The Panic Years – Bradley Simpson

Your mid-20s are full of new beginnings—figuring out adulthood, starting new jobs, and navigating the ups and downs that come with it. The Panic Years, the debut solo album from Bradley Simpson, perfectly captures those emotions, offering a soundtrack that feels both validating and reassuring.

For longtime fans of The Vamps, this album showcases a new side of Bradley, blending nostalgia with fresh, heartfelt storytelling. With a mix of upbeat anthems and emotional, relatable lyrics, The Panic Years is the perfect album for this transitional chapter of life.

– Brenessa 

“Conceited” –  Lola Young

Recently I’ve gotten into Lola Young, and have really been enjoying “This Wasn’t Meant For You Anyway”, particularly “Conceited”. Her music really captures her age and generation, while being unapologetically brash and sitting comfortably in her self identity. In Conceited she celebrates overcoming the mindless games that come with situationships, while enjoying her own counterstrikes. It’s got a great build up, which crashes down into early 2000s pop-punk. Love!

-Emma

Nothing – DARKSIDE

Darkside’s new album, Nothing, dropped in February, ahead of their first tour in 11 years (one of my most anticipated live shows of 2025). Tickets went on sale in October, and I have absolutely no idea how the dates aren’t all sold out. Nicolas Jaar’s experimental prog-psych-electronic-rock project with Dave Harrington (and now drummer Tlacael Esparza), has released three solid albums over 10+ years. If you like weird, funky, dark music, don’t miss out.

-Julian

“Psilocybin & Daisies” – Jessie Reyez

Former Beatroute cover star Jessie Reyez has announced her new album, PAID IN MEMORIES, out March 28. 

Listening to the first single “Psilocybin & Daisies”, the melody is immediately familiar as an interpolation of Smashing Pumpkins iconic “1979″. Over top, Jessie playfully proposes taking mushrooms in a field, living in the moment, and loving her partner until death. The result is a breezy, refreshing pop take on a timeless classic. 

Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan has high praise for Jessie in a press release for the new single: “I’m very honored and touched that Jessie would choose to build something so new and beautiful from the bones of one of my songs. She’s so incredibly talented, and has that effortless, honest quality in the voice that I’d admire in the best singers.” says Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins. 

Jessie returns the love: “Some music is indisputably timeless. To be able to cheat and get an ingredient from a timeless song and contribute it to my own is an industry hack that I’d be dumb not to use. Thanks to Billy for blessing me. Thanks to The Smashing Pumpkins. Thanks to mushrooms. And thanks to me.” 

Jessie has a big year ahead – along with the upcoming album, she is nominated for two Juno awards with nods for Rap Single of the Year and Songwriter of the Year.

-Ryan

Still…At Their Very Best – The 1975

The 1975 have been on a break for far too long, and their new live album is getting me through it. Though this isn’t the band’s first live album, it’s a fairly special one. Recorded at The AO Arena in their hometown of Manchester, we get to hear live versions of tracks like “Me” and “You” from their self-titled record for the first time on streaming. My personal favorite though is the new live version of “Change of Heart,” a song that has held a special place in mine for the last decade. Listening to it reinforced that I’m clearly not the only one who feels that way, as he introduces the song by saying “Don’t be nostalgic.” The album as a whole, however, is the perfect chance to be nostalgic. I had the chance to see The 1975 three times during their “At Their Very Best” tour cycle, including one time in Manchester, and they’ve remained some of my favorite shows to this day. Mixing both old and new, this album proves The 1975 are still at their very best, and it’s safe to say when they head back out on tour, I’ll be in the crowd.

-Leila

“Companions” – Matt DiMona

I recently stumbled upon Matt Dimona and instantly fell in love with his sound! His song ‘Companions’ takes me back to the tracks that first made me fall in love with music—teen angst, easy listening, and just a touch of hope. It’s the perfect song for a long car ride, one you can play on repeat. His smooth vocal tone pairs perfectly with the simple melody and relatable lyrics, creating a deep sense of nostalgia.

-Kristian

“UFO” – Olivia Dean

I’ve recently crash-landed into the musical universe of Olivia Dean, and let me tell you—I am absolutely orbiting down her entire discography. But “UFO”? That song has me in a chokehold. It’s like she took the feeling of falling for someone—equal parts thrilling and terrifying—and set it to the smoothest, dreamiest melody. I swear I feel weightless every time I play any of her music. Safe to say, Olivia Dean has officially joined the ranks of my favorite artists.

-Sophie