Songs of the Week - 22/09/2025
These are the 18 tracks you need to check out this week!
Photo Credit: Ella Knott
Lily Knott - 'swimming with sharks'
This week’s Songs of the Week are kicked off by pop superstar Lily Knott, and her new track ‘swimming with sharks’. This new song was released just over a week ago, alongside Lily’s stellar new EP, ‘the risk feels pretty even’. Whilst the whole EP truly is a work of art, ‘swimming with sharks’ stood out for me as Lily has managed to tackle such a powerful and widely relatable topic in such a glittering, upbeat way. Tackling the harsh realities of being a woman in the world today, the song compares walking home alone at night to jumping into an ocean full of sharks, capturing the vulnerability, fear, and frustration many women know all too well. It’s a track that sees Lily lay her feelings bare, confronting societal norms while offering a cathartic outlet for others to find comfort in, and to me, that is the most important form of songwriting.
Lullabee - 'Taste.'
Last week saw Lullabee unveil her new single ‘Taste.’, another preview of her upcoming debut EP, ‘It’s Not Me, It’s You’, due October 24th. ‘Taste.’ Sees Lullabee lean into a darker and more charged tone, wrapping pulsing synths and rhythms around strong vocals. Beneath the danceable exterior sits an emotional core, with the song capturing the uneasy aftermath of giving in to someone you know you should not have trusted. It lingers on that conflict between heart and gut, the doubt that follows forgiveness, and the way a single taste can cloud everything. Both hypnotic and raw, ‘TASTE.’ teases an EP that promises to explore temptation, vulnerability and the cost of emotional honesty, all whilst showcasing the powerful depth of Lullabee’s musicality.
Leah Wilcox - 'the sofa song.'
Last week also saw the release of a song I have been desperately anticipating since first seeing it performed live, Leah Wilcox and her incredible new track ‘the sofa song.’. This was a standout song during Leah’s star-making set at this year’s Splendour Festival, with the recorded release managing to maintain all the emotionally driven charm of the live performance. Leah wraps her intimate storytelling in warm melodies that make everyday details feel quietly profound, turning the mundane into something tender and memorable. With an opening line that immediately grabs your attention, ‘the sofa song.’ captures the suffocating nature of facing love and heartbreak alone. Arriving as the second single from Leah Wilcox’s impending debut EP ‘I don’t do casual’, this really does feel like the start of something special.
Rose White - 'Next Of Kin'
Rose White has just released her long awaited first single of 2025, the striking ‘Next Of Kin’. The song signals a bold shift in sound and style for Rose, but ensures the signature raw honesty that has been present across her earlier releases remains intact. The track brims with intensity, pairing cinematic alt-pop production with deeply emotive lyricism that examines love, loss, and all that brings us together. There’s a palpable sense of reinvention here. Rose sounds renewed, revitalised and unafraid to push boundaries, which is an exciting feat for an artist who already has the most incredible discography under her belt. ‘Next Of Kin’ isn’t just a new single, it marks the dawn of a new era for an artist who is both deserving and destined for the big time.
Lydia Reddy - 'The Way We're Rollin''
After launching her debut single in June, Lydia Reddy has immediately returned with her sophomore release, this time a country-inspired powerhouse pop track called ‘The Way We’re Rollin’’. The track is immediately catchy, effortlessly blending Lydia’s pop sensibility with her sharp knack for storytelling, further cementing her place as an artist making her mark on the industry. Alongside being musically great, the track epitomises fun, and that has been highlighted further by the promotional videos that have been paired with its release. From Greggs sausage rolls to the teddy collection of Club Haus recording studio, everyone has been getting on board with this infectious anthem. Lydia Reddy is an artist delivering confident, joyous music that is brimming with personality that everyone should check out.
Ben Ward & Cameron Collins - 'What Do You Say?'
Ben Ward released his new musical theatre EP ‘Golden Days’ last week, joined by five of the finest voices in the genre. As the EP’s composer and mastermind, Ben has created a contemporary song cycle exploring the small, defining moments of growing up, letting go, and finding joy in imperfection. Told through five connected character pieces, the music balances musical theatre flair with intimate singer-songwriter sensibilities, giving space for both emotion and reflection. While the whole EP shines, ‘What Do You Say?’ really grabbed me most, due to the striking storytelling, perfectly balanced instrumentation and Cameron Collins’ captivating performance. However, I wholeheartedly recommend you sit and enjoy all five tracks in order to really appreciate the art of ‘Golden Days’.
