Monthly Music Roundup: May 2025
Music Releases: Miley Cyrus, Doechii, Linying, and Bon Iver Drop New Tunes
Exploring the hottest tracks from around the globe! 🎵
Stream This Song: Miley Cyrus - Something Beautiful
Miley Cyrus is taking a leap with her latest album, diving into left-field, avant-garde pop after her recent hits. "Something Beautiful" is the title track of her upcoming visual album, slated for release on May 30.
The song unfolds with a soulful, R&B-tinged verse, showcasing vulnerability in love, before the chorus bursts with big drums, discordant guitars, and distorted vocals. The sound and fury build to a cacophonous crescendo, with clamorous saxophones taking the stage.
This track is a stark contrast from her recent success, Flowers, which won Record of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance at the 2024 Grammys. Cyrus has also released "Prelude" and "End of the World" from the album, the latter being a luscious pop-indie hybrid co-written with members of Canadian shoegaze band Alvvays.
Must-See MV: Doechii - Anxiety
American rapper Doechii's music video for "Anxiety" offers a lot to dissect. Originally self-released in 2019 and re-recorded in 2025, this song gained fame due to a TikTok dance challenge based on the pilot episode of "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air."
The video pays homage to the iconic visuals of "Somebody That I Used To Know," featuring twin girls who resemble Doechii's younger sisters and a set that mirrors her bedroom where she made her early music. The chaotic and cyclical events in the video reflect the intrusive thoughts and internal turmoil of those living with anxiety.
Ace Album: Bon Iver - Sable, Fable
Bon Iver's first album in six years, "Sable, Fable," showcases the band's musical evolution. Divided into two parts, the album delves into the raw, folk-indie sounds of their debut, For Emma, Forever Ago, while showcasing the complex blend of electronic music, R&B, and experimental sounds found in their later works.
The album follows the emotional heft of "I, I," their 2019 album that was nominated for Album of the Year at the 2020 Grammys. Sonically, the album leans towards contentment and the celebration of new love, but traces of anxiety can still be found in tracks like things behind things behind things and Speyside.
Chart Champ: Ken Carson - More Chaos
The commercial success of American rapper Ken Carson's latest album, "More Chaos," reflects the growing popularity of "rage" music. The 22-track offering showcases all the hallmarks of the genre, with aggressive energy, booming bass, kick drums, and a marriage of auto-tuned melody and brashness.
"More Chaos" marked Carson's first No. 1 on the US Billboard album charts. It surpassed "Music," the latest album from fellow American rapper Playboi Carti. Ironically, Carti guests on "More Chaos' final track, "Off The Meter."
Singapore Scene: Linying - Swim, Swim
Singaporean singer-songwriter Linying's second full-length album, "Swim, Swim," came to life after a transformative experience in the Philippines. The album was recorded in Los Angeles and features soul-baring dream-pop tunes that touch on heartbreak, moving from Singapore to the United States, and moments of feminine empowerment.
The album sonically alternates between gauzy synthesizers and jangly guitars, making for a dreamy soundscape. The stripped-down and poignant album closer, "Good Is Better Than Better," shines with only Linying's silken voice and a lone piano.
Upcoming Releases:
- Lady Gaga (expected)
- Stray Kids (expected)
- Jennie (expected)
- Dua Lipa (expected)
Stay tuned for more music updates! 🎶🎤🎧
- The upcoming visual album by Miley Cyrus, titled "Something Beautiful," promises an enticing blend of avant-garde pop and soulful R&B, venturing away from her recent success with the pop ballad "Flowers."
- In the Singapore music scene, Linying's second full-length album, "Swim, Swim," offers a hauntingly beautiful blend of dream-pop and heartfelt lyricism, exploring themes of heartbreak, empowerment, and personal journey.
