10 Big Things That Happened in Music the Week of January 3, 2025
We don't know where the time went, but it's the first New Music Friday of 2025, and it's already clear we're in for a big year of great new tunes.
Our favorite artists aren't messing around, starting January off strong with fiery new releases to break us out of the sluggishness of winter break and get us fully into gear, starting with Doechii's irresistible sitcom inspired music video for "DENIAL IS A RIVER." For everything else we loved over the last seven days, keep scrolling to discover the 10 biggest things that happened in music the week of Jan. 3, 2025.
(Photo credit: John Jay)
1. Emily Bowen Shares Confessional Debut Album, Hate Me for This
20-year-old artist Danish-American artist Emily Bowen is making a big statement in 2025 with the release of her debut album, Hate Me for This. Over its nine tracks, her bold indie pop sound takes on different tones, with a versatile sound that captures the fluctuating and unpredictable nature of all of life's experiences. It's equal parts diaristic, dreamy and confessional, with Emily telling her story in the way only she can—particularly with its lead single, "Agnes." "I met Agnes a couple summers ago when I was backpacking around Europe," Emily revealed in a press release. "We sat on a couch and talked for three hours—sucked into each other's worlds in that moment that only the two of us shared and had together. Agnes moved on to Paris, and we've been strangers to each other ever since. But I took the moment along with me, bittersweet and beautiful, like the lifelong exercise of being honest with yourself."
2. Scout Weaves a Coming-of-Age Tale on Sophomore EP Winner
German artist Scout hasn't been on the scene long, but with the release of the sophomore EP, Winner, we believe she's destined for big things. Driven by bubbly synths and Scout's rich vocals, the EP's four tracks have an anthemic and cinematic sound, making them feel like the perfect backing to a coming-of-age tale. We're especially fond of the energetic opening track "Change Your Mind." "This song is all yours now <3," Scout shared in a post on Instagram. "Already overwhelmed with the response and 15k plays in half a day wtf 😭 ty forever. I love this one and I can't wait for you to experience it live (hopefully you're there on the 19th of Feb?)"
3. young friend Captures a Cozy Moment of Love in 'soft light'
Canadian bedroom pop artist Drew Tarves, better known by the monniker young friend, has a sound that's tough to pin down, blending musical elements of old and new to create a sound that's truly timeless. His latest release, "soft light," is a bit of a departure from his thumping, high-energy hits, with slow acoustic guitars backed by jazzy keyboards and flutes. It unfolds as a gentle, cozy narrative about the little things you notice when you're deep in love. "I wrote this one on my couch at my old apartment back in 2023," young friend shared in a post on Instagram. "David and I recorded it on the sunshine coast and in a week it'll be yours. The cover art was taken sometime during recording and to me is exactly what the song feels like."
4. Luke Sital-Singh Examines His Fear With 'Still Young'
English folk singer-songwriter Luke Sital-Singh is gearing up to release his next album, Fool's Spring, in February, and he's starting off 2025 by sharing its daring opening track, "Still Young." Featuring Luke's signature warbly vocals against acoustic guitar, the sound reflects his unsure feelings as he sings about not being able to know the future, wondering whether his fear of the uncertain is leading him to inaction and preventing him from living his best life.
5. Rosie Darling and Jake Scott Team Up for 'Roomful of People'
We can never resist the alluring sting of a breakup duet, and Rosie Darling and Jake Scott's new song "Roomful of People" breaks our hearts in all of the right ways. Performed from two perspectives in the wake of a broken relationship, it's a gut-wrenching meditation on being unable to move on from a past love. Together, their voices are perfection, bringing the pain of their emotion to life over the delicate sounds of an acoustic guitar.
Also read about: Everything You Wanted to Know About Pop Singer-Songwriter Jake Scott
6. Henrik Holds on to Love in 'you & your eyes'
Rising viral artist Henrik has been making quite the name for himself on TikTok with both impressive covers and striking original songs. His inaugural single of 2025, "you & your eyes," has all of the makings of yet another hit for the star. With a rousing folksy sound, further brought to life by Henrik's raspy vocals and chanted choruses, it's a song about acknowledging the mistakes you've made in a relationship and deciding to fight for love.
7. hey, nothing Feel Stuck in 'Barn Nursery'
If you're not yet familiar with emo-folk duo hey, nothing, 2025 is the perfect time to get acquainted with them. Consisting of Tyler Mabry and Harlow Phillips, hey, nothing combines deeply emotive lyricism with smooth and infectious melodies to weave coming-of-age tales that feel specific yet universal. Their latest track, "Barn Nursery," is a strangely soothing yet angsty ode to feeling stuck in place and yearning to know how things could've turned out differently.
8. Jordana Bryant Reflects on Heartbreak in 'Remembering It Wrong'
We've loved seeing how far breakout country pop star Jordana Bryant has come over the last few years, and her upcoming sophomore EP, Right Key, Wrong Porch, is poised to tug on our heartstrings in all the best ways. We just got a first taste with her first single of "Remembering It Wrong," a stirring and emotional reflection on a relationship gone wrong. While she remembers the good times they shared, her ex is telling a different story—and making her feel a bit gaslit in the process. "Sometimes, after a breakup, people rewrite the story to make it easier to move on—but that doesn't mean your love wasn't real." Jordana shared in a press release. "'Remembering It Wrong' is about those moments of doubt and the strength that comes from trusting what you know in your heart."
Also read about: Everything You Wanted to Know About 'Can I Get It Back' Singer-Songwriter Jordana Bryant
9. Brett Eldredge Gets Romantic With 'Gorgeous'
it's been a minute since we heard from country superstar Brett Eldredge outside of the holiday season, but his new track "Gorgeous" has been more than worth the wait. With a swoon-worthy, twangy sound, it's a simple and straightforward love song about being infatuated with every aspect of the one you love. "My new single 'Gorgeous' is out now!" he wrote in a post on Instagram. "I am beyond proud and excited for this one! I hope this song is a reminder of the gorgeous person that you are, even on your worst days, you are more than enough, you're Gorgeous:) Let. that. sink. IN."
10. Doechii Becomes a Sitcom Star in New Video for 'DENIAL IS A RIVER'
Doechii had a massive year in 2024, earning three nominations for the upcoming Grammy Awards after the release of her latest mixtape, Alligator Bites Never Heal. The rap sensation is keeping that momentum going in the new year with the new sitcom-inspired video for "DENIAL IS A RIVER," featuring appearances by Zack Fox, ScHoolboy Q, Rickey Thompson, Teezo Touchdown, Earl Sweatshirt, SiR, Baby Tate and DJ Miss Milan. The song is a fan favorite for a good reason, with a classic hip-hop feel and raw and witty lyricism as she reflects on the last few years and how she got to where she is today.
Missed our final pre-holiday New Music Friday of 2024? Click HERE to check out our favorite releases of yesteryear.