Summary of Western Music Releases [May 2025]

CRASH DUMMYJoey Bada$$

Joey Bada$$ – CRASH DUMMY (Official Audio)

This is a powerful track released in May 2025 by Brooklyn-born rapper Joey Bada$$, who is currently in the midst of an intense beef with West Coast rappers.

Built on a boom-bap sound reminiscent of the golden era of the ’90s, the song stands out with an aggressive production that skillfully samples a classic by 2Pac.

True to the artist who delivered a string of acclaimed records from 1999 to 2000, it shines with his razor-sharp lyrics and highly narrative flow.

Produced by Pro Era member Kirk Knight, the track inherits the East Coast hip-hop tradition while adding a modern interpretation.

A must-listen for listeners who appreciate hip-hop history and gravitate toward message-driven works.

MY TOWN (feat. Loaded Lux)Joey Bada$$

Joey Bada$$ – MY TOWN feat. Loaded Lux (Official Audio)

Amid rising East–West tensions in today’s rap scene, New York’s Joey Bada$$ has released a new diss track.

Teaming up with battle-rap heavyweight Loaded Lux, the track delivers a fierce barrage of criticism aimed at West Coast rappers.

Rooted in a boom-bap style influenced by legendary hip-hop artists, it showcases the razor-sharp flow he displayed on albums like B4.Da.$$ and All-Amerikkkan Bada$$.

Backed by a heavyweight beat from Pro Era’s Kirk Knight, who also handles production, the track fuses its aggressive, East–West conflict–themed message with powerful sonics, shaping up to be a defining work of the 2025 hip-hop landscape.

CarmenJoy Crookes

Joy Crookes – Carmen (Official Video)

A powerful tour de force that fuses refined neo-soul with alternative R&B, carrying a strong message about beauty standards and societal pressure.

London-born singer-songwriter Joy Crookes released a new single from her second album in May 2025.

Further honing the acclaimed songwriting talent she showcased on her 2021 album Skin, this track excels with its neo-soul sound woven from striking percussion and Crookes’s rich vocals.

Produced by Blue May and co-written with an all-star team that includes Elton John, the song has the power to evoke deep empathy in listeners.

It’s a must-listen for anyone who values self-affirmation while questioning the modern world.

Can’t Touch ThisLethal Bizzle x Wiley x Scorcher

Lethal Bizzle x Wiley x Scorcher – Can’t Touch This [Music Video] | GRM Daily

A star-studded collaboration by legends representing the UK grime scene was released in May 2025.

Bringing together three heavyweights—Lethal Bizzle, Wiley, and Scorcher—this project stands out with the weighty flows and razor-sharp lyrics that only veterans can deliver.

Over steel-hard drum patterns intertwined with a sub-heavy bassline, the three MCs each showcase their individuality to the fullest.

Producer Faze Miyake’s deft touch also shines through, resulting in a work that reaffirms the appeal of grime as a musical form.

Even listeners not yet familiar with grime should give this track a spin—it’s a song that showcases new possibilities in UK hip-hop.

Catch Me If You CanLogic

Logic – Catch Me If You Can (Official Music Video)

A masterpiece packed with the finest essence from Logic, the genius rapper born in New York.

Built around a sample of “Hip 2 Da Game,” it blends a nostalgic ’90s boom-bap sound with rapid-fire flows and razor-sharp wordplay.

Released in May 2025, this track drew attention as the lead single from the highly anticipated album “Sidequest,” and it’s also featured in the film Paradise Records—something you won’t want to miss.

The music video is rich with homages to the beloved anime Cowboy Bebop, delivering stunning visuals that pop-culture fans will adore.

It’s a must-listen for anyone who appreciates the golden era of hip-hop.

Die For YouMori Calliope

【MV】Die For You – Mori Calliope

Mori Calliope, a VTuber from hololive English known for her popularity in game streaming and music releases, is in charge of the OST for the TV Asahi drama “Mamono” (The Monster).

Centered on themes of love and self-sacrifice, the songs weave English and Japanese into a richly atmospheric soundscape, with a strikingly weighty melodic line co-composed with Yuki Tsujimura.

Since her debut in 2020, she has released numerous works, including the albums “Dead Beats” and “Sinderella,” and won “Best Music VTuber” at the 2023 VTuber Awards.

Her overseas popularity is also surging—she drew an audience of about 4,000 at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles in February 2025.

Highly recommended for fans of dark-fantasy aesthetics and those interested in the evolving possibilities of VTubers.

HeartbreakMØ

MØ – Heartbreak (Official Video)

Starting with restrained percussion and marked by overlapping waves of synthesizers, this striking electropop number was released in May 2025 by the Danish artist MØ.

Featuring powerful vocals that seem to lay her emotions bare and an energetic dance beat, the track was unveiled as a lead single from the album “Plæygirl.” True to the style of MØ—who achieved global breakthrough with Major Lazer on “Lean On”—it delivers a vibrant rush, as if unleashing pent-up feelings onto the dance floor.

It’s ideal not only for party playlists, but also for those moments when you just want to dance wherever your emotions take you.