Summary of Western Music Releases [May 2025]

HaikuJenevieve

Jenevieve – Haiku (Official Music Video)

Miami-born singer-songwriter Genevieve captivates with a richly expressive vocal style, from translucent, airy tones to summer ballads.

After drawing attention with her 2021 album “Division” and 2022 EP “Rendezvous,” she returns from a roughly two-year hiatus to release an R&B/soul mover on Interscope Records in May 2025.

Enveloping listeners in dreamlike melodies and soundscapes, the track strikingly portrays the delicate emotions of being in love, beautifully fusing everything from ’80s soul to contemporary indie pop.

Co-produced with longtime collaborator Elijah Gaber, it’s crafted to resonate with a wide audience—from soulful R&B fans to indie listeners.

THE FINALSJoey Bada$$

Joey Bada$$ – THE FINALS (Official Audio)

The Brooklyn-born hip-hop artist Joey Bada$$ returns with a dynamic new track—a diss record born from a clash with a rival.

Over a triumphant beat crafted by Boi-1da and others, his provocative, razor-sharp flow explodes.

Having proven his prowess—like peaking at No.

5 on the Billboard 200 in January 2015 with the album B4.

DA.

$$—his poetic lyricism and meticulous delivery remain fully intact.

Teaming up with producers highly regarded in the underground scene, he unveils a stunning soundscape woven from a heavy bassline and resonant synthesizers.

Blending 90s flavors that recall hip-hop’s golden era with modern elements, this track is a must-hear for both classic rap aficionados and a new generation of listeners.

BOY CRAZY.Ke$ha

BOY CRAZY.

Kesha, a singer-songwriter from Los Angeles, has released an ambitious new work on her own label, Kesha Records.

While it recalls the danceable beats of her “TiK ToK” era—which topped the U.

S.

singles chart for nine consecutive weeks—it boldly incorporates hyperpop elements for a striking, cutting-edge sound.

The track, the fourth single from her upcoming album “Period,” slated for release in July 2025, is a captivating blend of candid lyrics about free-spirited love and contemporary production.

Her standout performance on The Drew Barrymore Show has also generated buzz.

It’s a song you’ll want to play in active settings like drives and parties!

NeverlandKid Cudi

Kid Cudi – Neverland (Official Lyric Video)

Kid Cudi, hailing from Ohio and long celebrated as a pioneer who fuses electronica and hip-hop, returns with a tie-in track for a short film directed by Ti West, set to screen at the Tribeca Film Festival in May 2025.

Built around acoustic guitar, the song delivers a seamless blend of alternative rock and pop that resonates warmly.

Also serving as a lead single from the album “FREE,” this ambitious piece evokes eternal love and escapism through the motif of Peter Pan.

Co-created with producer Shawn Wasabi, it’s a fresh, melodic track perfect for summer nights—sound-making that will resonate with a broad spectrum of listeners, from rock fans to R&B audiences.

enoughKilo Kish

KILO KISH – enough

This work by Kilo Kish, a U.

S.

-based multi-creator, released in May 2025, brims with a serene allure that fuses synth-pop and R&B.

Centered on themes of self-affirmation and inner validation, it skillfully blends hypnotic synthesizer tones with dreamy vocals to gently guide listeners into a calm, trance-like state.

Beyond her talents as a singer-songwriter, her experimental sound—rooted in her eye for visual art and design—captures music fans and doesn’t let go.

With a track record that includes placements in the HBO series Euphoria, this song is especially recommended for those seeking deep introspection and emotional release.

Grow Wings and FlyKing Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard – Grow Wings and Fly (Official Video)

An ambitious work that fuses grand orchestral arrangements with dreamy psychedelic rock has arrived from Australia’s King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard.

Having expanded their performance palette with ventures like collaborating with a 29-piece orchestra at the Hollywood Bowl, this release is a testament to their unique ambition.

The track is a lead single from the album “Phantom Island,” and together with a music video depicting an otherworldly undersea realm, it evokes a mysterious sonic expanse that feels like an adventure into the deep.

It’s a perfect piece for those who want to be immersed in the exquisite harmony between orchestra and band.

Tough LuckLaufey

Laufey – Tough Luck (Official Lyric Video with Chords)

Icelandic singer-songwriter Laufey shines in today’s jazz scene—most notably by receiving the Billboard Gold Record Award at the Gold House Gala in May 2025.

This new work is an ambitious piece that reveals a more emotional and powerful side while honoring her musical roots in jazz and classical.

Set to lush orchestral textures and arrangements that incorporate bossa nova elements, it candidly expresses anger and disappointment toward a lover.

Released as a lead single from the album “A Matter of Time,” the track was crafted in collaboration with powerhouse producers Spencer Stewart and Aaron Dessner.

With a tour planned alongside the Virginia Symphony Orchestra and The Cleveland Orchestra, this is a must-hear for jazz fans.