10 Big Things That Happened in Music the Week of March 14, 2025
The official start of spring will be here in less than a week, and we're already feeling the season's vibrant and revitalizing energy in the form of this week's New Music Friday. Our favorite artists are back in a new way, and ready to step into brand new eras of music.
That includes provocative and genre-bending new releases from both Chappell Roan and Lil Nas X, and they're only getting the party started. For everything we can't stop listening to, keep scrolling to discover the 10 biggest things that happened in music the week of March 14, 2025
(Photo credit: Ryan Lee Clemens)
1. Wisp Yearns for Acknowledgment With 'Sword'
Rising shoegaze artist Wisp has a very big year ahead of her, with performances at Coachella, Bonnaroo and Kilby Block Party on the roster, and she's starting a new musical chapter in 2025 beginning with new single, "Sword." Her shimmery rock sound is delicate yet emotionally powerful as she sings about a private relationship and yearning to be acknowledged by the one she loves.
"'Sword' represents the shame and confusion people feel when loved ones hide them from the world," Wisp explained in a press release. "It's about not having a chance to shine because your partner keeps you in the dark."
It also comes to live in a cinematic new music video within a medieval fantasy world, with Wisp sharing a tumultuous relationship with an ironclad knight before donning the armor herself. It's just a first peek at the new world she's curating for everything to come.
2. Carly Peace Releases Deluxe Version of hummingbird With no rain, no flowers
Carly Pearce's hummingbird was one of our favorite country albums of 2024, showcasing her growth and transformation in the aftermath of heartbreak. With the release of its new deluxe version, subtitled no rain, no flowers, we see her heal even further as the story continues. It features five brand new tracks, bringing the total to 19, and while we can't stop listening to the titular "no rain," new songs "if looks could kill" and "heart first," as well as the Live from Vevo acoustic versions of "oklahoma" and "things i don't chase," are equally stunning.
"hummingbird was my healing journey after 29," Carly wrote in a post on Instagram. "I felt like there were a few more songs to be shared before I close this chapter."
Also read about: 25 Emotional Carly Pearce Lyrics to Use as Instagram Captions
3. James Vickery Celebrates Love and Lust With 'Hotel Lobby'
English R&B artist James Vickery is one to watch in 2025 with his new single, "Hotel Lobby," and the promise of even more to come. The track features a cozy bossa nova beat behind James' silky and soulful vocals as he spins a story of love, lust and self-assurance. It's laidback and breezy as the narrative describes a passionate romance with an impact that can't be confined to the walls of his hotel room. It comes complete with an equally fiery music video.
"I really wanted to go outside of my comfort zone and write over something that I would never normally sing to,"" James revealed in a press release. "Malik 95 and Mosaic cooked up this weird and wonderful guitar loop, and I had this concept for ages about writing about a passionate night with someone that was so emphatic, that it could be heard from the lobby downstairs. Chloe Angelides and I wrote the rest of the song so quickly—it flowed out of us so effortlessly, which in my eyes is usually a sign of a great song."
All of this is made even more impressive by the fact that, at 8, James was diagnosed with a cholesteatoma that left him completely deaf in one ear. His singing talents were discovered by a vocal coach who originally worked with James to help him with his speech. Knowing his story, we're even more eager to see what he has in store for us next.
4. HAIM Question the Point of Everything in 'Relationships'
Rock sister trio HAIM just dropped their first new music since 2023 in the form of the breezy single "Relationships." The funky, laidback track is all about all of the confusion and questions that arise through the course of a relationship. Is it meant to last, and if it is, what would that even look like? Why even try when things always wind up falling apart in the end?
"This one took us seven damn years to crack but we're so stoked it's finally here!," the band shared in a post on Instagram. "'Relationships' is out now. Single girl summer let's f***ing go."
5. Jenna Davis Has No Extra Time to Spare With 'On a Budget'
Jenna Davis is the ultimate multi-hyphenate, thriving as both a movie star and singer-songwriter, but right now, we can't get enough of her sweet country vocals on new track, "On a Budget." Jenna's clear voice and earnest plea make the sass of the lyrics even more effective as she sings about the importance of setting boundaries and letting people firmly know where you stand.
