From the wealth of musical creativity that we have covered editorially this year, we have distilled 25 songs that made 2025 something extraordinary. Loud, raucous sounds, dancing melodies and bittersweet pieces.
A cross-section for the curious, the explorers and those who simply love to step outside the box. A collection that celebrates human-made art that moves us.
25 • MAQUINA. – misfit
Lisbon-based trio MAQUINA. rumbles and rattles as if possessed by demons. Steadily and isidiously, misfits evolves into an almost nine-minute epic, spiralling downwards into hellish depths, carving a breathtaking catacomb of dark industrial Krautrock. The unyielding beat, the sawing guitars, the endless reverb, they all create this outstanding, psychedelic devilry.
24 • Camilla Sparksss – Amami Tu (feat. Francesco Bianconi)
Collaborating with the Italian artist Francesco Bianconi, forward-thinking Swiss-Canadian Camilla Sparksss’ song Amami Tu is an exquisite blend of evocative, hammering techno beats and hypnotic, almost sacred vocals. There’s something primordial and raw about this track; an atmosphere that swings between menacing darkness and sensual, maybe even erotic earthiness.
23 • Chinese American Bear – Forever Lover (永远的爱人)
Chinese American Bear, a Seattle-based duo, whisk us away to their dazzling indie pop galaxy with flickering synths. Forever Lover (永远的爱人) is a glittering and soothing duet with lyrics in English and Mandarin. Slowly, it builds towards anthemic greatness with a glittering childlike innocence, but also with a hot seductiveness pulsating beneath the surface.
22 • LUM – Heels
Displaying a brazen self-confidence, Swiss rapper LUM swings her wrecking ball right through conventions, pulverises stylistic boundaries and constructs fireworks from the rubble. HEELS, sung and rapped in French and Spanish, escalates magnificently between hip-hop, baile funk and tech house. This beat shakes not only your lungs, but the very core of the Alps.
21 • Mon Rovîa – They’re Not There.
The warmth that radiates from Mon Rovîa’s Appalachian folk sound is undeniably soul-soothing. They’re Not There. sends out rays of hope and encouragement to everyone battling their inner demons. It’s a beautifully arranged composition, seamlessly transitioning between intimacy and instrumental grandeur. They’re Not There. unleashes confidence in everyone.
20 • Mallrat – Virtue
Virtue from Australian artist Mallrat’s sophomore album, Light hits my face like a straight right, is minimalistic beauty. A stripped-down pop ballad that puts her voice front and centre, yet still creates a vast space to lose yourself. And the swaying, lullaby-like melody and the bedroom-styled production, ever so often floating away into a dream state, pierce the chest—slowly but deadly nonetheless.
19 • Leon Wiesmann – Spätsommer
Spätsommer by 21-year-old Swiss newcomer Leon Wiesmann penetrates with surgical precision and razor-sharp intensity— combining the melodic catchiness of pop with the introspective world-weariness of the Neue Neue Deutsche Welle. Wiesmann repeatedly scratches at the boundaries of kitsch, but the passion-fuelled, heart-wrenching vocal performance demonstrated here is truly profound.
18 • Mary Middlefield – Will you read my mind?
The flamboyant opulence of Swiss musician Mary Middlefield’s Will you read my mind? is both overwhelming and stunning without being too on the nose: A symphonic anthem between singer-songwriter-esque vulnerability, larger-than-life ambition, and harmonic sophistication. There’s a chance to catch a whiff of timelessness in this exquisite bombast, as the guitar sometimes tenderly dances along a longing melody.
17 • Moyka – 24/7
When an irresistibly crisp beat collides with the cold Nordic breeze and passionate, angelically floating vocals that reserve a slight melancholy despite the track’s love theme, it’s got to be Moyka. The track 24/7 by Norwegian Moyka takes the duality of Future Pop’s reflective spirit and EDM’s euphoria to ecstatic new heights. It’s a captivating song for dancers, dreamers, and lovers.
16 • CRISTALLIN – Backdrop
Backdrop carries us away from the icy mainland into the stormy sea. But while the waves rage outside and dark clouds complete the threatening scene, the song finds peace and gentle resignation in a thoughtful melody. Switzerland’s CRISTALLIN constantly builds up the compositions, letting in crumble again, only to start over again. But despite being subdued, it’s still a sonic spectacle.
15 • Rochelle Jordan – Ladida (A COLORS SHOW)
There’s a raw immediacy in the COLORS SHOW version of Ladida by Toronto-based Rochelle Jordan that not only captures attention but demands it. Undeniably contemporary in its blend of hip-hop, R&B, and minimalist house groove, yet keeping a warm patina in its flow. Ladida is seductive without harassing, inviting without feeling pressed, urging without stress—and it expertly subverts with surprising twists.
14 • Moonpools – Pure Shores
Great cover songs are rare, and Moonpools‘ interpretation of All Saints’ 2000 hit Pure Shores is definitely one of them. Instead of galactic synth decorations, the band lays a foundation of gritty shoegaze guitars, creating wistful textures that stretch into infinity. But as always, the focus is on frontwoman Marcie Nyffeler’s magnificent performance, which bathes Pure Shores in melancholic waters.
13 • Lily Gasc – OURAGAN (feat. SHAIM)
A curiously delayed introduction culminating in an electrifying rhythm. Suddenly, in the middle of a storm. The collab between Lausanne-based artist Lily Gasc and rapper SHAIM is aptly titled OURAGAN (French for „hurricane“), and is indeed a hurricane-like escalation that blows away the boundaries of pulsating electro, rap and hyperpop. Unfortunately, it’s far too short, but luckily, there’s the repeat function.
