We’re here again. Another year has gone by, and thousands of songs have gone into our ears, our memories and our hearts (awww). Seriously though – plenty of great music was released this year from all genres, artists new and old. There were surprise comebacks, guilty pleasures and outstanding examples of songwriting craft. And for the most part, you won’t find most of the typical EOY list tracks here – no Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, Gaga or Wallen. No hate to those artists – we’re just not that kind of music site.
While I could personally make a list of nearly 300 worthy songs, I have fought and struggled to pair down a list of my Top 100 Songs of 2025 (Technically from Dec 2024 – Nov 2025. Dec 2025 songs will apply to next year). So as not to overwhelm, I’ll be breaking down the lists, giving you #100 through #51 today.
Without further ado, let the countdown begin!
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#100. Yung Bredda & Full Blown – The Greatest Bend Over
Vibrant, melodic Soca jam from up-and-coming MC and production team.
#99. Franz Ferdinand – The Doctor
The Scottish indie rockers “feel just a little bit better” on this catchy, synth-driven romp.
#98. McKinley Dixon – Sugar Water (feat. Quelle Chris & Anjimile)
The underground rapper once again makes a compelling case for ascent to the mainstream with this jazzy hip-hop smash-up.
#97. hey, nothing – Sick Dogs
Emo-folk duo will make you want to dance around in a scene-kid hoe down with this frenetic, rocking blast of energy.
#96. Van Morrison – Stretching Out
The famed Irish bard stretches out this track to over eight minutes, but every one is a compelling beauty.
#95. Mondo Trasho – Isabella
UK five piece breakout a lovelorn, nostalgic number that swings with a perfect, sparkling groove.
#94. Wild Wild Wets – Sunshine Sue
Spacey psychedelia full of floating flute melodies and echoing vocals that will take you on a trip, no acid needed.
#93. The Hives – Paint a Picture
“Bow down to the Mayor of nothing”? Nope, with this hard-hitting garage rocker, we’re bowing down to the Hives for providing us with this guitar-filled glory.
#92. Jensen McRae – Savannah
McRae may be a soft-spoken singer, but her emotion and lyrics are loud and clear on this devastating kiss-off track.
#91. Alex Lahey – Don’t Wanna Know
Lahey is a master of the hook-driven pop-punk number, writing irresistible bops like this with effortless style.
#90. Yam Haus – One Bullet Left
A song of pure resilience – “You don’t surrender when you have one bullet left”. You’ll feel it.
#89. The James Hunter Six – A Sure Thing
Hunter and his band perfectly capture the sound of vintage soul on this sweet, modern tune. It’s definitely a sure thing.
#88. The Wind Ups – (That’s Just My) Dream Girl
A buoyant power pop number so good it would have Alex Chilton clapping along were he still here.
#87. Bite Me Bambi – Gaslighter’s Anthem
OC ska band mix powerhouse vocals with a skank-ready rhythm. The arrangement has great pop savvy, and the lyrics carry a vicious bite towards the lover leaving our heroine “wanting more”
#86. Pigeon Pit – Bronco
The lyrics come a little too quickly for a sing-along, but the song makes you want to try so hard. Upbeat indie rock with lo-fi harmonies and natural charm.
#85. Benjamin Booker – Same Kind of Lonely
Heavy, fuzzed-out guitars add a nice juxtaposition to Booker’s hazy, drifting vocals as he looks for connection in the world. The emotion of the track will sneak up on you.
#84. Taz – Say Something
If you’re not immediately bobbing your head to this swaggering alt pop number, you may need your hearing checked. This up-and-comer is definitely something (or someone) to watch.
#83. Tyler Childers – Bitin’ List
The award for best new way to tell a person you really don’t like them goes to country critical darling Tyler Childers for this hilarious, cheeky, stomping track with teeth.
#82. Bryan Andrews – The Older I Get
One of the best political protest songs this year came from where you least expect it – a young country artist who has his eyes open and isn’t mincing words. A powerful track to cut through most of the flag-waving, hokey patriotism on country radio.
#81. Role Model – Sally, When the Wine Runs Out
There’s a good reason this song became an out of left field hit. Great storytelling in the vein of Paul Simon, mixed with a classic pop rock melody that is damn near impossible not to enjoy.
#80. Joker’s Republic – The Cold Hard Truth
In the early 2000’s, everY pop-punk/emo band had that one acoustic sing-along that was painstakingly visceral, and which was a secret favorite for everyone in the audience. Ska-punkers Joker’s Republic have captured that magic in 2025, with a song that will have an entire audience singing “No one will ever tell me if there’s an ending to your story” while holding back a tear.
#79. Trevor Hall – Seek and Find
Hall manages to to make a simple acoustic track sound like a spiritual hymn through his evocative vocals and lyrics.
