Chappell Roan
It’s that time again — Music of the Month (#MOTM) is back on Studio DJC, ready to strut its way through April’s finest bangers and belters. After a long, disco-ball-covered hibernation, #MOTM is well and truly back in full glittering force.
Every month, as some of you may know, I’ll be diving into my Top 10 most-played tracks from my personal listening stats, all powered by the glorious data beast that is Last.fm. If you’re new here, here’s the tea: Last.fm logs everything I play on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music — each listen is called a “scrobble” — building up a musical history that’s half diary, half obsession.
April 2025 has been a wild ride across genres and geographies — with synths soaring, pop divas preaching, and a few underrated gems getting their well-deserved moment in the spotlight. So plug in, turn it up, and get ready to scroll through this month’s chart queens and dark horses. This is one hell of a playlist.
1. ‘The Giver’ – Chappell Roan (102 scrobbles)
Vibe: Country-pop with a queer twist
Chappell Roan crashes the country gates in rhinestoned boots and glitter-laced confidence with her unapologetically queer anthem, “The Giver.” Far from the moody ballads she’s known for, this is a tongue-in-cheek, toe-tapping romp that flips country tropes on their Stetson-covered heads.
Built on fiddle flourishes and twangy guitar licks, Roan delivers a bold message with a wink: she can treat a woman better than any cowboy ever could. “So take it like a taker, ’cause baby, I’m a giver” isn’t just a lyric — it’s a mic drop moment.
Debuted on SNL and making headlines across music media, “The Giver” is more than a catchy country-pop crossover — it’s a cultural statement. By bringing queer visibility to a traditionally straight-laced genre, Roan is opening the door (and maybe kicking it off its hinges) for a new kind of country.
It’s sexy, cheeky, and absolutely electric — the kind of song that struts with sass while still planting seeds for change.
2. ‘FUFN (Fuck You For Now)’ – Jade (94 scrobbles)
Vibe: Fierce, fed up, flirty — a breakup with bite.
Former Little Mix powerhouse JADE kicks the door open on her solo era with “FUFN (F**k You For Now)” — and it’s an absolute pop scorcher. Co-written with Raye and produced by Lostboy and Dave Hamelin, this isn’t a timid debut — it’s a full-bodied, rage-sparked mic drop dressed in sleek, sugar-coated production.
Inspired by a dream in which her boyfriend cheated on her (we’ve all been there, queen), “FUFN” turns that 3 a.m. panic into pure pop therapy. “I don’t want your angry text / I don’t want your sorry sex” is brutal, brilliant, and instantly iconic. The track struts with glossy synths and a venom-laced smile, perfectly capturing that post-fight energy where you’re done — but not forever.
What makes it special? It balances pop precision with raw emotion, walking the line between heartbreak and empowerment with stilettos on. It’s slick, savage, and undeniably catchy.
JADE isn’t just testing the solo waters — she’s cannonballing in with glitter and grit. “FUFN” isn’t just a bop, it’s a boundary. A warning. A love letter to setting limits, and knowing you can walk away — for now.
3. ‘Zjerm’ – Shkodra Elektronike (88 scrobbles)
Vibe: Ethereal, introspective, and empowering
Albanian duo Shkodra Elektronike ignites the Eurovision 2025 stage with their entry “Zjerm”—a haunting fusion of electronic beats and traditional folk elements. Sung in the Gheg dialect, the song delves into themes of renewal, resilience, and spiritual awakening, with “Zjerm” translating to “Fire”—symbolizing both destruction and rebirth. The track’s minimalist production, characterized by pulsating rhythms and ethereal melodies, creates an immersive soundscape that captivates listeners. Lyrically, it paints vivid imagery of a world yearning for peace and unity, urging a return to one’s roots and a collective embrace of hope. Their performance, marked by evocative visuals and a compelling stage presence, reinforces the song’s message of transformation and the enduring human spirit.
4. ‘Halo’ – KEiiNO (86 scrobbles)
Vibe: Euphoric, mystical, and electrifying
Musically, “Halo” blends classical strings with pulsating synths and pounding beats, creating a soundscape that bridges the mythical and the modern . Lyrically, it delves into themes of devotion and transcendence, with lines like “Be my religion / Something to die for / Heartache and ecstasy / If I should die for you / Show me your halo” .
5. ‘Jungle’ – Sugababes (85 scrobbles)
Vibe: Empowering, liberating, and rhythmically infectious
Back for its second consecutive month in my Music of the Month (MOTM) lineup, Sugababes’ “Jungle” continues to captivate with its infectious energy and bold production. Released on March 13, 2025, this self-released single marks a significant return for the original trio—Mutya Buena, Keisha Buchanan, and Siobhán Donaghy—blending house-pop and synth-pop elements into a track that’s both nostalgic and refreshingly modern.
“Jungle” delves into themes of escaping the monotony of the 9-to-5 grind, encouraging listeners to embrace their wild side. The song’s pulsating basslines and lush harmonies are reminiscent of the group’s early work, yet it firmly establishes their evolution as artists.
The accompanying music video, directed by Dora Paphides, complements the track’s themes with striking visuals and a narrative that underscores the song’s message of liberation and self-expression.
