Also, check out the Choice Cuts 2025 YouTube playlist here, or stream the full playlist on Spotify playlist here.
Or you can listen and watch each one below!
1. Float (feat. Jim Adkins) — Jay Som (3:28)
Jay Som is the stage name of Melina Duterte, a California singer songwriter who grew up playing trumpet and guitar and started writing and recording music at the age of 12. Now, her latest album, "Belong," features collabs with Haley Williams, Mini Trees, and this one, the song "Float," which features Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat World.
2. Ring Ring Ring — Tyler, The Creator (3:22)
"Don't Tap the Glass," the ninth release from Tyler the Creator, is a short 10-track release but stands out for its use of house, funk, techno and more with tracks like "Sugar on My Tongue," and of course, "Ring Ring Ring."
3. Sally, When The Wine Runs Out — Role Model (3:39)
Back in February, Role Model released a deluxe edition of his 2024 album "Kansas Anymore." Dubbed "Kansas Anymore (The Longest Goodbye)," new tracks included "Sally, When the Wine Runs Out." And of course, wouldn't you know, that became Role Model's breakout hit. It's become standard now at each concert, Role Model will bring out a fan or celebrity to play Sally. On "SNL," it was Charli xcx's turn.
4. Edge of the Earth — The Beaches (2:40)
Formed in Toronto in 2009, The Beaches have become the pride of Canada — winning the Juno Award for Group of the Year in both 2024 and 2025. Off their 2023 album "Blame My Ex," which was their second full-length, "Edge of the Earth" was a 2024 hit that I was a year late to.
5. What Would I Do (A Kalapana Tribute) — Franskiiz, Lelz (3:25)
In 2025, we celebrated the 50th anniversary of Kalapana's breakthrough first album. Still considered one of the high marks of the 1970s music revolution in Hawai'i, that album is chock full of gems, including "What Do I Do," which I used to play a ton on my KCSN Hawaiian music show. Cut to 2025, and Franskiiz and Lelz pay tribute to "What Do I Do" with their contemporary take, "What Would I Do." To make the song, the duo connected with Kalapana founding member Kirk Thompson, who appears in the music video.
6. Sunshine Baby — The Japanese House (3:40)
U.K. singer Amber Bain is also known as The Japanese House, who got her start in 2012 after meeting The 1975's Matty Healy, who offered to produce her music. Healy can be heard on "Sunshine Baby," from her album "In the End It Always Does."
7. Grave — Kid Cudi (3:11)
Kid Cudi has been wearing many hats for some time; this year he was simultaneously promoting his appearance in "Happy Gilmore 2," as well as his memoir "CUDI: The Memoir," while also releasing his 11th studio album, "Free." Oh, and Cudi also got married this year. Among the singles: "Grave."
8. Seein’ Stars — Turnstile (3:06)
Formed in 2010, Maryland's Turnstile is often described as a "hardcore punk band." But their breakout 2025 single "Never Enough" is much more ethereal. Then there's the track "Seein' Stars," from the album "Never Enough," which is completely poppy.
9. Church & State — Brandi Carlile (4:18)
Speaking of expanding your sound, Brandi Carlile is known for her folk, Americana and roots influenced songs. But in these unprecendented times, Carlile has something to say: And the rock-infused "Church & State," from her eighth album "Returning to Myself," is the protest anthem we need at this moment.
10. Father Time (10am) — Cautious Clay (2:28)
Born Joshua Karpeh and raised in Ohio, Cautious Clay released his third studio album, "The Hours: Morning" this year. The album's songs are all subtitled with times, from 5 a.m. to noon. At 10 a.m. is the track "Father Time."
11. eau de vie — Halima (2:52)
Halima was raised between Lagos and London and started studying folk and piano, which then led to jazz and R&B. From her debut album "Sweet Tooth" comes "eau de vie," which translates to "water of life."
12. Right Here, for Now — Bakar (3:01)
From his 2023 album "Halo," British singer Bakar's "Right Here, For Now" gained new life after being featured in the game "Dream League Soccer 2025."
13. Divinize — Rosalía (4:07)
On her latest album "Lux," it's said that Rosalía sings in at least 14 different languages. You hear several of them here on "Divinize." One of the best-reviewed albums of the year, "Lux" apparently took time to build as Rosalía learned all those languages. With lush orchestrations and challenging lyrics, "Lux" lives up to the hype.
