I have 30+ more songs on my #bestsongsof2025 that you can check out in playlist form:
open.spotify.com/playlist/1E6...
Hope 2026’s music is as good to us! Happy new year!
On Square One, the singer of The Aces croons sweetly about cursing the ex that broke her
heart. #bestsongsof2025
Suki Waterhouse channels a strung-out-on-love lounge singer on On This Love with liquid smoke vocals and when it starts playing I’m always like who is this? Oh yeah! No skips. #bestsongsof2025
Danielle Haim slips onto my list a record 4th time by way of her guest vocals on Bon Iver’s If Only I Could Wait. #bestsongsof2025
Speaking of whirly and jaunty, Heathcliff by Snocaps takes a similar approach with a country/Americana bent. #bestsongsof2025
On Wreck, Neko Case juxtaposes whirly, jaunty instrumentation with heavy, metaphor-rich lyrics to illuminate how love can feel both transcendent and destructive at the same time. #bestsongsof2025
The Simple Joy by Ryan Davis and the Roadhouse Band is a Jack pick, and I’m so glad he turned me on to it. #bestsongsof2025
Afterlife by Alex G has been on a ton of year-end best lists and I heartily concur. #bestsongsof2025
Pulp’s new album really is a good time, so how about adding Got to Have Love to this venerable list? Yes! Great idea!! #bestsongsof2025
I do need to do a deeper dive here. Thanks for the recommendation!
Florence Road is poised to break out big soon and I’m excited to see them open for The Last Dinner Party. Heavy has been on heavy rotation ;) #bestsongsof2025
Silver Spoon by Erin LeCount is melodramatic in the best possible way. #bestsongsof2025
Television Love by Of Monsters and Men sparkles with that special alchemy of their orchestration and Ragnar and Nanna’s vocals. Love the build here. #bestsongsof2025
Blood on the Hospital Floor is a stellar example of The Wombats signature sound. Very fun live too! #bestsongsof2025
The more I listen to Catch These Fists, the more I appreciate the catchiness of this Wet Leg cut. #bestsongsof2025
The Last Dinner Party’s This is the Killer Speaking is another that I can’t wait to see live. There’s so much going on in the song that a stage performance can make even more fun. #bestsongsof2025
One of the Greats is Florence and the Machine dissing lazy, bad music by men and I’m here for it. #bestsongsof2025
Southern Life by Sharon Van Etten has a heavier sound and dirge-like tempo mixed with her signature vocals to mesmerizing effect. #bestsongsof2025
Gethsemane clocks in at over 11 minutes but Car Seat Headrest keeps it fresh with various changeups and a cathartic refrain of “you can love again/if you try again.” #bestsongsof2025
Ain’t Quite Right by Still Blank I heard by chance and was instantly intrigued by the whole vibe. Keeps me coming back for more listens. #bestsongsof2025
So this is an interesting one: Right? by Flipturn but essentially covered by the singer of Mercury with a heavier, alt-rock sound. The regular version is also great, but the Mercury version is more to my taste. #bestsongsof2025
Oooh thx! i’ll check it out!
I’m unfamiliar with Paramore, but may have to check them out (any suggestions?) after loving Hayley Williams’ solo album. Parachute especially. #bestsongsof2025
Back to Me by The Marias uses minor chords for a melancholic, almost creepy vibe. Also a reference to the movie Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, which is in my top movies of all time. #bestsongsof2025
Ever by the band After is the kind of epic musical adventure I love to listen to in the dark. #bestsongsof2025
Purity Ring creates this whole immersive electronica experience and Place of My Own is up there with their very best. #bestsongsof2025
Lizard by Samia is like dipping into a warm pool surrounded by the voice of a siren. Utterly hypnotic. #bestsongsof2025
I didn’t know JISOO is in Blackpink when I heard Your Love, which is just such a effervescent pop tune. Still haven’t heard any Blackpink tho. #bestsongsof2025
Royel Otis is one of 12 artists on my list to get 3 tracks (roughly 1/3 of my picks are from these 12 artists). Who’s Your Boyfriend Now? is yet another catchy bop from the duo. #bestsongsof2025
Listening to Lord Huron’s Bag of Bones takes you on a riveting sonic journey through a “tale of woe” and betrayal and you can almost feel the dust of the road. #bestsongsof2025
