it too, but they're holding back," Jordan shared in a press release. "At that point, you just want to say, 'Please tell me if you want this or not."
3. Sarah Kinsley Makes a Comeback With Triumphant Single 'Fleeting'
It had been over a year since Sarah Kinsley's last release, but we couldn't be happier to have her back with the release of her new song, "Fleeting." The track is effervescent and upbeat yet moody, pulsing with '80s dance-pop synths and Sarah's signature rich and emotional vocals, as she sings of the important of living in the moment, and that nothing that truly matters is ever permanent.
"'Fleeting' is my catharsis: an anthem dedicated to the flood of change," Sarah said in a press release. "It is my homage to the transience of what it means to be alive: who am I if every moment is fleeting."
4. Jutes Lets Pleasure-Seeking Slip Into Chaos With 'Parasite'
Alt-rock singer-songwriter Jutes is closing out 2025 with a bang, first with the third and final leg of his Sleepyhead Tour, and then with the release of his third album, Dilworth, out Dec. 3. He just gave us yet another taste of the album to come with the release of his latest single, "Parasite." It's a haunting and atmospheric exploration of surrendering to your impulses, giving in to all of your darkest urges and disregarding the consequences. In the song, Jutes refers to the object of his lust as the titular parasite, knowing they'll eat away at him, and giving in regardless.
"This song feels like being at the after hours spot way too long, when the lights are too low, the air's too thick, and you've done too much of a good thing until it turns dark," Jutes revealed in a press release. "It's that moment when pleasure tips into chaos, like you're chasing a feeling you know won't end well, but you don't care. It's animalistic and unhinged—that's the energy I wanted to bottle with this track."
5. Cynthia Parker Makes Her Musical Debut With 'Love Song'
20-year-old Canadian singer-songwriter and creator Cynthia Parker has already cultivated a following of millions with her stylish poise and relatability, and finally, she's ready to put her musical stamp on the world with the release of her debut single, "Love Song." You'd never guess the track was a first-ever release, with a stomped beat behind the verses and soulful disco edge driving the choruses, resulting in a something truly epic. The retro flair manages to make the song feel timeless as Cynthia sings about a neglectful partner who wants Cynthia to write a love song for them, and her adamant refusal for that unearned act of affection.
"I want to be the artist people turn to when they want to feel something," Cynthia revealed in a press release, "the songs they play over and over because they strike a chord that lasts."
6. Florence + The Machine 'One Of The Greats'
If we're being honest, one of the biggest reasons we're excited for Halloween this year is the release of Florence + The Machine's next album, Everybody Scream. Based on what we've heard so far, it's bound to set the perfect haunting mood for the holiday, and we're especially loving the newest single, "One of the Greats." All of this comes in the wake of frontwoman Florence Welch undergoing a life-saving surgery in the middle of the group's Dance Fever Tour, leading her down a path of witchcraft and mysticism as part of her recovery. The song itself is propelled by witchy vibes and an aching reflection on greatness and legacy, especially as a woman in a patriarchal world.
"I don't really know how to explain myself with this one, it was sort of a long poem about the cost of greatness," she shared in a press release. "Who gets to decide what that is? Why do I even want it? Why am I never satisfied? I feel like I die a little bit every time I make a record, and kind of literally nearly died on the last tour. Yet I always dig myself up to try again, always trying to please that one person who doesn't like it, or finally feel like I made something perfect and I can rest."
7. Cameron Whitcomb Tackles Struggle, Recovery and Hope With Debut Album The Hard Way
Canadian country singer-songwriter Cameron Whitcomb's rapid rise to fame has been no fluke. Again and again, the star has enchanted listeners with his raw vulnerability, opening up about his very real struggles with addiction and recovery, and his powerful story so far takes center stage with the release of his debut album, The Hard Way. Its 15 tracks tackle not just what he's overcome, but survival and what comes next. It's the perfect encapsulation of what makes his music so resonant, with out of the standouts being "Call for You," a beautiful tribute to Cameron's mom.
'Call For You' is a song for someone that you really care about, really love," Cameron shared in a press release. "I think we all have that person that no matter what goes wrong, you can just call and rely on. I feel like a lot of people come and go but there's always that one person you come back to.
8. Maren Morris Is a Confident Country Queen on 'Beat the Devil'
Grammy-winning superstar Maren Morris has proved she's a master of multiple genres, but she's gone back to her country roots with the release of her latest single, "Beat the Devil." The track made its first appearance in the trailer for CBS's new series Sheriff Country, which premieres on Oct. 17, but we can already tell the song, oozing with Southern gothic swagger, is destined for bigger things. It's edgy, dark and confident as Maren sings from the perspective of the devil, challenging anyone who dares to defy strength and power.
9. 5 Seconds of Summer Make a Triumphant Return With 'NOT OK'
It's hard to believe that it had been three whole years since Australian pop-rock band 5 Seconds of Summer had released a single, but the silence has finally been broken, and they're back in a totally unexpected way. Their latest release is called "NOT OK," marking a new era for the guys and their brand-new deal with Republic Records as they experiment with a completely novel electronic sound. Driven by a pulsing bass line and rap-rock verses, it's a unique song about giving in to temptation and appreciating the darkness within. The band's sixth album, EVERYONE'S A STAR! was also just announced, with a release date of Nov. 14, and we couldn't be more curious about what's to come next.
"It has the older 5 Seconds of Summer energy, but it's different—which is the whole M.O. of this chapter," the band's vocalist and guitarist, Luke Hemmings, shared in a press release. "Lyrically, it's about letting out the darker side of yourself and embracing it. The song is also a nod to the band itself. We pull those sides out of each other."
10. Perrie Showcases Her Versatility as a Pop Superstar With Self-Titled Debut Album
We first fell in love with Perrie as one quarter of the inimitable English girl group Little Mix, and now, she's stepped into a brand new era as an artist with the release of her self-titled debut solo album, PERRIE. The album's 16 tracks—including beloved singles "Cute Aggression," "Miss You" and "If He Wanted to He Would"—feel like a showcase of Perrie's versatility as a pop artist, consisting of anthem after anthem with touches of rock, R&B, disco and even country throughout. This is what Perrie's all about, serving a the perfect reminder of why we became obsessed in the first place.
"At the end of last year I was feeling so much pressure to release music and move quickly," Perrie shared in a press release. "I wasn't happy and didn't feel like the music I was releasing was right. During one of my therapy sessions, my therapist said if you're not happy just take away that pressure and stop for a bit. She was right and I decided to press pause on my music. I went back in the studio and spent time writing songs that were totally authentic to me and about subjects that were close to my heart, without the pressure of having to hit a release date. I absolutely love the album I have created and I'm really proud of it. This is the music I want to make and I'm super excited to release it to the world this October. I hope you love it as much as I do."
Missed our favorite tracks last week? Click HERE to check out our top 10 favorite releases for the week of Sep. 19, 2025.