So here we are! Wrapping up the Top 50 Songs of 2025! Songs must have been released after 1/1/25, and only one entry per artist allowed!*
*if a member of an outfit appears on another track as a collaborator, both the original outfit’s track AND the collaboration are permitted. If an artist possesses multiple projects, both projects are permitted an entry.
This is Part I!
50. Labyrinthine Oceans – heaven
It has been a year of multitudes for the grunge-gaze outfit Labyrinthine Oceans. Moving from their native north east down to London, accomplishing tours both within England and continental Europe, gaining a strong social media following, appearing on billboards, and releasing an EP have been just some of the things that this three-piece have been up to this year. Whilst there is plenty of tracks that this band have released this year that were vying for a place on this list, it is ultimately the monumental closing track of their EP ‘everyone was alive‘ that snags the 50 spot. This track sees the band take their sound to its logical extremes, with ambient murmurs building up towards a cataclysmic deconstruction of what shoegaze is capable of. It’s a raw, grief-stained skyscraper of a song that perfectly demonstrates why Labyrinthine Oceans, in spite of their intrinsic weirdness, are becoming the indie scene’s next band to watch.
49. NEONshe – Who Am I?
It has been a year of transformations for the bubblegum pop princess formerly known as NEONshe. Following on from a heartbreak that left her leaving Japan for England, uprooting herself completely, Jazmine Fayewood elected to make her third NEONshe record the last for that musical project, and in doing so produced a captivating, cleverly constructed, and confessional listening experience that perfectly captures grieving for the self you used to be, and the life you used to have. ‘Who Am I?‘ not only serves as the closing track for this record, but the NEONshe project as a whole, and wraps up the story of NEONshe beautifully. It’s a fairly simplistic affair in the scope of NEONshe’s discography, constructed as a power ballad as opposed to a JPOP banger or dancepop anthem, but Fayewood’s performance is simply shiver-inducing, her uncertainty for the future complimented by a graceful sense of acceptance and humility. We don’t always end up where we expect, but we do end up where we need to be, and when one door closed for NEONshe, one that held untold adventures opened for Fayewood.
48. France, You’re On Your Own – Take The Handcuffs Off (Please)
This list has been a year in the making, and as such, it is not uncommon for tracks to both enter and leave as other wonderful music makes itself known. Some, however, land on the list upon the very first listen, and remain there as a permanent resident; France, You’re On Your Own’s ‘Take The Handcuffs Off (Please)‘ is a perfect example of this. Whilst it has been a much quieter year for the folktronica project, what they did release has been of incredible quality, and their March single is a glorious representation of why FYOYO deserve your immediate attention. At times, the track is a sumptuous, understated indie affair that one might expect from The 1975; at other times, it carries the whimsical bombast of Sgt. Pepper’s era The Beatles. Fantastically catchy without being obnoxious, wonderfully heartfelt without feeling saccharine, and superbly creative without feeling clumsy, this needs to be on your New Year listening rotation; it is never too late to listen to good music.
47. Spiritbox – Deep End
Canada’s metalcore titans have continued to go from strength to strength this year, with global touring and a smash success sophomore record making them a name on everybody’s lips in the mainstream alternative community. ‘Tsunami Sea‘ was a record packed with highlights, from the unnerving ‘No Loss No Love‘, to the scorching ‘Black Rainbow‘. Yet it is the album’s closer, and the softest cut of the record, that finds itself on this list. This is a powerfully simplistic affair that places Courtney LaPlante’s vocals front and centre, laid bare against driving, emo-tinged riffs, and whilst it was written before the passing of former bandmate Bill Crook, LaPlante has gone on to dedicate the track to her friend. It’s a graceful, touching, and emotive tribute, and a glorious closing number to a thrilling record.
