My mustache is getting longer and the end of List Week is getting closer.

Hi, everyone. Anthony Fantano, 2025 List Week here. And yes, it is another installment of that with me going over what are my Best Singles of 2025, all 50 of them.

Now, if you don't mind, that's a lot of songs, all of which I love and think are great to some degree. But I'm going to go through the first half of this list and then get a bit more in detail with what I think is special about some of these cuts as we get nearer to the top. That's the plan, that's the vibe. Let's go ahead and do it.

At number 50, we are going to kick things off with the spacy and entrancing ballad, "tears on his rings and chains" from Elias Rønnenfelt and Dean Blunt. What a crossover there at 50.

Another crossover from the guys in DARKSIDE with their "S.N.C" single at 49. And with 48, the collaborative vibes continue between MCR-T, Six Sex, and horsegiirL on "GIIRLSWORLD".

At number 47, we have a very funny punk cut from Spiritual Cramp with, "At My Funeral", where the lyrics literally describe what they prefer to happen at their funeral.

And at 46, we are getting freaky with Kim Petras' "Freak It". 45 is Joey Valence & Brae with their super hype banger, "WASSUP" featuring JPEGMAFIA. And then following that at 44, we have TikTok sensation, Starze Rakkz with "what you sippin on".

I don't even know. I do not know.

At 43, it is JID with "WRK". Very lyrical trap banger there. And at 42, we have Aesop Rock, rapping literally about road work on "Roadwork Rappin'". And then after that, at 41, we have heavy crushing riffs and epic metal vibes on Die Spitz's, "Throw Yourself to the Sword". At 40, we are getting Genesis Owusu's "PIRATE RADIO", a very socially conscious fusion of post-punk and electro.

And at 39, we have "Magnolia", an epic black metal single from none other than, of course, Deafheaven. At number 38, we have a song of perseverance with a sharp combination of grunge and country on Wednesday's "Wound Up Here (By Holdin On)". And at number 37, we have underscores with "Music", some very sharp, quirky, online electropop.

At 36, we have the massive Anna von Hausswolff track, "Struggle with the Beast". Definitely lives up to its title. Then at 35, we have the very summery Panda Bear cut, "Ferry Lady". At 34, it is Maruja with their 10-minute proletariat anthem, "Look Down On Us". At 33, it is Chappel Roan telling the story of a love that is lost, but yet you are left longing, with "The Subway".

Following that, 32, Model/Actriz with "Cinderella". And then at 31, McKinley Dixon, "Magic, Alive!". Definitely one of the best jazz rap records you can hear this year for sure.

At number 30, it is Danny Brown with the multi-phased, freaky and bombastic, "Starburst". And at 29, it is one of the most wild black metal cuts I think you can hear this year, Agriculture's "The Weight". At number 28, we have Mon Laferte's intense vocal jazz cut, "Otra noche de llorar". And at 27, it is a very interesting and colorful, bright, and fun metal cut that, interestingly enough, is in tribute to Mariah Carey, Blood Command's "Mariah's Song".

Then at 26, we have Alabama Shakes coming back with a new single, ["Another Life"], new album on the way, and an amazing amazing vocal performance from Brittany Howard, per usual. Great grooves and guitar work too, but that's no surprise.

All right, at number 25, we have Magdalena Bay with "Paint Me a Picture". As many of you may know, the duo has been dropping tons of fantastic singles throughout the year, and this was one of many. Really any of these songs could be chosen for this spot, but "Paint Me a Picture"'s dreamy melodies and plucky bass grooves were what really stood out for me.

At number 24, we have a highlight from the recent The Last Dinner Party record, "Second Best", a track that's so glammy, catchy, and fantastic. It could go toe-to-toe with any of the best cuts from their last record.

Then at number 23, we have a funky bit of dance pop that is heavy on the sampling, very cutesy lead vocals as well, of course, from PinkPantheress, "Stateside". At number 22, it is one of the most crushing and epic pop cuts of the year, that is the title track from Miley Cyrus's Something Beautiful. And at 21, we have some funky rock, horn, boogie jams from King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard on "Deadstick".

At number 20, we have some stellar jungle and awesome vocal samples with Nia Archives and CLIPZ on "Maia Maia". And at 19, we have rage, digi core, hyperpop insanity, all coming together on Jane Remover's "JRJRJR".

At number 18, TiaCorine and JID on the song "Backyard". At 17, Hayley Williams with the title track to her recent album ["Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party"], some of the best and funniest lyrics on any rock or pop cut of the year for sure.

At number 16, though, YG gets confessional on an intensely personal song with "2004", featuring buddy & the gang. His writing and delivery on there is incredible. I think it's tracks like this that continue to prove to me that YG is just underrated and just all over the map in terms of what kinds of tracks he makes, whether it's just a straightforward West Coast, pop rap banger or something as devastating as this. The guy really can do everything. The separation between all these tracks, in terms of their vibe, their quality, all that, it makes you forget – "Oh, yeah, he can do a track like this and pull it off and do it really well."

At number 15, we have another rap cut with a very interesting concept. That is PARTYOF2's "FRIENDLY FIRE", where Swim and Jadagrace playfully go at each other and just diss one another to their faces, verse for verse, in ways that are sometimes very, very personal. And makes it clear these two have known each other for years and have a level of comfortability and intimacy that you just don't usually get between two rivals in a rap beef because, again, there's just so much history there. And again, the detail, the sense of humor, all of that is just amazing.

