PLAYLIST OF THE WEEK 2025 #2

Once again, this week, the playlist is packed with unmissable new releases! Emotions, punch, mystery… we’ve got it all!

The playlist kicks off on a heartfelt note this week. Cat Ridgeway pairs her clear voice with striking riffs—sharp and powerful—to pay a tender tribute to a friend gone too soon. Sprinter was a true standout for me, as it’s a track brimming with sincerity and clever technical layers! To follow, I decided to change the mood slightly. Baby Said—once more—are back with their latest single, 123. The tone here is more menacing, underscored by explosive and impressively effective riffs! Speaking of explosive, next up we have BAND-MAID with their latest track, Zen. Straight to the point, the song showcases clear vocals and a dizzying guitar solo! Slung follows suit with the sharp and contrasting Laughter, an absolute must-hear for fans of the genre. The Brighton band has bite, so they’re definitely one to watch!

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In the same part of England, we find HotWax, another band with a fierce edge. Their new track plays with enchanting sounds and fascinating textures, resulting in One More Reason, which you need to check out as soon as possible! On the francophone side, Ferielle returns with the motivational and more pop-infused le futur m’aura pas. It’s wonderfully catchy! Then there’s the immense Vaundy, who continues to delight with his new opening theme, RUN SAKAMOTO RUN. It’s classic Vaundy—melodic and epic all at once! Darker yet equally epic, Heavy Crown makes an appearance with their latest track, Get It Out. Nostalgic and powerful, it’s the second release from the French band to catch my eye—more to come, I hope!

Also leaning towards a darker sound, FOAM is incredibly promising. On Stomach Bug, the artist achieves a stunning balance of textures between the guitars and vocals. Next, in a more classic vein, we discover New Silver Girl. Their new single, Blue Room, is effortlessly memorable thanks to its strong blues influences. Less bluesy but still somewhat traditional, Squid takes the stage with the mystical Building 650. The track begins with screams and ends with whispers—it genuinely gives you chills! We stay with the mystique but end the playlist on a festive note this week! I wanted some contrast, of course, so here’s ALI’s new track, CASANOVA POSSE. Very cabaret-like, the blend of genres is as effective as ever in the hands of this band!