New Music Friday – February 28, 2025

February 28, 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 most popular release. Read on to see a full list of new albums, EPs and singles from this week.

The Best of New Music Friday:

Rebecca Black – SALVATION

It’s 2025 and Rebecca Black, yes, that Rebecca Black, is holding a glitter-casted gun on the cover of her new album SALVATION. For those not in the know, Black isn’t just stepping back into the spotlight now (“Friday” turns 14 years old in 2025, btw). SALVATION is Black’s second full-length LP this decade. She has an upcoming largely sold-out headline spring tour with Montreal electronic act Blue Hawaii. This new fun album is not a reinvention. Black’s true fans know that this is the next chapter in–and some may never believe this–her tearing up the dark, hard-hitting hyperpop scene.

Black has four-on-the-floor tracks on SALVATION, including “American Doll” and “Tears In My Pocket.” Midway through this new LP, Black briefly throws off listeners with “Do You Even Think About Me?” This song begins with a slow, drawn out vocal performance. The instruments underneath Black’s voice are carried on too. Just when it seems like the beats per minute are being toned way down, Black speeds up the track for a dark-wave-like finish. It’s quite the evolution.

This all may sound like a joke or fever dream. But fans know that Rebecca Black is one of the best stories in pop this decade. It doesn’t matter if her parents funded a wacky music video when she was a teenager. Black redeemed herself years ago, so it’s fitting that she’s letting everyone know of her SALVATION now.

New Music Friday Top Picks:

Darkside – Nothing [Matador]

Deep Sea Diver – Billboard Heart [Sub Pop]

Djo – “Delete Ya” [AWAL]

Edith Frost – In Space [Drag City]

Everything Is Recorded – Temporary [XL]

Ichiko Aoba – Luminescent Creatures [Hermine/Psychic Hotline]

Lisa – Alter Ego [Lloud Co./RCA]

The Men – Buyer Beware [Fuzz Club]

Miya Folick – Erotica Veronica [Nettwerk]

Mdou Moctar – Tears of Injustice [Matador]

Panda Bear – Sinister Grift [Domino]

Samantha Crain – “Gumshoe” [Real Kind Records]

Yo La Tengo – Old Joy EP [Mississippi]

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.