The Top 10 International Songs of 2025

Naturally, the biggest musical event of the year was the release of Taylor Swift’s newest record The Life Of A Showgirl. It dominated the discourse and the charts, as Taylor Swift is wont to do as the biggest pop star the world has ever seen.

But Taylor Swift does not feature on this list. (For the record, the best song from that album is ‘Wood’, Swift at her most confident and sexually free, waxing poetic about Travis Kelce’s *ahem* “redwood tree”.) Instead, it’s a cornucopia of indie rock killers, emerging popstars, alt-rap legends, and much-awaited new releases from two of alt-pop’s greatest laureates…

10.         ‘Hide It Away’ by Wallows (USA)

The kid from 13 Reasons Why has a rock band, and amazingly, they’re nowhere near as lame as that sounds. In fact, Dylan Minnette’s band Wallows are pretty damn good, as close to a Gen Z Interpol as you’ll hear. It’s tight, rollicking indie garage rock, lo-fi and dark-edged, emotive and propulsive, dirty sneakers and bedhead on purpose.

9.            ‘Butterfly’ by Rich Brian (Indonesia)

After three years in the pop wilderness, Rich Brian explodes back onto the scene and reminds us all of why he was among indie rap’s brightest stars of the 2010s. Dude has bars for days, and on ‘Butterfly’ he also brings a rawness and vulnerability, lyrics dripping in jealousy and insecurity over dark, claustrophobic beats.

8.            ‘Purple Lace Bra’ by Tate McRae (USA)

“I'm losing my mind, 'cause giving you head's the only time you think I got depth…” is just a fantastic line. Tate McRae’s third album was inconsistent and a bit underwhelming, but ‘Purple Lace Bra’ is a funny, smart, dancehall banger, up there with ‘Greedy’ as her best ever release.

7.            ‘Post Sex Clarity’ by Lola Young (UK)

It’s been a tough year for Lola Young, her health declining as her star has ascended following her 2024 breakout hit, ‘Messy’. That didn’t stop her releasing her excellent, somewhat chaotic third album, I’m Only F**king Myself. ‘Post Sex Clarity’ is the standout track – it’s a soaring earworm, unexpectedly cinematic as it swells towards its clattering conclusion.

6.            ‘Dream Team’ by Of Monsters and Men (Iceland)

There’s something beautifully conversational in Of Monsters and Men’s approach to music, their lilting indie-folk inviting you into intimate moments of storytelling and reflection. ‘Dream Team’ is sparkling and nostalgic, optimistic melodies buoying a meditation on loneliness and longing.

5.            ‘Lion’ by Lil Simz feat. Obongjayar (UK and Nigeria)

Yet another sonic evolution for one of the world’s most individual hip hop artists, on Lotus Lil Simz explores the depths of her soul, an emotional reckoning soundtracked by an intricate and powerful mix of jazz and funk. ‘Lion’, however, is Simz doing what she does best – lofty, defiant bars, an artist fully in control of her craft, asserting herself again as the best rapper in the world.

4.            ‘What Was That’ by Lorde (New Zealand)

Lorde’s superpower is in creating narratives that somehow feel hazy and loose, yet fully realised – moments and motifs strung together in psychedelic collages of the mind. Her first single since 2021’s polarising Solar Power is a killer return to form, her best song since the heady days of ‘Green Light’ and ‘Supercut’.

3.            ‘Tyrants’ by Sam Fender (UK)

Perhaps in a year where a much-awaited Bruce Springsteen biopic completely failed to capture the true spirit of the man they call ‘The Boss’, it makes sense that the best heartland rock album in years came from a skinny indie fella from the north of England. ‘Tyrants’ is urgent, scorching and soaring, a rock anthem for a world at war with itself.

2.            ‘Everything Ends’ by Architects (UK)

One of the best and most important metal bands of the 21st century have also always been one of the most versatile – they’ve done intricate math rock, politically charged hardcore punk, and boundary-pushing prog metal. This year, they found a more melodic post-hardcore sound, reminiscent of Bring Me The Horizon or Linkin Park, but elevated by Architects’ trademark urgency, vitality, towering musicianship and vocal gifts.

1.            ‘One of the Greats’ by Florence + The Machine (UK)

There she sits, comfortably leaning back on her throne, legs spread wide. The album cover for Everybody Scream is commanding and clear – Florence is here to take up space, and she’s not going anywhere. Pop’s most powerful and iconic voice dives deep into the full kaleidoscope of femininity. It’s messy and ethereal, ugly and stunning, bold and uncompromising.

‘One of the Greats’ is a brutal, guttural, entrancing effort – a slow, bluesy build up, a wrathful catharsis. Her voice swells and surges and dips and swirls, sardonic and sneering lyrics washing back and forth (“It must be nice to be a man, and make boring music just because you can.”). A tumultuous, righteous storm. The best song of 2025 and Florence’s best in a decade.

And a few honourable mentions: ‘Jocelyn’ by The Beaches, ‘Afterlife’ by Alex G, ‘Cry Cry Cry’ by King Princess, ‘I Wish I Didn’t Waste Your Time’ by Thundercat, ‘Princess’ by Benee