"'On A Budget' is a response to people that don't have anything good or nice to say," Jenna shared in a press release. "Having an online persona and being two online memes, I have dealt with a lot of online bullying. However, everyone deals with rumors and people who gossip about them in life. 'On A Budget' is the missing anthem to respond to the people who love to talk a little too much about you."
Also read about: Everything You Wanted to Know About M3GAN Star and Singer-Songwriter Jenna Davis
6. LE SSERAFIM Practically Sizzle With New HOT Mini-Album
K-pop quintet LE SSERAFIM are always on fire, but they've never been more irresistible than with their new mini-album, HOT. Five seems to be the ladies' lucky number, as this is the five-piece group's fifth mini-album, featuring five songs, and each one manages to be hotter than the last as they weave passionate stories of the different sides of love. Between "Born Fire," "HOT," "Come Over," "Ash" and "So Cynical (Badum)," we're struggling to pick a favorite.
Also read about: 15 Blazing Lyrics From LE SSERAFIM's HOT to Use as an Instagram Caption
7. Lil Nas X Transforms Into a Ken Doll for 'HOTBOX'
Lil Nas X hasn't yet announced a release date for his second album, Dreamboy, but we've been eagerly obsessing over each subsequent track. His newest single, "HOTBOX," feels like the perfect representation for that title, especially with its Barbie dream house music video with everything doused in crisp white and eye-catching Barbie pink. In the video, he's basically a Ken doll come to life as he celebrates sensuality with playful and flirtatious lyrics that are practically oozing with double-meaning.
Also read about: 13 Relatable Lil Nas X Lyrics to Use For Your Next Instagram Caption
8. Lizzo Embraces the Power of Moving on in 'Still Bad'
There's a good reason Lizzo is generating all kinds of buzz right now, and in the wake of her first release in nearly three years with "Love in Real Life," she's proving she's still got it with her second single, "Still Bad." Led by funky guitars and a pulsing dance beat, the song is an unapologetic and authentic anthem for confidence, survival and self-love in the wake of heartache. Why lament a broken heart when you can look to the future and have a great time, instead? The song completes with another gorgeously choreographed music video directed by Colin Tilley, feeling like a continuation of the story begun in "Love in Real Life." Both songs will also appear on Lizzo's next album, Love in Real Life, which is slated for a release in the not-too-distant future.
Also read about: 31 Bold Lyrics From Lizzo's Special to Use as Your Next Instagram Caption
9. Selena Gomez and benny blanco Continue Their Epic Love Story With 'Sunset Blvd'
Selena Gomez and benny blanco's collaborative album I Said I Love You First is set to release in exactly one week as a celebration of the engaged duo's epic love story. We're even more infatuated with their romance after hearing its third single, "Sunset Blvd," with an upbeat synth sound that perfectly captures the fluttery feelings of being in love.
"Our first date was on Sunset Blvd," Selena wrote in a post on Instagram, "and it's also the title of our next song together."
10. Chappell Roan Shows Off Her Country Roots With 'The Giver'
Grammy-winning pop icon Chappell Roan has never been one to hide her Midwest princess roots, and she's embracing her country side with the release of her new single, "The Giver." Chappell's no stranger to music that gets you on your feet and moving, but she's never released a boot-stomper quite like this, driven by lively fiddles and her playful country drawl as she sings about her giving nature as a partner. It's energetic, fun and exactly what we're hope to see more of from Chappell in 2025.
"I have such a special place in my heart for country music," Roan revealed in a press release. "I grew up listening to it every morning and afternoon on my school bus and had it swirling around me at bon fires, grocery stores and karaoke bars. Many people have asked if this means I'm making a country album? My answer is… right now I'm just making songs that make me feel happy and fun and 'The Giver' is my take on c*ntry xoxo may the classic country divas lead their genre, I am just here to twirl and do a little gay yodel for y'all."
Missed our favorite tracks last week? Click HERE to check out our top 10 favorite releases for the week of March 7, 2025.