The Pop Culture Pundit

2025 saw many acts new and old take center stage. Cardi B released an album after a seven-year wait; Doja Cat returned to pop with Vie; and Taylor Swift and Sabrina Carpenter both quickly released follow-ups after also releasing albums last year. From these albums, there are many songs worth highlighting. Without further ado, here are my favorite songs of 2025. 

“AAAHH Men!” and “Jealous Type,” Doja Cat

Doja Cat’s fifth album, Vie, may not have done as well on the charts as past projects–but that doesn’t mean it was any less great. Two songs in particular stood out to me: the angsty, propulsive “AAAHH Men!” and throwback, synth-heavy “Jealous Type.” Both show Doja’s strength as a versatile artist who’s not afraid to take risks–and her performance of “AAAHH Men!” on Saturday Night Live further shows she’s one of the boldest performers of our time. 

“Bodega Baddie,” Cardi B

After seven long years, Cardi B released her heavily anticipated follow-up to her debut album, aptly titled Am I the Drama?? Lead single “Outside” debuted in the Top Ten on the Billboard Hot 100, but “Bodega Baddie” is the standout amongst the tracks. It’s a Latin-infused, rapid-fire song showing how insanely fast Cardi can spit bars without missing a beat. 

“Busy Woman,” Sabrina Carpenter

Carpenter may have released another album just this year, the also excellent Man’s Best Friend, but my personal favorite track she released this year was on the deluxe edition of her previous album Short N Sweet. In “Busy Woman,” Carpenter gives us ‘70s-esque production while singing about her schedule–it’s open for anyone who wants her, but closed to anyone who rejects her. In classic Carpenter fashion, it’s also filled with witty double entendres (“My openings are super tight,” she sings in the bridge). Maybe she can make some time in her busy schedule for a visit to the 2026 Grammys?

“The Fate of Ophelia,” Taylor Swift

I never know what to expect from Taylor Swift’s lead single on an album. It always seems to be a surprise, even more so considering she doesn’t debut the track until the day her album drops (many artists debut their lead single weeks before to give the public a taste of what’s to come). “The Fate of Ophelia” is one of Swift’s strongest lead singles–and perhaps one of her best songs altogether. The production is tight and funky, a combination of Midnights and Fleetwood Mac. The lyrics are reminiscent of “Love Story,” another of her songs that pulls inspiration from Shakespeare–perhaps this is the older, wiser cousin of it, one that’s been through more and can reflect on the past to find a more joyous present. “The Fate of Ophelia” is all about the feeling of falling in love, re-writing Ophelia’s fate to give the once tragic figure a happy ending–just what we need in these times. 

^{Taylor Swift/via YouTube}

“Headache,” JADE

JADE is one of the most innovative popstars in recent years. All of her singles leading up to her debut album That’s Showbiz, Baby! have delivered without doubt–as have her collaborations with other artists, including “Gossip” with Confidence Man earlier this year. But “Headache” is the standout–it begins sounding like it could be featured in a cosmetics commercial on TV or in the club late at night and ends like it’s a powerful aria at the opera. JADE knows how to go through all the emotions in a song and make it sound effortless. 

“High Fashion,” Addison Rae

Who would’ve thought Addison Rae, TikTok influencer extraordinaire, would drop one of the best debut albums of the year and be nominated for Best New Artist at the Grammys? Rae’s Britney Spears-inspired debut is an incredible record, made even stronger by the fact it was procured by all-female collaborators. “High Fashion” is one of the best tracks, a low-fi, creep-up-on-you song that only gets better with more listens as you notice something different every time. The breathy vocals, the “I know I’m drunk, but” whisper before the chorus–pure pop perfection. Maybe it’ll be featured in The Devil Wears Prada 2.

“Mr. Fantasy,” MR. FANTASY

Riverdale’s Archie Andrews has pulled off the surprise of the year, transforming from a moody teenager who once gained magical powers after a bomb exploded under his bed to an Austin Powers-like pop superstar known as Mr. Fantasy with the false teeth and falsetto voice to prove it. His debut single, also named “Mr. Fantasy,” begins with shimmery synths before Mr. Fantasy’s voice takes over and commands your attention. KJ Apa, originator of this alter ego, is an absolute genius for pulling this off. I am ready for the debut album. 

^{MR. FANTASY/via YouTube}

“Shadow of a Man,” Lady Gaga

“Disease,” “Abracadabra,” and “Die with a Smile” may have gotten the most attention as singles from Gaga’s eighth album Mayhem, but “Shadow of a Man” has slowly become my favorite track from the record. An 80s-esque throwback similar in the vein of Doja Cat’s “Jealous Type,” “Shadow” takes a through a night of dancing, crying, and feeling the strength to continue on. Though it may be a bit of an underdog on Mayhem, it is still just as powerful of a song. 

“Sports Car,” Tate McRae

With “Sports Car,” Tate McRae gives us early-naughties inspired greatness, with the song taking all the best influences from The Pussycat Dolls, Britney Spears, and Nelly Furtado. The result is an absolute banger of a song complete with a whisper chorus and a music video that cycles through no less than ten show-stopping looks. “Sports Car” never hits the brakes–let’s make more songs like this, please. 

^{Tate McRae/via YouTube}

“Twilight Zone,” Ariana Grande 

Ariana Grande’s deluxe edition was released more than a year after the original record–and it did not disappoint. In this emotionally impactful song, Grande reflects on a past relationship that didn’t work out, almost in disbelief that it even happened in the first place. Grande has incredibly powerful vocals, and her more restrained performance here makes it all the more meaningful.