12 • Archive – Look At Us
Interpreted by the band as a reflection on the distorted world we inhabit, they play themself into an unstoppable frenzy in Look At Us. A forward-driving and mystical-sounding beacon, an anthem between light and shadow with ritualistic power. The guitar riff storms forward relentlessly, the thunderous drums echo through the barren landscape, and the bass booms. Above it all, the ethereal siren vocals float.
11 • Friend of a Friend – oasis
Oasis by Chicago’s duo Friend of a Friend washes you away with an unyielding urge building to a towering wave of rock music. First, almost in timid tenderness on the present acoustic guitar, the song soon grows louder, its conjuring spell more dangerous, more intimidating, even hinting at utter despair, as Claire Molk and Jason Savani propel their hypnotic mantra further towards the ultimate climactic finish.
10 • SPRINTS – Better
Better is heavy, dense and loud, contrasted by the bright vocal duet. It’s a magnificent anti-love song droning from Dublin into the world. A metastasising Janus sound that perfectly captures the theme of not liking someone better, but only liking them when they’re better, with a lead guitar stretching into infinity. And when SPRINTS rise in the bridge and then throw themselves into an escalating finale, you know: Better is exquisite.
9 • bloom effect – surreal
Oscillating between shoegaze, dream pop and post-punk, the Vancouver trio bloom effect has found a moving and tight-knit sound. Their single surreal is full-bodied and undeniably loud, yet also floats dreamily towards an anthemic quality, thanks in particular to the bittersweet melancholy that flows from Jula Lafit’s voice. A juxtaposition of the heavy and the airy, of darkness and light, binds the heart in longing.
8 • CMAT – EURO-COUNTRY
The Irish artist CMAT doesn’t shy away from big gestures and profound messages: EURO-COUNTRY features a contemporary country sound combined with pop’s captivating attitude, highlighting her extraordinary vocals. However, her exploration of the Irish conflict’s impact on ordinary people cuts deep, underlined by the increasingly grandiose, defiant and pleading nature of the composition—creating a gripping atmosphere.
7 • Ensign Broderick – Cathedral Cities
Jason Sniderman proves with his mysterious alter ego, Ensign Broderick, and the song Cathedral Cities that there’s probably nothing more haunting than the pairing of a piano and a voice. Reverberating in darkness in a timeless beauty, Cathedral Cities is a shiver-provoking ballad that leaves room for silence and reflection. One that emphasises storytelling over instrumental fluff and excels at conveying meaning.
6 • Patrick Watson & Charlotte Cardin – Gordon in the Willows
The exceptional collaboration between composer and pianist Patrick Watson and singer-songwriter Charlotte Cardin weighs heavily on the soul. Gordon in the Willows is like a thousand needles shot through flesh and bones to penetrate at the heart in aching beauty. Watson’s soft arpeggios and the breathtaking intensity of Cardin’s vocals floating across several octaves guarantee to shower you with goosebumps.
5 • Pina Palau – Outdoor Guy
Not many artists tell a story with such lively ease as Pina Palau. With Outdoor Guy, the Swiss artist has undoubtedly crowned herself one of the best musical storytellers. Written as a cheeky middle finger to ex-partners, cathartic in its biting yet humorous commentary, and also a conclusion letting you move on, it’s pure pleasure to listen to Palau’s tale, accompanied by a groovy and well-balanced country-influenced indie rock.
4 • Fat Dog – Pray to That
Pray To That by Fat Dog marches and riots and smashes with anger as uncompromising as compelling. There’s a relentless and borderline violent onslaught; a raw rush whipped up by Joe Love’s staccato shouts. It’s fucking Fat Dog, baby! And when the South East London band loosens their grip, unwrapping a loftier sound laced with brass elements, it’s only to build momentum for the ultimate final explosion. What a wild ride!
3 • To Athena – Dänke
There have been and still are only a few artists who use the Swiss dialect as poetically as To Athena. The majesty the musician conjures with feather-light touch in her single Dänke (English: thinking), the staggering emotionality and the melodic sophistication of this chamber pop opus are all excellent reasons this song deserves to be on this year’s podium.
The interplay between minimally instrumented verses and increasingly powerful choruses is nothing short of brilliant. An impressive chamber pop anthem about how it is often easier to look away when something is no longer working.
2 • Maika – Levitate
Pulling off a stunning stylistic handbrake turn, award-winning German jazz artist Maika Küster pressed the pedal to the metal and raced full throttle towards a spell-binding synthpop explosion: Levitate sounds like the lovechild of Kate Bush and New Order. An infectious anthem to anger as a catalyst for change and movement, unstoppably rising in its flickering and breathless urge.
Although Levitate may seem like it has just emerged from a time capsule from the 80s, it wears this unmistakable sonic identity with such pride that it never feels like a cheap nostalgia effect.
1 • Patrick Wolf – Jupiter
2025’s top spot goes to South London’s multi-instrumentalist Patrick Wolf, and rightfully so. In Jupiter, he demonstrates his masterful multi-layered composition, perfecting the interplay of whimsical art-pop and neo-classical elements, powered by a steady rhythm and driven by Wolf’s vocal melody.
And so Jupiter sounds extremely encompassing, sometimes searching, sometimes desperate, then hopeful. A song you can listen to a thousand times and discover something new each time in its cinematic arrangement. Delicate, indulgent and bittersweet, it stands confidently by its opulence without ever seeming artificial.
Listen to our picks in our playlists on Apple Music and Spotify.