46. The Callous Daoboys – Lemon
‘I Don’t Want To See You In Heaven‘ might be the record that truly takes The Callous Daoboys to the next level. A wicked combination of their classic mathcore chaos and experimental pop flourishes, it is a record that is packed with highlights that are certain to be found on many an end-of-year listing in 2025. Yet it is the indie-tinged anthem ‘Lemon‘ that represents this record over here. Carson Pace’s vocal performance is nothing short of magnificent, with a soulfulness that is wholly unexpected helping deliver rich, infectious melodies; there is an anger and a bitterness that simmers away throughout, and rises to a ferocious boil during a spine-tingling final chorus. Acoustic guitars dance atop of rhythms that conjure up suggestions trip-hop, whilst the strings in the aforementioned closing chorus tap directly into the brain’s dopamine receptors. ‘Lemon‘ is the perfect argument in favour of bands experimenting with their sound.
45. False Thoughts (feat. Izabel Lavin) – rip.
Merseyside’s metal outfit False Thoughts released two searing collaborations with local musicians this year, and it was difficult to decide which of the two monolithic bangers that would make the cut for this list. ‘tear.‘ featuring Nat Owens (Arcadia Ego, Monroe., Ugly Jumper) wholly deserves your attention as well, but it is just edged out by the brutal grooves of ‘rip.‘, featuring Izabel Lavin (rozemary, Demeanour). A polished step up in every way for False Thoughts, yet still managing to retain a sense of rawness and ferocity, ‘rip.’ sees vocalist Mike Fenwick sealing away the generational cycles of abuse that he was forced to experience at the hands of his father. Lavin’s guest appearance is a blistering display of aggression, sharing a superb amount of chemistry with Fenwick, whilst Stanley Causier’s drumming is a thunderous delight to behold. 2026 promises to be an immense year for this immense band; get ready to push your friends.
44. alright (okay) – good friend (he was)
It has been said here before, but it is worth saying once more; alright (okay) are a band that deserve to blow up. The Merseyside rockers have been grinding away at their craft for over seven years, experiencing setbacks and resets that have not permitted them the audience they so desperately deserve. This year, however, saw the four-piece finally release their debut EP, ‘decent (fine)‘, and put on an incredible release show in the process. This wedge of slacker rock fun deserves a listen from start to finish, but it is ‘good friend (he was)‘ that serves as the project’s true highlight. Brimming with both pride and grief, this anthem with written following the loss of vocalist Alex Usher’s childhood pet, and serves an electrifying declaration of a love that transcends the mortal boundary. The track has taken on something of a double-nature, however, when one considers that this year has also seen the departure of founding member Will Booth; the love we have for those around us, whether two-legged or four-legged, will survive long after they have left our lives.
43. since torino – reunion dinner
As we gather around our tables for our festive get-togethers and reacquaint ourselves with loved ones new and old, the emotions experienced can be a true rainbow; nostalgia, joy, introspection, grief, and many others can rear their heads as we cheer to Christmases past, present, and future. ‘reunion dinner‘ exemplifies this perfectly, as since torino utilise their lofi soundscapes to produce something that speaks right to the very soul. The pinnacle of their sophomore EP, this track is a wonderful, heartfelt, and very softly mournful ode to communal spirit, as we both rejoice our successes and contemplate our perceived failures. Acoustics softly jangle with a folkish whimsy, whilst the vocals are delivered with a confessional, vulnerable nature, little more than a murmur between the layers of party conversation. This is an essential listen during these dark nights of winter.
42. Sharpened.Lives – rabbit/hole
Germany’s Sharpened.Lives have continued to deliver uncensored, unapologetic declarations of war on this late, late stage of capitalism we are trapped within. Whilst ‘a whole new world (jasmine’s version)’ is worthy of your attention for its sheer, confrontational brutality alone, it is the band’s October single that makes it to the number 42 spot on this list. Bringing the emo elements of their sound to the forefront, this is a ferociously catchy affair that layers captivating melodies atop of relentless riffs, and a thunderous bass line that will hit on you on a molecular level. Alex Loeb’s screams hit new levels of brilliance, showcasing an expansive range that only seems to grow with every release. Get ready to see this outfit follow in the footsteps of vianova and Blackout Problems, and break out of Germany.