At number 14, we have some Brazilian funk and disco coming through on Ana Frango Elétrico's, "Não Tem Nada Não", a track that is so damn good. It truly has me excited for what Ana Frango has in store for 2026. At number 13, we have some super catchy refrains, unlimited amounts of swagger, as well as a very quirky and unexpected instrumental from JT on "Girls Gone Wild". Absolutely loving the vibes on this track. Definitely one of the most fun rap cuts of the year. At 12, I'm going to put Quadeca's "Monday", one of the most beautiful and whimsical ballads to drop this year for sure. Really a stunner of a song, one of Ben's best so far in his career.

But at number 11, we are getting more silly than serious on Tyler Childers' "Bitin' List", which was a major highlight off of his latest record. There's even a live version out there, too. And yeah, this is just a very funny, zany country song about not liking somebody to the degree to where you are essentially planning on biting them at some point, inflicting some pain on them with the teeth. And yeah, just a very hilarious and creative concept for a song. And further proof that Tyler Childers is one of the best and most interesting country artists out there today.

10. SPELLLING – "Destiny Arrives"

At number 10, we are going to go with SPELLLING, "Destiny Arrives", with this insanely fun, witchy, mystical rock cut. That sounds like something out of an early 2000s TV show. I absolutely am enamored with it. Who knew that this project could sound so well? Not just doing the magical art pop thing, but bringing in some guitars, too.

9. Black Country, New Road – "Besties"

At number nine, we are staying pretty whimsical and getting a little twee, too, with "Besties", the inaugural single for this new album from Black Country, New Road.

I was just taken aback by how cute and fun and beautiful this track and many others on this new album were. But as far as that energy goes because for sure, there are some somber moments here and there on the album. This song really takes the cake. I love all the bright and feel good baroque pop instrumentation, the vocal harmonies, the endearing lyrics. Just vibes abound on this track that's all about just love and community and interpersonal connections.

8. Nourished by Time – "Baby Baby"

At number 8, we are going with Nourished by Times's "Baby Baby", one of the best cuts from his full-length LP to drop this year. And what a crazy tune.

I mean, loaded with bits of hip hop music and pop music and dance music. It's covering all the bases and just coming through the very catchy smash with a very unhinged swagger to it. The "Baby, Baby" vocal refrains are incredible. But yeah, just absolutely floored by this album and many of its tracks, especially this one.

7. Rosalía feat. Björk and Yves Tumor – "Berghain"

At number 7, we have another great lead single to drop this year. That is Rosalía, Björk and Yves Tumor with, of course, "Berghain".

Obviously, Rosalía stunned many fans across the pop world on this track, not only with her operatic vocals, but just these fast, speedy, pumping string sections and incredible linear song structure, too, that features a grim and just super dark ending, and of course, around the midpoint and incredible appearance from Björk. But yeah, what a forward-thinking, progressive art pop cut. If only there were more like it on LUX.

6. Ninajirachi – "F**k My Computer"

At number 6, we are going a little EDM with Ninajirachi's "Fuck My Computer", which is a super catchy, funny, but all too true anthem, which at least to me is about just how pervasive technology is in our lives to the point where it is as close to us as an intimate partner is.

But yeah, very much a true bestie song.

5. Geese – "Taxes"

Number 5, we are going to go with Geese, "Taxes", with handily, one of the best endings to any rock song this this year. Just absolutely loving the slow, burning tension at the first half of this track, the anguish and pain in Cameron Winter's voice, and just that burst of guitars as we barrel toward the ending. Few transitions and moments in music 2025 hit in that same way.

4. Guerilla Toss – "Red Flag to Angry Bull"

Then at 4, we are going to go with Guerilla Toss, "Red Flag to Angry Bull", one of the most creative and colorful and oddball indie rock cuts you can listen to this year.

Love the group vocal chorus, the shouty verses. Love those slinky, lazy, fuzzy, buzzing guitar leads. The pianos on the track, too, do so much.

3. Clipse feat. Kendrick Lamar – "Chains & Whi[s"

But at number 3, we are going to go with Clipse, "Chains & Whips," featuring Kendrick Lamar.

Absolutely killer single from all of them that, honestly, I've spent so much time this year just freaking out over this record. You guys know what I love about it. What can't you rant about in regards to this song or any track off of the new Clipse album? We'd here all day. The Clipse comeback needs to be studied. I'll say that.

2. Viagra Boys – "Man Made of Meat"

Following this at number 2, I'm going to go with Viagra Boys, "Man Made of Meat". The Boys, My Boys, The Viagra Boys. They came back with a great new album and a great new single. A sleazy tongue-in-cheek, ironic, gross, and disgusting commentary on modern day scumminess and more. What else can I say other than that the band's sense of humor and very gross freak out groups continue to hit?

1. Jim Legxacy – "Stick"

Then at number 1, I actually am going to go with none other than Jim Legxacy with the song, "Stick".

I have not been able to stop listening to this song. I'm sorry. I'm getting obnoxious about it. I just can't say enough good things about this track. I love its forward-thinking combination of pop and UK hip hop and more.

For songs this good to be on what is Jim Legacy's this breakout mixtape – not commercial album – mixtape... I really think says something that this guy is sounding so daring and so bold and so unique out of the gate, which has me super duper excited for what he's going to do in 2026.

But yeah, everything from the catchy flows to the irresistible beat to the way this track successfully balances elements of not just hype and visceral groups, but super mournful and sad feelings, too. It's really bittersweet, melancholy, but also quite insanely catchy anthem that I'm most likely going to continue playing for quite a long time.

But yeah, there you go. Those are my tracks for 2025. Best singles. Thank you very much for watching.

Anthony Fantano. Tracks, singles, 2025, forever.