14. Shower Song — Tierra Whack (2:43)
Yes, Tierra Whack is her real name -- why would you need a stage name when you've been gifted something cool like that? From her album "World Wide Whack," how about something funky? I hope the folks at Dove have found a way to use "Shower Song" in its advertisements.
15. Catch These Fists — Wet Leg (3:09)
From the Isle of Wight in England, Wet Leg has been one of rock music's biggest success stories in the past few years. From their second full length, "Moisturizer," comes the hit "Catch These Fists" — their first new music since 2022.
16. I'd Miss The Birds — Joy Oladokun (3:10)
American singer-songwriter Joy Oladokun has said the chorus of "I'd Miss The Birds" has "put words to a pain I've had for a while." As a Black, queer Americana artist, living in Nashville and dealing with an industry that can be hostile to some folks hasn't been easy. Those raw, brutal honesty is on full display here.
17. NUEVAYoL — Bad Bunny (3:04)
“Nuevayol,” or in other words “Nueva York” (“New York”) was the lead track on Bad Bunny’s 2025 release “Debí Tirar Más Fotos.” The song, about Puerto Rico’s identity, opens with a sample of Any Montañez and El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico’s “Un Verano en Nueva York.” I’m hoping we hear this powerful track when Bad Bunny performs the half time show at this year’s Super Bowl.
18. Dracula — Tame Impala (3:25)
Tame Impala, aka Kevin Parker, has a new classic on his hands. I expect to hear “Dracula,” off his fifth studio album “Deadbeat,” on everyone’s Halloween playlists next year. Off his album “Deadbeat,” “Dracula” also happens to be Tame Impala’s highest-ranking Billboard Hot 100 single yet.
19. Toro — Remi Wolf (2:56)
Remi Wolf makes a return to Choice Cuts, following up on last year’s “Cinderella” with “Toro,” also off her album “Big Ideas.”
20. The Field (feat. The Durutti Column, Tariq Al-Sabir, Caroline Polachek & Daniel Caesar) — Blood Orange (3:19)
“The Field” kicked off Blood Orange’s 2025 album “Essex Honey,” his first full length since 2018. The album features collabs with Lorde, Ben Watt of Everything But the Girl, Naomi Scott, Amandla Stenberg, Zadie Smith, Brendan Yates of Turnstile… and for “The Field,” The Durutti Column, Tariq Al-Sabir, Caroline Polachek & Daniel Caesar.
21. luther (feat. SZA) — Kendrick Lamar (2:58)
One of the best concerts I saw in 2025 was Kendrick Lamar and SZA, together, at the Sofi. And of course, midway through, they bring the house down with “Luther,” which features a sample by Luther Vandross and Cheryl Lynn’s “If This World Were Mine.” With 13 weeks at No. 1 on the Hot 100, it was the second longest-running hip-hop song of all time at No. 1.
22. 南宮FEFERE 남궁페페레 (feat. Japanese Breakfast) — Silica Gel (3:49)
For her collaboration with Korean band Silica Gel, Michelle Zauner — aka Japanese Breakfast — wrote lyrics in Korean for the very first time. The song, “Namgung Fefere,” is a tour de force.
23. Automatic (feat. Lalah Hathaway) — Nate Smith (4:52)
Drummer Nate Smith recruited some heavy hitters on his album Live-Action, and that includes Lalah Hathaway doing her version of the Pointer Sisters’ 80s single “Automatic.” It’s a reimagining that brings more jazz and soul to the dance pop gem.
24. Pussy Palace — Lily Allen (4:02)
From the homage to “Stranger Things” at the start of this song to the dig at his “dojo,” we know exactly whom Lily Allen is singing about in “Pussy Palace.” Her ex does not get off easy in Allen’s “West End Girl,” and “Pussy Palace” — and with its catchy chorus accusing him of being a sex addict — revenge has never sounded better.
25. Saoirse — Maruja (5:14)
English rock band Maruja, which formed in 2014 in Manchester, perhaps have the most important song of the year in “Saoirse.” From their album “Pain to Power,” the song opens with an intense jazz riff — before moving on to its key lyric, repeated over and over: “It’s our differences that make us beautiful.” We need more people to recognize that in the coming year.
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