Summary of Western Music Releases [May 2025]

BlessingsCalvin Harris, Clementine Douglas

Calvin Harris, Clementine Douglas – Blessings (Official Visualiser)

A powerful collaboration between Calvin Harris, the renowned British DJ/producer, and rising Birmingham-born singer Clementine Douglas.

It’s a one-of-a-kind track where a dancefloor-shaking, powerful piano melody meshes perfectly with Douglas’s expressively soulful vocals—she won “Dance Vocalist of the Year” at the BBC Radio 1 Dance Awards in 2022.

Following Harris’s country-tinged single “Smoke the Pain Away,” released in March 2025, this work marks a return to his dance-music roots, delivering a dazzling sound tailor-made for summer festivals and the club scene.

Highly recommended for listeners seeking a feel-good groove and an uplifting, open atmosphere.

Hotseat (feat. LUCKI)Chuckyy

Chuckyy – Hotseat feat. LUCKI (Official Music Video)

Chuckyy, a leading figure in Chicago’s drill scene, is a rapper from Chicago, Illinois.

He’s a rising artist known for his distinctive beats and eerie sound design.

On this track from his May 2025 new mixtape, “I Live, I Die, I Live Again,” he teams up with LUCKI.

His nasally-tinged vocals and uniquely timed flow mesh perfectly with Michigan-style drums that incorporate dissonance.

The result is a standout cut marked by a haunting, horror-movie soundtrack vibe and the tolling of church bells.

His music, which embodies Chicago’s street culture, is recommended for anyone who wants to dig into the underground hip-hop scene.

Midnight at McGuffy’sDance Gavin Dance

Dance Gavin Dance – Midnight At McGuffy’s (Official Music Video)

Dance Gavin Dance, who continue to push the envelope at the forefront of the post-hardcore scene, have released the first single from their 11th album, “Pantheon,” in May 2025.

The band’s first track featuring new vocalist Andrew Wells strikes a perfect balance as Wells’s soaring clean vocals intertwine with Jon Mess’s powerful screams amid complex guitar riffs and irregular rhythms.

Rooted in their signature blend of post-hardcore and progressive rock, and effectively incorporating elements of funk, the release arrives alongside a dreamlike music video set against a desert landscape.

It’s a track that’s sure to shine on the band’s “Return Of The Robot Tour.”

NICE TRYDev Lemons

DEV LEMONS – NICE TRY (Official Video)

Dev Lemons is a singer-songwriter from Pennsylvania, USA, who rose to prominence as a cutting-edge artist through her music theory explainer series “SongPsych” on TikTok.

Ahead of her album SURFACE TENSION, slated for release in August 2025, this track—released in May—offers a thrilling blend of electropop and indie pop.

Produced by JonDrén Fan and featuring a music video directed by Dev Lemons herself, it’s been generating plenty of buzz.

Showcasing her creative talent and distinctive sense of humor, the song exudes an intimate, late-night bedroom vibe—highly recommended for anyone who resonates with the feeling of digital loneliness.

Pretrial (Let Her Go Home)FIONA APPLE

Fiona Apple – Pretrial (Let Her Go Home) (Official Music Video)

Fiona Apple, one of America’s defining singer-songwriters, has released a new song from her first album in eight years, Fetch the Bolt Cutters.

It’s a track marked by a piano-centered, minimal arrangement and strikingly raw drums and percussion.

Her wistful vocals and lyrics with a strong social-justice message blend beautifully, resulting in a moving piece.

Inspired by the activist Marial Anderson, the song serves as a lead track from the album that won Best Alternative Music Album at the 2020 Grammy Awards.

It’s a perfect pick for listeners seeking highly artistic music.

Hand That FeedsHalsey & Amy Lee

Halsey, Amy Lee – Hand That Feeds (From the Film Ballerina – Official Audio)

A bold new work blending intense post-hardcore elements with an alternative pop sensibility has been released.

American singer-songwriter Halsey has realized a collaboration with Evanescence’s vocalist Amy Lee.

Drawing on her own experiences, Halsey powerfully portrays a narrative of emotional abuse and gaslighting transformed into empowerment.

Created as the theme song for the film “Ballerina: The World of John Wick,” the track also saw the pair’s first joint performance at Halsey’s concert at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.

Built on mutual respect and admiration, the piece seamlessly fuses their distinct personalities, culminating in a compelling song where dark rock sounds meet alternative melodies.

It’s Only LoveJames Marriott

James Marriott – It’s Only Love (Official Music Video)

UK-raised multi-talented artist James Marriott released the third single from his second album, “Don’t Tell the Dog,” in May 2025.

It’s a track where his distinctive indie rock sound—shaped by influences like Foals, The Strokes, and Bloc Party—blends seamlessly with approachable vocals honed through his experience as a YouTuber.

His skill shines throughout this release: his 2023 debut album, “Are We There Yet?,” reached No.

17 on the UK charts, and he’s steadily built his career by joining tours with Jake Bugg and Lovejoy.

The energetic guitars and polished melodies make it perfect for when you’re in the mood to sweat it out at a live house or need a companion for a long-distance drive.