If you tuned into KDWB at all this summer, you probably heard Ryan Seacrest or Dave Ryan introduce some of the most popular songs. These could’ve been Post Malone’s I Had Some Help (feat. Morgan Wallen) or That’s So True by Gracie Abrams, both currently ranking in the iHeart Radio show’s top 5 tracks. While every other tune last summer was Chappell Roan or Sabrina Carpenter—though both did have songs chart on the Billboard Hot 100 again this summer; Manchild and Pink Pony Club, respectively—the popular music landscape wasn’t dominated by a few individuals. Rather, a slew of songs, ranging from pop songs like DAISIES (Justin Bieber), country including Ordinary (Alex Warren), hip-hop such as What Did I Miss? (Drake), to alternative like back to friends (sombr), were played on repeat.
Of course, there were also artists who certainly had a successful summer. One of these people was Tate McRae. From starting her first arena tour to having several charting songs, of which you might recognize Just Keep Watching for the F1 movie or What I Want with Morgan Wallen, her music kept holding a place on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Her latest album, So Close To What, also continued to do well, with Sports car and Revolving door still charting.
Not all of the artists that topped the charts recently are from bands that, well, exist. With the release of K-Pop Demon Hunters came the rise of two fictional bands. Saja Boys’ Soda Pop has gained momentum particularly through social media platforms like TikTok and, subsequently, dances. Also gaining traction online after the movie’s release was Golden, the lead single by fictional band HUNTR/X.
Naturally, these weren’t the only songs that were popular this summer on social media. You probably heard someone talking either enthusiastically or outright confused about something called “moonbeam ice cream.” Apparently, not even Benson Boone (who initially had those words in Mystical Magical as a placeholder phrase) knows quite exactly what that is. The catchy bass and synthesizer pair with a classic 2/4 dance drum beat and upbeat lyrics to create the hit that lives somewhere between delusional fantasies and determination.
Other trending songs include Illegal by PinkPantheress. On TikTok in particular, people have taken to making videos with their partners or close friends to poke fun at the differences in their relationships. Of course, Marino’s Devil in Disguise has also gained popularity recently. It has been covered by thousands of people across many platforms, as well as used in edits and short-form animations. Now, by comparison to those songs, Connie Francis’ Pretty Little Baby has proven to age well. Originally released in 1962, it made a major comeback this summer. A definite win for the late singer who got to see success once more before her passing.
Though these next songs aren’t quite as old as Pretty Little Baby, they aren’t new this summer. Not Like Us (Kendrick Lamar), BIRDS OF A FEATHER (Billie Eilish), and Lose Control (Teddy Swims) are continuing to go strong from their success last summer. The same is true for A Bar Song (Tipsy) by Shaboozey, and while it is a newer tune, Doechii is also seeing popularity with her single, Anxiety. Of course, Bruno Mars has also seen this continuing traction. His two latest hits, APT. with BLACKPINK singer ROSÉ and his Grammy Award-winning Lady Gaga collaboration, Die With A Smile, are still holding a place on the charts, albeit not as high as a year ago.
It’s safe to say that there were a lot of popular albums that came out last summer (yes, yes, I promise this is the last you’ll hear about a year ago), but this summer there were less major releases making headlines. Lana Del Rey didn’t even announce so much as a release date for the LP she has been hinting at. Nevertheless, here are some new albums that you should totally check out.
A Matter of Time — Laufey
The Icelandic-Chinese singer’s third album has her signature jazz-pop sound blend effortlessly with classical instrumentation. Laufey is a master of conveying emotions through her songs. Her angry-yet-over-it essence is as evident in Tough Luck as the dejected nature is in Snow White and A Cautionary Tale. A Matter of Time will certainly get you thinking, as all great albums should.
MIDNIGHT — Vïtal
SUNSET opens the second album of the self-producing artist with a bright trumpet melody, haunting vocal harmonies, and a relaxed acoustic guitar joined a minute in with a beat drop followed by his own singing. Later, he and fellow Wayzata graduate Mike$dagoat collaborate on their song, HOMICIDE. Through the entire album, it’s impossible to not be vibing with the synths and trap beats in every song. If you’re in need of hype music or some chill hip-hop tunes to listen to, go check out Vïtal.
Virgin — Lorde
Twelve years and several albums after her rise to fame, the Royals singer released this eleven-track LP. Virgin acts like a look in the mirror after a trip back in time for Lorde. The album dives into the idea of identity while also focusing a lot on her gender dysphoria, particularly in Man Of The Year and Shapeshifter. The chilling vocals and synth of David also articulates the pain of changing for someone instead of being authentic. The authenticity of Lorde’s fourth album is evident through every track, and it’s definitely worth checking out in your free time.
Accelerator — Bad Suns
The alternative SoCal band’s 5th album is full of feel-good tunes paired with honest lyrics. From the very beginning, the storytelling is well balanced with the repetition expected in a pop song. The teen lover vibes in Mystery Girl are a perfect pair with the heartache of What’s Best for You. Definitely check this one out if you have a longer drive or just time to listen to something
BITE ME — Reneé Rapp
The Mean Girls star second LP is loudly unapologetic and personal on another level. Her vocals are articulate in the way that you can see her absolutely fuming in Why Is She Still Here? and breaking a minute next in Sometimes. The introspective album varies greatly from song to song, and there really is something for everyone. If you’re looking for a good way to spend a quick 33 minutes, you should check out this album.
If none of these sound like something of interest to you, don’t fret. More releases are to come. Ed Sheeran’s first in his next set of albums comes out on September 12th. You might’ve heard Azizam or A Little More recently, both off of said album, titled “Play.” A little less well known, but just as talented, producer/musician FINNEAS and singer/songwriter Ashe (you might know her from her song Moral of the Story, which was co-written with FINNEAS) have started a band, The Favors. Right now, three of the twelve tracks from their debut album are available to listen to wherever you stream your music. The songs all have incredible harmonies and melodies, as well as wonderfully heartbreaking stories woven into the lyrics. Their album, The Dream, releases a week after Play on September 19th.
Also produced by FINNEAS, Billie Eilish’s first LP, WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO? dropped off of the Billboard 200 for the first time on August 18th. It debuted at No. 1 on April 13th, 2019 — 16 days after its release on March 29th of the same year. When it finally fell off the chart last month, it had spent 332 consecutive weeks since originally charting.
I’m always looking for new artists and songs, so if there is something you’d like to recommend or have me review, please feel free to reach out! As always, a playlist will be made of all of these songs. This one’s title is “WHS Voice Notes – Summer 2025” and is available on Spotify and Apple Music.