41. Blue Jean – Final Hour
One of the very last tracks to have made this list came in the form of Blue Jean’s December release, ‘Final Hour‘. After what had been a considerably and unintentionally quiet year for the Merseyside singer-songwriter, the artist unveiled quite the phenomenal track that put entire albums released this year to shame. A cinematic masterpiece of a track, instrumentals that manage to feel both rich and minimalist swirl around the listener with a jazzy flair, as Blue Jean manages to perfectly capture the dying breaths of a love that has run its course. Her vocal performance is simply stunning, with a sumptuous tone that radiates both a deep sorrow and a great love in equal measure. Whilst we can only hope to hear more from Blue Jean in the new year, a solitary gift of this quality is something still absolutely worth celebrating.
40. Auraboros – Therapy
Last year, Manchester-based Auraboros released their debut EP, ‘Absent’, and sculpted a harrowing insight into mental health and the transgender experience. After a headline show dedicated to this EP, the band entered a period of introspective silence, and saw the amicable departure of bassist Matt Ashley. ‘Therapy’ serves as the closing statement to this whole chapter of the band’s journey, and makes for a fantastic demonstration of how well they have evolved. Aisling Killey sounds better than ever before, with both her screams and her singing voice sounding richer and more compelling than ever before; the choruses are an absolute delight to behold, with melodies that instantly stick with you. All of this is wrapped up with production and mixing that permits every element to shine; the backing vocals of Rayne Williams land with an undeniable ferocity, whilst Aaron West’s drumming is sharp, precise, and crammed with impeccable grooves.
39. So Far So Good – No Love Lost
The eponymous sophomore EP of London’s So Far So Good was packed from start to finish with utterly rapturous slabs of hardcore, delivered with the immense and electrifying sense of groove that demands you to spin-kick the nearest individual; more on that with our Top 10 EPs of 2025. It is, however, particularly the case when it comes to the thumping banger that is ‘No Love Lost’. A raucous and rip-roaring affair that combines danceable rhythms with violent flair, it makes for a wickedly cathartic and unbelievable fun listening experience.
38. Girl Group – Your Fantasy
This Irish-Norwegian post-punk five-piece have continuously gone from strength to strength across the span of 2025, and whilst there will be time very soon to discuss the band’s debut EP in full (spoilers for our EPs of the Year list!), it is ‘Your Fantasy‘ from that very release that makes the number 38 slot on our Songs of the Year list. Glittery, loungue-pop styled synths give way to pulsing house beats that hum with a blacklight intensity, whilst the band delivery a vocal performance that is all at once feathery forest nymph and vengeful siren. The self-commodification of their femininity through the lyricism places those with the male gaze in the position of a voyeur, and the result is brilliantly unnerving and scathingly judgemental; moments of innocence become malformed into moments of performance in the patriarchal system, where every second could be spent giving service to a man.
37. Ziferblat – Bird of Pray
It has been a busy year for Ukrainian trio Ziferblat. Between their first ever English language release with their ‘Of Us’ EP, extensive touring of continental Europe, and working alongside Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation to raise money to remove Russian land mines on Ukrainian soil, the three have certainly made sure that they have grasped every possible opportunity this year. It is the song that launched them into the spotlight, however, that makes this list. Bounding verses, marked by buoyant rhythms and rustic choral vocals, are contrasted beautifully by soaring, anthemic choruses, with the band alternating between Ukrainian and English between each section. A free spirited delight of a track.
