Zany Waves 2025 Awards: Best of Music

Zany Waves
Dec 28, 2025
15 min read

Updated: Dec 29, 2025

As 2025 comes to a close, we can’t help but reflect on a wonderful year of music. From songs that stayed on repeat to albums that demanded our full attention, the year was full of standouts. To mark the moment, the Zany Waves team came together to share our nominations for Best Albums, Best Tracks, Best New Artists, Best Comebacks, and Best Soundtracks of 2025. Each pick reflects personal favorites from across our team, with a few honorable mentions along the way. Whether your favorite made the list or not, we hope this is a chance to revisit the music that you loved this year and discover something new to carry into the next year!

Best Albums of 2025

Debí Tirar Más Fotos by Bad Bunny

On Debí Tirar Más Fotos, Bad Bunny turns inward, delivering one of his most reflective projects to date. While I don’t speak much Spanish beyond the basics, this was still an album that stayed on heavy rotation, a testament to how deeply its emotion, atmosphere, and sense of memory translate beyond language. A love letter to Puerto Rico, the album (which translates to I Should Have Taken More Photos) mixes elements of salsa, bomba, and plena with more modern Latin pop and reggaeton. It’s impossible not to find yourself swaying and nodding along to the album, with the grooves and tempo changes almost daring you to get up and attempt some of the dances in his music videos. Despite some of its upbeat grooves, the lyrics deal with more sobering topics, including gentrification, making it difficult to separate the project from the current political climate. That context feels especially relevant as Bad Bunny prepares to headline next year’s Super Bowl, a choice that has already sparked backlash. In many ways, the response only reinforces what Debí Tirar Más Fotos makes clear: Bad Bunny remains an artist unafraid to center his culture, politics, and identity on the world’s largest stages. It also feels like a reminder of his ability to connect on a deeply human level, regardless of scale. – Emma Zoe Polyak

Euro-Country by CMAT

CMAT has had a fantastic year, and much of that is thanks to her newest album, Euro-Country. The first single from the album came out back in March, and I remember how seen I felt by the song, which bottles up frustrations about the rat-race we all seem to be running, and how excited I was for more of her music. I wasn’t disappointed, as more singles rolled out just in time for summer – anyone remember the “Take A Sexy Picture of Me” dance trend that was going around on TikTok? Yeah, me too.

Throughout the album, CMAT sounds entirely at ease with herself, leaning into contradiction, humor, and emotional honesty as she tackles economics, politics, and societal pressures without softening any of it for palatability. And it works, because CMAT manages to balance sharp wit with genuine vulnerability, pairing playful lyricism with striking sincerity. The result is an album that shows her as an artist unafraid to be loud, specific, and unmistakably herself. Zany Waves had the chance to catch her show in Minneapolis, and we can’t wait for her upcoming tour dates in 2026. – Emma Zoe Polyak

The Crux by Djo

With influences from The Talking Heads, Tame Impala, and Daft Punk, Djo’s 2025 album, The Crux, features an upbeat indie-pop sound, complex musical arrangements, and uplifting lyrics. The first song of the album, ”Lonesome Is A State of Mind” perfectly sets the tone for the rest of the album. This song is about how things may not look the way you initially thought, and embracing them. As part of the bridge, he writes, ”Twenty-nine and misaligned. But now I need to take my time” (and admittedly, this is one of the catchier lines of 2025). Throughout this album, Djo admits that he may be a bit of a mess, but doesn’t fear what is coming next for him and his rapidly growing music career. – Sarah Bruno

