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New semester, new music: Don’t overlook these 2025 album releases

Ruby Secrest, Arts and Entertainment Editor

August 25, 2025

Collegian | Falyn Sebastian

Graphic of person listening to music with headphones.

As a new fall semester begins, students pop in their earbuds and begin scrolling through their playlists, searching for new music. There have been too many album releases in 2025 to keep track of, and while no one is denying that “Man’s Best Friend” and “Virgin” are deserving of all the love they’ve received, there are some hidden gems that seem to have been overlooked in the midst of it all.

Finding new music can feel like a daunting task. While your workload piles up for the semester ahead, we figured we would make it easier for you to compile a fall playlist. Whether you’re walking to class, in need of a mental break from your roommate or simply want to fixate on new music this semester, here are some albums we strongly recommend you don’t overlook.

1. ‘AIN’T NO DAMN WAY!’ by KAYTRANADA

KAYTRANADA, known for his collaborative hits, dropped an album that set him up to be a singular creative device. Known for his albums “BUBBA” and “99.9%”, the Montreal producer dropped his first album that primarily featured noncollaborative work. “AIN’T NO DAMN WAY!” is cool, funky and beautifully rhythmic all at once. It’s perfect for getting your body moving in the morning or for motivating yourself to cram for that 11:59 p.m. deadline. This album is a must-listen.

2. ‘Live at Revolution Hall’ by Adrianne Lenker

What is worse than a band that sounds great on the record but terrible live? Nothing!

Fortunately for everyone, Adrianne Lenker has never had this issue, and the evidence lies in her live recordings. “Live at Revolution Hall” is everything that a live album should be. There is good reason for the band Big Thief having the following that it does. These recordings bring the listener through small, intimate moments with the audience to big, boisterous instrumentals that highlight Lenker’s solo work as well as Big Thief’s repertoire.

This album not only proves that the band sounds good live but also evokes the comfort and wholesome moments that make live performances what they are. So if you seek comfort during a time of change, look no further than this album. It feels like a hug.

3. ‘Blush’ by Kevin Abstract

The man has done it again.

“Blush” is the perfect combination of Kevin Abstract’s 2019 album “ARIZONA BABY” and musical contributions in his former group “BROCKHAMPTON.” Abstract combines his wide range of musical inspiration into this one album, showcasing multiple genre influences while not straying away from his own sound.

The theme for this album is broad yet also concise. Some songs are perfect for Ram Band pregames, some for the postsummer rainy drives around Horsetooth Reservoir and others for the everyday playlist addition. With multiple features on the album, such as Love Spells, E Bleu, JPEGMAFIA, Dominic Fike and more, this album meets various playlist criteria.

4. ‘EURO-COUNTRY’ by CMAT

“EURO-COUNTRY” is that girl, and it’s not even fully released yet. The Irish singer-songwriter has a musical style that is worth supporting. Her mix of country and mainstream-pop allows all of her albums to be relevant without getting repetitive. While the full album has yet to be released, what is out so far is beautiful, personable, witty and fun — perfect for the 20-something crisis that is bound to happen within the four — or so — years of undergrad.

5. ‘Moisturizer’ by Wet Leg

Last but not least, Wet Leg continues to do feminine post-punk fans proud. Wet Leg’s self-titled debut album won the Grammy for Best Alternative Music Album in 2023. Wet Leg is not a band to be messed with. If you’re someone who loves a good Olivia Rodrigo angst song but don’t know where to turn for more, this album is meant for you. Witty lyrics, pugnacious guitar, toe-tap-worthy drums and the voice of Rhian Teasdale — to put it simply, it’s too good not to receive a listen.

Reach Ruby Secrest at entertainment@collegian.com or on Twitter @CSUCollegian.

About the Contributors

Ruby Secrest, Arts & Entertainment Editor

Ruby Secrest is the editor of the arts and entertainment desk for The Collegian. She is a third-year student at Colorado State University, pursuing a major in journalism and media communication and a minor in film studies. Born and raised in Denver, Secrest has always had a love for fine art and live music. When joining The Collegian in fall 2023 as a writer and photographer, she took a special interest in concert photography, reporting on the live music and local art that takes place in Fort Collins. During her time at The Collegian, Secrest has sought out stories with artists and business owners who have a deep passion for their work and are interested in growth. She has been fortunate to report on local businesses, mural reveals and concerts, such as Odie Leigh, Psychedelic Porn Crumpets and last year’s Fort Collins Music Experiment festival. Secrest’s taste in art and music follows a broad range, from Picasso’s Blue Period to the early work of Annie Leibovitz with Rolling Stone magazine and music from Foxygen, Big Thief, Ron Gallo, Frazey Ford and, of course, Bruno Mars. She encourages people to have a guilt-free love of today’s top hits while also buying tickets to shows with an audience of 10. Secrest is grateful for the platform The Collegian gives young reporters and photographers and is excited to take on her new role as the A&E editor. Her goal is to encourage passion within the arts and help grow an environment within the A&E desk where any special interests of the reporters are heard and fostered, just as her mentor did for her.

Falyn Sebastian, Digital & Design Managing Edtior

After becoming a page designer as a sophomore, Falyn Sebastian evolved from print editor to design director and has now officially begun her new position as digital and design managing editor. Originally from the Big Island of Hawaii, she chose to attend Colorado State University to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in graphic design along with a minor in entrepreneurship. When it comes to arranging content in The Collegian’s newsprint, Sebastian formats and arranges the visual media that readers love in a physical copy. After attending content and budget meetings with the editors of each desk, she manages how each week’s visual content fits into the paper by clicking through Adobe InDesign. With a combination of original photos, illustrative graphics and advertisements, Sebastian organizes and delegates tasks to her talented and ever-growing design team. As a graphic design student, journalism was not a field Sebastian intended to work in during college, but she embraced the world of publication design through The Collegian. As graphic design focuses on the importance of effective communication, she realized she was truly designing for a fulfilling purpose. Student media will forever have a happy home in her heart. Working with other students who are passionate about what is happening in their community drives her to continue working on impactful design. Sebastian looks forward to what is yet to come while gaining new experience and memories with her staff.

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