2025 has been an interesting year in terms of music, from up-and-coming acts and newer artists to legendary musicians and unexpected comebacks. As the year winds down, Pop Tingz is rounding up the best songs that defined the year.

This list isn’t just about what topped the charts or went viral (though some definitely did). It’s about everything that makes a song great: the production, the lyrics, the cultural impact, the storytelling, and, of course, the artist behind it.

Yes, we know the year isn’t officially over yet, but let’s be real, we don’t anticipate any last-minute releases topping these. So here they are (and in no particular order): the songs that soundtracked 2025, made us feel everything, and reminded us why we love music in the first place.

Replay - Cynthia Erivo

Released on February 28, 2025, “Replay” marks Cynthia Erivo’s bold leap into her solo recording era. Co-written by Erivo, Justin Tranter, and Will Wells, and produced by Erivo herself alongside Will Wells and Shawn Wasabi, the track finds Erivo digging into vulnerability, trauma, and the loops of self-doubt. While the full album that followed may not have met all expectations, this lead single truly stood out for its stripped-down honesty and Erivo harnesses the power in softness through her voice, making it a surprising gem from the year.

Vanish Into You - Lady Gaga

From her 2025 album MAYHEM, “Vanish Into You” dropped on March 7, 2025. The song was written by Gaga, Andrew Watt, Henry Walter (aka Cirkut), and Michael Polansky, and produced by Gaga, Watt, and Cirkut. With its blend of fringed synths, heavy drums, and dark love themes, the track has been widely discussed (including fan theories linking it to her late collaborator Tony Bennett). It hits as the biggest “ear-worm” Gaga moment of the year; familiar yet fresh, dramatic yet pop-forward. And confirms to us all that Gaga hasn’t lost her flair for the dramatic.

Dracula - Tame Impala

Released September 26, 2025, as the third single from his forthcoming album Deadbeat, “Dracula” was written by Kevin Parker and Sarah Aarons and produced by Parker. The track merges alternative synth textures with a dance-floor drive, marking a bold and unexpected turn for Tame Impala. Dark, catchy, and stylistically surprising, it stands out as a late-year contender for standout single given how few alt-pop tracks hit mainstream attention this way.

Golden - HunTr/x

Released July 4, 2025, via Republic Records, “Golden” is from the soundtrack of the Netflix film KPop Demon Hunters. It was written by Ejae, Mark Sonnenblick, 24, Id,o, and Teddy, and produced by 24, Ido, Teddy, and Ian Eisendrath. As a fictional K-pop girl‐group single that went viral globally (topping charts in 30+ countries), “Golden” went beyond just being a hype track; it became a phenomenon: catchy chorus, highest notes, immense production, and cultural impact. It epitomises pop in 2025.

The Subway - Chappell Roan

Released July 31, 2025, “The Subway” was co-written by Roan and producer Dan Nigro, with Nigro handling production. This single soared to the charts with its early-’90s indie rock sound alongside Chappell’s traditional vocal “yodeling”. It’s an emotional punch and is some of the most beautifully crafted songwriting this year. It signals that Roan’s hype last year was not a fluke; she is a genuine standout with all the fabulousness that comes with her.

CUNTISSIMO - MARINA

Dropped April 10, 2025, the song sees Marina Diamandis fully in control; she is credited as writer and co-producer alongside C J Baran. The track opens with cinematic, almost orchestral strings, then transitions into a fast-paced synth rhythm with dance-floor energy. With its hard beat, banging production, and summer-anthem energy, “CUNTISSIMO” is the kind of track made for adoration and repeat listening. It may not have broken into mainstream massive hype (even though it deserved to), but within the queer pop world and alternative pop circles, it was pure fire.

Mystical Magical - Benson Boone

Written by Benson Boone, Jack LaFrantz, Evan Blair, Steve Kipner, and Terry Shaddick, “Mystical Magical” appears this year as Boone’s pivot into a more alternative, retro rock-inflected pop sound. And despite his cringy backflips and being one of the internet's recent focal subjects for jokes and memes, it shows Boone in a rare moment as a male pop artist stepping out of safe territory: dynamic instrumentation, deeper emotion, and something un-pop-typical, which is why it resonated and is on the list.

Yukon - Justin Bieber

Though “Daises” seems to have taken the spotlight from his comeback era, “Yukon” stands out as the more refreshing, laid-back, and addictive track from Bieber in 2025. It doesn’t scream for attention, but it lingers. Written by Justin Bieber, Eminem, Dijon Duenas, Carter Lang, and others, the alternative R&B track marks Bieber’s quiet reinvention and shows why his resurgence still matters.

Where is my husband! - RAYE

Released September 19, “Where Is My Husband” showcases RAYE’s clever lyric-writing and distinct production flair. With its strong nods to 1960s girl-group musical aesthetics, quirky verses, and viral moments, the track became a social media hit with fans trying to catch up to RAYE’s fast wordplay, but beneath that viral surface lies strong songwriting and an ear for music that’s rare in mainstream pop right now.

Revolving Door - Tate McRae

While McRae’s album release received mixed reviews, “Revolving Door” emerges as a highlight: fresh, different from her previous work, and pointing toward a unique lane for her. The single sees McRae working harder, experimenting, and delivering something that could reshape how she’s perceived in pop. Written by McRae, Julia Michaels, and Ryan Tedder, the dance-pop song with its propulsive beat was made to become an instant hit.

Relationships - HAIM

One of the sisters-led band’s most emotionally direct tracks of the year, “Relationships” brings vulnerability, mature insight, and strongly crafted songwriting. HAIM take the concept of relationships and lay it down as it is. The track becomes a combination of sleek and groovy with feelings both raw and polished, delivering a fresh, introspective, deeply felt pop track.

Ojos Tristes - Selena Gomez, benny Blanco, The Marias

From Gomez and Blanco’s joint album this year, “Ojos Tristes” emerges as the shining moment: a melancholic sunset vibe and featuring the rising act The Marias, this song feels like an instant classic with its dream-pop elements. The collaborative essence and early 1980s Spanish-esque ballad production make it a standout in 2025’s popscape.

Pop Tingz Presents: The Best Songs of 2025