Melody Coles - 'Bedsheets'
Melody Coles returned with her stunning second single of the year, ‘Bedsheets’, following on from the powerful ‘Is It Just Me?’. Written during a time when life felt overwhelming, ‘Bedsheets’ began as a quiet reflection on retreat and hiding away, but evolved into something warmer and even more relatable. It is a song about stillness, companionship, and the reassurance that what remains is all we need. With Melody’s signature folk-Americana sound on full display, she has managed to blend heartfelt storytelling with raw, emotive vocals, capturing moments of motherhood, growing up, and life’s small truths. The song moves from introspection to gentle affirmation, offering listeners both solace and connection through personal lyricism.
Sara Baroni - 'giulia'
Sara Baroni continues her fast ascent with her latest single ‘I Lost It, I Miss It’, a delicate song that captures the ache of memory with raw intimacy, unfolding like a whispered confession that lingers long after the final note. Built around gentle yet emotionally charged melodies, the track speaks to the emptiness that comes when something once certain slips away, leaving only fragments behind. Whilst penned about Sara’s own personal experience, you cannot help but view your own past with nostalgia and vulnerability whilst listening. It is a song that embraces loss, giving shape to the way absence can echo in unexpected ways, acting as a moving reminder of how even silence can carry weight and meaning. It is a powerful message delivered by one of music’s most exciting upcomers.
Local Rainbow - 'How will i know'
Local Rainbow is an artist who has never been afraid to experiment with new styles and soundscapes, and that has led to the creation of this emotionally vulnerable and musically infectious new single ‘How Will I Know’. The track takes a modernised approach of 80s-inspired synths, combining them with soaring melodies to create something that is equally nostalgic as it is refreshing. ‘How Will I Know’ describes the rush of an all-consuming crush that sparks entire imagined relationships before a word is even exchanged, capturing the intensity of these daydreams through glittering production pulsing with energy and desire. While threading vulnerability through every harmony. It’s a song that feels both playful and confessional, a perfect storm of yearning and euphoria that marks another striking release for Local rainbow.
Eve Berry - 'better man'
Saint Sappho recently dropped the energetic ‘Cracks’, which also acts as the first glimpse of their upcoming album. The track dives into the disorienting feeling of losing yourself. Beginning with an eerie, cinematic string line that sets the stage for something haunting, the song quickly slips into bass-driven grooves that relentlessly drive through the heart of the song. It is one of the most captivating instrumentals I have heard in some time. The lyrics echo that sense of disconnect, with the uncertainty of not recognising who you are any more, delivered in hypnotic, blurred vocals that circle in and out of the beat. For a song this dynamic, it is remarkably produced, making the complex musicality shine throughout a really impressive single. If Saint Sappho continue down this path, the upcoming album looks set to be a special release.
Mia Grace - 'Nightmare Fairytale'
Mia Grace kicks off her new chapter with ‘Nightmare Fairytale’, a track that contrasts grit and empowerment within a vibrant pop sound that will be stuck in your head from first listen. Driven by urgent beats and punchy guitars, the song channels the raw frustration of forgetting your worth before flipping it into a defiant reminder to choose yourself. The lyrics impressively balance fragility and boldness, sketching the struggles of modern womanhood while making space for clarity and resilience. Mia’s vocal delivery flawlessly blends both sweetness and bite, letting vulnerability and strength sit side by side. The result is an anthem of self-preservation that is sharp, melodic, and unafraid to call out what needs leaving behind.
Gaby K - 'Momma Told Me'
Gaby K opens up a tender yet empowering space on ‘Momma Told Me’, a song that reflects on the realities of loneliness and the lessons learned while navigating single life. Built around heartfelt storytelling which has become a common feat of Gaby’s music, ‘Momma Told Me’ captures the push and pull of well-meaning advice from loved ones, alongside the quiet strength found in learning to stand on your own. There’s an intimacy in the delivery that makes the song feel like a conversation. It is honest, direct, and comforting in its simplicity. The new single doesn’t treat being alone as something to fix, but as a vital stage of growth, where self-love and independence take root. It’s a gentle anthem for anyone learning to embrace their own company.
