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.