Getting Killed by Geese

Seemingly overnight, Geese took over the indie rock scene. Their third full-length album, Getting Killed, propelled the band into the spotlight, hailed by some as Gen-Z’s rock and roll saviors. After the success of lead singer Cameron Winter’s solo album, Heavy Metal, all eyes were on Geese to see what was next for the band. I first got into Geese with their second album, 3D Country. Seconds into the opening track, I thought “This is WEIRD. I love it.” I think the same can be said for Getting Killed. The first song builds into a frantic, shouting refrain surrounded by guitars that sound like sirens. Some songs are more traditionally melodic than others, but they are all sonically interesting. Geese are a tight group of musicians who give each other space while also filling in the gaps when needed. Winter’s unique voice is on full display; in some songs, crooning, in others, almost flatly speaking. In terms of lyrics, there are some lines that are straightforward, but generally, that is not Winter’s style. Getting Killed is a reminder that art doesn’t have to immediately make sense in order for it to move you. – Samantha Blyn

Just Keke by Keke Palmer

Keke Palmer didn’t simply release Just Keke on June 20, 2025; she took us on a journey with the album. The album features eighteen tracks, three acts, and includes a visual for the entire album. It starts with Palmer introducing herself to her show and ends with her telling us, “Thanks for listening.” Keke Palmer gives us the tea about everything that went down in a relationship that became public conversation, even though she doesn't owe us the explanation. The production, the lyrics, the visuals, and everything in between are on point. – Cherrelle Johnson

Virgin by Lorde

From teasing the album in the streets of New York City to the gut-wrenching “Man of the Year,” Lorde left us a lot to love with her fourth album, Virgin. The record is raw and consuming, built on moments of vulnerability that feel unfiltered and deeply personal. Even the cover – an X-ray of Lorde's pelvis that shows her IUD – is as transparent as possible.

Lorde is an artist I feel like I’ve grown up with, her three previous albums finding me at different formative points in my live. Virgin comes as an ode to adulthood: to shedding past bad habits and relationships, to reinvention and transcendence, and to a feeling that we turned out OK. From her surprise set at Glastonbury shortly after the album’s release to the immersive “Ultrasound” world tour, the songs have truly come alive on stage, each performance a cathartic experience. And with many more dates planned for 2026, Lorde’s journey with Virgin is far from over. Check out Zany Waves' coverage of her show in Washington D.C. – Emma Zoe Polyak

Hope We Had Fun by Mt. Joy

Mt. Joy’s fourth studio album, Hope We Had Fun, is an ode to growing up and finding your own. This album feels like coming home to a safe space with a warm home-cooked meal. Returning to indie rock with influences from the Grateful Dead and The Lumineers, they returned to a sound similar to their earlier work. Unlike their other work, this album focuses on themes of chosen family, supporting one another, and accepting life's unknowns. ”Highway Queen” and ”God Loves Weirdos” are songs of reassurance of being accepted for who you are. To further prove this theme, in ”Highway Queen,” Matt Quinn writes, ”I want you to know, nobody’s leaving. Honey, I ain’t scared of your demons.” There are also themes of loss in the album that can’t be ignored. ”Lucy” and ”Scared I’m Gonna Fuck You Up” focus on the pain of grief that life brings along. – Sarah Bruno

People Watching by Sam Fender

Sam Fender’s highly-anticipated third album, People Watching, delivers on all fronts. When the title track was released as a single at the end of 2024, I immediately couldn’t wait to hear the rest. A well-documented Bruce Springsteen fan, Sam expertly weaves those influences into his work in a way that feels celebratory and original, rather than imitative. As a result of that influence, many of Sam Fender’s songs have a similar quality to some of the best Springsteen works, which is that they seem to go on for miles. Also, while Fender may be seen as a solo artist, he is backed by an incredible band both on the album and live. Solid bass lines, powerful backing vocals by Brooke Bentham, and expansive horn arrangements elevate the album’s storytelling and lyrical vulnerability. Zany Waves had the chance to catch Fender in Chicago, check out our coverage here. – Samantha Blyn

