Written by: Dante Estrada
Tis’ comes the end of the year, where most are thrilled to open and share their Apple Replay or Spotify Wrapped to review their listening habits, top songs, and most streamed artists for the year.
To embrace this, it’s time to review what are the best songs of the year. From sleeper hits to radio bangers, 2025 offered a huge, diverse catalogue of tracks to choose from. To make things simpler, every song featured in this list is from a release within the year. Apologies to all brat fans and GNX enthusiasts, myself included.
BIRDS – Turnstile
A head-bumping, thrilling track that is most definitely worth being in a pit to mosh to comes from alternative rock band Turnstile. Although they leaned into a pop rock sound in their most recent discography, it was a joy to hear them embrace the full capacity of their punk rock roots through this song. A fast-kicking drum beginning to morph into a faster, harder-core version of “Hella Good” by No Doubt, midway into the song, is more than enough of a reason to listen to this track.
Live – Earl Sweatshirt
Earl Sweatshirt, who has long held the reputation of being a lyrical genius and having his own unique melancholy sound in his music, brings this to his newest album, Live Laugh Love. Sweatshirt brings a mind-pleasing mix of sounds to this song. Even referencing Lauryn Hill within the track’s lyrics, it draws inspiration from Hill and A Tribe Called Quest, as it transitions from a song composed mainly of drums to a more synth-rhythm after the bridge.
Los Angeles – Big Thief
A soft, melancholy sound that becomes worth listening to repeatedly for its endearing tone. Big Thief, known for doing similar sounds like on their song “Velvet Ring,” honed in on this and crafted a song that simply makes you want to curl up into a ball after hearing it. “Los Angeles” is a comforting song about love that preserves the close relationships one holds with another, remaining intact with full love. “And there is so much / That I wish I could’ve been for you somehow” echoes this sentiment that, despite the years that went by, they remain close together.
Second Sleep – Magdalena Bay
Following the release of not only their best but an overall incredible album from last year, Imaginal Disk, Magdalena Bay released a series of singles throughout the year. While all of them were fantastic, “Second Sleep” is the one that surpasses and stands out from these series of tracks.. The duo, Mica Tenenbaum and Matthew Lewin, bring another synth-pop banger that feels so dramatic yet calming simultaneously. Whatever they bring next is sure to be as fantastical of a listen as this track and their previous record.
Cross Your Mind – Shelly
In 2020, Shelly came and left in a single trace after releasing their only two songs at the time. “Steeeam” and “Natural” dominated the indie pop scene, especially with the former, even with their small EP release, Shelly. This June, they graciously came back to the scene to release their second EP, Shelly 2, to release another pair of songs. Despite the track’s seemingly contradictory tone and composition, “Cross Your Mind” pairs its catchy tune and gloomy lyrics perfectly. The track has lyrics and instrumental rhythm that makes you feel nostalgic even as they say it, “Hard to recreate / The way I felt when I was 17.” The hypnotic, nostalgic sound is elevated by Clairo’s unsurprisingly amazing vocals.
Flores – Silvana Estrada
A stunning track that is full of melancholy and beautiful meaning behind it. Silvana Estrada released a wonderful album this year, Vendrán Suaves Lluvias, that feels so spiritual and mind-calming. “Flores” is a beautiful track that signifies leaving that shadow or place that holds someone back from blooming like a flower. Estrada’s chorus echoes “Vámanos dejando a un lado / Que donde no crecen flores yo no canto” translating to “Let’s go leaving aside / That where flowers do not grow I do not sing.” The instrumental interlude towards the end of the song is wonderfully arranged with violins that make this a complete heartfelt track.
It’s Amazing To Be Young – Fontaines D.C.
Fontaines D.C. has spent the past year retransforming their sound entirely. In their 2024 album, Romance, the Irish rock band has taken a new direction with their sound, going from their usual punk rock tone to a more alternative rock one. They released a couple of new songs to go along with the deluxe version of their album. “It’s Amazing To Be Young” delivers to the title of the track with the nostalgic, sorrowful instrumental sound they induce. The sentiments of being young and feeling neglected due to being perceived as too young to be heard or understood are yelled throughout this incredible, yet somber, track.
Vivid Light – Blood Orange
Blood Orange is easily cementing himself as one of the greatest musicians of our current time. From classic tracks like “Champagne Coast” or the romantic tone of “Uncle ACE,” his newest album, Essex Honey, brings us “Vivid Light.” A song that brings together so many emotions at once, the soft sounds of sorrow of Devonté Hynes’ vocals with a peaceful flute throughout the song assemble this song completely. The steady and catchy drum rhythm makes all this build up in the song to come to a steady end.
Back To Me – The Marías
In 2024, The Marías had an exciting year as they released their new album, Submarine. Since the release of their sophomore album, they began teasing new songs they had not released during some of their shows. After increasing online demand to release the songs, they released “Nobody New” and “Back To Me, both of which are electric in how they differ from their tones. While the former sounds akin to their natural soft pop sound, “Back To Me” takes on a new direction for the band in how aggressive their tone comes off in the track. Marìa Zardoya’s vocals all induce jealousy and desperation of her former lover to come back, promising a better life instead of the one who caught his attention.
David – Lorde
After an exciting comeback collaborating with Charlie xcx on her “Girl, so confusing” remix, Lorde is here to stay with the release of her newest record, Virgin. She ends the astounding record with “David, an electronic slow-burn that brings all of the album’s messages together. Lorde echoes throughout her chorus of wanting to be set free and not wanting to become someone’s belonging. It all becomes intentional that she decides to end the record with non-human vocals sounding distorted,as she doesn’t feel like herself. The song ends with her repeating, “Am I ever gon’ love again?” showing how much of a vulnerable state she expresses herself to be in.
Kiss – Sir Chloe
Sir Chloe reminds she is a contender who dominates the angst rock scene with her recent album release, Swallow the Knife. “Kiss” is a banger of a track that captures its raged expression. From the hard-rocking guitar shreds to the sounds of displeasement, it reminisces close to Sir Chloe’s roots in Party Favors, which masterfully captures her success in the angst rock scene.
EVIL J0RDAN – Playboi Carti
While most of MUSIC feels very rushed and mindlessly composed, that careless, overconfident attitude actually works in its favor for “EVIL J0RDAN.” Carti completely abandons his usual high-pitched vocals, he sounds ruggish, exhausted and channels that frustration into a track that’s ominous. In a time when some hip-hop artists are afraid of what others perceive of their music, Carti’s sinister track is unafraid to be experimental.