Hello refiners! Happy season finale week of Severance to you! I hope you’ve been mining that macro-data so hard! Congrats on almost making it through the first three months of 2025. I know you might be caught up in the fact that the world is crumbling around us, so I’ve taken it upon myself to compile the best music of the last few months for you. The year has just begun and — woah! The bar is very high. Since the new year, Annie DiRusso has written a good ass movie, Wetsuit has made me dream about the Midwest, and I’ve had visions of Lady Gaga becoming the Empress of the United States. The only dictator I’m okay with is that Abracadabra lady! Keep scrolling to read all about my favorites of 2025 so far. 💙

Ides of March? More Like Ides-Can’t-Believe-I-Missed-These (I’m Sorry): 15 Songs You May Have Missed

15. “Gen X Boyfriend//Remix” by Girlhouse and Glitch Gum

Although I’m not a big remix person, putting the newly released version of “Gen X Boyfriend” on this list does give me the perfect opportunity to introduce you to Girlhouse. The project of Broadway actress turned singer-songwriter Lauren Luiz is so good that it took me years of listening to them before I realized they were not ultra-famous. Their music is just as theatrical as their roots, with songs that touch on mental health and sexual vulnerability. I guarantee that once Girlhouse gets you into their “home”, you might just never want to leave.

14. “RECLUSE” by Talia Goddess

Sexy, bass-heavy psychedelic jams? Yes please. Talia Goddess’s, “RECLUSE,” will make you want to be anything but solitary. With her smooth voice, and effortless seductive style, you might just find yourself underneath the conference room table with that one coworker sooner rather than later.

13. “Feel Sexy” by Roe Kapara

I was obsessed with Roe Kapara’s song “Glorious Day” for a while last year, and his track, “Employment Cost” is a classic. His melancholy and anti-establishment lyrics often remind me of songs like “Polly” by Nirvana and “Buzzcut Season” by Lorde. On “Feel Sexy,” however, Kapara trades his usual tongue-in-cheek tone for a refreshingly sweet one. The chorus will make you immediately want to jump up and dance no matter where you are, but upon deeper inspection, you’ll find a vulnerable love song hidden beneath his impressive vocals. The song is an easy early contender of mine for song of the summer — the perfect song to walk home from the bars through the balmy, summer breeze. Also, how could I not put this track in my Severance-themed edition of StereoStack when he is holding a goat in the track’s cover art?

12. “Desert Belly” by Oscar Jerome

As a chronically anxious person (I know…shocking), I love songs in minimalist form – they become almost like meditation mantras to me. A break from the constant swirling narratives I’ve created in my head about everything going on in my life. Listening to Oscar Jerome’s soothing voice repeat the phrase, “It’s time to plant my seeds and watch the flowers grow,” on his track, “Desert Belly” has kept me sane during the last few weeks, and that peace is certainly worth sharing. Jerome’s new album, The Fork, is set to drop on April 4th.

11. “At the Wedding” by Tennis

Tennis has a special storytelling skill through songwriting. With often complex narrative arcs woven throughout their songs, the wife-and-husband duo know how to keep their audience engaged. Their most popular song, “Borrowed Time,” was even written for a particularly heartbreaking episode of Rick and Morty. Their new single, “At the Wedding,” tells the story of a couple working through their issues while at a wedding they are attending together. The song has a catchy 1970’s flare that is trademark Tennis, making it easy to become obsessed. The only critique I have would be that I am (in my opinion, fortunately) unable to relate to the lyric, “Neither of us dances anyway,” since I’m pretty sure I could dance anywhere, anytime. But, alas! I’ll move past it. Now…who wants to be my plus one?

10. “Midwest Dream” by Wetsuit

This past Friday, after leaving a late-afternoon movie, I was walking through Lincoln Center while absent-mindedly scrolling through Instagram, and came across one of my good friends’ posts about the Brooklyn-based indie-band, Wetsuit. They had just released the above song, “Midwest Dream,” and so I pulled over to sit by the Revson Fountain, and curiously followed his post out of Instagram and into Spotify. I listen to a lot of new music, but rarely do I fall in love with a band’s sound so quickly. What’s more, is that a quick look onto their social media revealed that they were opening for a concert I was debating about skipping that evening – this felt like a sign to go. I didn’t sit by the fountain long, instead quickly getting up during the first few seconds of the track to run home to get ready to hear the band live. Wetsuit ended up being one of the best openers I had seen in a long time, warming up the crowd with their unique, funky style lead by their hard-to-miss curly-haired and fiery lead singer, Allison Becker– who’s stage presence seemed akin to Stevie Nicks and Kate Bush. I would have been happy to watch them play all night, and I’ve since grown quite fond of their 2023 release, Sugar, I’m Tired. “Midwest Dream,” however, feels like a song that is just as much about missing home as it is about wanting to leave, with Becker crooning on the track, “Years take their time and take their toll,” as her bandmates cleverly combine the sound of the American Midwest with Brooklyn rock. It’s a beautiful ode to where they’ve come from, and where they are going. It’s clear we can expect a lot from Wetsuit in the future. Wetsuit plays Baby’s All Right on Friday, April 11th. You can get tickets, here.

9. “Say It Back” by Ella Woolsey

Ella Woolsey knows saying, “I love you,” to someone is scary. Especially when you’re not sure what your relationship to that someone is. Yet, Woolsey reminds us of the temptation to do so in the afterglow on her new single, “Say It Back.” She sings, “When you say it like that, I wanna say it back.” I don’t know how invested Woolsey is in this particular partner, but I for one am playing the long-game in the hopes to continue to get some great tunes from the young songwriter.

8. “Slowly” by Beauty Queen

As an expert in delusion, I long to uh...chill the fuck out when I like someone. But Beauty Queen wants to remind me that I still have time to take things, “Slowly.” The scenic painter-turned singer-songwriter’s dream-pop masterpiece is reminiscent of Clairo and Beabadoobee and reminds me of drinking an iced cold lemonade on the beach. I guarantee such vibes will make you want to have this track on repeat in no time.

7. “Stoned on the Highway” by Frances Whitney

A year ago, Frances Whitney was releasing her first track, “Easy Street,” and I was learning to become captivated by her wise-beyond-her-years songwriting. She released her debut EP, Old Hobbies, in the fall of 2024, and just a few weeks ago followed it up with a deluxe version. Old Hobbies (Revisited) includes three new acoustic songs, but the breakout track in my book is, “Stoned on the Highway.” With just her voice and guitar, Whitney guides the listener through a scary drive during a flash flood and her desire to have an old lover there to take the wheel. Despite the song having such minimal production, her lyrics romanticize the memory of clattering rain on a car roof while still invoking the fear we all know too well about driving through a storm (well…not me, I…can’t drive, but you know what I mean!). Old Hobbies (Revisited) is available on streaming now. 

6. “Achilles” by Kevin Atwater

I became a Kevin Atwater fan after hearing his beautiful song, “Why Did You Invite Me To Your Wedding,” late last year. It’s a genuinely soul-crushing response to a message from a former flame inviting Atwater to their wedding late one night. Honestly, I think it might be one of my favorite songs of all time. That track is one of many in Atwater’s artillery though, with his aptly-named newest release, Achilles, full of tracks that allude often heartbreakingly to his weaknesses. But it’s the titular and final track of the album that is the most revealing. After working through each lesson of heartbreak learned in the ten songs leading up to, “Achilles,” you’re left with a song that lets it slip that no matter the lessons learned at the end of the day, no one ever chooses heartbreak. He sings, frankly, “I don’t wanna fight,” shooting that poison arrow right through our heel.

5. “Praying for Your Downfall” by Jensen McRae

Jensen McRae has returned – but without a vengeance. In fact, she is done wishing for the worst upon her ex. On, “Praying For Your Downfall,” the talented singer-songwriter and poet explains that there is no happier ending than the one you make for yourself. The new single marks quite a strong return for McRae, and marks the beginning of her Sophomore album cycle. I Don’t Know How But They Found Me! Releases everywhere on April 25th. One listen to the new track and you’ll be counting down the days – I know I am. 

(I always feel like ending these with something like “XOXO – Gossip Girl.” What do you think? Too much?)

4. “Pyramid Bass Pro” by Brother Moses

Brother Moses wrote, what I told people for many years was, my favorite song of all time. That track, “Sam and Diane,” – yes, that Sam and Diane – will always be my top recommendation when introducing anyone to the NYC quartet. Yet, their new single, Pyramid Bass Pro — yes, that Pyramid Bass Pro — is just as much of a classic. A sweeping, cinematic track about tour life, this single will be a hit on your road-trip playlist in no time. The song is a would-be perfect introduction to a new album cycle, and I am personally looking forward to seeing if this is, in fact, the case.

