21-06-2025, 14:25
NEW MUSIC FRIDAY 20.06.25 #35
Bonde Do Brunão - Bruno Mars (0.9/10)
2025 has been such a bad year for Bruno Mars, and to make it worse, he drops a 57-second song, which I heard somewhere a couple of months back. In the song he's speaking/singing in a very strange way, and the production on this sounds like it's made for a kids waterpark advert. It's also so cheesy.
Hammer – Lorde (7.3/10)
Her accent felt like it was going to flood through, but thankfully it didn't because I think it makes the songs worse. "Hammer" is from Lorde's upcoming album "Virgin" and continues the alt-pop with artistic values. The song talks about love and identity and gives the song the meaning it feels like it needs. Hopefully the rest of "Virgin" can at least be as good as this.
All Gas No Brakes – Teddy Swims/BigXthaPlug (6.4/10)
Rap artists shouldn't have a place on Teddy's music! Ever since he started getting them on his songs, his music never felt the same… it's lost the magical feeling it used to have, and whatever formula he uses is not here. It's just a simple soul that doesn't satisfy.
We Never Dated - Sombr (7.4/10)
I liked Sombr's trendy music, but I never really came back to it (despite feeling that maybe I might), and this song actually makes me want to hear more of him. It has that emotional and gripping sound that his popular songs have, and if anything, this shows that he hasn't lost his shine. And for what it is, it's also pretty memorable indie rock.
Drive – Ed Sheeran/F1: The Album (7.6/10)
Ed Sheeran making rock music was not on my 2025 bingo card, but I'm still very thankful it happened. I've heard a lot of Ed, and this is probably the most different thing we'll get out of him; the guitars have gone all out to give a fiery sound that even keeps up in the hook that Ed very well matches. Great.
Mr Electric Blue – Benson Boone (7.1/10)
It's like "Mystical Magical" but if it didn't carry a whole hate train on the internet. The intense buildup tone on "Watch the way you talk to me" really adds up to the full kick in the hook. And the way it goes into a summer pop song is lovely.
GUILT TRIPPIN – Central Cee/Sexyy Red (5/10)
Sexyy Red keeps getting collaborations left and right, and most don't matter in the slightest. It's just speed-run cheap music to try and get a hit single. In this song Central and Sexyy give their exact same performance and a weak rap hook that fails to impress in the slightest.
Not Like That Anymore - Lola Young (4.1/10)
What a downgrade from "One Thing". The emphasis she puts on the swears feels like she's running out of oxygen. And what even is the lyric "I like a dopamine hit more than a fat kid loves cake"? There's at least five writing credits on this song, and that's all you could come up with? Goodness. Let's hope the full album is better than her Temu version.
Rein Me In – Sam Fender/Olivia Dean (6.5/10)
This is a new version of Sam Fender's "Rein Me In" from his early 2025 album "People Watching". I honestly think Olivia's verse was not needed, and my opinion on this won't make me come back to the song.
Close To You – PinkPantheress (6/10)
After the release of her mixtape, "Fancy That", she's already back to her hyperpop dance elements with a under two-minute song that displays nothing new. Waste of time.
ATTENTION! – Kesha/Slayyyter/Rose Grey (8/10)
"Big comeback like Jesus' resurrection" Your singles haven't even cracked the top 40, but ok. Despite what I just said, this is actually a good song. I've been liking Rose Grey for a while now, with her recent album making me curious for what's next. And she gives us Jade's "It Girl" if it was actually good. With the loud and proud diva energy and the bass blasting to make a club sound, it sure is amazing.
All Over Me – Haim (6/10)
I'm totally forgetting this, lacks. The singles for Haim have been all over the place recently.
COL4 BODY – Aitch/Tiggs Da Author (7.1/10)
Aitch is trying new things on this, even adding parts of other genres.
Mr Cool – Kenya Grace (7/10)
She finally returns after her album "Aftertaste", and Kenya still has the smooth and light sound that elevates her music into a good score. If it felt a little more magical, I would've liked it more, but I'll take this.