#78. Indigo de Souza – Heartthrob
De Souza learns the difference between “love and haunting” on this personal and propulsive coming-of-age rocker.
#77. Crispus Attucks and the Love Muskets – No Kings/No Crowns
Fuzzed-out, anti-establishment garage rock perfect for soundtracking the future revolution.
#76. Three Days Grace – Kill Me Fast
The OTHER huge Canadian hard rock act returned this year with both its singers and this epic ode to a relationship’s failure.
#75. The Happy Fits – Everything You Do
Alt pop so exuberant it will make you live up to the band’s namesake and have a “happy fit” of your own.
#74. MGK – Miss Sunshine
An unapologetically sunny folk rock song from the famed musical polyglot that touches on pop greatness.
#73. Television Skies – Time of My Life
While not a Green Day cover, this track has the same nostalgic pull as that classic, but with a buzzier energy.
#72. Justin Webb & The Noise – 1997
Ragged and raucous punk homage to living like you’re back in the late 90’s and not letting anyone tell you what to do. Thinking this would be a great theme song to the MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE revival…
#71. Panda Bear – Defense
A thumping beat and hazy harmonies play off each other perfectly in this chill alt rock slacker jam. And it would be a crime not to mention the ebullient afropop guitar line on the bridge.
#70. Jon Gazi – Statia
Gazi swirls in a hefty dose of calypso into his rock and comes out with a fresh, island-ready singalong.
#69. Valerie June – Endless Tree
Gorgeous, orchestral soul about bringing the world together. At least something the whole world should agree on – June is a true talent and this song is a beaut.
#68. Cat Ridgeway – What If?
Ridgeway asks the deep questions “If parallel universes exist, how many versions of this life have I lived?” over funky, banjo-laden alt rock. It will make you think, and make you move.
#67. Zuli Jr. – Make Out
A sexy rock come-on that positively slaps (and which may get you slapped if you try singing it to the wrong person)
#66. Jason Isbell – Gravelweed
You thankfully don’t have to know what “gravelweed” is to appreciate this lovely confessional folk lament from Isbell.
#65. Turnstile – Dreaming
The beloved post-post-hardcore band throw in some horns and latin grooves to take their sound in wild new directions, and it works. Really damn well.
#64. Adeem the Artist – Cowards Together
A softly strummed song about fear, commitment and loving your partner through and through. All told as only a masterful songwriter like Adeem could.
#63. Matt Nathanson – Vampires
A cursed relationship leaves Nathanson drained, lonely, but also empathetic to the person who left him this way. An authentic and equitable look at the complexities of love that is endlessly hummable.
#62. Dave Hause – Look Alive
Roof-raising power chords explode on this paean to making every breadth of life count. Hause faces the end of the world with grandiose dreams and spirit.
#61. John Butler – Doing Just Fine
The Australian troubadour has created a folk rock chant for surviving on your own terms. Sing this one enough times to yourself, and trust me, you’ll feel better.
#60. The Iron Roses – Class War Cheer Squad
Pure punk rock n’ roll and ska riffs, boisterously calling out the billionaires and politicians ruining the world and keeping the poor down.
#59. Hayley Williams – Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party
Ms. Paramore finds the perfectly balance between her artistic whims and pop savvy on this dreamy cut from her excellent new solo album.
#58. Josh Ritter – Truth is a Dimension (Both Invisible and Blinding)
The way Ritter structures this narrative about a a heartbroken stoner contemplating the universe is brilliant in its revealing denouement.
#57. Motion City Soundtrack – You Know Who the Fuck We Are
Someone tell MCS that “yes, we do” – one of the best writers of sharp, eccentric pop-punk/emo bops around. So good to have them back and still writing catchy jams like this.
#56. LL – Medic
Hyper-pop mixes with grungy alt rock for this manic cut from rising duo.
#55. Capital Cities – Shoes Like Rockets
A charmingly bubbly pop tune brimming with innocence and fun. A song for all ages to enjoy.
#54. Vundabar – Beta Fish
A killer bass line sets you up for a gritty, moody rock track…that surprises as the fog clears for an enlightening, melodic chorus.
#53. Lizzo – Love in Real Life
The soulful pop star finds her inner-Stroke with this righteous, guitar-laden track.
#52. Cumulus – Welcome Back to Me
Alexandra Lockhart re-finds herself on this somber, delicate acoustic ballad. This one will hit you with all the feels.
#51. Jeff Tweedy – Enough
The stand-out track from the Wilco frontman’s massive triple album, Tweedy lays down Dylan references and asks deep questions about life fulfillment. The song really hits as Tweedy gets to the heart of the track; “It’s hard to stay in love.”
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Return tomorrow to discover #50 – #1. For now, you can listen to this first fifty in our Top Songs of 2025 Playlist!
The Indy Review 
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