From high-energy singles to genre-mixing albums, these new releases highlight artists breaking molds and sharing real, personal stories. Whether it’s Kim Petras bringing the fun with “Polo” or Tino Kamal shaking things up with his debut, 2025 is already shaping up to be a year full of bold, honest music.
1. Tino Kamal – Switch
West London’s Tino Kamal drops Switch, a fearless multi-genre album that refuses to be boxed in. Blending hip-hop, trap, and pop with raw energy and sharp lyricism, Tino Kamal channels inspirations from Kanye West to Michael Jackson while staying rooted in UK grind. His bold creativity extends beyond music into fashion, making Switch a true statement of originality and boundary-breaking expression.
2. Kim Petras – “Polo”
Kim Petras flips the switch on a bold new era with “Polo,” a cheeky, club-ready banger that channels the playful chaos of video game nights and pop goddess nostalgia. With distorted synths and a flirty hook—“You want to get me out my Polo shirt”—the GRAMMY®-winning superstar is back in the driver’s seat, teasing a new album and surprising fans with electrifying performances at Pride festivals across the country.
3. Lewis Capaldi – “Survive”
Lewis Capaldi made a powerful return at Glastonbury with a surprise set that included the live debut of “Survive“—a raw, resilient anthem that reflects on the mental health struggles he’s faced since his last appearance on that very stage. Teaming up again with “Someone You Loved” co-writer RØMANS, Capaldi channels vulnerability into strength, proving he’s not just back—he’s evolved. The track has already exploded globally and sets the tone for a triumphant new chapter.
4. Nini Iris – “Release Me”
Nini Iris tears through the noise with “Release Me,” a thunderous breakup anthem that swaps pop gloss for poetic ferocity. The Georgian-born powerhouse, known from The Voice, channels raw heartbreak into something mythic—her voice soaring through lyrics that read like emotional scars. Sparse, cinematic production lets every word hit like truth, making this less of a song and more of a reckoning. And there’s more on the horizon: as “Release Me” marks a bold new chapter in her artistry, Nini Iris is also gearing up for The Beginning Tour 2, with dates across the U.S., U.K., and Europe—giving fans a chance to feel her fire live.
5. Calyn – Better Left Unsaid
Calyn bares it all on Better Left Unsaid, a soul-baring EP that traces heartbreak through the five stages of grief with razor-sharp honesty and velvet-smooth vocals. From the raw intimacy of “Only Me Interlude” to the self-possessed closure of “make u miss me,” the indie R&B artist threads cinematic production with emotional clarity. This project is both personal and a statement of growth, resilience, and creative fearlessness.
6. Myke Towers – “Expectativas”
Myke Towers taps into a more vulnerable side on “Expectativas,” a smooth Afrobeat-laced single that peels back the layers of desire, doubt, and emotional depth. Following the chart-topping success of “Soleao,” this introspective track signals a shift in tone as Towers teases his upcoming album Island Boyz. Shot in Puerto Rico, the accompanying video pairs personal reflection with island life imagery, offering fans an authentic glimpse into the artist’s evolving sound and soul.
7. Paperwhite – Reach
Siblings Katie and Ben Marshall return as Paperwhite with Reach, a luminous synth-pop EP that glows with nostalgia and quiet optimism. Anchored by the cinematic single “Looking Back,” featuring strings from Philip Sheppard, the project merges dreamy melodies with themes of memory, wonder, and self-discovery. After years away, the duo reemerges with renewed clarity—inviting listeners into a soundscape that’s both ethereal and deeply human.
8. Royel Otis – “car”
Aussie duo Royel Otis return with “car,” an intimate and infectious single that follows their spring hit “moody.” Co-written with top producers Blake Slatkin and Omer Fedi, the track captures effortless chemistry and bittersweet melodies—perfect for driving with friends or losing yourself in the moment. With a playful NYC-shot video and a live debut at Governors Ball under their belt, Royel Otis continue to cement themselves as one of the most captivating rock acts of the decade.
9. Reneé Rapp – “Mad”
Reneé Rapp sharpens her emotional edge on “Mad,” a cinematic breakup ballad from her upcoming sophomore album BITE ME (due August 1). Co-starring Alexandra Shipp in a volatile hotel-set video, the track finds Rapp teetering between heartbreak and fury, refusing to be gaslit into silence. It’s a masterclass in vulnerability with bite—fueled by frustration, indifference, and the unraveling of love. As she gears up for her biggest North American arena tour yet this fall, Rapp proves once again she’s not just baring her soul—she’s taking the whole damn room with her.
10. Absolutely – “I Just Don’t Know You Yet”
Absolutely turns longing into liturgy on “I Just Don’t Know You Yet,” a sweeping ballad that’s already touched millions before even hitting DSPs. First performed to a standing ovation on tour with BANKS, the track took off on TikTok—racking up covers, co-signs from artists like Kehlani and Julia Michaels, and a chorus of fans begging for its release. Now it’s here: a skyward piano-and-guitar crescendo that marries faith, fantasy, and emotional surrender. Absolutely’s voice—raw, radiant, and resolute—doesn’t just ask for love. It believes in it.