Gabriela – KATSEYE (7.2/10)
Think of everything that their first single "Gnarly" was, and now think of the opposite of each of those elements. This song is softer; it's not cringe, and it actually takes the time in the beat to form a sweet pop song. Think of it like Mae Muller if she were good.
Plastic Box – Jade (4/10)
The simplicity isn't sweet; it's just straight down to the basics, with Jade feeling lacking in character. Just like in her other songs, it just doesn't hit the mark of even "alright". I fear this album will contend for worst album of 2025...
No Time To Talk – Jonas Brothers (5.4/10)
I don't get how people can listen to pop that makes no changes or a group that makes no effort to do anything new. This is exactly what they've always been making.
Remember – BAMBII/Ravyn Lenae/Scrufizzer (7/10)
Ravyn is never one to try and appeal to typical pushed-out pop, so something like an interesting mix is expected.
Victory Lap – Fred Again../Skepta/PlaqueBoyMax (6.3/10)
Fred Again's style wasn't shown that well on this, and it felt like the song swung in more of Skepta's style with the intense rap beat.
Bodies – Offset/JID (7/10)
Their flow was nice, and the beat was nice, but everything felt just "nice" for me, nothing more. Maybe a good song for the night out, though.
Outside – Cardi B (7.7/10)
Cardi B makes a radio-trap song with the perfect level of bounce in the bass and fiery, unapologetic vocals.
HOW DOES IT FEEL? - The Kid LAROI (7/10)
You know what? I actually like a song by this guy. The vocals going a little into whispers with the funky, disco-like sound mixed with a slow yet moving feel... it's definitely something that could do something if promoted correctly.
Papasito - Karol G (7.2/10)
High On Me – Rossi/Jazzy (5.9/10)
Jazzy is someone I can rely on to continue to give me electronic dance and house music that doesn't sound like the typical stereotypes of the genre. And with this, it's not my cup of tea, but it's certainly not bad.
Ghosts – YUNGBLUD (6.5/10)
A step down from "Zombie".
NOBU – SHY FX/KINGH (5/10)
Drum and bass with a thump and kick. My only problem is that the song doesn't feel like it goes above in any parts of the song.
Easy – JACOTÉNE (7.1/10)
Wait So Long – Swedish House Mafia (7/10)
Sounds like it has its style while maintaining a radio sound.
Bad – Dylan (7.1/10)
Feel It – Protoje (7.2/10)
Smooth reggae music.
The Jamie Oliver Petrol Station – CMAT (6.6/10)
After hearing CMAT's UK charting song "Take a Sexy Picture Of Me", this is now the 2nd thing I've heard from them. It's definitely not as good as "TASPOF", but it follows a similar pattern of alternative indie-pop while having differences, and it's alright. People believe this track is a diss to Jamie Oliver.
YOLO – Horsegirl (6.8/10)
I'm usually not into the fast hyperpop of modern day, but I'll make an exception for this.
OOH – SOPHIE (7.8/10)
I've honestly never liked SOPHIE; in fact, she was one of my least favourite artists. But I think this is definitely better; going slower while having the resemblance of her signature sound worked well.
iPod Touch – Ninajirachi (6/10)
Uninteresting.
Anything – Skeete (6/10)
The vocals remind me of Drake, and that's not a good thing. The rest of the song sounds like TikTok dance-rap with expected producer cuts.
We Don't Have To (Clothes Off) - Symmetrik/BL3SS/GRACE BRIDIE (5/10)
Hold You – Jasper Tygner (4.9/10)
Return Of The Sharp Heads – Baxter Dury/Jgrrey (7/10)
Wahoo – Gen And The Degenerates (7.6/10)
Exciting and has a nice swing to it.
Lights Out - Goddard./Glacier Baby (7.5/10)
One of Goddard's best songs! It's more than slop; it has quality in every part!
Sonny Fodera - Deed0t (6.7/10)
The vocal autotune is annoying, but the rest of the song is good.
6 Months Later – Megan Moroney (5.2/10)
This is honestly really like Lainey Wilson, but a bit worse. But overall it's the same country composition you've heard other places; it doesn't matter.
