Summer Playlist 2025: Part I
Get your playlist ready for Summer with these breakthrough artists we’ve curated just for you. With fresh releases made with an eye on festival season, they’re working on winning hearts across continents. Check out our Summer Playlist 2025 and let us know if any of them won yours!
AJII
Since reaching the top 20 on American Idol Season 22, Brooklyn singer Ajii has been unstoppable. He’s released hit after hit, defying all norms. Now he’s teaming up with Jordan Anthony for ‘Cherry‘. Co-written by Ajii alongside producers Gregg Wattenberg (Goo Goo Dolls, John Legend), Pom-Pom (John Legend, Suki Waterhouse), and others, this super catchy, feel-good track is filled with seductive undertones and showcases the singers’ powerhouse harmonies.
“When I first heard the song with Jordy on it,” Ajii says, “I knew it was going to be a banger. With playful wordplay and a catchy vibe, ‘Cherry’ is a journey through love, lust, and everything in between.”
bLAck pARty
Featuring Brazilian songstress Budah, bLAck pARty reimagines his previously released single ‘Distant Lover’ with ‘Distant Lover Pt. II’. Budah brings her unique, seductive, and fiery delivery to ‘Distant Lover Pt. II‘, perfectly complementing bLAck pARty’s alluring and hypnotic style.
Besides this new single, bLAck pARty will embark on his North American ‘Late To The Party’ tour. Throughout the summer, he’ll hit major cities across the United States and Canada, performing in between major festivals such as Wonderfront, Governor’s Ball, and Lollapalooza.
GOLDIE BOUTILIER
Indie singer Goldie Boutilier’s ‘I Can’t’ is a cinematic experience and slow burn that will put you in a good mood. With powerful vocals delivering introspective lyrics, the song will live rent-free in your mind. Goldie’s music is noted for its cinematic quality and exploration of tragic romance, glamour, and melancholia—all beautifully captured on ‘I Can’t’.
“‘I Can’t’ isn’t about closure. It’s about wanting revenge, wanting healing, and not having the strength for either. Born from the wreckage of a toxic relationship that left me heartbroken and hospitalized.” — Goldie Boutilier
CALEB GORDON
Caleb Gordon, a prominent voice in the Christian rap scene, returns with a hard-hitting new single titled ‘No Remorse‘. The track sparked widespread anticipation, especially after NBA champion Dwight Howard gave Caleb a viral shoutout on Twitter/X. Widely recognized for fusing dynamic lyricism with a steadfast spiritual message, Caleb is redefining what it means to be a faith-driven artist in hip-hop. He recently made waves as the first Christian rapper to perform at Rolling Loud, one of the world’s biggest festivals.
‘No Remorse’ centers on pushing past negativity with strength and conviction, favoring prayer over pettiness, and letting go of emotional burdens with confidence. It’s rooted in self-assurance and spiritual clarity, built around a catchy chorus and emotionally raw verses that resonate with listeners from all walks of life.
EVENSON
Self-written and produced by EVENSON, ‘YOU‘ blends psychedelic R&B and neo-soul, drawing inspiration from the smooth sophistication of Sade and the funk-driven energy of Parliament Funkadelic. With powerful rhythms and emotionally rich melodies, ‘YOU’ stands out as EVENSON’s most personal and vulnerable work to date. Created in a burst of late-night inspiration during a songwriting retreat, the track captures raw emotional honesty, both musically and lyrically.
EVENSON is getting ready to delight audiences this summer, with more amazing music coming in July. Maybe we should keep our Summer Playlist 2025 open ’til then…
LACES
LACES’ ‘I Quit for Summer’ is a laid-back, honest track for anyone who’s ever dreamed of walking away from a draining job to choose happiness instead. With a little attitude and a lot of heart, the song captures that feeling of wanting to let go and enjoy life on your own terms. ‘I Quit for Summer‘ pairs catchy melodies with a playful vibe, but beneath it all is a real message about burnout, self-worth, and knowing when to take a break. This is the final single before LACES releases her long-awaited WORK EP this June.