TRAUMACORE (RAW AND UNCUT) by SkyDxddy

SkyDxddy’s TRAUMACORE (RAW AND UNCUT) is by far my favorite album of the year because it’s one of the realest albums of the year. I can’t say how many times I’ve listened to this album since its release on May 16, 2025. The album did exactly what it set out to be: raw and uncut. SkyDxddy writes, sings, and raps from experience, pain, and from a place of nothing but realness on this album. She shines a spotlight on multiple topics, including love, domestic violence, grooming, self-acceptance, empowerment, and more. You can hear her pain and her passion on the album. If you don’t know who SkyDxddy is, this album is the perfect introduction to her, as you get a mixture of everything her music is about. She’s honest and unfiltered. TRAUMACORE (RAW AND UNCUT) is a must-listen with no skips. – Cherrelle Johnson

Devil Ultrasonic Dream by Teen Mortgage

The first time I heard Teen Mortgage, I didn’t know what I was listening to. I had a Spotify recommended station playing in the background at work, but every time I thought “I like this, who is it?” and stopped to check, it was Teen Mortgage. Their sound leans toward classic garage punk, but with lyrical themes that convey a modern sensibility. At the time I discovered them, the Washington DC-based duo only had two EPs and a handful of singles out. When Devil Ultrasonic Dream was released in April, the band had a cohesive collection of songs that stayed true to the spirit they'd established in their earlier work. They toured on this strong debut with a string of festival performances and support slots for bands like Weezer and The Descendents, with another run coming up this spring. – Samantha Blyn

Breach by Twenty One Pilots

Wrapping up a 10 year long narrative, Twenty One Pilots’ Breach was released on September 12, 2025, not even a year and a half after their release of Clancy. The band’s eighth studio album truly embodies their alternative rock style, as it features musical callbacks and lyrics to other songs, such as “Heavydirtysoul” from Blurryface, and “Holding on to You” from Vessel. Their song “City Walls” wrapped up the band’s narrative of the story of Clancy, Torchbearer, and the world of Dema, and was a huge hit amongst fans. Other accomplishments include the song “Tally” being used for MBA promotion, reaching #1 on different radio stations, and the opportunity for the band to embark on the “Breach” tour, a 23-stop tour across the United States, with two stops in Toronto. Overall, Breach is no doubt a top album of the year. Satisfying old fans, and bringing in many new, it is a wonderful example of storytelling, elaborate and experimental sound, all backed up by the band’s staple message of hope and survival. – Ash Bellam

Honorable Mentions

Wishbone by Conan Gray

MAYHEM by Lady Gaga

Best Tracks of 2025

House featuring John Cale by Charli xcx

After a year defined by Brat and “Brat Summer“ domination, Charli xcx took a bold turn with “House,” the first taste of her soundtrack for Emerald Fennell’s upcoming Wuthering Heights film. Where Brat was neon pop, “House” is gothic, unsettling, and cinematic. Charli has a knack for choosing collaborators, and her pairing with Velvet Underground’s John Cale feels especially fitting. The track opens with Cale’s monologue, making it feel closer to a spoken-word poem than a traditional pop song. I love how “House” blends something old with something new – the song feels more in line with a Velvet Underground track than what we’ve come to expect from Charli, but that willingness to shift is what makes her such a compelling artist. If this is any indication of what’s to come, I can’t wait to hear more from the project, set to release on February 13, 2026. – Emma Zoe Polyak

It's Amazing To Be Young by Fontaines D.C.

Romance was one of my favorite albums in 2024 (and Fontaines D.C. remain one of my favorite artists, especially after seeing them live) so when I heard they were releasing a deluxe version of the album, I couldn’t have been more excited. “It’s Amazing to Be Young” feels like a sibling track to the album’s “Favourite,” but whereas the latter evokes nostalgia, “It’s Amazing to Be Young” leans firmly into the present. The song captures the hope, confusion, fear, and excitement of being young, ultimately encouraging you to embrace the moment you’re in, no matter your age. The music video, directed by Luna Carmoon, weaves together the storylines from the videos for “Here’s the Thing” and “In the Modern World,” giving the track a sense of emotional closure and making it feel like a fitting send-off to the Romance era, even as the band have some festival dates lined up in 2026. – Emma Zoe Polyak

