Songs of the Week - 18/08/2025
These are the 11 tracks you need to check out this week!
Holly Nicholson - 'george harrison'
This week’s Songs of the Week are kicked off by Holly Nicholson, and her stellar seventh song, ‘george harrison’. After teasing the number 7 across her socials over the last few months, the hype for this song was undeniable, culminating in the release of one of Holly’s most powerful songs to date. Written in the aftermath of heartbreak, it captures the sharp mix of anger and release that comes when pain finally gives way to clarity. The bridge in particular feels like a career-best moment that highlights the meteoric rise Holly Nicholson is destined for. Layered with playful production touches and an emotive guitar track, ‘george harrison’ is as cathartic as it is compelling, and acts as the perfect introduction to Holly’s music for those who are yet to discover her.
Kat Penkin - 'God Just Laughs'
Kat Penkin returns with her first release since April’s Good Woman EP, the poignant and heartfelt ‘God Just Laughs’. Born out of the time Kat spends working long shifts in hospitality while dreaming of a full-time career in music, it captures the grind, frustration, and fragile hope that so many musicians, and people from all walks of life, will recognise. Blending touches of country and folk with her pop sensibility, Kat delivers one of her most personal songs yet. Completely independent and self-released, it’s a raw statement of resilience from a musician whose talent runs deep and is deserving of all the positives the messy music industry has to offer.
Lois - 'APRIL SHOWERS'
Lois continues her take over of 2025, with the release of her long-awaited sophomore EP ‘SEVEN’. Given a number of the EP’s tracks have already featured in my Songs of the Week this year, it is no surprise the entire EP is a true work of art, but the closing track ‘APRIL SHOWERS’ may just be the most stunning song Lois has ever penned. The track, which also acts as the EP’s final song, lingers on the what-ifs and maybes of life’s sliding doors moments. Beginning with delicate acoustic chords, the song steadily swells into a spellbinding full-band crescendo, carrying all the weight of love, timing, and missed chances. There could not have been a more perfect way to round out genuinely one of the best bodies of work I have heard in years.
Izzii Grace - 'Wouldn't Ask'
Izzii Grace is back with their second release of the year, ‘Wouldn’t Ask’, a rare delve into an upbeat territory that still carries all the almost-poetic attention to detail that I have come to expect from Izzii’s songwriting. Written by musical geniuses and SBTM favourites Sundown Studios, the track glimmers with bright instrumentation as Izzii explores the tension of feeling different, and the pressure to mold yourself for others. It’s playful on the surface, but beneath lies a thoughtful honesty that makes the single one of their most affecting to date.
Shannon Gillespie - 'One For The Road'
After 18 months away, Shannon Gillespie has made a sparkling return with ‘One For The Road’, her most confident release yet. I genuinely believe Shannon is one of the UK’s most underrated talents, with every release she’s put out having been truly phenomenal. However, after taking time away to refine her sound, Gillespie has stormed back into the music scene with an indie-pop anthem driven by a huge full-band sound, whilst staying true to the lyrical honesty that made her early releases so impressive. With glittering guitar riffs, anthemic choruses, and an infectious energy throughout, there could not have been a more perfect reintroduction to Shannon Gillespie.
Flo Gallop - 'MISS U NOW UR GONE'
With the brilliant catchiness of her most recent release ‘Famous’ still stuck in my mind, Flo Gallop returned last week with a brand-new surprise single, ‘MISS U NOW UR GONE’. The track, which also acts as the second single from Flo’s upcoming debut EP, continues all the pop-rock fun ‘Famous’ possessed, whilst adding even more empowering and relatable lyricism. Flo described it as her favourite release yet, and it’s easy to see why. The song is unapologetically bold, honest, and completely on brand. I have not seen an artist so perfectly capture a musical styling and identity quite as clearly as Flo Gallop has over the last few months, and it has made my anticipation for the pending debut EP grow all the stronger.
Mac Wood - 'Don't Mind My Chatter'
After storming onto the music scene with debut single ‘The Times’ back in May, Mac Wood has just made his return with sophomore single, ‘Don’t Mind My Chatter’. The song bursts with relentless energy, anchored by hard-hitting drums, a dynamic guitar track that bounces between gritty riffs and soaring solos, and Mac’s anthemic vocals. Coupling the sonic brilliance with relatable, honest lyricism, the track is a powerful, raw statement that perfectly showcases Mac Wood’s indie edge, and establishes him as a real one to watch in the genre.
Lullabee - 'It's Not Me, It's You'
Electronic-pop extraordinaire Lullabee announced her upcoming debut EP last week, releasing the incredible new single ‘It’s Not Me, It’s You’ alongside this announcement. The new single acts as a bold statement of self-clarity and empowerment for an artist who looks destined to take over with this new era. ‘It’s Not Me, It’s You’ blends cinematic alt-pop production with raw, emotionally charged lyrics, crafting a dancefloor-ready confession about reclaiming your boundaries. It continues Lullabee’s string of releasing confident and uncompromising songs that empower and make you want to dance, cementing her as one of the UK’s most exciting rising electronic-pop voices.
Emily Doyle - 'By Your Side'
Rising folk-pop artist Emily Doyle has just released her second single of the year, ‘By Your Side’, a brutally honest and deeply relatable story about the struggle to let go of someone or something that isn’t good for you. Anchored by a delicate guitar track that builds into an emotive, soaring escape, the song balances a catchy melody with real emotional depth. Emily’s incredible vocals carry every nuance, perfectly driving the track’s heartfelt emotions and showcasing her ability to craft folk-pop that is both intimate and universally resonant. If her first two releases are anything to go by, Emily Doyle is set to become a standout name in the folk-pop scene for years to come.
Arkayla - 'Doctor'
Arkayla, one of the most thrilling emerging bands right now, return with their first release of 2025, the commanding ‘Doctor’. This single perfectly captures the raw energy that the band are known for on stage, but with a summery, almost festival-made, twist. Translating their live power into a track that refuses to play it safe, ‘Doctor’ opens with a deceptively chilled guitar line that locks seamlessly with a harmonious vocal backing. Manchester’s musical legacy is long-established, but with urgent riffs and anthemic hooks, Arkayla are carving out their own path as a rising force in the city’s next chapter.
Vanitas - 'Solaire'
This week’s Songs of the Week are rounded out by Vanitas, who have just had the biggest week of their career. The prog-metal band released their brand-new EP ‘Journey to the Sun’ last Friday, followed by a huge release party gig, solidifying their presence as one of the best upcoming metal bands around. The EP’s release was also paired with the release of a music video for closing track Solaire, a song that feels nothing short of cinematic. Sweeping, immersive, and emotionally charged, it’s a track that places the listener at the heart of the story, blurring the line between narrative and experience. Vanitas are stepping confidently into their next chapter, one that feels destined to see them skyrocket.
