June 2025 Release Radar
June is technically half over at this point, but I still want to get this post out there to let you all know what this month’s most exciting releases are.
I’ve taken a small hiatus to begin this month and try to reset — I haven’t been very quiet about my opinions over how the first half of this year has gone (and, oh look, here comes WWIII right on schedule).
Regardless, there’s a lot of music waiting on me that I really want to just listen to, so let’s take a look at that backlog…
Albums On Deck
Note that this does not include a couple of reviews which have been written and scheduled (as of the time of this writing), nor am I including here the albums which released in the first couple of weeks of June.
Yet, there are still 19 listed here. It’s quite a bit to get through.
Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco - I Said I Love You First
The Cat Empire - Bird in Paradise
Alison Krauss & Union Station - Arcadia
Lucy Dacus - Forever is a Feeling
Elvenking - Reader of the Runes — Luna
Epica - Aspiral
The Man-Eating Tree - Night Verses
Bon Iver - Sable, Fable
Messa - The Spin
Julien Baker & Torres - Send a Prayer My Way
Eluveitie - Ànv
Wu-Tang Clan - Black Samson, the Bastard Swordsman
Ghost - Skeleta
Lights - A6
Eric Church - Evangeline vs. The Machine
Sleep Token - Even in Arcadia
Maren Morris - Dreamsicle
VNV Nation - Construct
Miley Cyrus - Something Beautiful
I’m going to forego my usual breakdown of the highlights in this list, as I’ve covered them all in previous Radars.
I will, however, acknowledge that I am going to be pulling back a bit on the time I’m spending on each review — less research, fewer articles/interviews read, and less time trying to make sense of an album’s structure or throughline if it isn’t immediately apparent.
And some reviews will be much shorter. 2025 demands it.
June Release Radar
6/6
Lil Wayne
Katatonia
Marina
6/13
King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard
6/20
Alestorm
6/27
Lorde
The releases highlighted for the 6th and 13th are, of course, already out, so some of you might have already listened to them.
I’m continuing to dip my toes into hip-hop, and a good friend of mine swears by Lil Wayne, so I figure it’s time to give him a listen.
Katatonia is one of a very small number of metal acts whose whole sound seems to be more vibe than anything else. Their albums tend to feel kinda samey, but it’s still generally an enjoyable sound to get lost in, somewhere between Prog Rock and Gothic/Doom Metal.
I’m willing to bet that Marina’s new album will be one of the best pop albums of the year before I hear a note. I don’t think I’ve ever heard a song from her I didn’t like. She’s got a killer voice and plenty to say.
King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard is a new-ish act in my repertoire. I’ve known of them and have been enjoying their music for a little over a year now, and yet I haven’t full explored their discography — it’s daunting. KGLW is, by every metric, a jam band. Their style ranges from Psychedelic Rock to Heavy Metal to Blues Rock to Synth Pop and everything in between on whatever axes you want to visualize for mapping those genres. Despite that the band is only about fifteen years old, this next album will be their 27th LP. They are wildly creative and prolific. And, as Rose Reviews will tell you, they’re only one of the amazing acts to come out of Australia recently; I feel like I’m reviewing more Aussies every year.
Alestorm, though, are a buncha Scots. Scottish pirates. Because that’s what they play: Pirate Metal. It’s more technically a blend of Folk and Power Metal with a Piratey flair, but it’s a fun label. Alestorm have been pretty big for a while now, but I’ve never actually given them a go. This oughta be fun. Their album is due out this Friday, the 20th.
Lastly, there’s Lorde. Honestly, I haven’t heard a lot from her since her debut album shook up the pop landscape. Well, I mean, I did listen to her last album and…I can understand why she hasn’t been relevant recently. I’m gonna give her another go, though. This will only be her fourth album. Let’s see what she does.
Mail Time!
In case you missed it, my first ever early access review dropped last friday for Messengers From The Empire’s Lost & Found.
And, no, it won’t be in the running for this year’s Top 40 due to some technical missteps. But despite those and the low-budget, super-indie production values, it’s a fun album with some, frankly, stupidly catchy songs. Fake-Bit and J.M.A.D. clearly know how to write a good song.
If you’re looking for something new to listen to from an act that is really just starting out, and you like raw indie, I strongly encourage you to give this album a listen — or, rather, to listen to what’s available, as the album is being released song-by-song throughout the year. I’m including the remaining release dates below.
“Let Me Go” - 7/11/2025
“Karma” - 7/25/2025
“Forest Hills Punk” - 8/8/2025
“Nothing Comes Easy” - 9/5/2025
“Don’t Say” - 10/10/2025
“Jack” - 11/28/2025
“Grown Up” - 12/19/2025
Beyond June
The full radar is always available, and lists offerings which are still months away. Here are five things to expect in the coming months:
The biggest artist I have flagged for July currently is likely Fletcher, but I feel like the current lineup is up to personal preference. Some might prefer Ciara or Lord Huron. Trisha Yearwood is also back, somehow.
Ethel Cain is dropping a new album on August 8th. I’m excited to see what it is.
And, ready or not, Sabrina Carpenter isn’t done riding the wave from her last album. Her next effort releases on August 29th, but it’s going to have a tough time competing with last year’s.
If you’re looking for the heavier offerings, Chevelle has a release set for August 15th; Iron Savior on August 22nd; and Helloween on August 29th.
October 10th is currently looking like Millennial Nostalgia Day, with releases from both Incubus and Yellowcard scheduled.