Mature by Hilary Duff

“Mature” was released as Hilary Duff’s comeback single after her last music release in 2015. Her return to music was a surprise for all millennials, including myself, but the song was worth the wait. She released this pop-rock single on November 6, 2025. The song shines a light on her experience and the reality of what happened with someone older than her when she was younger. While it might sound like a fun song, it goes deeper than that. The song is, in reality, a callout to grooming, something many unfortunately experience. The song is a great comeback single for her. I love that she decided to spotlight something personal and didn’t hold anything back. – Cherrelle Johnson

Talk by Lucy Dacus

After a whirlwind world tour with her supergroup, Boygenius, ‘Ankles’ is the single that launched Lucy Dacus back into her solo artist identity. The first single from ‘Forever Is A Feeling’ is a soft rock ballad about accepting love and an overwhelming sense of desire in a new relationship. Dacus, who writes her own lyrics, is notorious for her vulnerability and raw emotion. The lyrics in ‘Ankles’ set the tone for the rest of her album, which primarily focuses on love, admiration for her partner, and even questioning if she is deserving of the love she receives. With the lyric of ‘How lucky are we to have so much to lose?’, it harps on the genuine fragility and fears that can also surround a new crush or relationship. ‘Ankles’ helped Lucy establish herself in a new light, one that is different from her expected melancholia and yearning discography. – Sarah Bruno

Honorable Mentions

Vodka Cranberry by Conan Gray

At The Beach, In Every Life by Gigi Perez

under the mat by sombr

Best New Artists of 2025

ADÉLA

ADÉLA is a Slovakian singer, songwriter, and dancer who has recently gained traction with her first EP, The Provocateur. Before her solo career, she was on the Netflix series The Debut: Dream Academy, which seemingly kickstarted her career in pop music. She delivers catchy beats and hard hitting lyrics about powerful themes such as sexuality, exploitation, public perception, and more. With her upcoming tour opening for Demi Lovato right around the corner, the world will soon come to know and love her. – Reagan Austin

Dove Ellis

2025 was all about Geese mania, (don't worry, they've made our list as well) and I’d like to personally thank Geese’s U.S. tour for introducing me to Dove Ellis, an Irish artist who is just getting started. A late addition to the year, his first release arrived in September, with his debut album Blizzard dropping just a couple of weeks ago on December 5. I credit Geese with discovering his music because, apart from the tour, Dove Ellis remains mostly enigmatic (in the U.S., at least) – it’s his songs that draw listeners in, rather than flashy publicity or marketing.

Sonically, he’s been compared to Jeff Buckley, Thom Yorke, and Van Morrison, and while those comparisons have their merits, none of them quite do his music justice. Perhaps it’s the level of yearning in his songs, a product of being in your 20s in the world today; perhaps it’s the way his music shifts from track to track, with his crooning vocals serving as the constant. Whatever it is, it works, resulting in an album that feels like it’s been around far longer than it has. With a debut like this, it’s hard not to eagerly await what’s next for Ellis. – Emma Zoe Polyak

Geese & Cameron Winters

“Geesemania” took 2025 by storm with the release of their album Getting Killed. Earning the prestigious 9.0/10.0 rating from Pitchfork and voted “Best New Music,“ Geese is introducing modern rock and indie sleaze. Covering themes of contemporary identity, a mix of serenity and satire with their social lyrical commentary. With heavy guitar and drum elements, the music is reminiscent of traditional rock and roll, unlike that of any current band. The band’s frontman, Cameron Winter, has a voice that is jarring upon first listen but somehow completely mesmerizing. Winter himself has been compared as “this generation’s Julien Casablancas“ (of the Strokes), with a god-like following from fans, and his personal music is turning heads. His individual work has more folk and soul influences with beautiful musical arrangements. – Sarah Bruno

Infinite Coles

Infinite Coles may be the son of a famous rapper (Ghostface Killah of the Wu-Tang Clan), but he’s been out here making a name for himself and setting his own path. He’s a singer and rapper who released his debut single “Lightning” in 2020. This year, he gained more traction with his singles and videos for “SweetFaceKillah” and “Dad & I.” Both songs are about his dad and their nonexistent relationship with one another since Coles came out as gay.

