A Daily Dose of Music

The Best Songs of 2025

Cole Bower, Entertainment Editor • December 8, 2025

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HOLLYWOOD, CA – OCTOBER 11: Bad Bunny on October 11 2019 in Los Angeles California. (Photo by Glenn Francis/www.PacificProDigital.com)

“BAILE INVoLDIBALE” – Bad Bunny

Bad Bunny has had an impressive past few years, becoming the most-streamed artist on Spotify for three years, as well as having the most-streamed album in Spotify history. The Puerto Rican-born reggaeton artist released his most recent album, DeBI TiRAR MaS FOToS, this past January. You can read more about the album here. From this album, one song in particular stood out to me: “BAILE INVoLDIBALE”. Starting with an intense build-up, the song’s beat drop is an infectious salsa that makes you want to get up and dance. Literally translating to “Unforgettable Dance”, “BAILE INVoLDIBALE” is a truly unforgettable piece. The song stands as a tribute to his Puerto Rican roots, making this song as meaningful as it is musically sound. Bad Bunny made the best Latin song of the year in “BAILE INVoLDIBALE”.

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Teddy Swims, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

“Black & White” – Teddy Swims, Muni Long

Teddy Swims rose to fame in 2024 after his single “Lose Control” reached number one on pretty much every chart. Originally born in Conyers, Georgia, the singer released his album I’ve Tried Everything but Therapy (Part 2) in January, which is a sequel to his first album with the same name. Containing similar genres to those of the first part, Swims’ most recent project is mostly a mix of alternative R&B and the blues, with his southern voice belting incredible notes in every song. He collaborated with a myriad of artists for this album, such as Glorilla, Coco Jones, and Muni Long. Long collaborates with Swims on the best song on the album, “Black & White”. A testament to relationship problems, their lyrics convey a sense of melancholy, which is solved by the end of the song. The incredible vocal ability and blending of the two artists make it seem as though their voices were meant to sing together. “Black & White” is easily my favorite love song of the year, containing beautiful lyrics, vocals, and instrumentals.

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Karol G in 2023, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

“Tu Perfume” – Karol G

Carolina Giraldo Navarro, better known as Karol G, has been the most prominent female Latin artist since Shakira. Born in Colombia, she became the first female to have a Spanish-language album debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 Chart and broke the record for best-selling tour by a Latina woman (Mañana Será Bonito Tour). This past summer, on June 20, she released her fifth and most recent album, Tropicoqueta. The album boasted a wonderful reggaeton sound, making it one of my favorite albums of the year. One of the songs, titled “Tu Perfume”, brings Navarro’s music to life. As an English speaker who barely understands any Spanish, I can confirm that this song is for everyone, for it has an infectious beat that one can bear to resist. “Tu Perfume” reaffirms Karol G’s dominance and perfection in Latin pop and reggaeton.

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Clipse performing in Cambridge, MA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

“The Birds Don’t Sing” – Clipse, John Legend, Voices of Fire

Rappers Malice and Pusha T are synonymous with their duo name, Clipse. The two released their newest album, Let God Sort Em Out, on July 11, proving that after decades of making music, they still have superior music. Pharrell Williams, legendary producer and lifelong friend of the two rappers, helped produce their newest piece. It is hard to choose a favorite song from this incredible project, but I had to go with “The Birds Don’t Sing”. Speaking about their relationship to their late parents, the two cannot be stopped in this piece. Powerful lyrics and incredible rap flow from both Malice and Pusha, strong vocals from iconic artist John Legend, and support from the Voices of Fire, a gospel group established by Pharrell’s uncle, make this song my favorite of the year. There isn’t anything that can replicate hearing this song for the first time, and it is, without a doubt, a must-listen.

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Freddie Gibbs Performing in 2014, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

“Mar-a-Lago” – Freddie Gibbs, The Alchemist

Rapper Freddie Gibbs and producer Alan Daniel Maman, better known as The Alchemist, returned as a duo this past July to release Alfredo 2, after releasing the first Alfredo album in 2020. The mix between gangster rap and hip-hop was a signature of the Alfredo sound, and Gibbs and Maman returned to the laid-back style that the first part possessed. The entire album is amazing and could be considered to be one of the best rap albums of the 21st century. In particular, “Mar-a-Lago” delivers everything a fan of the first album could want: steady rap flow, slow and sensual vibes, as well as a relaxing beat that easily puts you in a trance. It is truly incredible that they didn’t get nominated for a single Grammy, because this album and song deserve one.

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Shaboozey Performing in Nashville, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

“Hail Mary” – Shaboozey, Sierra Ferrell

Collins Obinna Chibueze, better known as Shaboozey, has established himself as one of the best country artists in the past decade, being featured on a song for the smash hit movie Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and on pop icon Beyoncé’s newest country album. Additionally, his hit song “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Shaboozey released a deluxe version of his most recent album, Where I’ve Been Isn’t Where I’m Going, on April 25, which included a song with country artist Sierra Ferrell. She joins Shaboozey on “Hail Mary”, where they exchange stories about their relationship as Ferrell’s soft and sweet voice mixes perfectly with that of Shaboozey’s deep and emotional vocal ability. I would easily say that “Hail Mary” is the best country song of the year, providing a simple love song that becomes an instant classic.

