We recommend: The best new global music
Editor’s Note: We’ve pulled together the best new tracks and albums—both international and Indian—that dropped in the last four weeks. Tune into June’s playlist on splainer’s Spotify.
‘Manchild’ by Sabrina Carpenter: The popstar builds on the momentum of her debut sensation with another sultry summer single. She needs no further introduction :)
‘Million years’ by HAIM: The soft-rock sisters pull back from the eclectic experimentation of their 2020 hit record ever so slightly for a more pleasantly laid-back vibe. The results are just as irresistible.
‘Sapphire’ by Ed Sheeran: You couldn’t go a day online last month without seeing the viral music video for this. Arijit’s backing vocal work is a nice touch and Ed’s attempt at Punjabi shockingly serves the song too.
‘The Recap’ by Kneecap feat. Mozey: Tom Morello has branded this trio of Belfast lads as this generation’s Rage Against the Machine due to their unapologetic pro-Palestine activism. It’s little surprise that they’ve got the aggressive punk hip hop to back it up!
‘Run, Run, Run Pt. II’ by McKinley Dixon: Here’s a slice of some of the finest conscious rap to come out of Richmond, Virginia with a jazzy arrangement—the live drums, piano, strings and sax all make for inspired choices.
‘...Well’ by Bello and Shem: This half-English half-Australian rap duo are as under the radar as it gets, but have a knack for combining cinematic beats with a level of aggressive flow that wouldn’t look amiss on a Denzel Curry record.
‘97 Jag’ by Kevin Abstract feat. Love Spells: The most well-known member of boy band Brockhampton branches out solo, bringing out a wonderfully earwormy beat with a little help from a dream pop sensation.
‘Instant Comfort’ by Laura Stevenson: Time for some indie folk, in which the lyrics may tug at your heartstrings while also leaving you appreciating the lush guitar tone—a Stevenson speciality.
‘Old Bill Pickett’ by Willi Carlisle: Our only country pick of the month has tongue firmly placed in cheek—we’ll let the lyrics and finger-pickin’ guitarwork do the talking here.
‘Zubaan’ by Karun feat. pho, Pahaad and mendus: Where to even begin with this thing of beauty? Perhaps the percussion—let the rest leave you as speechless as it did us!
‘Sky High’ by Sen feat. Miti Adhikari: Best known for his work with The Supersonics and The Ritornellos, Goa-based Ananda Sen pays tribute to the sound engineer with this posthumous release. The guitarwork harkens back to KK’s debut album while the drumming has shades of Phil Collins.
‘Ishq Bawla’ by Dhanda Nyoliwala: This is the newest release from Coke Studio Bharat sung by the Haryanvi rapper Dhanda Nyoliwala and Xvir Grewal. The upbeat song is actually a heartbreak song and draws from Haryanvi folklore.
‘Tabla’ by Sijya: This experimental pop song from the New Delhi-based singer is an absolute earworm with its textured synths, layered vocals and heartfelt melodies.
‘Beparwai’ by Jonita Gandhi: The Canadian-born singer is in her pop era! This catchy song shows off her vocals as much as her Punjabiness!
‘Be Cool’ by Joni Mitchell: This jazz number is a demo from the Joni Mitchell Archives ‘Joni's Jazz’—slated to release in September.
‘Killin’ It Girl (feat. GloRilla)’ by j-hope: Here’s something for K-pop fans! J-Hope from BTS released this one for the ladies!
‘Dirty Work’ by aespa: Another one for K-pop fans. This one’s from SM girl group reminds us of the electronic hyperpop from 2015 and we’re here for it!
‘Sorcerer’ by Harrison/Johnston: Porcupine Tree’s drummer and Mastodon’s new lead guitarist team up for some technically proficient and sonically addictive prog rock.
‘Acid Rain’ by Volbeat: With a tasty bassline, this ballad comes from a Danish rockabilly outfit—yes, such a combo exists and yes, it’s every bit as weirdly endearing as you can imagine.
‘A Parasitic Dream’ by Fallujah: Dip your toes into death metal with these Bay Area heavy hitters—brutal, punchy and atmospheric in equal measure.
June 2025’s best albums
Lotus by Little Simz: The British rapper returns with her first full-length album in nearly three years—following a protracted legal and financial dispute with her longtime producer Iflo. Rather than his absence being felt all over this record, it comes off as more of a cathartic experience right off the bat. New producer Miles Clinton James provides a sheen of jazzy arrangements, while Simz’s vocal prowess is giving MF Doom-meets-Skepta—UK rap royalty.
Phantom Island by King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard: Melbourne’s masters of microtonal-tinged psychedelic rock bring out their twenty-seventh (!!!) album in 13 years. With a prolific streak rivalling the Beatles and early era Bee Gees, questions of quality control often beset this band but in this case, their exploration of blues-y sounds with a greater inclusion of brass instruments is nothing short of a whimsical winner.
Nightmares as Extensions of the Waking State by Katatonia: This is the Swedish stalwarts’ first major release since the departure of longtime guitarist Anders Nyström—leaving lead vocalist Jonas Renske as the sole remaining founding member and principal songwriter. Renske rings in noticeable changes by marrying their ‘90s Black Sabbath-esque doom metal era with more melodic compositions of the 2020s, but two critical components remain the same—his soulful crooning and the chonky riffage.
PS: Standout tracks from each album have been added to splainer’s June 2025 playlist on Spotify! Check it out below:
