New Music Friday – August 8, 2025

August 8, 2025 Ben Pagani

It’s New Music Friday and that means all the latest records are out now. Scroll down to see a list of the top releases in music this week. First, here’s a deeper look at a highly anticipated album arriving today.

The Best of New Music Friday:

Ethel Cain – Willoughby Tucker, I’ll Always Love You

There are few artists with as dedicated a fanbase as Ethel Cain. Back with her second full-length studio record, Willoughby Tucker, I’ll Always Love You is a prequel to Cain’s debut, 2022’s Preacher’s Daughter. The three years and digital releases between have given time and space for Cain to grow her audience. A lot of eyes are on this album.

Preacher’s Daughter was released as the first part of a trilogy. This second (or first) part shows a teenage Cain becoming infatuated with the title character and numerous sad emotions.

Cain takes her time explaining all these complexities. Willoughby Tucker is an album of length and indulgence: Many tracks last for over six minutes. Album closer “Waco, Texas” is a 15-minute long sprawling love song. There are three instrumental numbers, which work to tell the record’s story as an artistic piece.

This is not a record for casual listeners: It’s for people who want to appreciate depth, storytelling and feel fine with viewing music as an empty canvas. Cain has made an album that will require several playbacks for any listener who wants to find their favorite bits. But for those willing to sit with the songs on Willoughby Tucker, they will be rewarded with emotional fervor..

New Music Friday Top Picks:

**Ada Lea – When I Paint My Masterpiece [Saddle Creek]**

**The Black Keys – No Rain, No Flowers [Easy Eye Sound/Warner]**

**Charley Crockett – Dollar a Day [Island]**

**Gunna – The Last Wun [Young Stoner Life/300 Entertainment]**

**Lydia Night – Parody of Pleasure [Warner]**

**MGK – Lost Americana [Interscope]**

**Osees – Abomination Revealed at Last [Deathgod]**

**Wombo – Danger in Fives [Fire Talk]**

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.