Summary of Western music releases [February 2025]

Little Bit CloserSam Fender

Little Bit Closer

A masterful song that vividly depicts the feelings of young people confronting an oppressive society and loneliness has arrived from British singer-songwriter Sam Fender.

This work weaves intricate guitar work with an arresting tenor vocal, delicately expressing the loneliness and anxiety of people living today.

Released as an advance single from the album “People Watching,” which came out in February 2025, it has also been chosen as the theme song for the film “The Last Connection,” slated for release the same year.

Its powerful sound, influenced by Bruce Springsteen, and its raw, hometown-rooted lyrics drawn from experiences in North Shields, England, resonate deeply.

It’s a track for everyone seeking connection amid the clamor of the city.

LizardSamia

Samia – Lizard (Official Visualizer)

Samia, a singer-songwriter based in the United States, released a moving track in February 2025.

Set against a party scene, it’s an introspective narrative that captivates with an intimate, conversational vocal delivery fused with distorted synthesizers.

The song is a pre-release single from her third album, “Bloodless,” and delicately portrays emotions wavering between presence and absence, reality and memory.

Through collaboration with producers Caleb Wright and Jake Luppen, the piece achieves a heightened level of expressiveness, making it a track you’ll want to play on late-night drives or during quiet moments alone.

MARGARETSleepy Hallow

Sleepy Hallow – MARGARET (Official Video)

A love song by Sleepy Hallow, born in Jamaica and raised in New York, set to drop on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2025.

It’s a heartwarming track that pours out his feelings for a loved one, skillfully blending a drill beat with soft, sampled melodies.

Following his late-2024 album “Read This When You Wake Up,” this ambitious release is produced by platinum producer Pluto Brazy and Grammy-nominated KXVX.

While retaining drill’s raw edge, the lyrics honestly express the joys of love, regrets, and the desire to cherish someone—making it a track that hits home, perfect for late-night drives or quiet moments.

Bunky PopSleigh Bells

Sleigh Bells – Bunky Pop (Official Music Video)

The noise-pop duo Sleigh Bells, based in Brooklyn, New York, have sparked buzz with a new track crafted with a clear vision.

Born from the strong creative partnership of Derek E.

Miller and Alexis Krauss, the song stands out for its razor-sharp guitar riffs and powerful vocals.

Following the death of Krauss’s beloved dog in December 2023 and the subsequent birth of her son, the work delves deeply into themes of life and death.

Released in February 2025 as the lead single from the album “Bunky Becky Birthday Boy,” it arrived alongside a music video featuring actress Dylan Gelula.

Energetic and exhilarating, this moving track intertwines profound grief with the joy of new life.

Black LightSmith/Kotzen

Smith/Kotzen – Black Light (Official Video)

A unit formed by two charismatic guitarists, Smith/Kotzen presents a human drama of deception and betrayal.

Teaming up Iron Maiden’s Adrian Smith and acclaimed solo artist Richie Kotzen, this work uses a black light as a metaphor to expose the truths lurking within the human psyche.

Riding on powerful drum beats and passionate riffs, Smith’s bluesy vocals intertwine with Kotzen’s soaring voice, unfolding with breathtaking, dramatic intensity.

It’s the lead single from their forthcoming album “Black Light / White Noise,” slated for release in April 2025, and its polish belies its origins in a late-night studio session.

An essential listen for fans of blues rock and hard rock.

OblivionSpiritWorld

SPIRITWORLD – Oblivion (OFFICIAL VISUALIZER)

Las Vegas, Nevada-based heavy metal band SpiritWorld delivered a powerful track in February 2025.

Featuring guest appearances by Zack Blair of Rise Against and Sugagasowa of Black Blade, the song blends thrash metal and hardcore with elements of the Western genre to create a uniquely compelling world.

Frontman Stu Folsom says he drew inspiration from Obituary and Six Feet Under, which he listened to after late-night shifts in East Las Vegas.

The track appears on Helldorado, an upcoming album set for release via Century Media Records, and masterfully fuses mid-tempo, headbanger-friendly grooves with a touch of supernatural horror.

Dream WomanSuki Waterhouse

Suki Waterhouse – Dream Woman (Official Video)

British singer-songwriter Suki Waterhouse has released a lush ballad that sings of the ideal boyfriend.

The blend of ambient soundscapes and emotional vocals is striking, and the storytelling lyrics harmonize beautifully with the dreamy sonics for a superb finish.

A black-and-white music video directed by her sister, Imogen, has also been released, further deepening the artist’s world.

After achieving major success with her 2024 album “Memoir of a Sparklemuffin,” she’s set for three consecutive nights at The Roxy Theatre in Los Angeles in March 2025, promising even greater momentum.

It’s a perfect track for a night drive or a relaxing moment.