The Best Songs Released in February 2025

Is anyone else thrilled we’re through January and February? I personally feel like they’re the worst months of the year. Anyway, don’t be overwhelmed by the list of albums and EPs to listen to from this past month—it’s a wonderful problem to have!!!!!!

Noteworthy album & EP releases:
if i’m honest for once, Abby Powledge
Love & Hyperbole, Alessia Cara
Someone Should Stop Her, Anna Shoemaker
Off With Her Head, BANKS
HORROR, Bartees Strange
Disturbing, Ben Kessler
11:11, Biig Piig
SUNSET BLACK, Bren Joy
too late to cry, Carlie Hanson
How The Good Girls Die, Caroline Romano
Love Me Please, Chloe Slater
Run to the Center, Cornelia Murr
Billboard Heart, Deep Sea Diver
Tryin to be born, Emile Mosseri
Quiet Pleasures, Glixen
Open Wide, Inhaler
Workhorse, Isabel Pless
Sleepers, Kelora
Alter Ego, LISA
I’m a TV, Mae Martin
Light Hit My Face Like a Straight Right, Mallrat
Girls, Matilda Mann
Michigander, Michigander
Erotica Veronica, Miya Folick
Out of the Blue, Morgan Saint
POLARI, Olly Alexander
choke enough, Oklou
Sinister Grift, Panda Bear
Little Acts of Violence, Ray Bull
Short ‘n Sweet (Deluxe), Sabrina Carpenter
SYMPHONY IN THE SKY, Saint Motel
Arm’s Length, Sam Fender
Like a Damn Dog, Sarah and The Sundays
SAYA, Saya Grey
SINK NOW, SWIM LATER, Sienna Spiro
Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory, Sharon Van Etten
Club Shy Room 2, Shygirl
SOS DELUXE: LANA, SZA
So Close To What, Tate McRae
A Million Knives, The Velveteers
Promised Land, Wafia
Oh! The Ocean, The Wombats
Rarely Do I Dream, Youth Lagoon

In chronological order:

“Nosebleeds” – Doechii
Release date – February 3

Releasing a new song the day after winning your first Grammy? That’s a flex few, if any, have pulled off before—but Doechii isn’t just anyone. Fresh off her Best New Artist win, she dropped “Nosebleeds,” a track that doesn’t just celebrate her moment but comments on the very idea of winning and losing. The song opens with an instantly recognizable sample—Kanye West’s infamous “I guess we’ll never know” speech, the perfect response to the hypothetical “What would Doechii do if she didn’t win?” She doesn’t have to answer, because she did.

“Nosebleeds” is as much a statement of arrival as it is a reminder of where she came from. From the swamp to the stage, Doechii has proven time and again that her rise is inevitable, and now, it’s undeniable. The track’s fiery delivery and self-assured bars double down on her star power—she’s not waiting for validation; she’s already making the next move. If this is what she drops in celebration, one can only imagine what she has in store for the rest of the year. – JEsse

“Abracadabra” – Lady Gaga
Release date – February 3

If I have had one song on repeat this month, it’s absolutely “Abracadabra” by Lady Gaga, the second single from her upcoming album, Mayhem, which drops this week (!!!!) I have always admired Gaga as an artist but haven’t been as receptive to all of her genre switches: I particularly didn’t like Joanne but enjoyed Chromatica (seemingly) more than most people.

Debuting at #8 on Spotify’s daily global chart and making it to #3 on the U.S. iTunes chart, “Abracadabra” shared the Top 10 with “Die With A Smile,” Gaga’s 2024 collaboration with Bruno Mars.

Whether or not you think “Abracadabra” is a fantastic song (like I do) or you feel like it’s just another version of something she’s already done in the past, you can’t deny the electricity of the message: Gaga recently told Elle Canada that “The song is about facing the challenge of life and the challenge of the night and finding the magic in it all.” – Kristin

“Born Again” – LISA ft. Doja Cat & RAYE
Release date – February 6

LISA’s latest collaboration with Doja Cat and RAYE is a masterclass in groove and decadence, proving just how powerful these multi-star link-ups can be. With LISA leading the charge, Doja making a long-awaited return, and RAYE fresh off a stunning Grammy performance, the track feels like a true event. The production is smooth and sultry, built on a hypnotic bounce that lets each artist shine. Lyrically, it oozes confidence and indulgence, packed with playful yet commanding moments. Doja’s effortless swagger, RAYE’s soulful delivery, and LISA’s signature presence create a dynamic contrast that keeps the energy high.

