New Music from Miley, Lizzo, Night Moves, Palace Winter, & Callinsick

Call in Sick and check these out!

April 15, 2025

I didn’t post any new music that was hitting me last week but I’ve got five for you now. As you might know, I keep a list of my Top Ten favorite new songs each week. These great pop songs all made a splash for me in the last week. Enjoy!

End of the World – Miley Cyrus

She’s got a new album about to drop and three of the songs have been released so far. The first two reflect the reported sonic influence of Pink Floyd’s The Wall. This track though is pure pop that is lyrically dark (“Let’s pretend it’s not the end of the world”) but musically upbeat. Some think it features a 1960s Phil Spector “wall of sound” and even an ABBA influence. I don’t know if I’d completely agree about either of those but it’s a great hook-laden track that says a lot about where we are at right now in the world.

Hold On To Tonight – Night Moves

I first became acquainted with this indie rock band from Minneapolis when they released their song Carl Sagan in 2016. It ended up making my Top Ten that year (even though the specific connection to the title’s famed scientist was never quite clear to me.) The fact is that Night Moves makes very melodic pop/rock led by singer John Pelant who has a really interesting, emotional voice. He uses his falsetto during key moments here which I’m not sure entirely works. However, it’s hard not to resist the rest of his vocals and the song itself which is from their upcoming album Double Life. The hook is present right from the start and gets repeated a lot throughout the song. When you create something catchy why not keep going with it?

Headlines – Palace Winter

This is the second song that has grabbed me this year from Palace Winter whose new album drops April 25^th. Lead Carl Coleman is another singer with an emotional voice that nicely expresses an obsession with trying to win. Related to this, the video features a “Best in Show” competition with some beautiful dogs and their winning focused owners. I also really like the guitar work and production throughout the song.

Still Bad – Lizzo

It’s been a couple years since Lizzo won the Grammy for Record of the year for About Damn Time which also, and perhaps more importantly(!), made several of my friends’ Top Ten’s in 2023. She returns with what I think is another pretty infectious pop hit. Lizzo knows how to turn a catchy phrase, this time being: “I don’t need him, I need a drink!” Her voices sizzles with energy about getting knocked down but still surviving and ready to get out there. Is she singing about a former partner or her 2024 legal challenge from former dancers who accused her of creating a hostile work environment? Either way it’s still a great pop song.

Heart Attack Police – Callinsick

I love the band’s name: “Call in Sick.” They’re from the U.K. and describe themselves as playing “raw, rebellious punk rock.” While the video features dozens of images in rapid succession (even Miley turnes up briefly), the song itself feels less “rebellious” and more infectious with a really slick production that feels somewhat steeped in neo new wave. Whatever. The song is great.

Link to 2025 playlist:

Spotify

What do you think? Do any of these songs do anything for you? Any new favorites of your own?