On December 5, 2025, Coles released his debut album, SweetFace Killah, consisting of twelve tracks. Of the songs I’ve heard by him so far, he has star power and the potential to go far in the music world. – Cherrelle Johnson

JADE

I’m not entirely sure if we can count JADE as a new artist, but with her debut album, she’s undeniably entered a new era – one that finally feels fully her own. Rising to the spotlight in 2011 with Little Mix, 2025 marked a moment of reinvention for JADE as she showed the world a different side of her artistry. Her debut album THAT’S SHOWBIZ BABY! blends sleek pop production with emotional precision, balancing vulnerability and confidence in a way that feels fresh. For more about the album, check out Cherrelle’s track-by-track review! With a North American tour and several festival slots already announced, 2026 feels like the year to see JADE live, see you there. – Emma Zoe Polyak

Jesse Welles

A modern Bob Dylan, Jesse Welles, is not one to shy away from social criticism and commenting on current events in America. Welles gained significant popularity online in 2024, singing acoustic short (but powerful) songs in his backyard that received a handful of mixed reactions as he unapologetically commented on polarizing topics such as America’s fractured government, foreign affairs, and social justice. Welles has become highly regarded as the pioneer of a new generation of folk storytellers, in the styles of Woody Guthrie, John Prine, and Tom Waits. Musicians as raw and genuine as Welles come far and few between; he is someone to keep an eye on in the music industry. – Sarah Bruno

Radio Free Alice

When I first discovered Radio Free Alice, the best way I could describe them was as a band I couldn’t remember discovering, but one that felt like I’d been listening to forever. While that might sound contradictory, the nostalgic edge of their songs immediately calls to mind your favorite guitar band. Although they’ve been releasing music since 2020, 2025 marked a significant step forward for Radio Free Alice, with the release of three singles and an EP, alongside tours across the U.S., Canada, U.K., Europe, and Australia. Seeing them live only reinforced the feeling that they’re a band to watch, as they filled venues with an electric, tightly wound set. 2026 is shaping up to be just as big for the band, with the year starting strong on support slots for Geese in Australia. Check out some of Zany Wave’s coverage of Radio Free Alice in 2025 here! – Emma Zoe Polyak

3Quency

3Quency is a new girl group in the music world who got their start on Netflix’s show Building The Band after being put together. I can’t speak on the show, as I haven’t watched it yet. However, the group consists of members Brianna Mazzola, Wennely Quezada, and Nori Moore. They released their debut single, “Top Down,” was released on September 5, 2025. 3Quency has three more songs under their belt, including a version of “This Christmas.” They’ve also gone on their first tour, Bandemonium Tour, alongside another Building The Band group, Soulidified. Each member of 3Quency has a distinct voice that blends and harmonizes well. This is only the beginning for their career. – Cherrelle Johnson

Honorable Mentions

KWN

MJ Lenderman

Olivia Dean

sombr

Best Comebacks in 2025

Keri Hilson with WE NEED TO TALK

Keri Hilson took a much-needed hiatus from the music industry, but she’s back and better than ever. Features aside, her last music project was No Boys Allowed, an album released in 2010. 2025 was her comeback year, with the release of her first single, “Bae,” which features a sample of Hurricane Chris “Ay Bay Bay.” She also released two parts of an album trilogy. The first part, WE NEED TO TALK: LOVE, was released in April, while WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT: DRAMA was released in September. It’s been a long time coming, as we were supposed to get a third album from her years ago. In the intro of the album, she says,”I hit rock bottom a few times (Grateful), I'm crawling back to walking in my purpose, My power (Grateful)...” as a way of introducing, in her words, “It is kind of a comeback.” So far, this “kind of” comeback has started on a great note. – Cherrelle Johnson