3. “Ballerina” by Daisy the Great

Okay, okay. Maybe I’m a little biased with this one. But, in my defense, if your high-school music teacher shows you an indie-rock band during class because one of its founding members is a former student of hers? Uh..you get on that train! (Love you, Mrs. Waltzer!) Daisy the Great, the project of Kelley Nicole Dugan and Mina Walker, re-defined alternative-indie for me as a teen. You might know them from their breakout hit, “The Record Player Song,” but their 2019 debut album, I’m Not Getting Any Taller, held my hand through the difficult social challenges of college, and their 2022 Sophomore release, All You Need is Time, helped me process the loss of self I felt throughout the pandemic. So…I’m a loyal fan. But, I’ve never felt more seen than after hearing the duo scream, “What’s the point of a body if I’ll never be a BALLERINA?”. The lead single off of their forthcoming third album, The Rubber Teeth Talk, is an exploration of female body image and discovering what it feels like to accept your body as you are. To me, listening to this track is like hearing female rage, personified. The Rubber Teeth Talk is set to release on June 27th.

2. “Good Ass Movie” by Annie DiRusso

Annie DiRusso likes Good. Ass. Movies. Okay? The newest single from her long-awaited debut album, Super Pedestrian, is both an ode to the movies that raised her and a sucker-punch to the writer she’s healing her heart from. The result is an early-2000s pop-rock dream, with soaring electric guitars, and biting lyrics. And when you haven’t released an edition of your newsletter for a month…let’s just say hearing the lyrics, “Well you know what I think is cheap/Saying you’re a writer/And not writing anything,” will get you to a word document faster than you can say, “School of Rock.” Annie DiRusso’s beautiful debut, Super Pedestrian, is out now wherever you listen to music.

1. “Punch, Kick and Bite” by Cordelia

I think I like my “Little Life” more and more when I listen to Cordelia. Her debut album, Everything Hurts (I Love You) is a testament to her talents as a songwriter that reach far beyond the viral sounds of TikTok. There are so many songs from this release that floored me, but it’s the upbeat and hopeful, “Punch, Kick and Bite” that stands out to me. A track about living as presently as possible – this one has also made its way into my contenders for song of the summer. (Competition is fierce, boys!) It is a joyous reminder in these dark times to live while you can. And a little joy? I think it can go a long way. Everything Hurts (I Love You) is available now.

What about the GOATS?: Mainstream Music We Love Right Now

Albums

MAYHEM by Lady Gaga

…I just..really do not feel like I need to explain this one.

Put. Your. Paws. UP!

So Close to What by Tate McRae

According to my therapist, I “have a problem with authority,” but when Ethel Cain posts the Tate McRae album to her Instagram story, and proclaims it to be a perfect pop album — I listen. Tate McRae’s third album, So Close to What, is certainly one for the books. It is remarkably consistent all the way through, both sonically and lyrically. I am not super familiar with McRae, have largely ignored her up to this point if I’m honest, and I still don’t believe I’ll be becoming a super-fan any time soon. These facts, however, make this music writer’s recommendation even more important. There is no denying McRae’s talent or artistry anymore, and this album is more than worth a listen for any pop-music connoisseur.

Singles

“Relationships” by Haim

It’s official: I’m looking at this summer’s forecast and it looks like there is a heavy chance of it being a Haim summer, baby! You can finally properly romanticize your life while walking down the street again. Haim’s new single, “Relationships,” reportedly took over seven years to perfect – and man, did they get it right! They paired the release of the song with a steamy music video starring Drew Starkey that almost made me text my situationship. (I said “almost” calm down). Whether you’re single, taken, or ???, there is no denying that this song is a certified (and unfortunately relatable) B-O-P – BOP! I’ll see you in the club this summer, Danielle Haim!

“Delete Ya” by Djo

Okay – I’ll say it, I think Joe Keery’s music career might actually end up being bigger than his hair in Stranger Things. His new single, “Delete Ya,” the second off of his widely anticipated third album, The Crux, has already surpassed his career-making “End of The Beginning” with flying colors for me. It would be too vague to just say that the vibes are immaculate (even if they are), so it’s also worth noting that between the release of his Sophomore album, DECIDE, and now, Keery has clearly enhanced his song-writing skills. “Delete Ya” reflects a more narratively centered Djo, as he recounts the end of a relationship that still won’t leave him alone. From the two singles so far, it seems that we can expect to see a much more intentional Keery on The Crux – it’s clear he has something to say, and we are more than ready to hear it. The Crux is set to release on April 4th.

ORTBO Incoming: Album Releases We’re Looking Forward To

April 25

May 2

One quarter down, three to go! Check out my selections in the playlist below! I’ll see ya next time :)