Hollie Gautiér - 'I Got U'
Hollie Gautiér’s latest single ‘I Got U’ feels like a self-love letter that spans time. The track was penned to Hollie’s younger self, but is written in a way that everyone who listens can direct towards their own past and step forward feeling supported and empowered. Built upon a relentless beat, Hollie transitions from confessional verses into a soaring chorus of comfort, driven by the reassuring repetition of “I Got U’. Managing to write a song that is so upbeat and with such expansive production whilst maintaining an emotional message is an impressive feat, and it is one that Hollie has effortlessly managed. It is a communal act of comfort, reminding us that vulnerability can be its own kind of strength.
Saint Sappho - 'Cracks'
Saint Sappho recently dropped the energetic ‘Cracks’, which also acts as the first glimpse of their upcoming album. The track dives into the disorienting feeling of losing yourself. Beginning with an eerie, cinematic string line that sets the stage for something haunting, the song quickly slips into bass-driven grooves that relentlessly drive through the heart of the song. It is one of the most captivating instrumentals I have heard in some time. The lyrics echo that sense of disconnect, with the uncertainty of not recognising who you are any more, delivered in hypnotic, blurred vocals that circle in and out of the beat. For a song this dynamic, it is remarkably produced, making the complex musicality shine throughout a really impressive single. If Saint Sappho continue down this path, the upcoming album looks set to be a special release.
Amelie Roden - 'english tea'
Amelie Roden’s debut EP ‘following our ghosts’ was released last month, a 6-track masterpiece where every track is as gripping as it is emotionally powerful. Picking just one track to highlight was a difficult enough job, but the way the stunning ‘english tea’ unfolds makes it my pick of the lot. The song feels almost confessional, written from the push and pull of intimacy and fear. Amelie’s lyrical prowess is breathtaking, and the vocal delivery enhances the song’s emotion tenfold. It’s a song that invites listeners to sit with their own truths, as raw as they may be. However, this songwriting brilliance is apparent across the full EP, so definitely check it out.
Lucy Kitchen - 'In My Corner'
Lucy Kitchen returns with her second single of the year, ‘In My Corner’, a tender alt-folk track with a warmth that lingers long after the final note. Written in memory of her late husband Stephen, the song captures both loss and quiet resilience, reflecting on the absence of someone who was her strongest supporter. Whilst this track has been penned in a heartbreakingly personal way, you cannot help but listen and find comfort with your own losses. Lucy’s vocals float effortlessly over the delicate instrumentation, carrying a bittersweet intimacy. Despite carrying grief at its heart, ‘In My Corner’ is ultimately a meditation on reclaiming agency, choosing how to live, and finding strength in vulnerability, a powerful and vitally important message for all who have lost. It is a heartfelt ode to love, loss, and the courage to carry on.
Charly Miller - 'wait for u'
Charly Miller has dropped her debut EP, ‘I NEED THERAPY’, featuring this poignant new track ‘wait for u’. Built around dreamy synths and understated guitar, the track captures the quiet ache of waiting for someone to see your worth, balancing vulnerability with the kind of emotive clarity that makes Charly’s songwriting feel like a personal diary. Her vocals drift between softness and intensity, echoing the uncertainty and longing in the lyrics. The genre-spanning approach to the EP has meant some tracks are full of energy and alt-pop brilliance, meaning this slow emotional number stands out even more as a truly moving moment of honesty and connection. It makes listeners feel understood as if they are being supported by every word sung.
Dreaming Soda - 'Kissing Stacey'
This week’s Songs of the Week are brought to a close by Dreaming Soda’s sensational musical return, ‘Kissing Stacey’. The new single is a glittery indie-pop earworm that perfectly balances tongue-in-cheek humour with sharp, playful commentary. The track imagines the many sides of a toy doll, turning a seemingly innocent obsession into a reflection on identity and culture. Dreaming Soda’s signature knack for combining whimsical storytelling with infectious melodies shines through, with shimmering synths and upbeat rhythms driving the track forward. Written in 2022 when they last released music, this track has been honed through countless live shows, meaning the track also acts as a time capsule of Dreaming Soda’s progression. The new single is both nostalgic and contemporary, a celebration of youth, community, and self-expression. It is a stellar return, and one that makes me even more excited about what’s to come next.