“Jungle” isn’t just a song; it’s a statement—a testament to Sugababes’ enduring relevance and their ability to reinvent while staying true to their roots. Its repeat appearance in my MOTM is a reflection of its undeniable impact and the group’s successful re-emergence into the pop landscape.
6. ‘Garden of Eden’ – Lady Gaga (82 scrobbles)
Vibe: Euphoric, provocative, and electrifying
Lady Gaga’s “Garden of Eden,” the third track from her 2025 album Mayhem, is a pulsating blend of electro, synth-pop, and dance-pop that harkens back to her early hits like “Poker Face.” Co-produced with Gesaffelstein, Andrew Watt, and Cirkut, the song immerses listeners in a hedonistic club scene, using biblical allegory to explore themes of temptation and desire. Lyrics such as “Take you to the Garden of Eden / Poisoned apple, take a bite” juxtapose sacred imagery with the allure of nightlife indulgence. Critics have praised the track for its energetic production and thematic depth, with Pitchfork noting Gaga’s portrayal of the Garden of Eden as a “warehouse rave with God in the DJ booth.” The song debuted at number 31 on the Billboard Global 200 and reached number 3 on the Hot Dance/Pop Songs chart, further cementing its impact.
7. ‘Killah’ – Lady Gaga (80 scrobbles)
Vibe: Dominant, dangerous, disco-drenched
Lady Gaga makes her second appearance in this month’s #MOTM with “Killah”, another knockout from her fierce and fearless 2025 album Mayhem. Where “Garden of Eden” sparkled with provocative glam, “Killah” goes full throttle — all grit, grind, and glitter-drenched danger.
Co-produced with Gesaffelstein, “Killah” is Gaga in her villain era: snarling, seductive, and strutting over a menacing electro-funk beat. “I’m a murderer in disguise” isn’t just a lyric — it’s a mission statement. The production crackles with synth stabs, distorted bass, and a vocal delivery that’s both sultry and sinister.
It’s Gaga channeling the dark divine, blending Fame Monster theatrics with Chromatica-level club drama. The result? A track that feels like a stiletto to the chest — in the best way possible.
“Killah” proves that Mayhem isn’t just an album — it’s a full-blown persona shift. And two tracks deep into this MOTM, she’s showing no signs of letting up.
8. ‘End of The World’ – Mley Cyrus (66 scrobbles)
Vibe: Uplifting, nostalgic, and defiant
Miley Cyrus kicks off her Something Beautiful era with “End of the World,” the album’s first official single, released on April 3, 2025. Co-written with members of Alvvays, the track is a shimmering, disco-tinged pop anthem that urges listeners to embrace joy amidst chaos. With lyrics like “Let’s pretend it’s not the end of the world,” Cyrus channels a defiant optimism, encouraging us to dance through uncertainty. The accompanying music video, co-directed by Cyrus, Jacob Bixenman, and Brendan Walter, features retro visuals and high-fashion aesthetics, reinforcing the song’s themes of escapism and celebration.
9. ‘C’est La Vie’ – Claude (63 scrobbles)
Vibe: Reflective, uplifting, and soulful
Claude, the Congolese-born Dutch singer-songwriter, delivers a heartfelt performance with “C’est La Vie,” the Netherlands’ entry for Eurovision 2025. Released on February 27, 2025, the song is a bilingual blend of French and English, reflecting Claude’s personal journey and cultural heritage. Co-written with Arno Krabman, Joren van der Voort, and Léon Paul Palmen, the track serves as a tribute to his mother, encapsulating life’s highs and lows with a message of resilience and hope.
Musically, “C’est La Vie” combines emotive melodies with Afrobeat rhythms, creating a soundscape that is both nostalgic and uplifting. The lyrics, inspired by Claude’s experiences from childhood to adulthood, emphasize the importance of embracing life’s unpredictability. The song’s chorus, with its catchy “la-la-la” refrain, reinforces the theme of finding joy amidst adversity.
10. ‘Pony’ – Control Alt Delete (63 scrobbles)
Vibe: Energetic, nostalgic, and dance-inducing
Don Diablo, under his alias Control Alt Delete, delivers a high-octane reimagining of Ginuwine’s 1996 classic with “Pony.” Released in 2025, this track transforms the sultry R&B original into a pulsating electro-house anthem, blending nostalgic elements with modern EDM flair. The familiar hook is preserved but is now layered over driving beats and synth-heavy drops, making it a standout in contemporary dance playlists.
“Pony” has been making waves in the club scene, with live performances, such as Don Diablo’s set in Amsterdam, showcasing its electrifying impact on audiences.
💖 Honourable Mention: ‘Lusterka’ – Sw@da (49 scrobbles)
Vibe: Hypnotic, introspective, and culturally rich
“Lusterka” by Sw@da & Niczos is a hypnotic blend of electronic beats and traditional folk elements, sung in the Podlachian dialect. The song delves into themes of personal reflection and societal judgment, creating an immersive experience that resonates deeply. Its unique composition and cultural significance made it a standout in Poland’s Eurovision 2025 national selection, where it secured second place with 23.69% of the public vote.
🎵 Stream the full playlist on Spotify
Craving the full experience? Check out the Studio DJC April #MOTM playlist and let your ears go on holiday.
Until next month – keep dancing, keep discovering, and always trust the shuffle.
– Dan
Studio DJC 