You Still Got It - Brett Young (5.7/10)
Typical American country.
Back of the club – kwn (4/10)
This never needed to be four minutes and thirty seconds; to be that long, it needs an actual better hook rather than this slow mumble.
Boujee Baby – JayDon/ZEDDY WILL (6.4/10)
Pop-rap that has a bigger social media appeal than experimental appeal.
Sycamore Tree – Khamari (5/10)
Not much needs to be said about this apart from boring.
New Country – Noah Cyrus/Blake Shelton (3.7/10)
More Western music that we've heard before. *sighs*
Universidad – TINI/Beéle (5.5/10)
1,000,000 Reasons Why - Brandon Lake (6.5/10)
Better Christian music that's only slightly typical. Jesus would probably be proud.
El Malo – Xavi (6/10)
The guitar on this is weirdly played, but I actually like it. And the mix with Spanish music is unique, but I don't hate it.
Wipe Your Tears – Sam Austin (6.5/10)
Ever since his UK charting appearance, I've been hyped for what's next, and this takes a whispering beat with kick-ins that remind me of a club mix. Definitely not as good as what he made before.
Where To Start – Wale (6.2/10)
Next To You – Erykah Badu/The Alchemist (5.4/10)
Waste Time – midwxst (7.5/10)
From Midwxsts's new album "Archangel", "Waste Time" is the 3rd song on it and has a correctly placed sound with tuning that doesn't feel overproduced and instead gives the song a unique feel.
Voices – Gucci Mane (3.6/10)
This type of rap is the equivalent of Skibidi Toilet TikTok brainrot. It's not healthy.
Psycho - Gucci Mane (3/10)
Excuse Me – PLUTO (2/10)
There's a tendency for there to be a new female rapper every single year who I just HATE. Ice Spice, Sexyy Redd and now 2025 is PLUTO. This song is under two minutes and has noises equivalent to moans; the production is just a basic rap loop with the "rapper" not even being able to rap properly. I'm shocked how "Whim Whammie" got into the US top 100; let's just hope
Bonde Do Brunão - Bruno Mars (0.9/10)
2025 has been such a bad year for Bruno Mars, and to make it worse, he drops a 57-second song, which I heard somewhere a couple of months back. In the song he's speaking/singing in a very strange way, and the production on this sounds like it's made for a kids waterpark advert. It's also so cheesy.
Hammer – Lorde (7.3/10)
Her accent felt like it was going to flood through, but thankfully it didn't because I think it makes the songs worse. "Hammer" is from Lorde's upcoming album "Virgin" and continues the alt-pop with artistic values. The song talks about love and identity and gives the song the meaning it feels like it needs. Hopefully the rest of "Virgin" can at least be as good as this.
All Gas No Brakes – Teddy Swims/BigXthaPlug (6.4/10)
Rap artists shouldn't have a place on Teddy's music! Ever since he started getting them on his songs, his music never felt the same… it's lost the magical feeling it used to have, and whatever formula he uses is not here. It's just a simple soul that doesn't satisfy.
We Never Dated - Sombr (7.4/10)
I liked Sombr's trendy music, but I never really came back to it (despite feeling that maybe I might), and this song actually makes me want to hear more of him. It has that emotional and gripping sound that his popular songs have, and if anything, this shows that he hasn't lost his shine. And for what it is, it's also pretty memorable indie rock.
Drive – Ed Sheeran/F1: The Album (7.6/10)
Ed Sheeran making rock music was not on my 2025 bingo card, but I'm still very thankful it happened. I've heard a lot of Ed, and this is probably the most different thing we'll get out of him; the guitars have gone all out to give a fiery sound that even keeps up in the hook that Ed very well matches. Great.
Mr Electric Blue – Benson Boone (7.1/10)
It's like "Mystical Magical" but if it didn't carry a whole hate train on the internet. The intense buildup tone on "Watch the way you talk to me" really adds up to the full kick in the hook. And the way it goes into a summer pop song is lovely.
