It’s been widely speculated that 2025 will be a year of music drought after such an iconic 2024. I beg to differ.
The Weeknd has already proved this accusation wrong with his new album “Hurry Up Tomorrow.” “Timeless” and “Cry for Me” are already well recognized and have been climbing charts, but what really stuck out to me was Abel’s inclusion of Lana Del Rey in “The Abyss.” Her vocals always add a perfectly balanced layer that elevates the entire song and blends in seamlessly with Abel.
In another surprising twist, Ethel Cain’s new album has caught everyone off guard. It has little-to-no lyrics, a very bold and controversial artistic choice that challenges the very definition of songwriting. Her songs instead include ambiance and eerie static that add to the lore of her character. While it might not be everyone’s cup of tea, it’s refreshing to see an artist push boundaries in such a daring way. It’s definitely the type of album you either love or hate. Either way, it’s much different than “Preacher’s Daughter,” which featured more lively and pop-sounding songs like “American Teenager.’
There’s also lots of feedback surrounding the collaborative album from Drake and PARTYNEXTDOOR. Both fanbases seem to have come to the conclusion that the album is decent but there was a lack of risks and standout songs, though “NOKIA” seems to be a fan favorite.
Sadly, Coldplay has announced that they will be retiring in 2025 after their 12th album. They are having a final concert in El Paso (why not Houston…) and then are leaving music behind. For many, this marks the end of an era for the band that has defined modern pop and rock for decades, leaving a very bittersweet feeling.
On the pop front, Sabrina Carpenter has recently dropped a deluxe version of “Short n’ Sweet,” which left very mixed opinions on her song “Please Please Please” featuring Dolly Parton. To be honest, I loved it but thought she would have better suited featuring on “Slim Pickins.”
Lastly, on the hyper-pop front, Addison Rae has dropped a new single on Valentine’s Day, leaving her fans that are also fans of artists like Charli XCX super excited. Another hyper-pop girl expected to drop is none other than Lady Gaga, who revealed in her Vogue cover that LG7 would drop in March 2025, leaving little to no hints other than the date.
Clearly, 2025 is shaping up to be a year full of surprises in the music world!
