Singles of the Week, 14–20 July 2025
Discover the new singles you need to hear – updated every week
This week I listened to around 70 new tracks, and honestly, it wasn’t the easiest week to narrow down. Not because there was too much brilliance to choose from, if anything, this was one of those weeks where plenty of songs fell into the “almost made it” category. Decent, promising, but just missing that spark. Other weeks, I’ve got 10 obvious picks fighting for a place. This time, I’ve hummed and ha’ed quite a bit.
That said, this week’s number one was a clear choice. I know some might not agree, not on musical grounds, but because of the artist's background.
Another Substacker, Gabbie from New Bands for Old Heads, touched on this recently: the tendency to downplay or distrust artists who seem to rise too fast, who might be labelled industry plants, or whose privilege makes people suspicious of their success. I get it, but here’s where I stand.
The Last Dinner Party, this week’s top spot, are often framed in that exact way: posh girls, private school backgrounds, fast-tracked to fame. But my view is this: if you’ve got talent and you’re using your privilege to make brilliant, inventive, emotionally rich music… then why not?
They’re writing great songs, performing with total commitment, and, crucially, they’re fun, charismatic, and entertaining. This new single is, in my opinion, the best track released last week, and deserves to be celebrated on its own musical terms.
So here they are — my 5 best singles from 14–20 July:
As ever, all opinions welcome. Let me know what you’ve been enjoying, what I missed, or whether you agree with this week’s picks. Always happy to discover something new (or be told I’m wrong).
Thanks for reading and listening!
1. This Is The Killer Speaking by The Last Dinner Party
Released on July 17, This Is The Killer Speaking is the lead single from The Last Dinner Party’s second album, From the Pyre, due October 17 via Island Records. Marking their return since their 2024 debut, the theatrical rock piece sets the tone.
2. Show Us Some Love by Other Lives
Released on July 16, Show Us Some Love is the latest single from Other Lives. It previews their forthcoming fifth album Volume V, due October 10 via Play It Again Sam. The track explores dialogue between gods and humans.
3. Horseback by Wicca Phase Springs Eternal
Released July 14, Horseback is the lead single from Wicca Phase Springs Eternal’s next album, Mossy Oak Shadow, due September 19 via Run for Cover Records. It marks a shift into sparse folk-rock territory
4. One Tiny Flower by Jeff Tweedy
One Tiny Flower is one of four singles released July 15 ahead of Jeff Tweedy’s upcoming triple album Twilight Override, arriving September 26 via dBpm Records. The song preludes a deeply personal and expansive solo project
5. She Explains Things to Me by David Byrne
Released July 16, She Explains Things to Me is the second single from David Byrne’s forthcoming album Who Is the Sky?, due September 5 via Matador. I celebrated my 10th wedding anniversary this week, and I had to choose this as it captures a fundamental aspect of the relationship I have with my amazing wife.
Ps I love them all!! And the David Byrne made me laugh! 😀
Thank you! I haven’t even listened yet but just wanted to say how I enjoyed what you said. The music is the important thing here not the musicians’ biographies. I know it’s and old argument about whether you can admire art if the artist is not admirable - but definitions of what’s admirable change all the time. And the music industry is just that - an industry. A business. So you don’t have to be naive about what that means economically or socially or politically. But you can still enjoy the music. I sometimes look up the biographies of writers I like and then find myself thinking “Well, they obviously didn’t have to pay rent or find a mortgage”. And that’s not the point. And making assumptions about people’s lives and what’s in their heads is not a bright thing to do! What a rambling comment! But I’m looking forward to playing the music. And that is the point 😀