25 Songs for 2025
Written by Ian Rogers
Although it is the end of our second month into 2025, I am here to remind you to hold yourself to the resolution you made back in January. My resolution was to branch out my music taste. This list is compiled of new and old music that I have had on repeat while persisting on this journey of new music. Some of these songs I have only discovered recently, and others I have come back to after years of not being played. Whatever the case may be, I recommend you give them a listen as I can guarantee you will find at least one you like. Linked is a playlist of these songs: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0dvhHQO4UzTcblUI1CiIdy?si=dc5191e3f2a34195
Abracadabra by Lady Gaga
This newly released hit debuted at this year's Grammys, following the announcement of her new album “Mayhem”, releasing March 7. This song mixes new beats with inspiration from trending artists like Charli xcx while having Gaga stick to her roots with a song just as addicting as her old hits like Bad Romance and Poker Face.
2. Luther by Kendrick Lamar ft. SZA
Aside from the obvious Drake diss track of 2024, “Not Like Us”, it is the year of Kendrick. Racking up Song of the Year and Record of the Year at the Grammys, as well as performing at the Superbowl, this song is peak. Off his recent surprise album “GNX”, Luther mixes a chill moving beat with ingenious lyricism (aside from his elusive “Fah, Fah, Fah").
3. Nosebleeds by Doechii
Having made possibly the biggest power move of this year’s Grammys, Doechii won Best Rap Album for her worth listening to “Alligator Bites Never Heal” and released “Nosebleeds” on the night of her victory. The song celebrates her win and acts as a symbol of manifestation, with the hook being “Will she ever lose, I guess we’ll never know”.
4. Von Dutch by Charli xcx
Following the year “Brat Summer”, Von Dutch is a song that should not be limited to one summer. This song embodies the confidence necessary to become a “brat”. Blasting this song with the windows down can guarantee not only a core memory but also increased self-esteem by the end of its 3-minute run time.
5. Open Arms (just SZA) by Sza
SZA has recently released the extension of her 2022 album “SOS”, titled “Lana”. While this album is worth a listen, this February she dropped a solo version of her song with Travis Scott, with a new verse making it more compelling and heartbreaking than ever.
6. High Fashion by Addison Rae
Ok, hear me out. Yes, Addison Rae as in the 2019 TikTok star known for dancing to various trendy songs. Yet, she has done a complete 180 in her career since then. Preparing for her album coming out later this year, Rae released “High Fashion”, with a synth-pop beat that I can confirm will make you ascend.
7. Busy Woman by Sabrina Carpenter
Off her deluxe version of “Short n’ Sweet”, this February Carpenter released five new songs with “Busy Woman” standing out the most. This song is more vulnerable than her usual bangers, while still having her humorous lyrics and moving pop beat. She touches on her malaise with rejection, which I think most can relate to.
8. Rearrange My World by Daniel Caesar and Rex Orange County
A duo no one asked for but everyone needed, Caesar and ROC collaborated on two love songs recently that can only be described as beautiful and compelling.
9. Hand in My Pocket by Alanis Morisette
A bit of a throwback here, but Alanis’s 1995 album “Jagged Little Pill” is overflowing with hits slept on by our generation. She was the original display of “feminine rage” and no one has done it as well since. She has inspired artists like Olivia Rodrigo and Renee Rapp and this feel-good song is only one of the incredible songs that fill her discography (check out “You Oughta Know” for peak feminine rage)
10. Solo by Frank Ocean
I’ve put Frank Ocean on this list for two reasons. Firstly, to manifest a new album after his now 9-year hiatus. Secondly, to remind people of how timeless this album is. Solo is a personal favorite that I have had on repeat recently.
11. Goodnight and Go by Imogen Heap
Tiktok has been in an Imogen Heap resurgence including this song and “Headlock”. If this song sounds familiar, it is because Ariana Grande covered it on her album “Sweetener”. Heap’s voice is hypnotizing paired with her original sound mirroring the Y2K era this song was released in.
