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New Music Friday – January 31, 2025

This New Music Friday brings a refreshing look at the top releases out this week. Scroll for a full list of new albums and singles out now. Here’s a look at one new song generating lots of talk.

The Best of New Music Friday:

Black Country, New Road – “Besties”

It’s been three years since English darlings Black Country, New Road released their Ants From Up There record. Former singer Isaac Wood announced his departure from the Mercury Prize-nominated band days before its release. Since then, BC,NR toured the world with all remaining members stepping into the lead vocals’ spot. The group released their Live At Bush Hall album featuring all new songs in 2023. They’ve never performed material from their first two LPs since Wood’s departure.

Now, “Besties” is the first studio recording BC,NR fans have heard in three years. The song is sung by the band’s violinist and Jockstrap member Georgia Ellery. The promising, upbeat song features an Omnichord. Its lyrical themes discuss best friends, and perhaps a blooming queer romantic crush.

The song isn’t a far cry from the anthemic nature of other BC,NR tracks. It does seem polished and slightly different from their prior releases. That’s a good thing, according to Ellery.

“It created a real through line for the album, having three girls singing,” Ellery said in a release. “It’s definitely very different to ‘Ants From Up There,’ because of the female perspective – and the music we’ve made also compliments that.”

BC,NR’s upcoming studio album Forever Howlong is out on April 4. For now, but not for the first time, their triumphant return is among the most special moments in music this week.

New Music Friday Top Picks:

Bonnie “Prince” Billy – The Purple Bird [No Quarter]

La Sécurité – “Ketchup” [Mothland and Bella Union]

Ocean Moon – Ways to the Deep Meadow [Music From Memory]

Pierre Kwenders – “We Like” (feat. Poté) [Moonshine]

The Weeknd – Hurry Up Tomorrow [XO/Republic]

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.