GUILT TRIPPIN – Central Cee/Sexyy Red (5/10)
Sexyy Red keeps getting collaborations left and right, and most don't matter in the slightest. It's just speed-run cheap music to try and get a hit single. In this song Central and Sexyy give their exact same performance and a weak rap hook that fails to impress in the slightest.
Not Like That Anymore - Lola Young (4.1/10)
What a downgrade from "One Thing". The emphasis she puts on the swears feels like she's running out of oxygen. And what even is the lyric "I like a dopamine hit more than a fat kid loves cake"? There's at least five writing credits on this song, and that's all you could come up with? Goodness. Let's hope the full album is better than her Temu version.
Rein Me In – Sam Fender/Olivia Dean (6.5/10)
This is a new version of Sam Fender's "Rein Me In" from his early 2025 album "People Watching". I honestly think Olivia's verse was not needed, and my opinion on this won't make me come back to the song.
Close To You – PinkPantheress (6/10)
After the release of her mixtape, "Fancy That", she's already back to her hyperpop dance elements with a under two-minute song that displays nothing new. Waste of time.
ATTENTION! – Kesha/Slayyyter/Rose Grey (8/10)
"Big comeback like Jesus' resurrection" Your singles haven't even cracked the top 40, but ok. Despite what I just said, this is actually a good song. I've been liking Rose Grey for a while now, with her recent album making me curious for what's next. And she gives us Jade's "It Girl" if it was actually good. With the loud and proud diva energy and the bass blasting to make a club sound, it sure is amazing.
All Over Me – Haim (6/10)
I'm totally forgetting this, lacks. The singles for Haim have been all over the place recently.
COL4 BODY – Aitch/Tiggs Da Author (7.1/10)
Aitch is trying new things on this, even adding parts of other genres.
Mr Cool – Kenya Grace (7/10)
She finally returns after her album "Aftertaste", and Kenya still has the smooth and light sound that elevates her music into a good score. If it felt a little more magical, I would've liked it more, but I'll take this.
Gabriela – KATSEYE (7.2/10)
Think of everything that their first single "Gnarly" was, and now think of the opposite of each of those elements. This song is softer; it's not cringe, and it actually takes the time in the beat to form a sweet pop song. Think of it like Mae Muller if she were good.
Plastic Box – Jade (4/10)
The simplicity isn't sweet; it's just straight down to the basics, with Jade feeling lacking in character. Just like in her other songs, it just doesn't hit the mark of even "alright". I fear this album will contend for worst album of 2025...
No Time To Talk – Jonas Brothers (5.4/10)
I don't get how people can listen to pop that makes no changes or a group that makes no effort to do anything new. This is exactly what they've always been making.
Remember – BAMBII/Ravyn Lenae/Scrufizzer (7/10)
Ravyn is never one to try and appeal to typical pushed-out pop, so something like an interesting mix is expected.
Victory Lap – Fred Again../Skepta/PlaqueBoyMax (6.3/10)
Fred Again's style wasn't shown that well on this, and it felt like the song swung in more of Skepta's style with the intense rap beat.
Bodies – Offset/JID (7/10)
Their flow was nice, and the beat was nice, but everything felt just "nice" for me, nothing more. Maybe a good song for the night out, though.
Outside – Cardi B (7.7/10)
Cardi B makes a radio-trap song with the perfect level of bounce in the bass and fiery, unapologetic vocals.
HOW DOES IT FEEL? - The Kid LAROI (7/10)
You know what? I actually like a song by this guy. The vocals going a little into whispers with the funky, disco-like sound mixed with a slow yet moving feel... it's definitely something that could do something if promoted correctly.
Papasito - Karol G (7.2/10)
High On Me – Rossi/Jazzy (5.9/10)
Jazzy is someone I can rely on to continue to give me electronic dance and house music that doesn't sound like the typical stereotypes of the genre. And with this, it's not my cup of tea, but it's certainly not bad.
Ghosts – YUNGBLUD (6.5/10)
A step down from "Zombie".
NOBU – SHY FX/KINGH (5/10)
Drum and bass with a thump and kick. My only problem is that the song doesn't feel like it goes above in any parts of the song.
