Here are our favourite tracks of the past 12 months, as voted for by tQ staff, columnists and core writers
Every year, when we publish our round-up of the year’s best albums, the default reaction on social media and certain corners of Reddit – yes, I have scanned them on occasion I’m afraid – is to assume that we are being pompously obscure in our selections; merely giving ourselves a pat on the back for having the most ‘underground’ of music taste. While I assure anyone who is reading this that this is not the case and it’s the product of polling several people for their favourite records – including specialists of various scenes and genres – I also continually find myself wondering why this matters.
While year-end lists should of course reflect someone’s genuine favourite records in a year, why isn’t a list loaded with somewhat unknowns a handy opportunity for discovery? After all, the list of the year’s best albums that we published two weeks ago covered so many different sounds that you’re bound to find something new that you like. In an era where ‘the algorithm’ is determined to limit our opportunities for music discovery by shoving in our face the work of those who often pay most to be promoted, these lists – and those of other publications around this time of year – are most welcome, as a means to ensure that our eyes and ears continue to be open to music and scenes that are emerging around the world.
For those who still think we’re being pompous though, our final big list for 2025 – rounding up the tracks of the year – is usually an opportunity to shine a light on the more pop or ‘mainstream’ side of the music that we’ve enjoyed over the past 12 months. Those polled were encouraged to avoid voting for overly complex or extended pieces of music, but that hasn’t stopped a track by Sunn O))) from slipping into the mix. It is tQ, after all ;).
Read on below, and you will find psychedelic rage trap, noisy Brazilian funk, sugary UK garage-referencing pop, febrile gabber techno, operatic chamber pop, lustful R&B, Americana-style country and much more besides. You might be aware of many of these tracks already, but we still hope you discover something new among it, or at least revel in finding your favourite picks featured.
2025 has, as with every recent year, been another strenuous 12 months to be an online music and culture publication, but thanks to many of you, we continue to fight the good fight and pay more and more writers via the subscriptions that you’ve committed to. Your support is hugely appreciated. With that said, it would be remiss of me not to encourage those who aren’t yet signed up to one of our subscription tiers to do so if they’re able to. You can do so here, and get access to a bunch of extra perks, such as bonus essays, podcasts and newsletters. Subscribers can also listen to the several hours of music that make up our various end-of-year charts via our streaming playlists.
