New Music Friday: Key Releases Igniting April 2025 Featuring The Beaches, The Hives, and Wet Leg

As April 4, 2025, dawns, music enthusiasts worldwide are met with a wave of fresh sounds hitting digital platforms and physical stores. This edition of New Music Friday delivers a diverse array of releases, from anticipated singles hinting at forthcoming albums to significant milestones from established acts.

Among the highlights is a new track from Canadian indie-pop darlings, The Beaches. Fresh off their triumph at the JUNOS, where they were honored with the prestigious Group of the Year award, the band unveils their latest single, “The Last Girls at the Party.”

Anticipation Builds for The Beaches’ Third Album

The release of “The Last Girls at the Party,” distributed via the AWAL label, serves as a tantalizing preview of The Beaches’ upcoming third studio album. Titled “No Hard Feelings,” the full-length project is scheduled to arrive on August 29. The band has confirmed plans to integrate this new material into their live sets throughout the year, including performances at their own headlining shows and appearances at major international festivals such as Coachella, Governor’s Ball in New York, and Osheaga in Montreal. Their recent JUNOS success further elevates anticipation for how these new songs will translate to the stage and connect with a growing global audience.

Swedish Rockers Return with Potent Single

Swedish garage rock titans, The Hives, also mark April 4th with a potent new single. Their track, “Enough is Enough,” released through the PIAS label, signals the impending arrival of their next album. The appropriately titled “The Hives Forever Forever The Hives” is also slated for an August 29 release, creating a notable shared release date with The Beaches.

The forthcoming album from The Hives boasts impressive collaborative credentials. It was co-produced by none other than Mike D of the legendary hip-hop group The Beastie Boys, suggesting a potentially dynamic sonic direction. Additionally, the album features contributions from Josh Homme, the acclaimed frontman of Queens of the Stone Age and Eagles of Death Metal, further underscoring the high-profile nature of this release and its potential impact on the rock landscape.

Unique Offerings from Indie Mainstays

Adding to the day’s notable releases, The New Pornographers, the Canadian-American indie supergroup, present a more niche offering for collectors and dedicated fans. They have released a limited 7-inch single titled “Ballad of the Last Payphone” through the Merge label. The song itself draws inspiration from and references a specific, unique landmark: the last remaining public payphone located at the Museum of the City of New York. This release highlights the band’s continued artistic eccentricity and connection to specific cultural touchstones.

British indie-rock duo Wet Leg, who burst onto the scene with their self-titled debut, also contribute to New Music Friday. They have unveiled a new single from their highly anticipated second album. While the single’s title was not specified, the announcement confirms progress on their follow-up project, tentatively titled “Moisturizer,” which is currently scheduled for release on July 11. This single provides the first official taste of the direction the band is taking after their widely successful debut.

A Farewell Milestone

April 4th also carries a note of finality for Canadian punk stalwarts Sum 41. The article notes their recent poignant induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame during the Juno Awards ceremony. This significant honor coincided with what is understood to be the band’s last-ever performance at the JUNOS. Furthermore, the piece highlights their final single and accompanying video release, marking a definitive moment as the band concludes a remarkable 30-year career that has spanned multiple albums, global tours, and a lasting impact on the punk and rock genres.

This week’s New Music Friday provides a compelling snapshot of the current music scene, featuring established award-winners, returning rock veterans, beloved indie acts, and a significant farewell, ensuring there is something new for a wide range of listeners to explore.