August 22, 2025, is coming in hot with great releases from K-pop’s biggest acts, such as Stray Kids and MONSTA X! Today, we’re compiling five releases you need to keep your eyes (and ears!) on. There’s a little bit for everyone: Brazilian funk, indie rock vibes, trap beats, and EDM are just some of the musical choices our fave groups are taking on in their latest tracks.
Let’s break down our top 5 releases for this August 22, 2025, New Music Friday:
- MONSTA X – Do What I Want: The MONSTA X guys are back with a bang! This pre-release single is just a taste of their upcoming mini-album “THE X,” dropping on September 1, 2025. In the song, the MONSTA X guys are giving us Brazilian-funk with a serious dancey vibe.
- CORTIS – What You Want: The new rookies on the block, CORTIS, enchanted new listeners with “What You Want,” one of the main songs from their upcoming mini-album “Color Outside the Lines,” which will drop on September 8, 2025.
- Pablo Vittar, NMIXX – MEXE: Brazilian drag queen Pablo Vittar and the NMIXX girls join forces in this Brazilian-funk-infused banger, which showcases the ultimate diva crossover released on August 21, 2025.
- Kep1er – Bubble Gum: Kep1er dropped their new EP “BUBBLE GUM,” alongside its title track on August 19, 2025. The song centers around its diva catwalk energy with boombastic beats and an EDM production.
- Stray Kids – Ceremony: The Stray Kids crew released their 4th full studio album “Karma,” alongside its title track “Ceremony.” In true SKZ style, the song blends EDM, rap and trap inflections with an energetic sound and lyrics about empowerment.
