Songs of the Week - 10/11/2025
These are the 14 tracks you need to check out this week!
Photo Credit: Millie Caldon
Lydia May - 'DROP DEAD GORGEOUS'
This week kicks off with one of the best releases of the year so far, ‘DROP DEAD GORGEOUS’ by theatrical pop-rock superstar Lydia May. Kicking open the door to her new era in the fiercest way possible, Lydia has created a track that fully embraces her ever-growing confident edge. It is a fearless declaration of self-acceptance wrapped in huge guitars and unapologetic attitude. Much like all of Lydia’s releases, there is the aforementioned addictive theatrical streak running throughout, but the layers of vocals and sharp production give this song a wild, unrestrained energy that is unlike anything Lydia May has put out so far. The personal lyricism throughout allows listeners to confront their own struggles without shame and reclaim their power, proving that boldness and vulnerability can coexist in the most empowering way.
The Lottery Winners - 'Your Last Song'
The Lottery Winners’ 2025 has been nothing short of stratospheric, featuring a second Number One album, the announcement of their first-ever stadium headline show, and now capped off with the release of their incredible new single ‘Your Last Song’. The song sees The Lottery Winners do what they do best, take heartbreak and turn it into something euphoric. With its soaring chorus and infectious indie-pop pulse, the track balances bittersweet emotion with a knowing wink, capturing that mix of sadness and freedom that comes from finally saying goodbye. It’s cheeky, cathartic, and built to be shouted back at them from their ever-increasing crowds. A fitting addition to the upcoming deluxe edition of KOKO, ‘Your Last Song’ feels like simultaneously like the closing chapter of one story and the start of a new, even brighter one.
Ellur - 'The World Is Not An Oyster'
Ellur yet again showcases why she is one of this generation’s greatest songwriters with ‘The World Is Not An Oyster’, capturing the confusion and heartbreak of growing up and learning what love really means. Written as a reflection on the chaos that shaped her teenage years, it finds strength in honesty, turning past hurt into something empowering. The track builds from quiet reflection into a powerful release, driven by rich instrumentation and Ellur’s stirring vocal delivery. There’s a sense of resolution woven through every lyric, a feeling of finally understanding where the pain once came from and choosing to move forward anyway. It’s a bold, emotional release that cements Ellur as a voice unafraid to lay everything bare while still reaching for light.
AFTERDRIVE - 'Necklace'
AFTERDRIVE’s new single ‘Necklace’ channels raw emotion into something powerful and immediate, showcasing the band’s signature blend of intensity, melody, and genre-crossing energy. Combining elements of electro-rock and alt-pop, this new track is a statement of intent, pairing their melodic edge with a heavier, more physical energy. ‘Necklace’ hits with clarity and purpose, highlighting well-balanced vocals and tight instrumentation, capturing the feeling of passion at full force where chaos and connection collide. It’s a bold step forward from AFTERDRIVE who seem driven, focused, and completely unafraid to go all in.
Heather LaRose - 'Crush Curse'
Heather LaRose leans into chaos with ‘Crush Curse’, one of her most unhinged and entertaining releases yet. Taken from her recent EP ‘The Horror Stories of Heather LaRose’, the track transforms an awkward real-life mishap into a bold, self-assured anthem. Bursting with personality, the new track blends sharp pop hooks with LaRose’s unmistakable confidence and charm. Heather’s knack for turning an ankle-spraining disaster into a fun, empowering song perfectly captures the messy side of modern dating, further reinforces her as one of pop’s most exciting and relatable new voices.
Odhran Murphy - 'Dance To You All Night'
Odhran Murphy closes out an incredible year with ‘Dance To You All Night’, a tender yet uplifting track that perfectly captures the warmth and honesty at the heart of his sound. With gentle acoustic tones bouncing throughout the song, paired with his soulful vocals, the song radiates comfort and connection, celebrating the joy found in small, shared moments. Odhran manages to write in a way that almost feels effortlessly full of heart, blending his Irish roots with his signature folk-pop charm. Following sold-out shows and a wave of momentum across the UK and Ireland, ‘Dance To You All Night’ marks a glowing, heartfelt preview of what’s to come on his upcoming EP ‘Roots and Reverie’.
The Ariston - 'Fiction'
The Ariston released arguably their most explosive track to date last week, ‘Fiction’, a track that continues the band’s impressive growth. Written and recorded in just one week, the song captures the band’s raw urgency and undeniable chemistry, driven by a groove-heavy bassline and soaring guitars. Lyrically, it delves into feelings of displacement and self-doubt within both relationships and the music industry, balancing vulnerability with confidence. There’s an unfiltered honesty running through every beat, matched by the band’s infectious energy. ‘Fiction’ cements The Ariston’s growing reputation as one of Britain’s most exciting new rock acts.
