SONIC HUB’S TOP 10 SONGS OF 2025

Each year brings the unexpected when it comes to music. Small artists become household names, fresh tracks and sounds dominate the charts and hearts of listeners, and new albums defy and challenge the norms of the music industry.

2025 saw the dawn of some of our favorite new musicians, songs, and albums, and we here at Sonic Hub just have to share them with you!

Here are our top 10 songs of 2025, in no particular order. 

TRUE BELIEVER, HAYLEY WILLIAMS

“True Believer” is Hayley Williams’ eulogy to the South. Haunting, witchy, and gothic, it’s a

chilling condemnation of the rampant systemic racism in the South and how religion intersects with white supremacy.

Filled with scorching criticism of gentrification, condemnation of pro-gun culture, and even a reference to “Strange Fruit,” a poem-turned-protest anthem about lynching made famous by Billie Holiday, the melancholy piano ballad conveys deep darkness at first, while the chorus evokes a light sense of hope, in faith that culture and humans are capable of recognizing the harmful error of their ways and change for the better. But the South will not rise again until it’s paid for every sin, the Paramore frontwoman insists. I like to think she’s right.

THE SCYTHE, THE LAST DINNER PARTY

In “The Scythe,” the Last Dinner Party isn’t afraid to reflect deeply on loss, grief, and the inevitability of death. And somehow, the British rock band ultimately makes it out, hopeful and triumphant. It’s far deeper than a simple “I’ll see you again;” it’s a firm belief that two people’s souls and fates are inextricably, inescapably linked to each other in every lifetime, every universe.

This story is told not only through words, but through sound. The song starts like a simple hymn, with isolated, haunting vocals accompanied by quiet, slightly melancholy piano. And then the chorus comes in like a tidal wave of bright color; warm strings, guitar, and lively drums usher in a beautifully warm crescendo. And this is the exact hopeful feeling The Last Dinner Party wants to convey with this song.

GOOD BOY, PARIS PALOMA

British singer-songwriter Paris Paloma is reshaping the modern protest anthem, and her

latest release, “Good Boy,” only adds fuel to the ever-growing fire. It’s a scathing and brutally honest analysis that compares men to dogs, exploring how capitalism and the patriarchy intersect to keep men loyal, submissive, and complicit in a broken system with empty promises of wealth, status, and women. 

The punchy, gutsy, almost cinematic alternative sound pairs perfectly with Paloma’s eloquent, metaphor-laden lyricism; it features the type of production and instrumentation that never fails to send chills up one’s spine; it’s the kind of lyricism that begs to be studied and consumed over and over. 

GODSPEED, ERIN LECOUNT

Erin LeCount’s “Godspeed” is a cautionary tale of being stuck in a dangerous cycle of abuse, pain, and fear; the British singer-songwriter reflects on her own damaging relationship and cries a warning to whoever her tormentor will find next, urging them to flee. 

The electro-pop track is backed by haunting, echoey background vocals, evoking a slightly uneasy, tense feeling. To close out the song, the first verse repeats once again, leaving listeners to wonder if LeCount will ever escape this painful cycle. (She did.)

WACO, TEXAS, ETHEL CAIN

American alternative artist Ethel Cain takes her time in “Waco, Texas,” as if she never wants

the ending to arrive, the music to stop, the album to end. But in the end, just like everything in life, it does. In what can only be described as a musical slow burn, the 15-minute melancholy track is almost a mourning song, with Cain spiraling in emotional isolation, grieving a lost love, as well as the loss of her sense of self.

Punctuated with Cain’s hauntingly emotive vocals, the song culminates in a short, slightly sad but hopeful piano solo, evoking a sense of finality. It’s the perfect farewell to the character, entity, and musical project that is Ethel Cain.

Turbulencias, Lia Kali and Toni Anzis

In “Turbulencias,” Lia Kali cries out against the brutality of the music industry, drowning in both self-inflicted and external pressure to perform, comparing the tumultuous nature of being an artist to turbulence experiences on airplanes.

The song honors the Spanish artist’s roots, featuring elements of rap, reggae, and Latin pop. Her vocals, which are enhanced to sound as if she is singing through a telephone or radio, are nothing short of fierce, almost as if she is trying with all her power to get her message through to her audience. 

BABIECA! Guittarricadelafuente

In “BABIECA!” Spanish singer-songwriter Guittarricadelafuente details the intense

experience of getting swept up in a wave of passionate love, reflecting on the fleeting nature of life’s experiences and the importance of surrender, of living in the moment. 

With hazy vocals, soft electronic keyboard, and bright strings, the Latin pop track feels lighthearted in a “seize the day” kind of way; it’s hopeful, fun-loving, and warm. You can’t help but want to let go and lose yourself in the melody, letting the music wash over you.

WASSUP, YOUNG MIKO

Young Miko’s “WASSUP” is the kind of song you could play on repeat for hours (and I have.) Risqué, catchy, and featuring a killer flow, the 2000s hip hop-reminiscent track showcases the Puerto Rican reggaeton artist’s impressive versatility. 

The song samples Lil Wayne’s “Lollipop” in a way that feels fresh and creative, supported by more electronic effects and a catchy trap beat. Young Miko’s confidence and sultry smooth rapping are the stars of the show; in Spanish, she raps about sex, money, and women, exuding what can only be described as big dick energy. When “WASSUP” comes to an end, you just want to hit play again.

Reliquia, ROSALÍA 

Rosalía deftly blends orchestral, classical-style strings with pop in “Reliquia,” a bright, upbeat song about love, loss, and legacy, offering fragmented pieces of her heart to others as relics to cherish. But her impressively intricate and powerful vocals are still the main attraction, with moments showcasing her almost operatic vocal skills.

Inspired in part by Saint Teresa of Ávila, the song explores the Spanish pop star’s journey both as an artist and a human being, documenting her experiences and her legacy. It tells an impressive story both through lyricism and the way her words are punctuated with swells and dips in the music; everything works together to form a beautifully, uniquely Rosalía soundscape.

I OWE IT TO YOU, MARO

The beauty of MARO’s “I OWE IT TO YOU” lies in its quiet simplicity. Her velvety alto vocals, harmonized to perfection, pair beautifully with acoustic guitar to tell a short but all-encompassing story of the gratitude she holds and the deep connection she feels for her loved ones and for her home.

Embracing vulnerability, the Portuguese composer exposes her soul in this touching song, expertly, seamlessly intertwining folk elements with a singer-songwriter sound. It feels like a warm hug, like getting into bed after a long day, like a warm cup of cocoa at night while it snows. 

Honorable mentions: “Blushing,” Luvcat; “You Can Have It All,” Florence + the Machine; “Egg,” Djo

Check out our favorite songs of 2025 playlist here!

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Words by Allyson Park