The Round-Up: Best Music of March 2025

Three months in, 2025 is shaping up to be one of the best years for pop music in a long time. With stellar releases from Lady Gaga, LISA, and JENNIE, the genre is bursting with talent new and old. Outside the mainstream, the alternative and underground scenes continue to thrive. There has not been a weak beat in 2025, but March stands out as the most exciting month for music yet.

Lady Gaga – MAYHEM

Five years on from Chromatica, MAYHEM sees Lady Gaga perfect the dance-pop formula she has been toying with for the past half decade. Borrowing from the worlds of electronica, rock, and funk, the latest LP is a glimmering mishmash of sounds brought together by Gaga’s stunning vocals and unparalleled range as a singer in the modern pop landscape. Whether she’s belting her voice for an emotional ballad or showing off her animated inflections for a funky jam, Gaga’s multifaceted talent is on full show here. The first half of MAYHEM is definitely stronger (the run from “Disease” to “LoveDrug” is the strongest of the year so far), but the LP still comes together as a complete body of work. Some of the later tracks feel a little more derivative in tone and structure, stripping back the EDM for a more standard run of pop tunes. However, even they stand out as highlights of 2025, elevated by Gaga’s operatic power as a vocalist. Almost 20 years on from her debut, MAYHEM is proof of the lasting talent and creativity of Lady Gaga.

Dero – A.C.I.D. (Any Change Is Death)

At times, the underground hip hop scene can be overwhelming to navigate. Rather than delivering a few extensive projects, many artists prefer to fire out as much work as possible, regardless of how short in length. Dero stands out as an exception. A.C.I.D. is the rapper’s debut album, and his first project in two years. A blend of sounds new and old, A.C.I.D. sees the rapper combine the soulful lushness of the conscious hip hop scene with the hard-hitting melodies of Memphis. He strikes a fine balance between the mindlessly catchy and the meticulously lyrical, proving his worth as an MC through his multifaceted rhymes and versatile mic presence. Using the project as a platform to spill out his thoughts, A.C.I.D. is an expression of life, pain, and motivation, where the rapper sketches out his psyche over an array of colourful beats. The album transitions seamlessly, coming together as a cohesive whole thanks to Dero’s unwavering ability to hook the listener with his words.

Japanese Breakfast – For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women)

The long awaited return of Japanese Breakfast is a sombre departure from the summery sounds of the band’s last effort, Jubilee. Instead, For Melancholy Brunettes is a soft, languid listen where intimate acoustics and poetic storytelling take precedence over pop-infused choruses. As a result, the LP may not be as catchy or instantly gratifying as Jubilee, but the artistry is still undeniable. Michelle Zauner is a phenomenal vocalist who thrives over the more stripped back production, adding emphasis to her elegant songwriting. The production Is lush and expansive, pulling the listener into a dreamlike realm of hypnotic guitar and glittering drums. For Melancholy Brunettes might not be as versatile as Jubilee, but it earns its place in the catalogue of Japanese Breakfast, with a cohesive soundscape and some of the sharpest songwriting in the band’s history.

clipping. – Dead Channel Sky

Dead Channel Sky is an EDM-infused change of pace for clipping.. Whereas the trio’s last two albums were frightening ventures into horrorcore, Dead Channel Sky leans more towards science fiction, with allusions to future dystopias narrated over synth-heavy production. Daveed Diggs is a natural fit over the electronic sounds, adapting to every beat with his signature fast-paced flows and vivid lyrics. However, as promising as Dead Channel Sky is in concept, it falls short in parts. Tracks like “Mirrorshades”, “Run It”, and “Keep Pushing” are standouts, but they are sandwiched between lacklustre songs that lack the same punch and nuance. Many songs are scant in their production, similar to the more atmospheric cuts off the band’s horrorcore records. However, whereas chilling silences and eerie, open instrumentals added to the fear-factor of albums like Visions of Bodies Being Burned, in a sci-fi context, it does not work quite as well. Overall, Dead Channel Sky is a patchy release from clipping., but its best moments are up there with the finest songs the outfit have ever released.

