We've kicked off the new year with some of the most iconic albums of the generation, from Gaga's "MAYHEM", Bon Iver's "fABLE", and LISA's "Alter Ego", 2025 may be one of the most legendary years for the music industry. With old sounds coming back, an exploration across genres, artists are taking chances in recent months when it comes to expanding their discography.
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After a year of the revival for nostalgic Pop and House music from Charli XCX's "brat" album to Post Malone and Beyoncé exploring other genres outside of their renowned album list with "F-1 Trillion" and "Cowboy Carter", where else are musicians taking us this year?
A major wave is emerging with the return of early 2000s pop princesses like Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears. Artists like Addison Rae and Tate McRae are positioning themselves alongside these iconic figures through their latest releases and evolving aesthetics. By pushing boundaries, embracing self-expression, infusing confidence into their artistry, and channeling the iconic aura that these pop legends cultivated, we’re witnessing a true revival of this era’s influence.
Many are even channeling the production style of this music, such as drawing inspiration from the infamous Timbaland through an innovative sound and and edgy R&B focus. The Grammy-award winning producer is heavily responsible for the successes of countless bodies of work, including Brandy & Monica's 1998 track, "That Boy Is Mine" and Justin Timberlake's 2006 hit, "SexyBack".
Music lovers are pointing out the similarities between Tate McRae's latest album, "So Close To What", specifically the single, "Sports Car" and Timbaland's production style.
The Pop Punk genre is experiencing a slight decline, with fewer artists exploring this iconic sound compared to previous years. However, the enduring influence of established artists in the genre remains strong, as they continue to headline some of the biggest venues and festivals. Events such as "When We Were Young" and "Mighty Sounds" bring together a mix of both old and new artists, offering fans from around the world a chance to experience the evolution of Pop Punk live.
Despite the widespread desire among artists to collaborate with other musicians, whether within the same genre or across different ones, more albums are emerging as solo projects rather than collaborative efforts. In 2024, we saw a shift with several musicians featuring collaborations on their debut albums. For example, Noah Kahan's "Stick Season (Forever)" took his previously solo tracks and infused them with fresh sounds from other artists, while Beyoncé’s "Cowboy Carter" saw numerous musicians contributing to create her award-winning masterpiece. However, this year, we’re noticing a shift away from collaboration. Artists are increasingly choosing to focus on their own unique sound, sharing their stories through their personal voice and vision.
The 2000s House and Dance music scene will continue to lead in popularity amidst Gaga's upcoming album and from her last two releases. We've seen more musicians further explore the deep House genre following the commercial success of Charli's "brat" album, which centers around the Dance and EDM music scenes. The desire for this unparalleled and all-around adored sound is predicted to dominate the industry as well as the charts in 2025.
Diva Magazine | Bella Francis | John Jay
In the Rap music scene, male dominance remains strong, with established artists like Drake and Kendrick Lamar leading the charge over the past year. Despite the buzz surrounding their names, the female hip-hop category is experiencing a shift, with artists like Doechii and Sexyy Red gaining significant traction and dominating the charts alongside other well-known female Rappers. While Megan Thee Stallion and Cardi B have both announced their highly anticipated albums for 2025, newer acts have begun to make waves in the Rap scene. These emerging artists have collaborated with up-and-coming talents from various genres, propelling their careers to new heights.
While Rappers have historically found success by focusing on Rap and curating albums within their genre, recent collaborations with pop artists have proven to be highly successful. Tracks like "Fat Juicy & Wet" by Bruno Mars and Sexxy Red, and "Like Him" by Tyler, the Creator and Lola Young, have gained massive popularity among music fans. While the bridge between Pop and HipHop has always existed in the industry, today we’re seeing more than ever a seamless blend between the two genres.
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