10 Big Things That Happened in Music the Week of February 21, 2025

Is there anything better than a musical collaboration between superstar artists? We think not—and this week gave us a couple of collabs that are going to be in heavy rotation through the end of the year.

We thought the team-up between engaged stars Selena Gomez and benny blanco couldn't be any sweeter, but that was before Gracie Abrams joined in on the fun for their latest single. JENNIE and Doechii also joined forces this week for a hip-hop empowerment anthem for the ages. Of course, the week was filled with noteworthy solo efforts as well. To hear it all, just keep scrolling to discover the 10 biggest things that happened in music the week of Feb. 21, 2025.

('Call Me When You Break Up' via Interscope Records)

1. Knox's Ex Ruins Everything With 'You Happened'

If you've ever had a favorite restaurant or TV show ruined because it's one you shared with your ex, prepare to relate hard to Knox's new single, "You Happened." It's an irresistible Y2k-esque alt-pop track describing all of the things he once loved but now can't stand after his ex "happened." Between the catchy sound and the specificity in the lyrics, it's an instant earworm, getting us very excited to see what else we're in for with Knox's debut album, Going, Going, Gone, out April 4.

 

Also read about: Everything You Wanted to Know About 'Sneakers' Singer-Songwriter Knox

 

2. Lexa Gates Creates a Visual Masterpiece in New Video for 'What You Wish For'

Rising 23-year-old hip-hop artist Lexa Gates generated a ton of buzz with her debut album, Elite Vessel, last fall, and the excitement isn't slowing down with the release of her new music video for "What You Wish For." The track balances a laidback beat with urgency in its message as Lexa examines whether achieving her dreams is actually making her happier. The music video is also bizarre and cinematic, with Lexa sitting in the waiting room at a clinic where something strange and inexplicable is happening to her and her fellow patients.

 

3. Jenna Raine Celebrates Her 21st Birthday With '21'

Viral pop artist Jenna Raine celebrated her 21st birthday earlier this week on Feb. 17, and there couldn't be a better way for her to commemorate the milestone than with her new single, "21." The track is breezy, vibrant and hopeful as Jenna examines her fears about growing older before accepting that things will work out and it's actually a privilege to grow up. "The past few years I've had this fear of getting older, which I think a lot of people my age can relate to as they leave their teenage years," Jenna shared in a press release. "But as I turn 21, I'm realizing it's supposed to be such an exciting age and there's still so much more life to experience. I wanted to write a song to remind myself that I don't need to take growing up so seriously, and hopefully it can be a reminder to others as well."

 

Also read about: 20 Wistful Jenna Raine Lyrics to Use as Your Next Instagram Caption

 

4. Chloe Moriondo Explores Obsession in 'hate it'

22-year-old pop artist Chloe Moriondo has always had a completely unique approach to songwriting, and those qualities shine in her newest single, "hate it." The song combines a playful, laidback sound with dark and unsettling lyrics as she expresses jealousy over her crush, but does she want to be with them or wear their skin to become them? "'hate it' encapsulates all the feelings of jealousy, hatred, and obsession that can come with a crush on someone unattainable," Chloe said in a press release, "or yearning for a life that feels unattainable." The song will also appear on her newly announced album, oyster, dropping on March 28.

 

5. Carly Pearce Teases Deluxe Album With 'no rain'

Grammy-winning country sensation Carly Pearce's hummingbird was one of our favorite albums of 2024, and we could be more delighted that a deluxe version of the album, with the subtitle no rain, no flowers, will be arriving on March 14. We just got the perfect taste of what's to come with the titular single, "no rain," a delicate ode to the struggles we endure to bring more beauty to the goodness in life. It's just one of five new tracks appearing on the deluxe album, and we're ready to fall in love with it all over again.

 

Also read about: Everything You Should Know About Country Sensation Carly Pearce

 

6. iann dior Reflects on the Past 5 Years With Nothings Ever Good Enough II

Multi-Platinum artist iann dior has enchanted audiences everywhere with us unique emo-hip-hop sound and universal storytelling, and more than five years after the release of his Nothings Ever Good Enough mixtape, he's keeping the story going with its sequel. The project includes eight tracks, including features from DC The Don and Lil Skies, diving even deeper into his narrative about self-discovery and the high highs and low lows that come with the human experience. After more than half a decade, the struggles remain, but the story adapts with a new perspective that comes with experience.