36. male//gaze – SPEAK (for me)
Ascribing their sound the ‘hyperpunk’ label, male//gaze make it clear from the very outset that they aren’t here to simply retread old ground with their music. Their ‘TOO LATE NOW’ EP is a magnificent declaration of creativity, twisting and trying in unexpected ways, but the highlight of this wondrous bod of work is the utterly spellbinding ‘SPEAK (for me)’. Dreamy shoegaze guitars glitter with a haunting beauty, as vocals coalesce from the aether into an ethereal, mournful melody that speaks to the very soul. All of this explodes in a spectrum of shimmering sounds during an utterly rapturous climax. There is still much to be said about ‘TOO LATE NOW’, but let it be known that that male//gaze have the potential to produce a true masterpiece.
35. Take Breath – So Long
Some bands are simply a delight to keep up with. Take Breath have been grinding away at making something of their music for quite some time now, starting out as a more electronic oriented outfit with their ‘The Hell In All I Held Too Close’ EP, before transforming into more of a direct alternative rock outfit with last year’s ‘See The Life Leave Me’. This year, the band have continued their evolution with the phenomenal ‘fable.’, and whilst there will be time to discuss this EP on our Top 10 EPs of 2025 list, the number 35 position here goes to the EP’s gorgeous closing number, ‘So Long’. It’s a surprisingly stripped back and simple affair, with captivating melodies set atop of folkish acoustic guitars and driving yet understated percussion. Yet despite the simplicity, the band perform this with such a sense of heart and character that it strikes right to the very soul. A genuinely beautiful track that contrasts the bombast of the rest of their EP perfectly.
34. Paledusk – I ❤️ YOU BABY!!
At long last, 2025 saw Fukuoka’s Paledusk release their hotly anticipated debut LP, and the record was absolutely worth every moment of waiting. The eponymous debut was packed with pure chaos, with Paledusk pushing the very limits of what metalcore is capable of and delivering simply unforgettable bangers in the process. ‘I ❤️YOU BABY!!‘ sees the band bring some punk flair to proceedings, with wildly catchy choruses driving forwards atop of rollicking, raucous instrumentals. Guitars thrash about and deliver devilish licks, whilst the percussion disassembles any notion that making sense is required for a song to sound good. A weighty breakdown in the track’s climax serves as a perfect reminder that Paledusk are still a metalcore outfit at their core, and acts as a brilliantly sharp contrast to the track’s frenetic whimsy.
33. Shkodra Elektronike (feat. Roy Paci) – Askund
After the immense success of representing Albania with the fantastically catchy ‘Zjerm’, Shkodra Elektronike could have kept things simple and coasted to mainstream success. Instead, the duo enlisted Italian trumpet extraordinaire Roy Paci to join them for a musical odyssey that collides dance music with Albanian iso-polyphony. The result is a magnificent celebration of Albanian culture, an unexpectedly catchy electronic banger, and a delightful demonstration of creativity all at once.
32. Roscoe Street – Sunbleached
Since releasing their 2024 debut, Roscoe Street have established themselves as one of Merseyside’s finest live acts, with an innate gift for transforming even the smallest of venues into the party of the century; the band recently headlined Boot Music’s 2025 Christmas Party, and there’s no doubt that as soon as word gets out, every publication will be fighting for a piece of Roscoe Street. Their September single, ‘Sunbleached’, is an exuberant, youthful summer jam brimming with a sense of free-spirited hedonism.
31. President – In The Name Of The Father
Even the most stalwart of President’s naysayers find it difficult to deny that the debut single of the masked four-piece was an absolute metalcore anthem. Oozing an unsettling yet bombastic melodrama, the track wields both ethereal verses and wickedly catchy choruses, wrapped up with a simple yet effective breakdown. The “anonymous” frontman makes for a captivating presence to behold, with a soulful passion and grit that is delivered perfectly through his melodies. Sometimes, metalcore doesn’t have to be revolutionary to be good, and whilst a very valid debate rages over how much President truly bring to a saturated scene, ‘In The Name of the Father‘ simply scratches an itch that many a metalcore listener will have.
Part II (30-11) will be arriving tomorrow, so keep an eye out for that! What did you think of this year? Have you heard any of these tracks, and what would you include in your list? Let me know!
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