Summer Playlist 2025: Part II
EMILIA VAUGHN
Released under her own label, Emilia Vaughn Entertainment and Media Group LLC, in collaboration with DNT Entertainment, Emilia Vaughn’s ‘Limbo‘ feels like a personal confession set to music. Produced by Grammy-winning artist and producer Matt Rollings, the stripped-back guitar and honest vocal delivery give the song a raw, unfiltered quality. It’s not flashy or overdone; it’s real and grounded, making the emotional impact even stronger.
The song dives into what it’s like to feel stuck, caught between the fear of moving forward and the weight of the past. It’s about sitting with that discomfort and learning to accept it. With ‘Limbo’, Emilia opens up in a way that’s both vulnerable and relatable, offering something truly authentic.
RYLAI
Raised in Seoul, South Korea, RYLAI is debuting with ‘Without You’, a personal and honest track that reflects on growth, regret, and healing. At its core, the song conveys a message about learning to care for yourself, even when it’s difficult, and recognizing the moments when you didn’t.
‘Without You’ was recorded across Seoul and Los Angeles, blending musical influences from both K-pop and Western pop styles. RYLAI was deeply involved in every step, playing viola, violin, and synths on the track. He also wrote the song himself, collaborating with producers Dylan Buzz Gold, Scandi, and Colby Lapolla to bring it to life.
This release reveals what RYLAI is all about: genuine emotion, hands-on creativity, and a sound that crosses borders. ‘Without You’ feels deeply personal and thoughtfully crafted, and it’s an easy choice to make our Summer Playlist 2025.
EJ
‘Fancy Car’, by Orlando singer/songwriter EJ, dives into the pressure to feel enough in a world that constantly says otherwise. It’s an honest look at the struggle for self-worth, especially when success and appearance are valued above all else. EJ describes the song as a reflection of the pressures many, especially his generation, face when trying to prove their worth through material things or appearances. For him, it’s about breaking free from that mindset and reconnecting with who you really are underneath it all.
‘Fancy Car‘ is the second single from The Storm, the second EP in EJ’s three-part project that began with The Fantasy last November. The new EP also features the previous release, ‘Another Day in Paradise’, along with upcoming tracks ‘Diva’ and ‘Jealous Boyfriend’. These releases lead up to EJ’s debut album, The Aftermath, which will include music from both EPs plus a few new songs.
J APPIAH
J Appiah‘s ‘Lucy’ offers a second glimpse into his upcoming EP That’s the Thing About Time, Part 2, set to be released for early summer. Ethereal and emotionally layered, the track pairs gentle percussion with rich synth, exploring the quiet struggles of masculinity, inner conflict, and the unspoken weight of personal decisions. Produced by Barnabas Poffley, ‘Lucy’ continues to display J Appiah’s exceptional blend of soul, indie, and electronic influences.
“Over time, Lucy has taken on a deeper meaning—one of male confusion, the struggle to voice emotions, and the shifting pressures of masculinity across cultures and generations. At its core, it’s a song about the lure of life and the silent battles we fight within ourselves.” — J Appiah
NAOMI JANE
With plans to release six singles leading up to her debut album Dissonance in February 2026, Naomi Jane is shaping up for a major Summer. Beyond the studio, Naomi is stepping up her live game over the coming months. After earning back-to-back honors at the International Songwriting Competition—including Second Place in the 2024 Unsigned category—she was awarded a scholarship to the Hawaii Songwriting Festival. She’ll cap off a huge season with a headlining show at Seattle’s Crocodile (Madame Lou’s) on August 2.
AMANDA BARISE
Amanda Barise brings a powerful voice and a fresh sound, blending alternative R&B and soul. Co-produced by Amanda and Grammy-winning engineer Max Faigen, ‘Cute and Deadly‘, her latest track, is personal and full of energy. It marks a shift in her style, and the title playfully nods to how some in the industry have described her. The lyrics capture Amanda’s fierce determination and confidence as she steps into this new chapter: she’s ready to prove doubters wrong and show everyone she’s here to stay. With raw vocals and a bold attitude, ‘Cute and Deadly’ is a clear statement that Amanda’s journey is just beginning.
“The song is about the way I make what I do look easy when behind the scenes I’m actually busting my ass, juggling all the moving parts, and dealing with a multitude of personalities and mood swings, to make the show happen.” — Amanda Barise