10 Big Things That Happened in Music the Week of January 31, 2025

It's the end of an era—or at least, that's what Abel Tesfaye, better known as The Weeknd, says.

Today, Jan. 31, 2025, marks the release of his sixth studio album, wrapping up a trilogy that began with After Hours and Dawn FM, and concluding his time releasing music as The Weeknd. It truly is a thrilling farewell, and we can't wait to see what his new era as Abel will bring. Or course, he hasn't completely overshadowed the rest of this New Music Friday, with a slick new collab between Dominic Fike and JENNIE, Nessa Barrett's latest romantic single and so much more rounding out the week. For everything we loved best, keep scrolling to discover the 10 biggest things that happened in music the week of Jan. 31, 2025.

(Hurry Up Tomorrow via Republic Records)

1. Bells Larsen Duets With His Past Self on '514-415'

Bells Larsen's upcoming album Blurring Time (out April 25) promises to do something truly unique, intentionally highlighting aspects of both the past and present of his journey as a trans man. His new single, "514-415" was created specifically to align with his transition, with the first parts of the vocals recorded in 2022, before he started testosterone, and completed in his new lower register. Together, both versions of his voice work in perfect harmony. The result is an optimistic lo-fi indie-folk track showing that where he might have once found dissonance with his past self, he now can make peace. While the other songs on the album showcase either his "high voice" or "low voice," this one encompasses both. "'514-415' is about the kind of long-distance relationship where you have an inkling that circumstance will prevent things from working out, but you still care deeply for the person nonetheless," Bells revealed in a press release. "It's quite special to be with someone through many chapters of their life and them through yours, especially when those chapters are furnished with so much change—be that moving cities or transitioning (this song references both)."

2. Julien Baker & Torres Tease Upcoming Album With 'Sylvia'

Julien Baker & Torres surprised us with their first collab, "Sugar in the Tank," back in December, and we just got the big news that they'll be releasing a country album together, titled Send a Prayer My Way and releasing on April 18. The announcement also comes with the release of new single, "Sylvia, " named after TORRES' dog. It's a melancholic yet hopeful reflection on love, contemplating whether leaving someone behind at home in order to pursue your ambitions is truly worth it. "The morning I went to pick up my dog 'Sylvia' from an upstate shelter, I was at home making my coffee and I turned on WFMU and Dolly Parton's 'Cracker Jack' was on," TORRES explained in a press release. "I burst into tears—it felt like the universe was telling me she was going to be mine (Sylvia was only meant to be a foster). I remember thinking that I'd love to write a song like that, a song that people could feel in their chest within five seconds of turning on the radio, because anyone who has ever had the honor of sharing a home with a beloved pet knows that a pet is family—they're the best friends you could ever have."

Also read about: 20 Angsty Julien Baker Lyrics to Use as Your Next Instagram Caption

3. Cameron Whitcomb Turns His Story Into an Anthem With 'Hundred Mile High'

American Idol alum and up-and-coming country sensation Cameron Whitcomb is making 2025 his year, and with his Hundred Mile High Tour across North America commencing in March, he just released its stirring namesake single. "Hundred Mile High" is high-energy anthem propelled by jangly banjo and chanted vocals, with Cameron's signature magnetic storytelling front and center. It tells a complex story of addiction, acting against your best interests and the pursuit of love in a manner only Cameron could. "'Hundred Mile High' is a story from my youth, inspired by moments that stuck with me," Cameron explained in a press release. "I hope people connect with it in their own way and take whatever they need from it whether it brings back a memory, hits a feeling or just lets them escape for a bit."

Also read about: Everything You Wanted to Know About 'Shoot Me Dead' Artist Cameron Whitcomb

4. Lyn Lapid Yearns for Something That Feels Like Home in 'Coraline'

22-year-old TikTok phenom and indie-pop artist Lyn Lapid hasn't slowed down at all since we first fell in love with her voice and unique writing sensibilities, and her 2025 is already off to a very strong start with the release of new single, "Coraline." The cool, moody beat of its verses creates a sense of isolation before the energetic chorus kicks in, conveying the yearning she feels for something more, weaving a tale of feeling like an outsider,  like finding something like "home" is forever out of reach. It draws inspiration from the iconic stop-motion horror film of the same name. "I wrote this about my incredibly lonely time living in L.A. away from home and everything familiar," Lyn shared in an Instagram post.

Also read about: Lyn Lapid Weaves a Tale of Situationships and Heartache in to love in the 21st century

5. Victor Ray Learns to Let Go in 'Hearts Break and People Change'

R&B star Victor Ray has been rapidly on the rise, quickly growing from viral busking videos to selling out tours in no time flat, and his new single, "Hearts Break and People Change" feels poised to be his next smash hit. Victor's unmatched vocals are the star of the track, pairing raw emotion with an incredible range as she looks back on a broken relationship and learns all he can do is let it go. "'Hearts Break and People Change' is about someone you trust breaking that bond repeatedly and coming to terms with the fact that not everyone is meant to be in your life forever,"Victor revealed in a press release. The track is set to appear on his upcoming EP, I WILL., out March 7, further building on the story of previous EP's i was., i felt and I TRIED.

