The Groove’s Monthly Picks: August
The Groove’s Monthly Picks: August 2025
What a month for album releases!
With a menagerie of major albums dropping on Friday 21st and a host of singles scattered throughout the month, we’ve been spoilt for choice.
Find our August monthly picks below.
Chappell Roan – The Subway
Chappell Roan releasing ‘The Subway’ on the first day of the month was clearly a good omen for August. This stand-out single crescendos into heart-wrenching vocals that sound more like lilting, plaintive cries than a catchy pop hook. Still, Chappell’s heartbreak continues to do the rounds on TikTok and Instagram as the soundtrack to holiday reels and outfit pics, and if that’s not the mark of a hit destined to stand the test of time in 2025, what is?
Olivia Dean – Man I Need
2025 is the year of Olivia Dean. ‘The Man I Need’ is the third single off sophomore album ‘The Art of Loving’, scheduled for release next month. It’s a piano-driven ode to embracing love, with Dean’s signature self-empowered spin. Rooted in charismatic stage presence, lyrical vulnerability, and an effortless talent for feelgood hooks and dopamine-packed tunes, now is the time to get clued up on Britain’s next music icon.
Dodie – I Feel Bad For You, Dave
Dodie returns with her new single off upcoming album ‘Not For Lack Of Trying’. Whimsically taking aim at keyboard warriors and fragile egos, expect an ear-tingling melody and lines like ‘Dave is the kind of guy to lose a friend over a board game he doesn’t get’. Whether it’s a patronising boss, a mate’s insufferable boyfriend, or a good old-fashioned troll, this song is gentle therapy for the Dave’s of the world who can’t help but get under your skin.
Dominic Fike - ‘Rocket’ album cover. Image credit: Dominic Fike
Dominic Fike – Rocket
A surprise announcement swiftly followed by the mixtape in entirety, ‘Rocket’ received a total of 7 days promotion. This relatively lo-fi offering is similar in length and style to the ‘working version’ philosophy of 2024 EP ‘14 Minutes’. The result is a quick dip into what’s going on in Fike’s world. There’s a rawness to these tracks, but at just 25 minutes, ‘Rocket’ is a (somewhat frustratingly) convincing validation of quality over quantity.
Wolf Alice – The Clearing
Departing from signature distorted guitars in favour of a cleaner sound, ‘The Clearing’ has been released to critical acclaim. With moments of grit between orchestral explorations of peace, performance and identity, Rowsell’s vocals are given space to soar, lifting one of Britain's best bands to new heights. Read the full article for The Groove’s full take on Wolf Alice’s fourth studio album.
Sombr – I Barely Even Know Her
‘I Barely Even Know Her’, written entirely by 20 year old Shane Boose, is an impressive, charming debut from the artist known as Sombr. Standout production from legendary Tony Berg brings this album to life, delivering emotive harmonies and room-filling sounds that replicate the tales of young heartbreak, yearning and urban adventure. Read our full review of ‘I Barely Know Her’, from the artist pop’s been waiting for.
Sabrina Carpenter, ‘Man’s Best Friend’ album cover. Photo credit: Bryce Anderson, Sabrina Carpenter
Sabrina Carpenter – Man’s Best Friend
‘Man’s Best Friend’ arrives just a year after ‘Short & Sweet’, completing the narrative of a very public relationship well and truly on Sabrina Carpenter’s terms. Still firmly pitched in pop, the album occasionally dips into country influences, playing well into Carpenter’s natural vibrato. With its retro-esque pageant sound and characteristically explicit lyrics, second single ‘Tears’ is the stand out. Irresistibly catchy, with the disco feel of Dua Lipa’s ‘Dance The Night Away’, prepare to hear it absolutely everywhere.
JAMES SMITH – Jesus IS a woman
Welcome to this month’s grooviest bassline. The third single following Smith’s 2024 album ‘Common People’, and easily the best, ‘Jesus Is A Woman’ is the audio version of the sunglasses emoji. Just in time for Autumn, are we about to see a spike in fishnet tight sales? Expect this song to be in your head before you’ve finished it, with a bridge featuring actor and girlfriend Nadia Parkes that elevates it to a totally different territory. Sharing songwriting credits with Martin Luke Brown, this single has me keen to see what James Smith is cooking up next.
Underrated Gem:
Lead single off the eponymous album, ‘Panorama’ is short, slick, and in desperate need of greater attention. Infectious and uplifting, the track is grounded by a thumping drumbeat and rich bassline, layered with soulful vocals. Tennet’s digital catalogue spans over a decade of old-school covers and punchy originals. His music has featured on ‘Love Island’ and led to a recent support slot for Robbie Williams, but ‘Panorama’ is the track that cements the 26-year old as a genuinely underrated star in the making.
Listen when:
Your day needs a bit of oomph or motivation.