The music video, directed by Bardia Zeinali, only amplifies the song’s opulence. Known for his bold, hyper-stylized visuals, Zeinali has worked with Kacey Musgraves and directed some of the year’s most buzzed-about videos, including Tate McRae’s “Sports Car” and Sabrina Carpenter’s “Please Please Please,” featuring Barry Keoghan. His signature cinematic flair drapes the video in high-fashion aesthetics and playful storytelling, elevating the track’s already larger-than-life feel. As triple-star collaborations become more common, this one sets the bar—effortlessly cool, sonically rich, and a showcase of pure star power. – Jesse

“Decimal” – Biig Piig
Release date – February 7

I’ve been a casual fan of Biig Piig for a few years now, and I remember seeing them open up for Blu DeTiger way back in 2021. So whenever I see they’re releasing new music, I am all in. I’m still making my way through their newest album, 11:11, but if you’re a fan of artists like Magdalena Bay, Sofi Tukker, or The Marías, you’ll be right at home with this project.

My standout track was “Decimal” as soon as I heard it. Weaving Spanish and English together seamlessly over a funky bass line, “Decimal” is a club-ready beat that rises and falls satisfyingly, changing the pace (lyrically and literally) to represent the rush that comes with developing an attraction towards someone. I can’t predict the future, but I would absolutely love to see this song, or literally any other from the album, make some big waves on TikTok this year. – Kristin

“High Fashion” – Addison Rae
Release date – February 14

Released on Valentine’s Day, Addison Rae’s new single is not an ode to romantic love but admiration for couture. “High Fashion” is Rae’s third single in this album cycle, following “Diet Pepsi” and “Aquamarine.” The song opens with the lyrics “Have you ever dreamt of bein’ seen? / Not by someone, more like in a magazine.” The track’s focus is timely as Rae descends into a fashion darling, donning the covers of Rolling Stone in February and Vogue France in March.

Rae’s trajectory has been fascinating to observe, from famed TikToker to fashion icon and emerging pop star. “High Fashion” was produced by Luka Kloser and Elvira Anderfjärd, who also wrote on the track along with Rae and Tove Burman. The “High Fashion” music video, directed by Mitch Ryan, is a nod to an indie sleaze, Tumblr-era of music. In it, Addison eats beignets covered in powdered sugar made to look like cocaine, sifting it onto the floor and dancing in it. She dances in a burning field with shiny red Dorothy slippers and dances in a hot pink walk-in closet full of gorgeous couture.

There is a likely Britney Spears reference in a scene with Rae wearing low-rise jeans and a beaded bra dancing in the rain. “I don’t need your drugs / I’d rather get, rather get high fashion / I don’t want cheap love / I’d rather get high fashion” While a drug high is temporary, fashion is forever. – Caitlin

“Praying For Your Downfall” – Jensen McRae
Release date – February 19

There is something powerful that comes with no longer wishing harm on someone who’s wronged you, but rather realizing that you pity them for their inability to get out of their own way. Jensen McRae encapsulates this perfectly on “Praying For Your Downfall,” her newest single ahead of her sophomore album, I Don’t Know How But They Found Me!, which is set to release on April 25 via Dead Oceans. Co-written and co-produced by Sam de Jong (who happened to collaborate on Gracie Abrams’ “Close To You”), McRae comes to terms with accepting that your feelings will change after going through various emotions after a break-up.

“The classic thing is to either be completely devastated or to be furious. I feel like ‘Massachusetts’ [the previous single] and ‘Praying For Your Downfall’ are both about the less intense feelings, like the moments of surrender when you realize you have to give up on being devastated and furious,” she said. – Kristin

“Call Me When You Break Up” – Selena Gomez, benny blanco, Gracie Abrams
Release date – February 20

Following the surprise announcement that newly engaged Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco would be releasing an album together, the duo has dropped their latest single, Call Me When You Break Up, featuring Gracie Abrams. Coming off the heels of Scared of Loving You, co-written with FINNEAS, this track takes a more playful, infectious turn. Teased with TikToks of Benny walking in on Selena and Gracie hanging out on their bed, the song delivers on that intimate, inside-joke energy. Lyrically, it leans into the humor and drama of being the go-to friend for post-breakup venting, and sonically, it’s effortlessly catchy—designed to loop endlessly in your head.

The music video keeps things just as fun and personal, shot entirely on an iPhone for a lo-fi, behind-the-scenes feel. This casual, unpolished aesthetic makes the song’s viral TikTok success feel even more organic, as fans are already flooding the app with their own takes on the track. With its breezy hooks and effortless charm, Call Me When You Break Up feels like a natural hit, the kind of song that lingers long after the first listen. – Jesse

“Parasite” – Ray Bull
Release date – February 21

NYC indie-pop duo Ray Bull have released their newest EP, Little Acts of Violence, via AWAL Recordings this past month. While I can make a case for each of the seven songs being one to spotlight, I ultimately went with “Parasite,” the title fit for a track about desire and codependency (“I could say nothing and be polite / but I can stick with you like a little parasite”).

The song and project are an impressive feat from members Tucker and Aaron, who met in college and had no experience playing in bands prior. With layered harmonies reminiscent of The Beatles and contemporary production choices familiar to artists like Medium Build, Wallows, and DJO, Ray Bull continues to solidify themselves as an artist to watch. – Kristin

Be sure to follow our weekly updated New Music Sunday playlist HERE