3rd Annual Songs That Don’t Suck Mid-Year Review: Top Tracks of 2025 (So Far)
Hey music lovers, welcome back to Songs That Don’t Suck! I’m your host Mark, and we’re doing something special in this Episode 127 — it’s our 3rd Annual Mid-Year Review of the absolute best songs 2025 has had to offer so far
Why a Mid-Year Review?
It all started back in 2023 on episode 27 when there just weren’t any songs worth sharing. But instead of skipping a week, we pivoted and created a new tradition: a half-year retrospective. Now, it’s a highlight of our podcasting calendar!
How the Top 10 is Chosen
Two things drive this list:
Gut Feel – Songs I keep coming back to on my own playlists.
Streaming Data – Actual play counts from my streaming platforms.
I even factored in some AI DJ behavior from Spotify and intentionally left out big-name favorites like Sleep Token, Counting Crows, Big Wreck, Johnnyswim, and Dropkick Murphys to focus on fresher discoveries.
The Top 10 Songs (in order of appearance on the podcast):
🎵 Mirror – Weather Station (Ep. 103)
Beautifully fractured instrumentals and lush, dynamic vocals. If Sarah McLachlan and Sara Slean had a sonic baby, this would be it.
🎵 L.A. – Couch (Ep. 105)
A vocal masterclass with horn sections that channel Lawrence. High production, high emotion.
🎵 London – Badflower (Ep. 107)
Cockney Rhyming Slang in a rock song? Yes, please. Clever lyrics and irresistible grit.
🎵 Never Give Up – Tors (Ep. 107)
Pure positivity in musical form. Toe-tapping, head-bobbing, serotonin-pumping goodness.
🎵 When I Wake Up I’m Sad – Fiona-Lee (Ep. 109)
Fiona-Lee’s voice = versatility + emotion + talent. One of the most captivating indie singer-songwriters this year.
🎵 Sex, Drugs, and Existential Dread – Chloe Qisha (Ep. 110)
A pop gem with funky undertones. Think Talking Heads meets Prince with a splash of Morris Day.
🎵 Nostradamus – The Pale White (Ep. 110)
Indie rock brilliance. Experimental, textured, and full of dynamic range. Criminally underrated.
🎵 Never Better – Wild Rivers (Ep. 114)
One of the best lyrical turnarounds in modern songwriting. Emotionally resonant and playlist-ready.
🎵 Everything Must Go – Goose (Ep. 117)
Prog-rock meets emotional lyricism. Studio wizardry meets existential insight.
🎵 Grieving – Leith Ross (Ep. 119)
Delicate instrumentation and poetic lyrics. A healing balm for anyone navigating loss.
Reflecting on the Journey
570 songs shared across 127 episodes. From one-off flukes to full-blown obsessions, this podcast continues to be a labor of love. With listeners in 65 countries, and a diverse audience across genders and generations, I’m grateful for every single one of you.
Want More?
On this website, you can find:
Full playlists
Podcast archives
Monthly polls
Feedback & song recommendations
Merch and earplug discounts
Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review the podcast. Share with your fellow music nerds and keep supporting these amazing artists!
Thank you for being part of this journey. Here’s to the next half of 2025 — and more songs that definitely don’t suck.
