10 Big Things That Happened in Music the Week of September 5, 2025
It's the first New Music Friday of September 2025, and fall is definitely on the air (even if it's still officially summer for a couple more weeks).
A big season of change is on its way, and we're feeling it, from Lady Gaga's latest music video practically tailor-made for Halloween to new album and EP releases, plus attention-grabbing singles from our favorite rising artists. Curious about what we loved best this week? Keep scrolling to discover the 10 biggest things that happened in music the week of Sep. 5, 2025.
('The Dead Dance' via Interscope Records)
1. Labit Unexpectedly Falls in Love in 'PARALLEL'
Filipino-American artist Labit should absolutely be on your radar in 2025, especially with her next album, SOL, dropping on Oct. 17. In the meantime, you can get hooked on his latest single, "PARALLEL," a laidback and dreamy pop reflection on falling in love with a friend when you least expect it. We're also obsessed with the music video, featuring 12 very different groups of people becoming enchanted by the song in the back of a Buick LaSabre, the same car Labit's grandmother Sol used to drive.
"To me, 'PARALLEL' is my early 2000s rom-com type of song," Labit shared in an interview with Sweety High. "It's kinda funny trying to explain the meaning behind it, because it's actually one of the few songs I have in my catalog where I just wanted to make something fun and light-hearted. The root of it stems from being more cognizant of what's happening in your presence. I found love where I wasn't expecting it. I guess that's what I hope listeners pull from listening to it, but if they have a different takeaway from this song, then all power to them!"
2. Bettina BCB Isn't Afraid to Stir Things Up in 'Messy Girl'
English artist Bettina BCB is making a name for herself with her cheeky, unapologetic lyricism and hard-hitting tracks, including her latest, "Messy Girl." The irresistible dance-pop track fires shots at those who've been trying to tear her down by smearing her reputation. In the end, those words mean nothing to her, and Bettina's not afraid to lean into that messiness and become everything they say she is—and take them down in the process.
"The single is my clapback to the gossip mill," Bettina explained in a press release. "I got so used to people talking and hearing crazy rumors about myself that I figured, okay bet, I can be all of that if you want me to, but it's not gonna end well for you if I do. This song is a challenge to everyone who thinks they know me better than I do, and can't keep my name out of their mouths. I also really wanted to make something danceable and urgent for those absolutely unapologetically feral nights at the end of summer, when you know it's about to end so you just go full send on the chaos and the messiness."
3. Avery Lynch Tells Her True Story of Loss and Love in Glad We Met
Avery Lynch's unique brand of emotional pop has always enchanted us, and you're likely to be equally hooked after listening to her new EP, Glad We Met. Consisting of nine tracks—including fan favorites such as "Rain," "Lasting Effects" and "Sweetheart"—it's an introspective and vulnerable collection of songs that detail her romantic life over the past five years. Driven by Avery's strikingly emotional piano arrangements and delicate vocals, it's about having her heart broken, figuring herself along the way and growing enough to love again, concluding with the title track, "I'm Glad We Met," about her fateful meeting with boyfriend Jordan Van Hecke and what they've built together since then. The two also co-produced most of the EP together.
"The EP name Glad We Met is from the title track "'Im Glad We Met,' which is also the last song on the EP," Avery explained to Sweety High. "I wrote that song about a year ago while I was writing this project, but even before I knew what the song was going to be about and the story it would tell, I'd had the lyric 'I'm glad we met' written down in my nose for a while. When I wrote the piano for the song, everything else fell into place, and 'I'm glad we met' fit perfectly. The rest of the project leading up to this song tells the story of my breakup and meeting my boyfriend, Jordan, who's produced most of my music. When I wrote 'I'm Glad We Met,' I knew it really encompassed the love story and where we are now!"
4. Gal Musette Recognizes What Must Be Done With 'Broken Clock'
L.A. singer-songwriter Gal Musette has made a name for herself with her evocative and emotional writing, and she's at the top of her game with the release of new song, "Broken Clock." The vulnerable track swells with the delicate strums of acoustic guitar and sparse piano keys, creating a classic country mood as Gal sings of heartache and the difficult decision to leave behind a man who'll never treat her right. She realizes he's right about one thing—she's been oblivious to how bad he is for her—and it's time to end it.
"'Even a broken clock is right twice a day' is an old saying that caught my attention when an old boyfriend called me 'blind,'" Gal shared in a press release. "I thought then—even with my blind spots, I knew my gut was right in leaving that relationship behind."