Isla Mae - 'Some Form of Art'
Last week also saw the release of Isla Mae’s stunning new genre-blending EP, ‘Some Form of Art’. Highlighting just one song is a difficult task as all four tracks are truly sensational, but the emotional rawness of the title track has stuck with me since first listen. The song explores the thrill and vulnerability of allowing yourself to fall in love, capturing the delicate balance between hope and uncertainty. Smoothly evolving from her previous work, Isla Mae combines heartfelt melodies with thoughtful lyrics and an emotive delivery. The whole EP, but in particular the title track, further showcases Isla Mae’s ability to craft music that is deeply personal to her, while leaving space for listeners to find their own meaning and relate it to their own experiences.
Llinos Emanuel - 'Cosy'
Continuing the trend of new EPs, last week saw Llinos Emanuel release her stunning debut EP ‘I’m Yours’, paired with the release of lead single ‘Cosy’, a gentle jazz-infused track that celebrates the quiet joys of lasting love. Llinos’ smooth, elegant vocals glide over lush harmonies and fittingly ‘cosy’ instrumentals, giving the track a timeless, wintry feel. With production that balances warmth and sophistication, ‘Cosy’ perfectly highlights the deeply impressive artistic ability possessed by Llinos Emanuel. It offers listeners a reflective yet uplifting close to her debut collection, paired with its Welsh language counterpart ‘Yn Dy Freichiau Di’
Wavy Trees - 'Growing Up'
Wavy Trees deliver their signature mix of fun and reflection on ‘Growing Up’, a track that captures the awkward, chaotic, and often hilarious reality of leaving carefree youth behind. The song balances high-energy riffs with playful hooks, documenting the crashes and missteps we all face while navigating work, relationships, and adulthood. Opening with a real-life crowd sample recorded at a Sublime concert in Long Beach, the track immediately sets a lively, immersive tone. Wavy Trees continue to blend infectiousness and honesty in their storytelling, crafting a song that’s both relatable and irresistibly catchy, capturing the bittersweet thrill of growing up without losing their characteristic sense of fun.
two person starfield - 'Let Me Go'
two person starfield capped off their breakout year with the release of their brand new EP ‘In Spirit’, featuring one of their punchiest releases to date in ‘Let Me Go’. The whole EP is a masterpiece, but this standout track blends ghostly rock tones with high-energy production to create a shoegaze-style track quite unlike anything two person starfield have released so far. However, even with a new evolution into a more ambitious sound, the band have managed to keep the emotional resonance of their earlier work, offering listeners a track that’s haunting, bold, and impossible to ignore.
Cati Landry - 'Overdrive'
Cati Landry returns with her first release in nearly a year, ‘Overdrive’, a melancholic indie-folk ballad that channels grief and longing with breathtaking poise. Rooted in reflections on loss and the overwhelming rush of emotion, the song blends haunting steel guitar with Cati’s ethereal vocals, painting a picture of someone caught between memory and the present. There’s a cinematic sweep to the arrangement, each note carrying both sorrow and subtle hope, creating a sound that feels simultaneously intimate and expansive. It perfectly showcases Landry’s gift for translating deeply personal experiences into songs that resonate universally. It’s delicate, stirring, and impossible to ignore.
abs - 'Hunting Season'
abs’ new single ‘Hunting Season’ is a high-energy, unapologetic celebration of confidence and self-expression. Heavy electro-hop bass drives the track forward, while abs’ sharp, witty lyrics land with attitude and personality. The chorus sticks instantly, giving the song a playful but commanding presence. It’s a track that feels like stepping into your own spotlight, full of swagger and fun, yet grounded in a sense of determination. ‘Hunting Season’ captures abs at a peak of creativity, showing her ability to craft pop that’s both catchy and packed with character, one you can replay again and again.
Nicole Ash - 'Stitch The Thread'
My Songs of the Week are rounded out by Nicole Ash’s ‘Stitch The Thread’, a bright, nostalgic pop-punk track telling the story of reconciling with a friendship that’s fallen apart. Moving past anger and frustration, the song reflects on what mattered, celebrating growth through layering catchy guitars, anthemic choruses, and Nicole’s signature storytelling. Y2K-inspired production and playful nods to AIM-era chat and landline conversations give it a sweetly nostalgic edge. It’s a track that achieves emotional clarity with pop-punk punch, making it feel both familiar and fresh.