August was filled with so many exciting new pop releases, and my anticipation was through the roof as I counted down the days until the release of Sabrina Carpenter’s new album Man’s Best Friend. But she wasn’t the only one turning heads this month—here’s a look at some of the most notable releases August had to offer:
1.Sabrina Carpenter - Man’s Best Friend
The highly anticipated Man’s Best Friend delivers exactly what fans expect from Sabrina Carpenter: cheeky, alluring disco-pop anthems with witty lyrics, carried by her sugar-sweet vocals. Sonically, the album falls in line with her previous release Short n’ Sweet, which, like Man’s Best Friend, was produced by Jack Antonoff.
While I don’t think this album topped my favorite Sabrina Carpenter project, emails i can’t send, it’s still highly enjoyable, particularly in the latter half. Tracks like “When Did You Get Hot?” and “Go Go Juice” stand out, offering some of her most relatable and amusing lyrics on the album. “When Did You Get Hot,” in particular, grabbed me from first listen, thanks to its groovy instrumentation and descending melodic line in the outro.
On the flip side, some of the more mellow tracks including “Don’t Worry I’ll Make You Worry” and “We Almost Broke Up Again Last Night” meander slightly, causing the album to lose a bit of momentum. Overall, though not perfect, Man’s Best Friend is an enjoyable listen, likely exactly what Sabrina Carpenter intended with a release so close to her last album.
2. Reneé Rapp - BITE ME
I have a complicated relationship with BITE ME, Reneé Rapp’s sophomore album, released on August 1st. As a longtime fan, it was thrilling to see her confirm the rumored overlap between her ex-girlfriend Alissa Carrington and her current girlfriend Towa Bird—there’s a certain delicious intrigue in hearing a celebrity discuss a messy part of their story, especially when it’s a central theme of the album (I’m just a bit nosy, if I’m being honest). That said, I’ll admit, on first listen, I felt a surprising amount of discomfort hearing Rapp discuss cheating so nonchalantly. Not that she glorifies it, but it did catch me off guard.
I value artists being honest and vulnerable with their audience, so I respect her decision to tell her story this way, and over subsequent listens, I’ve mostly gotten past that initial discomfort. I wanted to be upfront about the cognitive dissonance that this album stirred within me because, as consumers, our feelings about an album’s themes inevitably shape how we experience it.
Sonically speaking, BITE ME is a strong effort and probably her most consistent body of work, although I slightly prefer the less cohesive, but more gut-wrenching Snow Angel or Everything to Everyone. Rapp’s vocals are gorgeous as always, and her mischievous charm shines through on this record. Some standout tracks for me include “Why Is She Still Here,” an R&B-infused pop ballad that recalls the feel of “Tummy Hurts,” “I Can’t Have You Around Me Anymore,” with a mellow electric guitar riff that is sure to worm its way into your head, and “Shy,” with its energetic cheerleading chant bridge.
That said, while the album is catchy, some songs feel a little short, and the production, though consistent, doesn’t always match the full fire of her personality. I keep coming back to it because it’s addicting, but I can’t help thinking that working with a more experimental pop producer could give her that extra bit of intrigue that propels her to main pop girl stardom.
3. Audrey Hobert - Who’s The Clown
Who’s The Clown is truly an album for all the weird girls out there. Call her an industry plant if you want, but she’s MY industry plant. There’s something so human and authentic about this record, especially for anyone who survived a painfully awkward preteen phase (me) and still wrestles with self-image issues. Hobert’s writing is delightfully offbeat, and while the tracks are relatively simple, I felt drawn in by her stream-of-consciousness style of writing and the relatability woven throughout. My favorite track has to be “Thirst Trap,” in which Audrey sings about sacrificing her coolness for desperate attempts to impress her crush. There’s a self-deprecating, deadpan charm throughout this entire body of work that makes it feel like Hobert is personally guiding you through her world. It might be a little polarizing, but I love it—and it’s doing something different, which earns my respect.
4. Conan Gray - Wishbone
Released on August 15th, Conan Gray’s fourth studio album, Wishbone, explores themes of heartbreak, toxicity, doomed love, and queer struggles. It’s a gorgeous and heartfelt album, with some of Conan’s most vulnerable and personal writing to date. Overall, I would characterize the album as a return to his diaristic Superache sound, departing from the 80s synth-pop textures of Found Heaven. Personally, I welcome this return, as Found Heaven was less my cup of tea than his prior releases, but it may be a conflicting shift for some fans. If you’re interested in checking out this album, I highly recommend starting with the music videos, which tell a chronological story about fictional characters Wilson and Brando and their push-and-pull love. It’s a wonderfully constructed story and will immediately connect you to the album on a deeper level.
5. Doja Cat - “Jealous Type”
Welcome back Hot Pink era Doja Cat! Released on August 21st, “Jealous Type” is a disco-pop gem, pairing a catchy hook that captures Doja’s charisma with sparkling synths that instantly give away Jack Antonoff’s signature touch. Her new album, Vie, releases on September 25, 2025, and if “Jealous Type” is any indication, it’s bound to be a must-listen.
6. Lydia Night - Parody of Pleasure
Lydia Night’s Parody of Pleasure marks her first release since The Regrettes disbanded in 2023, and it had a lot to live up to. The album echoes her later work with The Regrettes—punchy indie-pop with a bit of an edge—so longtime fans won’t feel too far from familiar territory. The use of warped instruments and funky vocal effects adds a layer of chaotic charm to the album, making it feel unpredictable in a positive way.
Night’s also been sparking conversation in the rollout, dropping sly digs at her ex-boyfriend, Wallows’ lead singer, Dylan Minnette, through TikToks set to her song “Chameleon,” a track widely presumed to be about him. She doesn’t name names, but TikTok has run with it, and honestly, the marketing is kind of iconic.
As a debut, Parody of Pleasure is solid and fun. My personal highlight is “The Hearse,” a track about the ego hurt of getting dumped by someone who was punching above their weight. I swear that track is far too addictive.
7. Demi Lovato - “Fast”
There’s been a lot of buzz recently around Demi Lovato’s “big comeback” (at this point, how many “comebacks” has she had?). Between her duet of “Wouldn’t Change a Thing” and “This Is Me” with Joe Jonas during the Jonas Brothers concert on August tenth and her return to the Frozen Yogurt shop she famously bashed on her Instagram Story in 2021, it seems like we are getting an all new Demi Lovato—healthier, happier, and no longer feuding with frozen dessert eateries. That said, after listening to “Fast” a couple of times, I’m not very impressed. With the media hype surrounding her big comeback, I was hoping this track would deliver a strong concept or statement from her. The hyper-pop textures of the track are intriguing, and I think “Fast” could have operated as a second single, but as a comeback, it lacks substance.
To end off my August issue of “The Pop Drop,” here’s a few more tracks I’ve had on repeat this month— not all pop and not all released in August, but all worth a listen:
1.Audrey Hobert - “Silver Jubilee”
2. Olivia Dean - “Man I Need”
3. Sam Fender - “Seventeen Going Under”
4. FIGHTMASTER - “Bad Man”
5. Ariana Grande - “supernatural”
Check out the full playlist here: The Pop Drop: August 2025 (Issue #5)