If there is one takeaway from the Music Scene Media team’s votes this year, it’s that the boundaries have officially dissolved. This year delivered a massive array of heavy-hitters and emotional anthems, and we loved every second of it. 2025 was the year we screamed along to Spiritbox in the same breath that we danced to Tate McRae. It was a year when the haunting sounds of Sleep Token took up just as much mental real estate as pop superstars Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift.
As we now look back at the music that defined our year, we see that the lines are blurring now more than ever — not just within our team’s tastes, but within the entire scene. From relentless crushing breakdowns to introspective indie-folk, here are the MSM team’s picks for the Best of 2025.
SONG OF THE YEAR
✨ "Dark Thoughts" by The Funeral Portrait
"It's catchy and relatable. Love them and their energy, and it’s blowing up in the top charts." - Jenn Kafka
✨ "Ad Astra" by Starset
"Look - I've been a STARSET fan since they were known as Downplay, so they are my favorite band of all time. Ad Astra, off their new album SILOS, reminds me of listening to songs off their first record in 2013 but even more cinematic and electric." - Tristin Chambers
✨ "Abracadabra" by Lady Gaga
"Massively popular, music video was amazing, and her performances of the song were amazing." - Brittany Lee
✨ "Instrument of War" - Paleface Swiss & STYG
"A perfect blend of OG and new-wave hardcore that showcases the ability of both bands." - Matt Benton
✨ "Deadhead" - Foxwarren
"I first heard this song while watching the bizarre music video. It captured my attention so much so that the song went on to become one of my most streamed this year." - Dusty Hayes
✨ "Hallelujah" by Black Veil Brides
"This song felt like a combination of all of the best elements of the genre. It was heavy, while still maintaining the original feeling of BVB songs for long-time fans." - Abby Crabill
✨ "Cliché" by mgk
"After conquering rap and hip-hop, and then positively dominating pop-punk, mgk surprised us all by evolving even further. "Cliché" was more than a pop song — it was a statement." - Melanie Williamson
✨ "Specter" by Bad Omens
"Specter touches base on topics of loneliness and grief, which I can relate to deeply from the past." - Taylor Bandy
✨ "Salsa Verde" by Psychedelic Porn Crumpets
"The energy in this song embodies that which the band performs with. A fun, reminiscent but all new sounding rock song to kick off a fantastic album. Perfect opener, fantastic listen." - Dylan Wallace
✨ "Afterlife" by Alex G
"It was the first single he released for the new album "Headlights", and it really felt like a milestone for Alex G fans patiently waiting for new music." - Tziara Reyes-Herrera
✨ “Freestyle” by FoxLake ft. AVOID
"With the resurrection of Nü-Metal being blended into other genres- this track captivates that diversity and amalgamation of fusing different sounds. The turntables mixed with hardcore chugs, down-tuned breakdowns and rapping, it’s all fine tuned and a perfect example of where music is going." - Connor Douglass
✨ "I Think They Know" by Broadside
"Throughout the year, "I Think They Know" has gotten stuck in my head so many times. It's insanely catchy, and I can't wait for a new album from Broadside!" - Gabby Groves
✨ "Dracula" by Tame Impala
"Funkadelics are the perfect recipe for the dance music we’ve been craving this year. I just wish it came out earlier!" - Shannon Daly
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
✨ Caskets - "The Only Heaven You'll Know"
"I can’t stop singing and playing the songs over and over." - Jenn Kafka
"I was a fan of Caskets before this album, but was still completely mind-blown at just how much this album would mean to me. I found so much solace here, and it's truly a masterpiece." - Melanie Williamson
✨ Spiritbox - "Tsunami Sea"
"Spiritbox's latest album is probably the heaviest album that has come out this year, Courtney's vocals absolutely go hard from the very beginning. Soft Spine, Fata Morgana, Keep Sweet and Black Rainbow are definitely my favorites." - Jenn Kafka
✨ Lady Gaga - "Mayhem"
"Every song is a banger and Gaga is queen." - Brittany Lee
"The continued success of a career artist is put on full display with this release. Gaga reigns supreme as multiple singles from the album topped charts and became cultural icons, having choreography catch on like wildfire." - Dylan Wallace
✨ The Acacia Strain - "You Are Safe From God Here"
"TAS has been one of the best to do it in deathcore, and ever since 2020's Slow Decay and the split Failure Will Follow & Step Into The Light, they've been polishing that deathcore magic, and it is truly one of the best things to come from the band and this year." - Matt Benton
✨ Rome Ramirez - "Gemini"
