Startle Selects - September 2025

Every month, Magnus, our Head of Music Development, pulls together what he thinks are the most captivating and essential releases from that month for Startle Selects. 

Our curators can then pick and choose from this playlist as they see fit, so that playlist updates for the brands who work with us are always up to date. It’s a win-win - we get to appreciate new music, and our clients soundtrack their sites with the freshest tunes. 

As we enter Autumn, we enter another season of music. Here are his favourite songs which were released in September 2025. 

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I Wish I Didn’t Waste Your Time - Thundercat

“I Wish I Didn’t Waste Your Time” marks one of Thundercat’s first solo releases in years, arriving after a long period of collaborations, and we’re so excited to have him back.

For fans of Thundercat, you’ll recognise his signature style in the track: mellow, jazzy instrumentation, a dominant bassline, lush synths, and some falsetto vocals.

While the music feels dreamy and atmospheric, there’s emotional tension underneath with the lyrics.

The song was produced in collaboration with Greg Kurstin, and it arrived alongside another new single, “Children of the Baked Potato,” as part of the announcement of Thundercat’s return to solo work. 

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Curious - Sam Gellaitry feat. Toro y Moi

“Curious” is a collaborative single from Scottish producer Sam Gellaitry and singer/producer Toro y Moi. 

Released ahead of Gellaitry’s debut album Anywhere Here Is Perfect, the track blends electronic production with atmospheric textures and smooth, melodic vocals.

Gellaitry describes the song as being about “being curious about someone in a social setting who you’ve not met before.”

The collaboration itself was organic: Gellaitry sent the track to Toro y Moi, who responded with a verse that fit naturally into the vision.

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bleach - Bakar

“bleach” is the opening track of Bakar’s 2025 album BEASTIE, and it’s an emotional one.

The song deals with unrequited love and emotional imbalance in a relationship. Musically, we can hear acoustic guitar elements that, when mixed with the musical textures, create a dreamy ambience.

“bleach” is an intimate and moody track that introduces themes of longing, as you enter the rest of his latest album. 

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Find My Love - Samm Henshaw, Tori Kelly

“Find My Love” is a soulful R&B duet between British-Nigerian artist Samm Henshaw and American singer Tori Kelly. 

The song features warm acoustic instrumentation and layered harmonies, with lyrics about reassurance in love.

Both Henshaw and Kelly have incredible voices, so this song is a real treat for the ears.

“Find My Love” also marks a new chapter for Samm Henshaw, arriving after his 2024 EP For Someone Somewhere Who Isn’t Us.

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Petals - Mark William Lewis

“Petals” is a track from Mark William Lewis’s self-titled album, released on September 12, 2025. 

The song delves into themes of emotional vulnerability and longing. The minimalist production complements the rawness of the song, allowing the emotion of the lyrics to take centre stage.

If you’re a fan of genre-blending music with a poetic edge, you’ll love Mark William Lewis.