As 2025 attracts to a detailed, we’re celebrating standout statistics and tales from the 12 months. Discover enjoyable details from this 12 months’s releases, hear from fellow CD Child artists, and uncover developments you may simply issue into your technique for subsequent 12 months.
It was a giant 12 months for unbiased music releases
From singles to EPs to albums, unbiased artists launched music at an unbelievable tempo. We’re proud to help a rising neighborhood wanting to be heard all over the world.
Three actually is a magic quantity
As Schoolhouse Rock prophesied, there’s one thing about this quantity! The common tune size additionally landed proper in basic pop territory.
Friday stays the preferred music launch day
Unbiased musicians fell proper according to the industry-standard Friday launch day. We all know there’s one other tune to reference right here, however we’ll resist the urge.
Love reigned supreme
From heart-throbbers to heart-breakers, everybody was writing about love this 12 months. Throughout all launch titles, “love” appeared greater than some other noun.
Rock, pop, hip-hop, and rap led the best way
Acquainted favorites proceed to anchor unbiased releases. Rock, Pop, and Hip-Hop & Rap topped our hottest genres, proving their endurance throughout generations of artists and followers.
Unbiased artists got here from all around the world
Artists from all over the world introduced new voices and sounds to CD Child this 12 months. From the UK to Brazil, these high nations spotlight simply how worldwide unbiased music has change into.
Cowboy hats, odd time signatures, and industrial textures are on the rise
Style progress this 12 months mirrored each innovation and revival, as artists pushed boundaries and reimagined acquainted sounds. From high-energy, aggressive membership tracks to jazz experimentation and trendy nation, these kinds gained momentum quick.
Artists are all the time working on the fringes of style
Past the mainstream, artists continued carving out area of interest sounds and scenes of their very own. These obscure genres present simply how adventurous and creatively fearless unbiased musicians could be.
Artist Reflections
In fact, behind the highest stage stats and developments from this 12 months are actual artists doing the work. In what follows, hear from CD Child artists about their proudest moments of 2025.
LukHash
Polish-British unbiased digital music artist, LukHash, is understood for his distinctive mix of retro sounds and up to date kinds that make the most of his personal custom-modified retro {hardware} such because the Commodore 64, Amiga, NES, and Sport Boy.
In 2025, LukHash had the chance to contribute music to the Terrorbytes OST, a documentary concerning the evolution of horror gaming. LukHash’s newest album “Residence Arcade” additionally reached quantity 16 on the UK official Downloads Chart.
The Frst
The Frst (pronounced “the primary”) is an alternate rock and steel core collaborative challenge run by Mikei Grey, primarily based in Nashville, Tennessee. The challenge has seen a rotating lineup of notable collaborators together with Kellin Quinn & Matty Better of Sleeping With Sirens and Jaret Reddick of Bowling For Soup.
In 2025, The Frst was featured in Guitar World journal, acquired a number of longstanding editorial playlist placements on streaming platforms, and had a number of music movies go viral.
Olivia King
Olivia King is a pop/soul singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur from Rhode Island. King has amassed over 450,000 followers throughout social platforms and takes a uniquely collaborative strategy to her music, permitting her followers to co-write songs and assist select art work, mixes, launch titles and extra.
In 2025, King’s tune “Who me?” was used within the Dancing with Sharks phase of Shark Week, she held a particular live performance at Petco Park in San Diego, and he or she rounded out her editorial placements to an all-time whole of fifty.
Luisa Marion
Luisa Marion is a rising indie folks artist primarily based in Nashville, Tennessee, crafting unique songs whereas additionally touring as a violinist with Sam Barber.
In 2025, Marion launched her first self-produced EP, Juniper, and acquired quite a few editorial playlist placements.
Thanks for a beautiful 12 months, CD Child artists!
From all of us at CD Child, thanks for an unbelievable 2025. Being an unbiased artist means setting your individual path whereas adapting to an ever-changing {industry}—and staying true to your identification. Your dedication, creativity, and artwork encourage us every single day to help your objectives and supply the assets it’s worthwhile to take your music additional. We are able to’t wait to see what 2026 will deliver.
For those who’re able to launch music, develop your viewers, and construct your profession by yourself phrases within the 12 months forward, be a part of the CD Child neighborhood and begin distributing in the present day.