Also read about: Victor Ray Dishes on the Toxic Relationship That Inspired 'Comfortable' and What's Next in 2024

6. hannah bahng Is Haunted by Potential on 'what never lived'

20-year-old Australian singer-songwriter hannah bahng has come a very long way since she first made a name for herself posting covers to YouTube, and her silky, yearning new single "what never lived" is proof. It's an angsty lament about getting stuck on a relationship that never was, being haunted by its potential and a situation that could have blossomed into something more. hannah also directed its gut-wrenching music video, showing sweet moments between her and "her" man before she catches him with another woman, mourning the realization before finally finding the strength to move on.

7. SASAMI and Clairo Create a Ghostly Duet With 'In Love With a Memory'

SASAMI is an artist whose music has defied being nearly categorized in one genre, tackling indie rock, metal and industrial sounds with her first two albums. With her third, Blood on the Silver Screen (out March 7), she's ready to tackle pop for the first time. Her new single, "In Love With a Memory" featuring Clairo, couldn't be a better tease of what's to come. It's a track that's equal parts glimmery and moody, drawing sonic drawing inspiration  from traditional Japanese pop songs as it creates a story about clinging to the past and trying to reclaim the love of something that's since been lost.

"'In Love With A Memory' was actually the first song I wrote that ended up on Blood On the Silver Screen," SASAMI shared in a press release. "I grew up going to Japanese or Korean 'noraebang' private karaoke rooms with my mom, who was secretly the most incredible singer. Most of her go-to numbers were old Japanese and Korean folk songs that low-key kind of made me feel like I was in a horror film or David Lynch movie. I can picture my mom in a Julee Cruise-type setting- single, jazz lounge spotlight and cigarette smoke hanging stalely in the air—singing one of those old songs with the most gorgeously haunting vibrato and breathtaking vocal control. That's the feeling I was tapping into when I started writing 'In Love With A Memory', and there is a very timeless but relevant crooning feeling imbued in the song that I think was perfectly reflected by the production that Rostam and I orchestrated together. Claire has been a longtime, long distance friend and dream collaborator for me, so it was such a magnificent gift for her to lend her voice to the narrative. I really imagine this track as a cinematic duet with a ghost."

Also read about: The Best Clairo Lyrics to Use as Instagram Captions

8. Nessa Barrett Gets Lovey-Dovey With 'LOVE LOOKS PRETTY ON YOU'

Pop sensation Nessa Barrett released her sophomore album, Aftercare, in November of last year, but the story isn't finished quite yet, with Aftercare Deluxe slated to release on Feb. 7. It'll feature six new tracks, including fan-favorite "LOVE LOOKS PRETTY ON YOU," and we're among the listeners who can't get enough. It's a mellow and dreamy track led by Nessa's angelic vocals as she sings about the glow of authentic love and the kind of intimate connection that goes beyond the physical. We're also hoping this one will be part of her set list on the Aftercare Tour, kicking off next week on Feb. 4.

Also read about: Nessa Barrett Explores Her Rage and Intrusive Thoughts in 'BANG BANG!'

9. JENNIE and Dominic Fike Team Up for Chaotic Romance With 'Love Hangover'

We've been eagerly anticipating the release of JENNIE's debut solo album, Ruby, on March 7, so we couldn't be happier (or more surprised) to get another taste with "Love Hangover," featuring Dominic Fike. The collab  tells a story of a love that's as passionate as it is toxic, resulting in a cycle of breaking up and getting right back together, despite promising never to do so. We also can't get enough of the cinematic music video starring JENNIE and Riverdale's Charles Melton as a disaster-prone girlfriend and her boyfriend, who fails again and again to save her from certain doom.

Also read about: 43 Contemplative Lyrics From Dominic Fike's Sunburn to Use as Your Next Instagram Caption

10. The Weeknd Closes One Door and Opens Another With 'Final' Album Hurry Up Tomorrow

We're not sure we're ready to say goodbye to The Weeknd as an artist, but if Hurry Up Tomorrow truly is Abel Tesfaye's last album under that moniker, it's a fitting and tremendous farewell. Led by singles "Timeless" and "São Paulo," the sprawling 22-track album  manages to recapture the glittering appeal of his most beloved hits while also being his most experimental and eclectic project yet, with powerful themes of redemption and resurrection running throughout. It feels like the perfect bridge between the artist we know and love and whatever Abel has planned for us next—and in the meantime, he'll be bringing these unforgettable songs to the masses on his After Hours Til Dawn 2025 Stadium Tour across North America.

Missed our favorite tracks last week? Click HERE to check out our top 10 favorite releases for the week of Jan. 24, 2025.