"When Rome announced his departure from Sublime, I was worried that that would be the last I ever heard from him, but his first EP following the split blew my expectations out of the water." - Dusty Hayes
✨ Taylor Swift - "The Life of a Showgirl"
"From production to final product, Taylor has done it again. The Life of a Showgirl demonstrates the versatility of Taylor's creativity, from artsy and poetic to upbeat and fun." - Abby Crabill
✨ Author & Punisher - "Nocturnal Birding"
"Tristan continues to showcase his absolute genius through his music, both lyrical and instrumentally. Everything that you hear, and machines that he uses with his music he has engineered himself. I feel like Nocturnal Birding has been his best creation so far, with it touching topics of our cruelty as humans and the consistent battle with the balance of nature." - Taylor Bandy
✨ Wednesday - "Bleeds"
"It's an album you can listen to without wanting to make any skips." - Tziara Reyes-Herrera
✨ Shadow of Intent - "Imperium Delirium"
"It’s one of the most impressive and cinematic musical displays of war and human conflict. In terms of enjoyment, it’s one of the best put together deathcore albums seen from the genre in a long while." - Connor Douglass
✨ The Haunt - "New Addiction"
"New Addiction doesn't have a single skip, and I found myself having a new favorite song with every listen. Plus, the songs are just as good live as the studio versions." - Gabby Groves
✨ turnstile - "NEVER ENOUGH"
"It’s so great to see hardcore getting into the mainstream. In a year with such little pop music, we’ve definitely seen other genres slipping through the gaps." - Shannon Daly
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
They're dedicated to their music and fans, they tour 300 days of the year, and they pour their heart into what they do.
- Jenn Kafka
I feel like Sleep Token with its' most recent album has really set the standard for artists, as they've been able to build a cult-like following, get 3 grammy nominations in 1 year, and sell out a US tour in 3 days, among other things. Also, Vessel as a vocalist is at the peak of his career, and II is an incredible drummer, too.
- Tristin Chambers
Tate was literally everywhere all over my feeds this year, and the tour was a massive success.
- Brittany Lee
✨ Bilmuri
I feel the recent trajectory of Bilmuri is proving them to be a a force in the metalcore world while blending elements from every genre.
- Matt Benton
I came across these Aussie psychedelic rockers earlier this year when they announced their new album. I was hooked from the first time I heard "Secret Enchanted Broccoli Forest" and now call myself a diehard fan.
- Dusty Hayes
✨ Yungblud
Between touring, performing, and releasing two albums in the same year (including one with rock legends, Aerosmith), Yungblud has proven to be a powerhouse in the scene.
- Abby Crabill
✨ mgk
I have three words for you: Multi. Genre. King.
-Melanie Williamson
Spiritbox is soaring and sweeping the nation as they continue to tour for their Tsunami Sea release, like a literal tidal wave. They quickly rose from almost nothing and are one of my personal favorite artists to date.
-Taylor Bandy
✨ King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard
They will always have my vote. More seriously however, their constant experimentation, and exploration is refreshing for the industry. Touring with full orchestras, starting their own music festival, and performing in the Sydney Opera House, they had a monumental year.
-Dylan Wallace
✨ Geese
I think they have really risen to success with the release of their new album this year, and they've been compared to other popular New York bands like The Strokes.
-Tziara Reyes-Herrera
Not only are they derived from the same North Carolina music scene as me, they’ve cultivated such a distant niche and sound for themselves in the very short amount of time they’ve been a band. Adding unsettling and horror-like elements in deathcore that’s beyond cliche film stereotypes & more evolved than senseless snuff and massacre found in the extreme metal genre. These guys take ‘heavy’ just to a whole other level- remember to 𝐒𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐄 🦷
-Connor Douglass
Both songs Honey Revenge has released this year ("Risk" and "Poison Apple Baby") have been amazing, and I've loved seeing them grow over the past couple of years—all the way to supporting Spiritbox on their North American tour this year.
-Gabby Groves
Even though their most recent album came out in 2024, no one can stop talking about the pop powerhouse that is Magdalena Bay. After a solid lineup of EPs, a tour, and multiple festivals, I think I'm obsessed.
-Shannon Daly
header photos by @darkbloomcreative and @jennkafka
header graphic by @darkbloomcreative
