Debut Spotlight: May 2025 [Part Deux]

Debut albums and EPs from Operelly, The Pill, Le Pain, Melinda, Kissing On Camera, Soot Sprite, and Fit.

I’m back with Round 2 - there’s just too much great stuff!

Here’s some great debut albums and EPs to check out, released this April and May:

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Operelly - Handwriting Practice No. 1 (EP)

California

For Fans Of: bedroom pop | twee folk | Clairo | Sufjan Stevens | Regina Spektor

Release Date: May 15, 2025

Fantastic songwriting on this indie EP from California - super relaxing, nostalgic sounding tracks, and more twee-revival coming to you in 2025.

Spotlight Track: “You don’t have one hope” | Bandcamp

The Pill - THE EP (EP)

Isle of Wight, England

For Fans Of: punk | indie rock | Gen & The Degenerates | Lambrini Girls | Coach Party | Wet Leg

Release Date: May 22, 2025

A really fun grrl-punk EP from the Isle of Wight duo - they’ve been putting out awesome punk-driven indie rock singles over the past year, and their debut EP cushions those releases with some additional tongue-in-cheek bangers.

Spotlight Track: “POSH” | Website

Le Pain - Dirge Technique

Los Angeles, California

For Fans Of: vintage pop | French indie | Tennis | Stereolab | Japanese Breakfast

Release Date: May 3, 2025

A nice indie album from Los Angeles that blends French and English lyricism in dreamy vintage pop.

Spotlight Track: “Is That How You Want Me To Feel?” | Bandcamp

Melinda - Melinda (EP)

Memphis, Tennessee

For Fans Of: hazy indie | soft shoegaze | Chanel Beads | Spirit of the Beehive | Hotline TNT

Release Date: April 18, 2025

This EP is produced by Calvin Lauber (Julien Baker, boygenius) and comes as the first, “official” release from the lo-fi, hazy indie artist after years of Bandcamp singles and collaborations.

Spotlight Track: “In Plain Sight” | Bandcamp

Kissing On Camera - Baby Names (EP)

London, England (by way of Dublin)

For Fans Of: alternative rock | midwest emo | Title Fight | Charmer | Saturdays At Your Place

Release Date: May 27, 2025

An alternative rock EP that blends aspects of midwestern emo into its catchy, sing-along tunes.

Spotlight Track: “Voice Actor” | Bandcamp

Soot Sprite - Wield Your Hope Like A Weapon

Exeter, UK

For Fans Of: bedroom pop | indie | Wednesday | Soccer Mommy | Ratboys

Release Date: May 16, 2025

A full-length album that discusses themes of hope, despair, and loss via tunes that combine aspects of bedroom pop, shoegaze, and emo.

Spotlight Track: “All My Friends Are Depressed” | Bandcamp

Fit - Miracles Might Happen (EP)

Utrecht, Netherlands

For Fans Of: post-punk | alternative | Sports Team | Parquet Courts | Gang of Four

Release Date: May 16, 2025

A funky post-punk EP from the Netherlands, mixing shoegaze, hip-hop, and alternative influences into a danceable set of tracks.

Spotlight Track: “Cash” | Bandcamp

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As always, you can follow along with this year’s debuts in my Debuts of 2025 playlist. You can find all of my Spotify, Apple Music, and Youtube playlists in the corresponding links.

Are you an artist, or have a debut album to recommend? Submit your recommendation here!

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Enjoyed these recommendations? Here’s some Spotify playlists you may like:

• FF New Music Friday - follow for weekly releases curated by a team of friends

• Ready To Mingle - singles from pre-debut artists across rock & indie genres

• Monthly Highlights - my favorite releases from this month

You can find all of my Spotify, Apple Music, and Youtube playlists in the corresponding links.

Thanks for reading, and happy new music discovery!

x Erin