Q1 2025 Music Roundup
What I've been listening to lately.
Despite the fact that I went on a diatribe last week about how I’m trying to embrace the idea that I’m aging out of new music, I still do actually try to pay attention to new releases, particularly if they’re by artists that I care about. And since we’re already more than 25% through the year, I thought it would be a good time to share some of the new releases from the first quarter of 2025 that I listened to.
DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS by Bad Bunny
Last newsletter, I mentioned that I’ve been listening to the new Bad Bunny album on repeat. Each time I listen to it, I discover something new to love. It has a way of drilling into your brain, and you just want to live there. This is going to be the perfect summer album, and I can’t wait to blast it from my car with the sun shining on my face. Seriously, if you have not listened to it, go do that immediately.
NGL by JoJo
I have a soft spot in my heart for JoJo. Her first two albums came out during my tween years. I loved her music then, and as I grew up, I eagerly waited for her to release more. JoJo had been in a long dispute with her record label, which caused a lack of control and endless delays to creating new music.
But I’ve been peripherally following her music for a while, listening to the morsels of new songs as they were released. I was even supposed to see her in the spring of 2020. I had purchased the tickets, only for the show to get pushed so many times because of the pandemic that it was eventually cancelled.
JoJo has a pretty traumatic and heart-wrenching life story. One that I read about earlier this year in her book Over the Influence. I’m not sure I loved the way the book was written, but I enjoyed learning more about her life, her career, her struggles within the music industry. And I will continue to listen to her albums and support her music, probably out of that nostalgia I feel from when I first listened to Get Out and Too Little Too Late.
Also, a little tidbit for everyone, but while JoJo was in a dispute with her record label (and they weren’t releasing her older albums on streaming services), she re-recorded and released her first two albums as an adult. This was several years before Ms. T Swift would do the same thing. It’s really interesting to hear those songs being sung by an actual adult. Not only has her voice changed and matured, but the thematic content of the songs works much better.
I enjoy revisiting her music with all this context, understanding where she tried to fit in creative, and where she was stifled to try to fit into the image that the people around her wanted to create for her.
Mayhem by Lady Gaga
I know it’s been said, but Lady Gaga is so back. Although did she ever really go anywhere?
This album has everything: disco zombies, Gaga giving a cream related Prince reference, Gaga giving Michael Jackson. It’s such a good time and harkens back to Gaga’s early days. These days, I think we all need a little fun in our lives and Mayhem is a great way to get there.
Astropical by Astropical (Bomba Estéreo and Rawayana)
I completely stumbled upon this album one Friday morning, March 7, after searching for new releases. I recognized Bomba Estéreo and decided to give it a listen. And after a few songs in, I knew that I had found something special.
The album consists of 12 songs, each with an astrological theme. It’s vibrant, energetic, and a lot of fun. I know that I’ll be playing this a ton throughout the spring and summer months.
I also read a really excellent NPR write-up on the making of the album, history of the two bands behind Astropical, and their political roots.
So Close To What by Tate McRae
My ultimate feelings on this album are still out. I was really excited to listen to it when it was first released. The singles leading up to this album are so good. Both It’s Okay I’m Okay and Sports Car are reminiscent of early 2000s pop, hitting that perfect mix of nostalgia and contemporary for me.
But when it comes to the full album, I feel like something is lacking. I find a few of the songs interesting, but nothing captures my imagination the way that the singles do. I press play on the album, excited for what’s to come, and by the end, it has faded into the background, and I haven’t noticed how many songs have passed.
I think it’s still worth giving it a try. And if nothing else, you should listen to the singles.
For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women) by Japanese Breakfast
I’m not entirely certain if I fall into the category of melancholy brunettes. I think I did in my youth. But at this stage in life, it probably depends on the day.
For the last few years, I have been pretty anti- “sad girl music.” These days, I just don’t need dozens of albums by various women singing the same sad acoustic song. Life is already sad enough. I don’t know if I need to wallow in it.
But Japanese Breakfast has often been an exception to this rule. Perhaps it’s because her last album Jubilee was much more joyful, a delightful reprieve. And while the title of this album targets the morose, it certainly doesn’t leave me wallowing.
Funnily enough, I think I may be the “happier women” she refers to in Winter in LA
Loves the sun
And California days
Sweet and warm
Like winter in LA
What are you listening to these day? What should I add to my list?
Playlist of the Month
I’ve been feeling so uninspired lately when it comes to making playlists. But, the last two weeks, I’ve been hard at work to make a new spring-themed playlist! So, if you need something else to listen to, here’s a nice, sweet, hopeful ride.