12. Comfort Me by Malcolm Todd
While Todd’s recent release of “Chest Pains (I Love)” might’ve blown up on TikTok, Comfort Me is by far the best of his recent releases. The bassline along with the double entendre of the hook of this song is what makes it unmatched.
13. Oh My by Alessi Rose
Alessi Rose, a UK artist, is my recent obsession. She recently released her no-skip EP “For Your Validation” with songs made for and made by the girls who yearn. “Oh My” is a standout that reminds me of trending artists like Gracie Abrams and Sabrina Carpenter.
14. Everything is Embarrassing by Skye Feirra
Another song trending from TikTok, Everything is Embarrassing was released in 2012 and conveys exactly what the name says. It is perfect for a party and the thought daughters who constantly feel that everything is embarrassing.
15. Everything is Romantic featuring Caroline Polachek by Charli xcx
Charli xcx released two albums in 2024 so it felt only right she was featured on this list twice. Her second remix album released in October has a completely different sound than her summer album. In this album, she highlights smaller artists like Caroline Polachek, who perfectly encapsulate the deeper meaning behind each song.
16. Sally, When the Wine Runs Out by ROLE MODEL
ROLE MODEL also known as Tucker released his deluxe album of “Kansas Anymore”, his love letter to ex-girlfriend Emma Chamberlain. In his four new songs, he bids farewell to harping over their relationship anymore, and this song is a testament to that.
17. White Teeth by Ryan Beatty
Contrary to the majority of upbeat songs on this list, Ryan Beatty has mastered the art of sonic beauty. He uses simple guitar chords and orchestra progressions along with his own incredible voice and lyrics to make an album fitting for any time of the year.
18. Party on Fifth Ave. by Mac Miller
Mac Miller has recently released his second posthumous album “Balloonerism”, which Carter Herman has done a review on for this issue. Yet, with his countless party song classics, it seems “Party on Fifth Ave.” is often left out of the mix. It is one of his many songs with consistent lyricism and beats that’ll certainly get you on your feet.
19. Perfect Places by Lorde
As I sit patiently waiting for Lorde to release her fourth album this year, I have done a lot of reminiscing on her past work. “Melodrama” is an album full of club classics and heart ache anthems, but the song I see with the least hype is “Perfect Places”. This song is the ultimate of the album, encapsulating the message of record, that the high we continue to chase is one that does not exist.
20. No One Noticed by the Marias
This song with melancholy lyrics and a dreamy rhythm encapsulates the Marias vibe in one song. They are consistent in their nostalgic ambiance while still making songs with different messages, this one being a sense of longing.
21. Paper Bag by Fiona Apple
Another throwback here to peak Apple era. “Paper Bag” is some of Fiona’s best metaphorical lyricism, comparing empty love with a muse to an empty paper bag. If you’re a lyrics person you will never go back after hearing this song.
22. Juna by Clairo
Last summer, Clairo released her third studio album, “Charm” which gave us this perfect love song “Juna”. It’s nothing new from her usual indie sound of relaxed ambiance. It might make you want to go dancing…? Buy a new dress…?
23. Thinking of You by Katy Perry
This is an underrated banger that Nell Strength introduced to me this summer and I have been addicted to ever since. Given that Katy Perry’s recent album was a dumpster fire, it was a nice feeling to find a song from her that felt new, from her peak Y2K era of bangers.
24. Killing Me by Omar Apollo
Omar Apollo’s album “Ivory” is one I’ve never heard but recently gave a listen to. “Killing Me” is the perfect song to summarize it. His album has high energy songs paired with slower sad songs, and this song mixes the both.
25. Intro (End of the World) by Ariana Grande
I have recently had a resurgence with this song and this album. Sonically, I am in tears. Grande set a standard higher than any of her past albums, making this album an instant classic. As the title says, it is the intro to the album and summarizes what Grande went through in creating it in only a minute and a half.