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Tyler, The Creator performing in Toronto in 2025, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

“Ring Ring Ring” – Tyler, The Creator

One of the summer’s highlights this year was a new surprise album by hip-hop and rap artist Tyler Okonma, better known as Tyler, The Creator, titled DON’T TAP THE GLASS. Coproduced by iconic producer Pharrell Williams, the album had plenty of funky beats, amazing rap flow, and goofy lyrics to make it one of my favorites. In the album, Tyler expertly blended R&B, Pop, Funk, and Disco into an insanely catchy and danceable track titled “Ring Ring Ring”. Immediately saying, “I hope you good, I hope you well, I hope you lit”, Tyler then proceeds to make you want to rollerblade to the infectious beat co-written by legendary 80s composer and lyricist Ray Parker Jr. The entire track keeps the same relentless beat, adding to the feel-good vibes it radiates. Tyler has absolutely made a hit in “Ring Ring Ring”, one which has made it one of the best songs in recent times.

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Lola Young performing in September 2025, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

“d£aler” – Lola Young

Lola Young shot up in the music scene last year, after featuring on Tyler, The Creator’s hit album CHROMAKOPIA and releasing her hit song “Messy” which went platinum twice. “d£aler” is one of Young’s many singles released this year, premiering a new alternative R&B style that Young has not shown in the past. The London-native couldn’t care less about anybody’s opinion on this track, but this fact works in her favor. In fact, it’s what makes this song in particular so attractive to the listener. Ideal when you’re feeling angry at something, “d£aler” captures what it’s like to have the feeling of being tired of life. Her punk-like lyrics and vocal attitude are perfect for this song, making it one of her best songs and one of my favorites of this year.

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Laufey performing at Lollapalooza in Chicago on August 2nd 2024, CC BY-SA 4, via Wikimedia Commons

“Castle In Hollywood” – Laufey

Singer, songwriter, and musician Laufey Lín Bing Jónsdóttir, better known just as Laufey, has had an astonishing career, becoming the most prominent artist in jazz music in the 21st century. The Icelandic-born cellist released her album A Matter of Time on August 22, and from it came “Castle In Hollywood”. The song features a nice, simple strum of a guitar accompanied by cello and other instruments, blending into a perfect instrumental tune. Laufey’s voice elevates the already impressive piece, creating a powerful song directed towards the breaker of the singer’s heart. Standing as an emotionally-ridden story in Laufey’s awesome album, “Castle In Hollywood” puts the listener in her shoes as she expertly details incredible imagery, earning its place among my top listens of the year.

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Olivia Dean at BST Hyde Park, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

“So Easy (To Fall In Love)” – Olivia Dean

Olivia Dean has had an amazing yet short career, becoming popular in the United States with her recent hit single “Man I Need”, which has reached number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. The single was released in anticipation of her newest album, The Art of Loving, which dropped on September 26. While the album itself is exceptional, one song in particular caught my attention. “So Easy (To Fall In Love)” is easily some of Dean’s best work, transporting the listener into a better state of mentality, as Dean’s vocals weave perfectly with her jazz pop sound. Her vocals are just simply great, making her music just simply great music. “So Easy (To Fall In Love)” easily makes its way into one of the best listens I’ve had this year.

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Photo of Giveon, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

“RATHER BE” – GIVĒON

If you think of yourself as a fan of R&B and haven’t heard Giveon Dezzman Evans’ heaven-sent vocal ability, you may need to reconsider. Better known as GIVĒON, the R&B legend released his most recent album, BELOVED, on July 11. In the lead-up to the release, he dropped one of two singles, titled “RATHER BE”. The song kicks off to a jazzy start as the beat sets you in for relaxation. When GIVĒON’s voice breaks through the rhythm, your brain becomes immediately relaxed, as he takes away your stress with his incredible vocals. He does an incredible job on the emotionally heavy piece, making it my favorite R&B song of 2025.

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RAYE at the Boardmasters Festival 2023, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

“Suzanne” – RAYE, Mark Ronson

On June 13, singer-songwriter Rachel Keen, better known as RAYE, collaborated with legendary producer Mark Ronson, who has produced hits such as “Uptown Funk” with Bruno Mars, “Electricity” with Dua Lipa, and “Valerie” with the late legend Amy Winehouse. Together, Keen and Ronson released “Suzanne,” which adopts a soul sound – a common feature of Keen’s discography – lending it a classy feel while maintaining simple lyricism for a pleasant and perfect piece. Ronson’s musical ability, accompanied by Keen’s angelical voice, makes “Suzanne” one of the best songs of the year.

About the Contributor

Cole Bower, News Editor

Cole Bower is a Junior at PCDS in his first year working with Eagle Eye News. He is looking to expand coverage on Entertainment Reviews and publish more stories about music as the Entertainment Editor. Outside of school, he enjoys hanging out with cousins, playing tennis, and listening to new music and his favorite albums.