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Trending Western Music [May 2025]
The music scene is evolving by the minute, and the Western music world in May 2025 is stirring up a fresh breeze.
From Rihanna’s long-awaited new track to a penetrating new song from Ye, artists around the globe are releasing captivating works one after another.
Why not brighten your everyday life with today’s hottest international hits? The global currents of music are sure to bring new excitement to your heart.
Popular Western Music [May 2025] (1–10)
Man Of The YearLorde
Lorde, the globally popular singer-songwriter from New Zealand, released a fantastic new track in May 2025.
The song was inspired by her experience at GQ’s 2023 Men of the Year party in Los Angeles, which prompted reflections on her own gender expression and led her to begin working on the track the next day with producer Jim-E Stack.
It starts with a simple bassline that gradually layers in synths, resulting in a piece that beautifully fuses elements from Pure Heroine, Melodrama, and Solar Power.
As the second single from the album Virgin, scheduled for release on June 27, its deep engagement with themes of gender and self-identity is likely to resonate with many listeners.
The Ruler’s BackJoey Bada$$
Joey Bada$$, a rapper from Brooklyn, New York who carries on the boom-bap tradition.
Since debuting with his June 2012 mixtape 1999, he has been highly regarded in the underground scene.
Released in January 2025, this project is built on old-school New York hip-hop while incorporating contemporary sounds, and it weaves in samples from classic tracks like Jay-Z’s 22 Two’s.
Kicking off with a reference to Kendrick Lamar, the track has helped fuel an ongoing beef between Joey and West Coast rappers, so if you want to catch up on the latest in hip-hop, this is a must-listen.
One ThingLola Young
Laura Young is a powerhouse singer-songwriter from the UK, an artist with a richly diverse background: her father is of Jamaican-Chinese descent and her mother is British.
She began playing piano and guitar at the age of six and honed her musical talent at the prestigious BRIT School.
Her sensual songs blend R&B, neo-soul, and pop rock, radiating a liberating, sexy allure, with a stirring voice and bold expression that leave a strong impression.
This work, released in May 2025, is her most ambitious project since the album “This Wasn’t Meant for You Anyway.” Premiered at Coachella in April 2025, it has sparked major buzz across social media.
Following the massive success of her previous release “Messy,” which surpassed 500 million streams on Spotify, her latest venture is sure to captivate many music fans.
IllegalPinkPantheress
Despite still being a college student, UK-born PinkPantheress took the top spot in the BBC’s Sound of 2022.
Influenced by ’90s drum’n’bass and UK garage, her sound—paired with a soft yet resolute vocal—exudes a distinctive allure.
Released in May 2025 after a hiatus, this track opens her mixtape “Fancy That.” Skillfully weaving in a sample from Underworld, the lyrics, centered on a forbidden love, vividly capture the emotions of youth.
The music video, directed by Ethan & Tom, unfolds a dreamlike visual world that blends live action with animation, further elevating the song’s mood.
Nostalgic yet refreshingly new, it’s a track best savored on a late-night drive or in the quiet of your room.
Family MattersSkye Newman
Sky Newman, a rising singer-songwriter born in South Africa, raised in Australia, and now based in London, is drawing attention for her sharp lyrics and soulful vocals.
Informed by a unique perspective shaped by a challenging adolescence, her latest work—released in May 2025—is a moving R&B track that weaves a story of family bonds and personal growth.
The result is a gorgeous ballad that broke into the UK Official Singles Chart Top 10.
With its warm vocals and candid, relatable lyrics, it’s the perfect song for reflecting on connections with family and loved ones.
A remix by Man Like Twin has also been released, showcasing the song’s many compelling facets.
The Way I Love YouJorja Smith
Jorja Smith, known as one of the UK’s leading R&B singer-songwriters, delivers a groovy, dancefloor-ready sound that skillfully weaves in UK bassline and house music, marking a compelling new direction for her.
Showcasing standout production from Maverick Sabre, Ed Thomas, and SHAKK, the track will be released as a single in May 2025.
The music video pays homage to Sheffield’s legendary Niche Nightclub, featuring memorable scenes of lively nights out with friends.
Nostalgic yet contemporary, this song is recommended not only for dance music fans but also for those who love her soulful earlier work.
Fame is a GunAddison Rae
Addison Rae, a U.S.-born star who made a glamorous transition from TikTok to the music scene, released a new track in May 2025.
Blending synth-pop and dance-pop into a sparkling sound, the standout song explores the duality of fame.
Co-written and co-composed by Rae herself along with Elvira Anderfjärd and Luca Cacciatore, it serves as the fifth single from her debut album, “Addison.” The music video—set at a lavish dinner party with wigs and sunglasses—has also become a hot topic.
A must-listen for pop fans!