It’s been an exciting year in music so far going into 2025 with the surprising results of the annual Grammys (our condolences to Taylor Swift) and new emerging artists climbing the charts every week. This can all be a bit much in the world of digital streaming, so we’re here to break down all the songs that are becoming the next big hits in the music scene.
(Source: Billboard Hot 100)
- “Die With A Smile” by Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars
“Die With A Smile” is a collaborative single by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars, released on August 16th, 2024. The song blends pop-soul and soft rock elements, highlighting the duo’s vocal chemistry and emotive delivery. Lyrically, it explores and dives into themes of profound love and commitment, with both artists expressing a desire to cherish every moment with their romantic partner. The music video, directed by Mars and Daniel Ramos, features a retro-inspired performance, highlighting the song’s nostalgic feel. “Die With A Smile” achieved commercial success, topping the Billboard Global 200 for nine weeks and breaking records as the longest-running #1 hit on Spotify’s daily global chart. At the 67th Annual Grammy Awards in February 2025, the track won Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, marking a milestone in both artists’ careers.
- “I’m The Problem” by Morgan Wallen
“I’m The Problem” is a song by American country singer Morgan Wallen, released on January 31st, 2025, as the title track and fourth single from his upcoming fourth studio album “I’m The Problem”. The song dives into themes of personal accountability and introspection, with Wallen candidly addressing his role in a very tumultuous relationship. Musically, it features a strong blend of traditional country instrumentation and modern production elements, highlighting Wallen’s very distinctive vocal style and range. The track has resonated with fans for its raw honesty and relatable subject matter. To promote the album, Wallen announced the “I’m The Problem Tour”, set to begin on June 20th, 2025, at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. The tour will cover 19 stadium shows across 10 cities in North America, featuring guest appearances by artists such as “Brooks & Dunn, Miranda Lambert, and Thomas Rhett. Tickets went on sale on January 31st, 2025, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Morgan Wallen Foundation, which supports youth programs focused on both sports and music.
- “Luther” by Kendrick Lamar & SZA
Note: this song contains strong language – listener discretion is advised.
Released on November 29th, 2024, “Luther” is a standout track from Kendrick Lamar’s album “GNX” featuring SZA. The song plays homage to R&B legend Luther Vandross, sampling his rendition of “If This World Were Mine” with Cheryl Lynn. Lyrically, it explores themes of love and devotion, with Lamar and SZA delivering heartfelt performances. The track blends contemporary R&B and hip-hop elements, showcasing the duo’s chemistry. “Luther” achieved commercial success, topping charts in New Zealand, and reaching number one on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The song was also featured during Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX halftime performance on February 9th, 2025, in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he was joined by SZA for a live rendition. To promote the album and single, Lamar and SZA announced the “Grand National Tour”, set to begin in April 2025.
- “Birds Of A Feather” by Billie Eilish
This heartfelt track from “Hit Me Hard” and “Soft” showcases Billie Eilish’s signature blend of vulnerability and dreamy production. Lyrically, the song expresses deep devotion and the fear of losing a loved one, which highlights the idea of staying together forever, like “birds of a feather.” Eilish’s soft yet emotive vocals glide over a warm, atmospheric and beautiful instrumental, creating a melancholic feel. With layered harmonies and subtle production by her brother, Finneas, the song balances both simplicity with deep emotion, making it one of the standout tracks on the album. The lyrics reflect both longing and comfort, encapsulating the intensity of both love and connection. Its mix of nostalgia and tenderness resonate with listeners, reinforcing Billie Eilish’s ability to craft deeply personal yet universally relatable and connecting music.
- “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” by Shaboozey
At number five, is an iconic country-rap fusion track that blends twangy, honky-tonk, dance vibes with hip-hop energy and has been on the billboard for 43 weeks. The song samples J-Kwon’s 2004 hit titled “Tipsy”, giving it a very nostalgic but yet fresh feel. Shaboozey’s lyrics capture the rowdy, carefree atmosphere of a bar scene, filled with drinking, partying, and letting loose. With its infectious beat, country instrumentation, and playful delivery, the song has gained popularity for its very unique genre-blending style, making it a standout track in modern country and hip-hop crossover music.
- “APT.” by Bruno Mars and ROSÉ
At number six, “APT.” is a sonically pleasing pop banger that makes you want to get up and dance like nobody’s watching. This song was born to be played at high school proms and on the radio to get everybody vibing immediately. Instantly catchy, ROSÉ brings her immense talent from BLACKPINK into delivering appealing hooks over bubblegum beats, and Bruno Mars completes the track channeling his signature vocal style into a heartfelt duet reminiscent of a bygone 2010s pop era. Move over BRAT summer, because “APT.” is here to stay.
- “Timeless” by The Weeknd and Playboi Carti
Note: this song contains strong language and references to self-harm – listener discretion is advised.
“Timeless,” a single off The Weeknd’s apparent final album Hurry Up Tomorrow, lets the listener know from the start they’re in for a cinematic experience, with airy synths and Abel Tesfaye’s vocal echoes beckoning you in, before the track switches into a crisp trap beat and Playboy Carti’s verse, which is serviceable but leaves something to be desired when compared to the rest of the album’s stacked tracklist. The Weeknd gives a great performance as on the other tracks with dark and moody lyrics matching the album’s overarching themes, but on this track feels somewhat overshadowed by Carti’s feature. It’s a solid track off a brilliant album to close out the Weeknd’s most recent trilogy also featuring the critically acclaimed After Hours and purgatory concept album Dawn FM.
- “Lose Control” by Teddy Swims
At number eight, we have Teddy Swims’ “Lose Control,” a slow, passionate RnB love ballad that cements Swims as a serious player in 2025’s chart battle. The song features a smooth chord pluck rhythm with a downtempo drum groove layered over it and more heavy electronic production over the chorus, but the real magic is in Swims’ vocals, who gives it his all in soul-influenced verses about being consumed by love. There’s no question as to why this track is climbing the charts, and if you’re eager for more of the same, the rest of his double album I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy is just as excellent.
- “Beautiful Things” by Benson Boone
Benson Boone’s “Beautiful Things” is minimalistic and then filled with noise, triumphant and battered all at once. There’s absolutely no doubt that Boone is a talented vocalist beyond his years, pouring his entire soul into the chorus as he begs God not to take away his blessings. However, this song has already fallen victim to being ridiculously overplayed, to the point where its message has been somewhat stifled. It’s also slightly drowned in production, and one can’t help but wonder if Boone’s incredible range would be more suited to stripped back acoustic sessions where his gifts as a singer/songwriter could take a more central stage.
- “tv off” by Kendrick Lamar
Note: this song contains strong language – listener discretion is advised.
“MUSTAAAAAAAARD!” If you hadn’t heard that iconic beat tag before rapper Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Halftime Show, you have now. Taken off the surprise album that Lamar of Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers fame released at the end of 2024, GNX, “tv off” cannot be referred to as anything other than a straight heater. Kendrick cooks up massive bars (right after cooking Drake’s career) over Mustard’s impeccable beat production, punctuated by a cheeky switch in the track’s second half and the shout that has become so memed that Heinz (the mustard people) have partnered up with the producer for a collab. If Kendrick continues his hot streak, he’ll be in the “Big 3” conversation for years to come.
