New Music Friday – May 2, 2025

May 2, 2025 Ben Pagani

Happy New Music Friday. Here’s a look at releases out right now that are worth a listen, including a deep dive into the biggest album out now. Read on to see a full list of new albums that dropped today.

The Best of New Music Friday:

Blondshell – If You Asked For A Picture

On Valentine’s Day 2023, Partisan Records employees made a love-themed Spotify playlist featuring the label’s artists—including rookie signee Blondshell. Partisan included her song “Kiss City,” a single with godly lyrics like “Look me in the eye when I’m about to finish” and “I think my kink is when you tell me that you think I’m pretty.” The song was crunched between tracks from established Partisan Records’ bands like Cigarettes After Sex and IDLES. “Kiss City” soon appeared on Blondshell’s self-titled debut album, but not before becoming a meme, all while other songs like “Sepsis” gained popularity among indie fans. Blondshell even performed “Salad” on The Tonight Show. How could she follow that quick of a rise to alt-music fame? By releasing an even bigger record called If You Asked For A Picture.

Blondshell’s second full-length record proves that the artist, whose real name is Sabrina Teitelbaum, wasn’t just spitting lyrical quips as a one-off. She’s still filled with them, though she’s shouting words in a more serious tone on If You Asked For A Picture. On lead single “T&A,” Blondshell discusses a situation with a close guy friend, one she shares a bond with in the way some women may with their girlfriends. When she changes her clothes in front of this man, he makes a comment about her undressing and possibly admits his attraction to her. Blondshell presses to know why he wants to be more than friends. She then tells the rest of the story with her masterful writing.

“I asked him why he had these feelings // He said, ‘Your tits and ass don’t really hurt’ // And I think he really meant it // And now I’m wondering if I should let him.” The man’s feelings go straight for her body, offering his physical attraction more than his emotional side. It’s the sort of realistic situation Blondshell has become known to write about, but her ability to put the scenario into words is remarkable.

“T&A” also features Blondshell offering a stadium-sized guitar solo, bringing her sound to a louder mark than it’s hit before. But this record isn’t all about loud music accompanying loud feelings. Blondshell’s strongest emotions are conveyed in quiet ways too. “Two Times” is a piano filled and guitar focused single that also features the sort of strong vocal performance Blondshell has become admired for. The song is about how valuable healthy and positive relationships can be.

It could be said Blondshell’s overall creativity is on a higher plain across If You Asked For A Picture. “23’s A Baby” comes with an interesting music video featuring Blondshell and friends dressed as fathers pushing baby strollers down the street. It’s loosely based on the DILFs of Disneyland Instagram accoun t. Its lyrics are a nursery rhyme-like take on navigating life as a 20-something. “It’s a heavy subject so it was important to have fun when we made it,” Blondshell said.

Blondshell is already well established in the music world. Now she’s legitimized as a major player in it. If You Asked For A Picture is a big leap forward in her career; The record is a snapshot of what great rock in 2025 sounds like.

New Music Friday Top Picks:

Car Seat Headrest – The Scholars [Matador]

Model/Actriz – Pirouette [True Panther]

NewDad – Safe EP [Fair Youth]

PUP – Who Will Look After the Dogs? [Little Dipper/Rise]

Sextile – Yes, Please. [Sacred Bones]

Turnover – Peripheral Vision (10 Year Anniversary Deluxe Edition) [Run for Cover]

Yung Lean – Jonatan [World Affairs]

Which of these tracks from New Music Friday will you add to your favorite playlists today? Any we missed? Let us know in the comments or on Instagram!

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Ben Pagani

Music Projects Manager at Beyond The Stage Magazine

Ben is a music journalist living and working in Chicago. They joined Beyond The Stage as an intern and have stayed on the staff for several years. Now serving on the editorial board, Ben is proud to be BTS' Music Projects Manager, coordinating coverage between international record labels and our staff. Ben has interviewed, photographed and written about bands from across the world. Ben has lived all over the United States working in television and media. They are an Emmy Award-winning writer. Ben can be found spinning records as 'DJ Wearing Sunglasses' in clubs and basements across the US.