New Music We Love - May 2025 Edition

The Soundtrack of May: Fresh Releases Defining the Start of Summer

As we enter the fifth month of the year, the music scene is heating up with major artists dropping highly anticipated singles and albums. The latest Super Awesome Mix for May captures this exciting moment with a diverse collection of tracks spanning multiple genres and generations of artists.

Leading the charge is Lorde with "What Was That," signaling what many are calling the beginning of a "Lorde summer" – a callback to last year's "brat summer" championed by Charli XCX. This track represents a return to Lorde's original sound that made her famous, moving away from the divisive "Solar Power" era. The song captures that disorienting feeling of exiting a relationship and questioning what it all meant. With stripped-down production that showcases her melodic voice, Lorde demonstrates her ability to convey emotion without relying on vocal pyrotechnics.

Miley Cyrus continues her impressive streak with "End of the World," following up on the massive success of "Flowers." The track delivers a distinctly '80s vibe reminiscent of The Go-Go's and The Bangles but updated for today's listeners. Its anthemic quality makes it perfect for graduation season, with lyrics suggesting we pretend it's not the end of the world – a fitting message in times when negativity often dominates headlines. Miley's powerful voice complements the throwback sound, creating what can only be described as a perfect pop song.

May 4th brought some Star Wars-themed releases that show how this once-niche "holiday" continues to grow in cultural significance. Labyrinth's "SWMF" (Star Wars M***f***) delivers the producer's signature sound with orchestral elements blended seamlessly with electronic beats. Similarly, Apache's remix of John Williams' iconic "Duel of the Fates" demonstrates how classical orchestral compositions can be transformed into contemporary dance tracks – bridging hundreds of years of musical evolution in one remix.

The mix also features established artists bringing fresh material. The Jonas Brothers deliver "Love Me to Heaven," showcasing their talent for crafting infectious pop melodies – leading to speculation that their catalog might someday form the backbone of a Broadway musical. Meanwhile, The Doobie Brothers teamed up with Mavis Staples for "Walk This Road," proving that veteran artists can still create music that honors their legacy while remaining relevant.

For fans of more introspective material, Turnpike Troubadours' "Heaven Passing Through" provides thoughtful lyrics about being present in the moment: "Hold on to the moment, like it's heaven passing through." This alt-country track reminds listeners that appreciating life's fleeting beautiful moments is essential to happiness – a message that resonates regardless of your musical preferences.

The diverse collection continues with Amine's vacation anthem "Vacay," The Minus Five's bird-themed happy rock on "Words and Birds," Turnstile's genre-bending "Never Enough," and King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard's orchestral experiment "Phantom." The mix concludes with Waves' energetic surf rock track "Gunner," produced by Travis Barker, which calls to mind pop-punk acts like Sum 41 and Simple Plan.

What makes this May mix particularly exciting is how it captures artists at different points in their creative journeys – from established legends like The Doobie Brothers to experimental powerhouses like King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard. It also highlights how music continues to evolve while paying homage to what came before, whether through Lorde's return to her roots or Apache's reimagining of John Williams' Star Wars classic.

As summer approaches, these tracks provide the perfect soundtrack for whatever the season brings – from vacations to graduation celebrations to quiet moments of reflection. With major artists continuing to release new material and exciting collaborations forming across genres, 2023 is shaping up to be another remarkable year for music lovers of all tastes.

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