Summary of Western Music Releases [May 2025]

In the Name of the FatherPRESIDENT

PRESIDENT – In the Name of the Father

Shrouded in mystery, the up-and-coming metalcore band PRESIDENT delivers a debut whose crushing guitar riffs and thunderous drums command overwhelming presence.

Though all members wear masks and keep their identities hidden, the record achieves a striking balance between energetic, dynamic song structures and profound lyrics that tackle themes like existential anxiety and the inevitability of death.

Released in May 2025, the track’s top-tier musicianship and polished production have already drawn intense attention both inside and outside the industry.

With a slot at Download Festival scheduled for June 2025, anyone drawn to weighty metalcore sounds should definitely check them out.

SacredParkway Drive

Parkway Drive – “Sacred”

As a leading force in Australian metalcore, Parkway Drive has continued to evolve for over two decades.

Following their album Darker Still, they’ve created new music in May 2025, about three years later.

This work masterfully blends a heavy metalcore sound with orchestral elements, delivering melodious yet devastating energy.

With three ARIA Music Awards already to their name, they once again captivate listeners with overwhelming expressiveness.

Their “Summer of Loud” tour kicks off in June 2025, where they’re set to share the stage with standout artists like Beartooth and I Prevail.

The monumental sound, infused with melodic metal and progressive elements, is sure to resonate with listeners seeking weighty, powerful music.

Kiss Me NowPierce The Veil

Pierce The Veil – Kiss Me Now (Official Audio)

Pierce The Veil, long-time leaders of the post-hardcore scene, have unveiled a love song woven with heartfelt emotion.

The lyrics question the passage of time and the futility of waiting, strongly reflecting frontman Vic Fuentes’s feelings for his wife.

Mellow, ’90s-inspired guitars and airy melodies blend seamlessly with the passionate performance characteristic of an American post-hardcore band.

The track will appear on the deluxe edition of their 2023 album The Jaws of Life and is slated for release on May 9, 2025.

Retaining the band’s signature emotional intensity while adding a more mature hue, this gem of a love song is one every romantic should hear.

IllegalPinkPantheress

PinkPantheress – Illegal (Official Video)

PinkPantheress, a highly skilled singer-songwriter and producer from the UK, unveiled this lead track in May 2025 from her second mixtape, “Fancy That.” Drawing inspiration from British electronic music of the ’90s and early 2000s, the sound perfectly balances the freshness of a young artist with a refined musical maturity.

The austere beat—sampling a track by Underworld—pairs exquisitely with her delicate, ephemeral vocals, and the lyrics themed around a forbidden love leave a strong impression.

The music video, which captures the work’s unique world, is also a must-see, offering a dreamlike visual beauty that blends live action with animation.

It’s a highly recommended track for music fans who gravitate toward dark, melancholic atmospheres.

Hoe EraRay Vaughn

Ray Vaughn – Hoe Era

Ray Vaughn, a Long Beach, California native, started rapping at 12 and grew up influenced by Drake and Lil Wayne.

He’s releasing a new track in May 2025.

Marked by a heavy bassline and dark beats, the song is a diss track aimed at Joey Bada$$ that embodies the long-standing tension between East and West Coast hip-hop scenes.

While honoring the traditions of West Coast hip-hop, he delivers a commanding performance with razor-sharp lyricism and a polished flow.

The track also serves as the lead single from his mixtape, “The Good, The Bad, The Dollar Menu.” With gritty, streetwise lyrics and hard-edged production, this is a must-listen for fans seeking real hip-hop.

Friend Of MineRihanna

Rihanna – Friend Of Mine (from the Smurfs Movie Soundtrack)

With a pop-dance number infused with Afrobeats influences, Barbados-born Rihanna has released a track marking her leap to the big screen in May 2025.

Issued as part of the soundtrack for the animated film “The Smurfs,” the song colors the story from the perspective of Smurfette, the character Rihanna also voices.

Its appeal lies in soothing layered vocals carried by warm synths and a sprightly drum pattern.

It’s her first new song since the 2016 album ANTI, offering a bright sound that’s perfect for your summer playlist.

Rule 4080Rome Streetz & Conductor Williams

Rome Streetz & Conductor Williams – Rule 4080 (Official Video)

Hailing from London and based in Queens, New York, Rome Streetz teams up with Kansas City, Missouri–born producer Conductor Williams to release a hard-hitting exposé that sharply calls out the dark side of the music industry.

The track, unveiled on May 14, 2025, serves as the lead single from the album Trainspotting, slated for release on May 30 this year.

Over Conductor Williams’ ethereal, jazz-infused groove, Rome Streetz delivers razor-sharp lyrics.

A must-listen not only for those seeking the truth about the music industry, but also for anyone drawn to refined boom-bap hip-hop.