Easy – JACOTÉNE (7.1/10)
Wait So Long – Swedish House Mafia (7/10)
Sounds like it has its style while maintaining a radio sound.
Bad – Dylan (7.1/10)
Feel It – Protoje (7.2/10)
Smooth reggae music.
The Jamie Oliver Petrol Station – CMAT (6.6/10)
After hearing CMAT's UK charting song "Take a Sexy Picture Of Me", this is now the 2nd thing I've heard from them. It's definitely not as good as "TASPOF", but it follows a similar pattern of alternative indie-pop while having differences, and it's alright. People believe this track is a diss to Jamie Oliver.
YOLO – Horsegirl (6.8/10)
I'm usually not into the fast hyperpop of modern day, but I'll make an exception for this.
OOH – SOPHIE (7.8/10)
I've honestly never liked SOPHIE; in fact, she was one of my least favourite artists. But I think this is definitely better; going slower while having the resemblance of her signature sound worked well.
iPod Touch – Ninajirachi (6/10)
Uninteresting.
Anything – Skeete (6/10)
The vocals remind me of Drake, and that's not a good thing. The rest of the song sounds like TikTok dance-rap with expected producer cuts.
We Don't Have To (Clothes Off) - Symmetrik/BL3SS/GRACE BRIDIE (5/10)
Hold You – Jasper Tygner (4.9/10)
Return Of The Sharp Heads – Baxter Dury/Jgrrey (7/10)
Wahoo – Gen And The Degenerates (7.6/10)
Exciting and has a nice swing to it.
Lights Out - Goddard./Glacier Baby (7.5/10)
One of Goddard's best songs! It's more than slop; it has quality in every part!
Sonny Fodera - Deed0t (6.7/10)
The vocal autotune is annoying, but the rest of the song is good.
6 Months Later – Megan Moroney (5.2/10)
This is honestly really like Lainey Wilson, but a bit worse. But overall it's the same country composition you've heard other places; it doesn't matter.
You Still Got It - Brett Young (5.7/10)
Typical American country.
Back of the club – kwn (4/10)
This never needed to be four minutes and thirty seconds; to be that long, it needs an actual better hook rather than this slow mumble.
Boujee Baby – JayDon/ZEDDY WILL (6.4/10)
Pop-rap that has a bigger social media appeal than experimental appeal.
Sycamore Tree – Khamari (5/10)
Not much needs to be said about this apart from boring.
New Country – Noah Cyrus/Blake Shelton (3.7/10)
More Western music that we've heard before. *sighs*
Universidad – TINI/Beéle (5.5/10)
1,000,000 Reasons Why - Brandon Lake (6.5/10)
Better Christian music that's only slightly typical. Jesus would probably be proud.
El Malo – Xavi (6/10)
The guitar on this is weirdly played, but I actually like it. And the mix with Spanish music is unique, but I don't hate it.
Wipe Your Tears – Sam Austin (6.5/10)
Ever since his UK charting appearance, I've been hyped for what's next, and this takes a whispering beat with kick-ins that remind me of a club mix. Definitely not as good as what he made before.
Where To Start – Wale (6.2/10)
Next To You – Erykah Badu/The Alchemist (5.4/10)
Waste Time – midwxst (7.5/10)
From Midwxsts's new album "Archangel", "Waste Time" is the 3rd song on it and has a correctly placed sound with tuning that doesn't feel overproduced and instead gives the song a unique feel.
Voices – Gucci Mane (3.6/10)
This type of rap is the equivalent of Skibidi Toilet TikTok brainrot. It's not healthy.
Psycho - Gucci Mane (3/10)
Excuse Me – PLUTO (2/10)
There's a tendency for there to be a new female rapper every single year who I just HATE. Ice Spice, Sexyy Redd and now 2025 is PLUTO. This song is under two minutes and has noises equivalent to moans; the production is just a basic rap loop with the "rapper" not even being able to rap properly. I'm shocked how "Whim Whammie" got into the US top 100; let's just hope