Onwuka & Xavier – Sleazy

Rapper Onwuka has always been influenced by funk, but on Sleazy, it doesn’t just influence him; it possesses him. Joined by producer Xavier, Sleazy is a slick fusion of funk and hip hop with some R&B flavour, harkening back to the sound of soulful classics like Tribe’s “Bonita Applebum”. The rapper’s delivery is smooth and swaggering, mastering every warm instrumental with the seductive flair of an R&B legend and the ever-changing flows of a master MC. A melting pot of sounds, Sleazy sees Xavier weave trap with funk, soul with boom bap, composing a symphony of slick, summery sounds for Onwuka to perform over. The duo gel seamlessly, recreating the charm and intimacy of an old R&B record with the polish and enthusiasm of a modern hip hop essential.

LISA – Alter Ego

Of all the solo BLACKPINK projects to drop this year, Alter Ego is far and away the best. LISA is a versatile performer whose hyperanimated presence makes every track burst with energy. Her lyrics are carefree and braggadocious, switching between singing and rapping without ever losing her commanding presence. For a mainstream pop album, the production is surprisingly varied, hopping from the vintage disco grooves of “Born Again” to the relentless trap of “FXCK UP THE WORLD”. From Tyla to Future, a range of features join LISA for the project, but none of the collaborations feel forced. Each guest brings their own unique energy, feeding into the colour and mania of Alter Ego without distracting from LISA’s eclectic vision.

Dot-Com Intelligence – Abracadabra

In times of political uncertainty, often the clearest way to express oneself is through music. With Abracadabra, rapper Dot-Com Intelligence illustrates his mindset going into another Trump administration, articulating his fears and hardships, but also his feelings of hope and perseverance. Filtered through symbols of magic and the unknown, the MC paints a vivid picture of the political climate with his multisyllabic rhymes and gruff, demanding delivery. His thundering verses are performed over a plethora of grimy and despairing instrumentals, feeding into the foreboding atmosphere of the LP. Abracadabra is a harrowing expression of political fears and hopes, masterfully executed by one of the most underappreciated lyricists the underground has to offer.

JENNIE – Ruby

Another solo BLACKPINK album, JENNIE’s debut starts strong but fizzles out as the project goes on. Whereas LISA strikes the listener as a far more unhinged performer, JENNIE falls more in line with acts like Dua Lipa, embracing an insatiably catchy, albeit familiar blend of pop and disco. The resulting album is a solid listen with a few notable highlights and some stellar features, including guest appearances from Doechii and Dominic Fike. “Love Hangover”, “like JENNIE”, and “with the IE” are up there with the best pop records of the year, but the moments in between fail to make the same impact. The first leg of the LP is littered with tame pop cuts while the back half is dominated by slower, more emotional tracks which derail all momentum the album had. There is not a bad song on Ruby, but its messy sequencing undercuts the potential of the track-list, cramming all the best moments in the first half so the back end drags on.

INSMNC – IMPOSTOR SYNDROME

After years proving his worth as a producer, IMPOSTOR SYNDROME is INSMNC’s first project as a vocalist. Singing on some tracks and rapping on others, the LP sees INSMNC dive into new territory, but there are issues here and there. The MC’s pen game is witty and playful, suiting his conversational approach to the mic. There are no densely layered rhymes on display, but instead, INSMNC uses his verses to showcase his personality, and by then end of the project the listener has a vivid understanding of the tongue-in-cheek performer. However, his delivery is often the same whispered speech, regardless of how laidback or bombastic the production is. As a result, I’m left wanting more variety in his mic presence. From track to track, the production is fantastic, especially on the ever-repeating grooves of “Slow Down” and the finely-chopped vocals of “Soul Joint Cypher”. Overall, IMPOSTOR SYNDROME is a light-hearted introduction to INSMNC the rapper, but some added energy and versatility would have elevated the LP to greater heights.

Doombox Music