Summary of Western Music Releases [May 2025]

Little Lord FentanylPrimus & Puscifer

Little Lord Fentanyl

An experimental track that exquisitely blends funk metal and alternative rock has emerged from a collaboration between two quintessential American bands, Primus and Puscifer.

This release marks the first since the arrival of Primus’s new drummer, John Hoffman—selected from over 6,100 candidates—and features a uniquely crafted soundscape highlighted by Maynard James Keenan’s falsetto and Les Claypool’s slap bass.

Its title, a play on 19th-century children’s literature, carries satire aimed at contemporary society, while the music unfolds a dark, fantastical world reminiscent of a Tim Burton film.

It’s a must-listen not only for fans of both bands but also for music lovers seeking boundary-pushing, genre-defying sounds.

Dope Boy PhoneQuavo & Takeoff

Dope Boy Phone

A new duo project by Quavo—who helped lead the American hip-hop scene as a member of Migos—with the late Takeoff will be released in May 2025.

This posthumous work features previously unreleased recordings from Takeoff, who was shot and killed in November 2022, and brings in producer Badda Bl$ for a sound that embodies the essence of trap music.

It’s a significant release that elevates their enduring bond through refined beats and razor-sharp raps.

Following Quavo’s 2023 album Rocket Power, the project selects from what’s said to be over 1,000 unreleased Takeoff tracks.

Recommended for those who want to feel the rightful evolution of hip-hop through their flows and the powerful connection between the two.

BUTTERFLY KISSES x CAN’T WIN EM ALLRico Nasty

Rico Nasty – BUTTERFLY KISSES x CAN’T WIN EM ALL (Official Music Video)

Rico Nasty, an artist from Maryland known for her unique sound that fuses punk and hip-hop, has released two advance tracks from her third album, LETHAL, both of which showcase the full range of her multifaceted musicality.

The first track blends hard synths with trap beats to deliver assertive hyperpop rap, while the second contrasts it by laying bare introspective emotions over filtered, reverb-drenched production.

LETHAL is slated for release on May 16, 2025, and features 15 tracks.

She’s also set to make her acting debut in the Apple TV+ and A24 drama series Margo’s Got Money Troubles.

It’s an ambitious work recommended not only for punk and hip-hop fans, but for anyone seeking a boundary-pushing new listening experience.

HELLMUSTFEARMESigns of the Swarm

SIGNS OF THE SWARM – HELLMUSTFEARME (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania’s pride in deathcore, Signs of the Swarm, have released an advance track from their upcoming album “To Rid Myself of Truth,” slated for August 2025.

The song channels vocalist David Simonich’s struggles, said to be inspired by his past suicide attempt, transforming that pain into art.

Despite its full-throttle, no-brakes aggression, the track’s progression conveys a remarkable sense of strength born from despair.

While rooted in the band’s deathcore origins, it deftly blends elements of slam and black metal, resulting in a powerhouse piece for all listeners who love heavy music.

Head Over HeelsStarset

STARSET – HEAD OVER HEELS (Official Music Video)

Boldly reimagined with Starset’s signature cinematic sound, this cover transforms an iconic hit from the ’80s.

Hailing from Columbus, Ohio, the rock band Starset—known for pursuing grand, space- and future-themed soundscapes—pays tribute to Tears for Fears with a cover slated for May 2025 to celebrate the original’s 40th anniversary.

Blending electronic elements with heavy guitar work, their distinctive interpretation unlocks an entirely new appeal.

Having released four albums—Transmissions, Vessels, DIVISIONS, and HORIZONS—and built an expansive narrative universe, the band once again showcases its true essence here.

With their unique fusion of music and science, this track is perfect for listeners seeking a filmic, larger-than-life sonic experience.

Melodie Is A WoundStereolab

Stereolab – Melodie Is a Wound (Official Visualiser)

A lead track has been released from Instant Holograms on Metal Film, Stereolab’s first album in 15 years from the UK’s elder statesmen of post-rock.

Its distinctive motorik beat and psychedelic synthesizers intertwine exquisitely in a seven-plus-minute epic that evokes 1950s–60s pop and lounge music.

Lætitia Sadier’s transparent vocals and politically charged lyrics also leave a strong impression.

Talented guest musicians like Cooper Crain and Ben LaMar Gay contribute, making this an ambitious work that further evolves Stereolab’s sound.

This track strikingly balances experimental sonics with pop sensibility and is recommended for listeners who favor avant-garde music.

On This LoveSuki Waterhouse

Suki Waterhouse – On This Love (Official Video)

British multi-talented artist Suki Waterhouse is increasing her presence on the music scene, earning high praise for her second album, “Memoir of a Sparklemuffin,” released in 2024.

On a dream-pop track themed around a forbidden romance, she conveys the addictive allure and danger of love with delicate vocals, set against a sensuous, melancholic atmosphere.

The glamorous music video—evoking the early 2000s and staffed by her sisters, Imogen and Madeleine—is also a must-see.

Starting with the Kilby Block Party in Salt Lake City on May 18, 2025, a European tour is planned, so fans should definitely experience the world of this work live.