Best New Music • 2025
Dive into a meticulously Sodwee curated playlist of 400 standout tracks released over the past year — a hand-picked treasure trove of fresh sounds, hidden gems, and pure musical gold.
Aesop Rock – I Heard It’s a Mess There Too
Aesop Rock returns with I Heard It’s a Mess There Too, a stripped-down, lyrically surgical record that turns chaos into clarity. Where deadpan humor meets existential hygiene.
Dave – The Boy Who Played The Harp
Dave returns with The Boy Who Played The Harp, a deeply introspective and lyrically flawless third album that fuses biblical symbolism with Brixton soul. Featuring Kano, James Blake, and Nicole Blakk, it cements his reign as UK rap’s thinking man—poetic, powerful, and unapologetically human.
Minot – Walls / People Pleaser
Missoula’s Minot unleash Walls / People Pleaser, a scrappy lo-fi garage punk 7-inch that pairs fuzzed-out workplace despair with a deranged slice of 60s pop. Dual songwriting, DIY charm, and percussive chaos make this Lathe Cut a beautifully unhinged listen.
LEISURE – One In A Million
Leisure return with One In A Million from their upcoming Welcome To The Mood album (Sept 12, 2025 via Nettwerk), a lush fifth studio album blending soul, groove, and live-band warmth. A golden-hour soundtrack filled with brass, strings, and effortless cool.
Ata Kak – Yasi Town
Ata Kak drops new single “Yasi Town” via Awesome Tapes Of Africa. A wild fusion of highlife, lo-fi funk, and Twi rap. The cult hero behind Obaa Sima proves once again that his DIY magic and infectious grooves remain timeless.
Newmen – Terminal Beach
German outfit NEWMEN blend Krautrock roots, shimmering synth-pop, and hypnotic loops on Terminal Beach — a danceable, dystopian trip where pop hooks meet avant-garde edge.
Babeheaven – Beloved
London duo Babeheaven return after a four-year pause with Beloved — a tender, self-produced single out July 25 via Scenic Route. Blending dream-pop, soul, and trip-hop, it marks a new chapter shaped by love, grief, and quiet reinvention.
Introducing : Thredd
Thredd, a new UK supergroup born in Laylow’s basement, drops their debut album It’s Lovely, Come On In on August 15. Blending cold pop, indie charm, and emotional grit, it’s the soundtrack for anyone “up for a party, down for a cry.”
Shura – I Got Too Sad For My Friends
Shura’s new album I Got Too Sad For My Friends marks a raw, honest return to music. Out May 30th via PIAS, it dives deep into themes of vulnerability and resilience. Lead single “Recognise” captures her lyrical honesty and haunting melodies, proving Shura remains a powerful force in alt-pop.