5 Exciting Music Releases and Trends to Watch in January 2025
January 2025 is shaping up to be an exciting month for music, marked by a diverse range of new album releases, notable performances, and significant industry updates. Kicking off the month, Lil Baby released his new album *WHAM (Who Hard as Me)* on January 3, featuring 15 tracks and guest spots from prominent artists like Young Thug, Future, Travis Scott, and 21 Savage. This album follows his 2022 release *It's Only Me*, and Lil Baby is already planning another album, *Dominique*, for February. On January 10, several notable albums hit the shelves. Ethel Cain's album *Perverts*, known for its cathartic and dynamically intense songs, was released on January 8, just before the wave of new releases. Franz Ferdinand returned with *The Human Fear*, blending their signature indie rock with energetic tracks. Ringo Starr released *Look Up*, a country-infused album produced by T-Bone Burnett, marking a new direction for the legendary artist. Other releases on this day include Moonchild Sanelly's *Full Moon*, a vibrant showcase of her unique sonic fingerprint blending electronic, afro-punk, edgy pop, kwaito, and hip-hop, and new works from Stick To Your Guns with their hardcore album *Keep Planting Flowers*, and Lambrini Girls with their noise-punk debut *Who Let The Dogs Out*[2][4]. Later in the month, Mac Miller's estate will release the posthumous album *Balloonerism* on January 17. This album, recorded over a decade ago but never officially released, has been eagerly anticipated by fans after versions of it leaked online[1][2]. The Weeknd is set to release his album *Hurry Up Tomorrow* on January 24, accompanied by a performance at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on January 25, and a subsequent tour. Additionally, Kane Brown will release his fourth studio album, *The High Road*, on the same day, mixing dancehall-ready roots pop and family-focused balladry[1][2]. In terms of performances, concerts continue to be lucrative for top artists. The Weeknd's upcoming performance at the Rose Bowl is a highlight of the month's live music scene, drawing massive crowds and generating substantial profits from live events[2]. On the industry front, significant changes are anticipated. The music streaming landscape is expected to see consolidation among streaming services due to financial viability concerns. Netflix is planning to launch a music streaming division, leveraging its existing infrastructure and tech talent to expand its offerings. Artificial intelligence is increasingly shaping the music industry, from music production to ethical debates over training AI models on copyright-protected content and the use of posthumous releases and voice mimicry[2]. TikTok remains crucial for music discovery despite legal challenges, and Spotify faces controversy over its payment structures for bundled content. The use of AI in music production and the ethical considerations surrounding it are ongoing topics of discussion and debate[2]. Looking ahead, 2025 promises a chaotic yet exciting mix of sounds, with genre-less mixes and unpredictable sets that blend different styles. Social media platforms are expected to become the go-to studio for chart-topping tracks, with fans potentially co-producing music through large-scale voting processes. AI DJs are also predicted to replace human DJs, using algorithms to tailor every beat and light show to the audience's emotional state[5]. Thanks for listening to the Music News Tracker Podcast and be sure to subscribe. For great Music deals https://amzn.to/3BPL8A7 Or check out these podcasts http://quietplease.ai
