Trending Western Music [May 2025]

The Ruler’s BackJoey Bada$$

Joey Bada$$ – The Ruler’s Back (Official Video)

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.

GnarlyKATSEYE

KATSEYE (캣츠아이) “Gnarly” Official MV

KATSEYE, a six-member group composed of members with different nationalities and cultural backgrounds, is gaining attention as a next-generation girl group.

Bringing together the distinctive styles of members from the United States, Switzerland, the Philippines, and South Korea with K-pop’s signature performance flair, they radiate a unique charm.

Released in April 2025, this work ambitiously fuses hyperpop and electropop.

Set against a futuristic soundscape built on 808s and rave synths, the track boldly explores the boundary between reality and the digital world.

As the lead single from their second EP, “Beautiful Chaos,” it reached No.

92 on the U.S.

Billboard Hot 100 and No.

2 in New Zealand.

In May, they performed at the American music festival “Wango Tango 2025,” marking their North American debut.

It’s a perfect track for anyone interested in pop music of the digital generation.

One ThingLola Young

Lola Young – One Thing

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.

What Was ThatLorde

Lorde – What Was That

New Zealand-born singer-songwriter Lorde has released her first original work in about four years.

Her first new track since the 2021 album Solar Power marks a return to the synth-pop reminiscent of the Melodrama era, with notably more refined emotional expression.

Born from a heartbreak she experienced in New York, the song blends introspective lyrics—depicting the fervor of youth and its loss—with a synth sound that swells gradually from a minimal bassline.

On April 22, 2025, a surprise event at Washington Square Park was briefly halted by police intervention, but later resumed, allowing her to share the track with fans.

The episode is captured in the music video, becoming a moment that symbolizes the deep bond between her and her audience.

It’s a heartwarming song that reaches out to anyone feeling loneliness or a sense of loss.

OblivionLorna Shore

Lorna Shore – Oblivion (Official Video)

Lorna Shore, a band commanding massive support in the deathcore scene, has released a preview track from their album “I Feel The Everblack Festering Within Me,” scheduled for release in September 2025.

This expansive piece, running over eight minutes, carries forward their established sound while signaling bold new ambitions.

It shifts from a quiet, synth-driven intro into explosive, aggressive blast beats and growls, unfolding a dense soundscape woven by intricately crafted twin-guitar riffs.

The melodic yet ferocious instrumentation meshes seamlessly with Will Ramos’s versatile vocal delivery.

Honoring the core of deathcore while evolving beyond it, this track is highly recommended for a wide range of listeners—from those who crave extreme heaviness to those who seek sweeping musical grandeur.

UptownLoski & Chy Cartier

Loski & Chy Cartier – Uptown [Official Music Video] | @LoskiOfficial @ChyCartier #Uptown

A collaboration between Roskii, a pioneering figure who represents the UK drill scene, and rising female rapper Chy Cartier is making waves in May 2025.

Heavy beats intertwine with their distinctive flows, delivering a fresh style that sets itself apart from traditional drill.

The fusion of Roskii’s razor-sharp lyrics and Chy’s melodious flow showcases new possibilities for the drill scene.

The project is also drawing attention as Roskii’s comeback release, following his seven-year sentence and parole in September 2024, and it has won over fans through a live performance on BBC 1Xtra.

Be sure to check out this ambitious work that brings a new breeze to the male-dominated UK drill scene.

In the Name of the FatherPRESIDENT

PRESIDENT – In the Name of the Father

The enigmatic metalcore band PRESIDENT is bringing a fresh breeze to the UK music scene.

Wearing masks and keeping their identities concealed, the band has captivated attention with a mysterious presence.

Their debut release in May 2025 sent shockwaves through the music world.

Characterized by hefty guitar riffs and powerful vocals, the record explores philosophical themes such as existential anxiety and the inevitability of death, expressed through a striking sound that transcends the confines of metalcore.

You can also hear influences from bands like Sleep Token and Fightstar.

The band is set to perform these tracks on The Dogtooth Stage at Download Festival in June 2025.

If you’re looking to be captivated by energetic yet refined musicianship, this is one to check out.