To spherical out my mid-year countdowns, I’ve received a highlight on a few of my favourite songs from music markets that aren’t Korea or Japan. To simplify issues, I simply name this class “pop.” It’s been a really robust 12 months for pop music up to now, although you may not understand it should you’re solely trying on the charts. We’re at the moment seeing a revolution of indie pop artists, providing a bit of one thing for everybody.
What had been your favourite singles and albums through the first half of 2025?
Barbara Bobak – Stan Na Dan
That is so new that I haven’t even had an opportunity to characteristic it in a worldwide round-up but, however Stan Na Dan does the whole lot I like about Serbian dance-pop. The bombast of its refrain really jogs my memory of Infinite’s The Chaser!
Comanavago – Say Much less
There are no less than 4 or 5 songs I want on their newest album, however that is the one which was promoted in 2025 so it makes my listing as a result of I simply love their work a lot. It’s a incredible early-2010’s membership observe.
Erika Vikman – Ich Komme
It’s been gratifying to see Queen Erika Vikman break by way of outdoors of Finland this 12 months with what would possibly simply be her greatest music. Ich Komme is wild and peculiar and fueled by pure, unadulterated star energy.
Girl Gaga – Abracadabra / Shadow Of A Man / Vanish Into You
Clearly Abracadabra is likely one of the greatest songs of the 12 months, however I’m additionally posting my two different favourite tracks from her nice comeback album as a result of in an ideal world there’d be like eight singles from this marketing campaign.
Madison Rose – Daydreaming
She’s experimented a bit this 12 months, however no sound matches Madison Rose higher than this immense EDM pop. She is aware of the right way to write whole anthems and that is one other mega-hit.
Maria Jane Smith – I Hate San Francisco
Nation music is in the midst of an enormous resurgence. It’s not my favourite style, however this Swedish tackle the sound works wonders, buoyed by an explosive, emotional refrain.
Metteson – Starvation
Choral vocals collide with icy electronics for a dense, extremely distinctive dance sound. There’s a way of scope driving this observe we don’t hear typically in at present’s pop local weather.
Neea River – Nightmares
She’s been honing her abilities for years and all of it led as much as this good, glistening Eurovision dance banger. The music is nearly a case examine of this explicit model.
Nelli Matula – Hitaammin hautaan
Finland’s UMK competitors completely killed it this 12 months and this evocative, layered dance observe was a serious a part of that. It’s merely beautiful and builds towards a whopper of a climax.
Punchbag – Fuck It
A rambunctious burst of vitality melding anthemic electro with clobbering punk vitality, all tied to a sentiment most of us can most likely get behind!
Rebecca Black – Twist The Knife
Rebecca Black of “Friday” fame on my mid-year listing? I wouldn’t have believed it both, however her new EP is just too good to not qualify. Twist The Knife does Gaga-esque pop simply in addition to the originator herself.
Sleigh Bells – This Summer time
A unusual mix of digital and rock, at instances pensive however largely in-your-face aggressive. Its melodies are so robust and match the chant-along vitality completely.
Tom Aspaul – That Lady
With so many artists persevering with to mine the 80’s for inspiration, Tom Aspaul captures a selected soft-rock/dance sound hardly ever heard as of late to forge a observe with distinctive perspective.
TPCX – Sin.
The Parity Advanced rebranded to TPCX and delivered certainly one of their most intense songs but. Sin merely explodes, providing pummeling catharsis in one of the best ways potential.
