The musical landscape of 2025 was nothing short of seismic — from viral hits that dominated TikTok to genre-bending masterpieces applauded by critics and global charts alike. This year’s soundtrack reflects diversity, innovation, and cultural resonance across pop, R&B, Latin, K-pop, Afrobeat, and more.
In this exclusive year-end roundup, our music critics — drawing on Billboard, Pitchfork, Los Angeles Times, and global playlists — present the 20 best songs of 2025. This list highlights not only chart performance and streaming stats, but also critical acclaim, cultural impact and artistic significance. If you’re compiling a “Best of 2025” playlist or researching today’s most influential songs, this guide has you covered.
1. “Abracadabra” — Lady Gaga
Genre: Dance-Pop / Electro Groove
Lady Gaga continued her celebrated run with “Abracadabra,” widely cited as one of the best songs of 2025 by Rolling Stone and Entertainment Weekly. Critics praised its dynamic fusion of theatricality and club energy, noting Gaga’s vocal maturity and magnetic presence. This track was a year-long staple in playlists and dance floors worldwide.
2. “Folded” — Kehlani
Genre: R&B / Soul
Kehlani scored one of her biggest hits yet with “Folded,” earning critical acclaim and Grammy nominations for Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song. The track blends introspective lyricism with lush production, marking a high point in her artistic evolution.
3. “Man I Need” — Olivia Dean
Genre: Soul-Pop
Celebrated for its soulful expression and heartfelt lyrics, “Man I Need” resonated deeply with listeners and critics. Its blend of retro soul with modern pop production made it a standout track in 2025.
4. “Everything Is Peaceful Love” — Bon Iver
Genre: Indie / Folk
Bon Iver’s meditative and emotionally rich “Everything Is Peaceful Love” struck a chord with critics, offering serenity and artistic depth in a year crowded with bombastic pop hits. Independent listeners and tastemakers heralded it as an anthem of introspection.
5. “Baile Inolvidable” — Bad Bunny
Genre: Latin Pop / Salsa Fusion
Bad Bunny redefined Latin pop this year with “Baile Inolvidable,” a vibrant ode to salsa’s rhythms blended with contemporary pop sensibilities. It stood out as one of the most influential Latin tracks of 2025 and helped further global audiences’ growing appreciation for music rooted in cultural identity.
6. “Ivonny Bonita” — Karol G
Genre: Latin / Bachata-Infused Pop
Karol G’s genre-hybrid sensation “Ivonny Bonita” showcased her versatility, marrying classic bachata textures with modern production, and became a summer anthem across Latin America and beyond.
7. “The Subway” — Chappell Roan
Genre: Pop / Country-Pop Fusion
Chappell Roan’s “The Subway” drew acclaim for its powerful vocal performance and genre-blending flair, merging pop’s anthemic energy with storytelling depth typically found in country music.
8. “NUEVAYoL” — Bad Bunny
Genre: Reggaeton / Latin Fusion
From Bad Bunny’s acclaimed album Debí Tirar Más Fotos, “NUEVAYoL” offered an infectious blend of Latin rhythms and cultural storytelling. Its global reach and rhythmic mastery made it one of 2025’s most celebrated songs.
9. “Like Jennie” — JENNIE (BLACKPINK)
Genre: K-Pop / Pop Fusion
JENNIE’s solo single “Like Jennie” dominated streaming charts globally, combining pulsing beats with fierce lyrical energy — and became one of the most streamed tracks of the year across multiple regions.
10. “Golden” — Huntr/X
Genre: Multilingual Pop / Global Fusion
Featured in Netflix’s KPOP Demon Hunters, “Golden” became a cross-cultural sensation, topping charts around the world and proving K-pop’s ongoing global dominance.
11. “Who” — Jimin
Genre: K-Pop
Jimin’s “Who” made significant waves on the year-end Billboard Hot 100 charts, proving the continuing global influence of BTS members’ solo work.
12. “Die With A Smile” — Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars
Genre: Pop / Retro Soul
This unforgettable collaboration enjoyed repeat runs atop global charts and became a defining hit in 2025, blending retro flair with contemporary pop sensibility.
13. “Nokia” — Drake
Genre: Hip-Hop / R&B
Drake’s “Nokia” demonstrated his trademark ability to craft chart-topping hits, combining introspective verses with sleek production.
14. “Anxiety” — Doechii
Genre: Hip-Hop / Alternative
Doechii’s bold track pushed creative boundaries, emphasizing candid lyrics and genre-blending soundscapes that earned acclaim among hip-hop communities globally.
15. “Sugar On My Tongue” — Tyler, the Creator
Genre: Alternative / Pop
Tyler’s infectious track showcased his musical versatility and innovative production style, earning critical notices across multiple year-end playlists.
16. “Back to Friends” — Sombr
Genre: Alternative / Emotional Pop
Sombr’s emotionally resonant “Back to Friends” stood out for its lyrical depth and melodic strength, earning spots on many critics’ lists for 2025.
17. “Messy” — Lola Young
Genre: Pop / Dance
Lola Young’s “Messy” was among the UK’s most streamed songs of 2025, blending vibrant hooks with energetic production — and solidifying her status as a breakout star.
18. “APT.” — Rosé & Bruno Mars
Genre: Pop / Duet
This cross-genre collaboration became a fan favorite, praised for its chemistry and chart performance across global markets.
19. “Beautiful Things” — Benson Boone
Genre: Pop Ballad
An emotionally charged song, “Beautiful Things” became a staple on playlists and radio stations throughout 2025, helping Benson Boone maintain momentum as one of the year’s breakout voices.
20. “Love Me Not” — Ravyn Lenae
Genre: R&B / Soul
Closing our list, Ravyn Lenae’s “Love Me Not” blended smooth R&B production with lush vocals and introspective lyricism, earning strong year-end praise.
📊 Looking Ahead: Trends That Defined Music in 2025
1. Global Genre Fusion
2025 showcased how music transcends borders — from Latin rhythms and K-pop phenomena to Afrobeat and hip-hop blended with global sounds, listeners embraced rich diversity across cultures.
2. Viral and Social Media Influence
Tracks that sparked TikTok trends or resonated on Instagram Reels and streaming playlists often translated into chart success, showing how digital virality now drives mainstream recognition.
3. Artistic Evolution Over Formulaic Hits
Critics increasingly rewarded songs pushing creative boundaries — with experimental tracks from indie artists like Bon Iver and Doechii sharing space with mainstream pop and global K-pop hits.
🏁 Final Thoughts
The Best Songs of 2025 reflect a music industry that’s bold, diverse, and boundary-breaking. From Lady Gaga’s infectious anthems to Bad Bunny’s cultural masterpieces, and from K-pop domination to soul-moving R&B, this year’s soundtrack was unforgettable.
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