5. Will Linley Chronicles a Tale of First Love With Debut Album Don't Cry Because It's Over
As longtime fans of 22-year-old South African artist Will Linley, we'd been eagerly awaiting the release of his debut album, Don't Cry Because It's Over, and it's managed to exceed our expectations. Consisting of 12 brightly anthemic pop tracks, it crafts a dreamy coming-of-age story as it chronicles a tale of first love. We feel like we're there with him through the all-too-relatable highs and lows, from the hopes and butterflies of new beginnings to eventually having to let go. We dare you to listen to "American Dream" and not get it stuck in your head for ages.
"I couldn't be more proud of this project and I cannot wait for you to listen through and discover the world we've created around this album," Will shared in an Instagram post. "This is for you, for those who have been in my corner through thick and thin. I am so proud of what we've created and we're just getting started."
6. Braison and Miley Cyrus Team Up for Their First-Ever Brother-Sister Collab on 'Know This'
Yet again proving the immense talent of the Cyrus siblings, singer-songwriter and producer Braison Cyrus just released his latest single, "Know This," featuring his legendary sister, Miley Cyrus. Braison and co-writer Jordan Lindley wrote the song together in just an hour, and realizing it would benefit from a female voice, recruited Miley to join in, rounding out this gorgeously warm folk-country track with soothing harmonies. It's a song about leaving home and doing what you can to shed the past, but sometimes being trapped by it anyhow, and it's set to appear on Braison's next album, arriving in spring of 2026.
"'Know This' comes out tonight at midnight," Braison wrote in a post on Instagram. "It feels crazy because this song and this album already has had such an impact on my life. I really hope you all enjoy and hopefully it becomes as special to you as it is to me."
Also read about: 28 Striking Lyrics From Miley Cyrus's New Album, Something Beautiful, to Use as Captions
7. 3QUENCY Make a Major Impression With Debut Single, 'Top Down'
If you, like us, had been eagerly anticipating hearing more from Building the Band winners 3QUENCY, it's time to get excited, because the wait is over. Not only did they recently announce their signing to RECORDS partnership with Columbia Records, but they also released their debut original single, "Top Down," and it's everything we could have wanted. The track showcases a different side to the trio's musicality, with members Brianna Mazzola, Nori Moore and Wennely Quezada leaning into a sultry classic R&B vibe that's destined to be an instant classic.
"In the show, we really touched on sweetness and confidence and cool, but we never touched on the grown woman, sexy aspect of each of us," shared Wennely in an interview with Sweety High. "We are grown women and we have that side of us sometimes, so I feel like it's a good way to introduce ourselves to the world. It embodies confidence and being bold and … not being afraid to be out there and own who you are."
8. STAR BANDZ Flaunts Her Confident Coolness in 'Die'
Up-and-coming 17-year-old rapper STAR BANDZ is one to watch as we move into the second half of 2025, particularly with the release of her latest single, "Die." The young star is at the top of her game, showcasing her unique drill rap sound and confidently sharing her success story with a sassy edge. Earlier this year, she also made her first-ever festival performance at Lollapalooza, and she's made it clear she's only getting started.
9. aespa Proclaim Their Independence With 6th Mini-Album, Rich Man
K-pop superstars aespa have had quite the year, recently being crowned Billboard Women In Music 2025's Group of the Year, and they're keeping the excitement going with the release of their sixth mini-album, Rich Man. The project's six tracks flaunt the group's versatility with smooth and romantic R&B sounds, effervescent pop and hard-hitting hip-hop, kicking off with the triumphant title track. In "Rich Man," the ladies of aespa proclaim "I am a rich man," realizing they believe in themselves and have everything they need in their lives to make themselves happy.
10. Lady Gaga Kicks Off the Halloween Season With the Tim Burton-Directed 'The Dead Dance'
Leave it to Lady Gaga to get the Halloween festivities rolling in early September with the release of her new single, "The Dead Dance," and its captivating music video by iconic film director Tim Burton. Mostly shot in creepy black and white, the video features spooky porcelain dolls and striking choreography, occasionally shifting into vibrant color as Gaga sings about the hopelessness of heartache, before finding her joy again with the help of the ones she loves. Even the dolls can't resist this electro-pop dance track, disco dancing along to the beat.
"The inspiration for 'The Dead Dance' was a breakup, and it was all about the way that we sometimes feel when it's over; how a relationship ending can kill our ability to feel hopeful about love," Lady Gaga explained in a press release. "It's got this really cool, funky beat underneath it. And that is when the song becomes not just about the relationship; it becomes about having fun with your friends when you've been through something tough and amazing. I can't wait for people to listen to it."
Missed our favorite tracks last week? Click HERE to check out our top 10 favorite releases for the week of Aug. 29, 2025.