 

7. Tate McRae Stuns With Third Album, So Close to What

21-year-old Canadian star Tate McRae has always been the ultimate triple-threat, with a seemingly effortless approach to her singing, songwriting and dancing, and these talents come together more perfectly than ever before with her third album, So Close to What. Featuring  hit singles "It's ok I'm ok," "2 hands" and "Sports car," as well as the newest drop, "Revolving door." These sleek tracks make it clear she's a bona fide pop star, and whether she's expressing her unfailing confidence or the depths of heartache, she knows precisely what to bring to the table to make us feel every word. "So Close to What is out now 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟," Tate wrote in a post on Instagram. "Goooooo watch one of my favorite videos out now to my song 'Revolving door' <3 all 15 doors representing each track on the album. This video means so much to me. We put our blood sweat tears and 11 hours in these pumps into this video hahahah."

 

Also read about: 29 Glam Lyrics From Tate McRae's So Close to What to Use as an Instagram Caption

 

8. Dove Cameron Steps Into a New Musical Era With 'Too Much'

It's felt like way too long since Dove Cameron's debut EP, Alchemical: Volume 1 in 2023, but the singer-songwriter and actress is back in a big way with the release of her latest single, "Too Much." The track feels like the beginning of a brand new era from Dove, embracing an electrifying and dark dance-pop sound as she turns the concept of being "too much" on its head, suggesting that those who've criticized her settle for less elsewhere instead of forcing her to be anything but her true self. "I wrote this song based on a lifelong experience of feeling like I was 'too much' wherever I went," Dove revealed in a press release. "I also wrote it for anyone who has ever been told to take up less space or dim their light for the comfort of others. It's served as a mantra for me—that I never need to make myself smaller to fit someone else's expectation of me, and that anyone who asks me to is not someone who wants the best for me, like I want the best for them. 'Too Much' is really about owning your right to your power and your wholeness and learning not to abandon pieces of yourself for anyone, no matter the relationship. If you've ever been told that you're too much, what they were really trying to say is that they are not capable of holding your hugeness. And that is not a room any of us need to be in. Be huge. In a bigger room."

 

Also read about: 17 Fiery Lyrics From Dove Cameron's Alchemical: Volume 1 to Use as Your Next Instagram Caption

 

9. JENNIE and Doechii Make the Ultimate Team on 'ExtraL'

Doechii is having a big moment in the wake of her Grammy win and performing at Verizon's massive Super Bowl party, and it doesn't seem that momentum will be stopping anytime soon. Her new collaboration with JENNIE is a dream come true, as "ExtraL" highlights both artists' strengths to create an empowering hip-hop anthem for women everywhere. The confidence in every line is infectious, making us even more excited for the release of JENNIE's debut solo album, Ruby, out March 7.

 

Also read about: 25 Iconic Doechii Lyrics to Use as Your Next Instagram Caption

 

10. Selena Gomez and benny blanco Recruit Gracie Abrams for 'Call Me When You Break Up'

Selena Gomez and benny blanco have wasted absolutely no time generating hype for their upcoming collab album, I Said I Love You First. One week after dropping the first track, "Scared of Loving You" and announcing a release date of March 21, they're already back with another instant hit, "Call Me When You Break Up" featuring Gracie Abrams. It's an upbeat pop ode to friendship, with Selena promising to be there when her pal's relationship inevitably fails, even as Gracie's verse describes the gripping heartbreak she's suffering. We've also been watching the adorable music video, shot on an iPhone, on repeat. "'Call Me When You Break Up' with @itsbennyblanco & @GracieAbrams is out now 💗," Selena shared in a post on Instagram. "Seriously had the BEST time making this song and video with these two!"

 

Missed our favorite tracks last week? Click HERE to check out our top 10 favorite releases for the week of Feb. 14, 2025.