Where the last twelve months have offered a plethora of impressive new releases from the best acts to emerge from the 21st century, The Indiependent’s contributors put forth their nominations for Song Of The Year for 2025.
‘TV Dinner’ / Sam Fender
Released 21.02.25 via Polydor Records
Amy Britton
Sam Fender’s ‘TV Dinner’ discusses class, politics, and the exploitative nature of the music industry, backed by a Bond theme-esque instrumental with rousing strings and Fender’s deep vocal tone.
Read our review of People Watching here.
‘The Sofa’ / Wolf Alice
Released 11.07.25 via Columbia Records
Zahra Hanif
‘The Sofa’ showcases a more vulnerable side of Wolf Alice’s musicality, as frontwoman Ellie Rowsell delivers soft musings over gentle instrumentation, crafting the sonic equivalent of a warm embrace and a quiet masterpiece.
Read our review of The Clearing here.
‘CPR’ / Wet Leg
Released 27.05.25 via Domino Records
Lana Williams
The second single to be released from their new era, ‘CPR’ marked Wet Leg’s return in the most stark and brazen way – with drilling instrumentation and witty lyricism delivered with a wink.
‘Just Two Girls’ / Wolf Alice
Released 22.08.25 via Columbia Records
Lana Williams
With ‘Just Two Girls’, we see ‘Bros’’ grown-up sequel, and instead of being steeped in childhood wistfulness and ill-advised spontaneous haircuts, Wolf Alice are sat at the bar, sipping palomas and deliberating over hair extensions.
Read our review of the music video here.
‘It’s Amazing To Be Young’ / Fontaines D.C.
Released 16.04.25 via XL Recordings
George Connell
‘It’s Amazing To Be Young’ captures all the joy, innocence, nostalgia, and turmoil that come with transitioning from adolescence to adulthood. With bright guitars and deep-cutting lyrics that capture both the joys, challenges, and acceptances that come with growing up, this is one of the most important releases of the year.
Read our review of Romance here.
‘One of the Greats’ / Florence + The Machine
Released 24.09.25 via Polydor and Republic Records
Andrew Butcher
Florence + The Machine‘s ‘One of the Greats’ blends Buffy-inspiration, personal trauma and criticism of music-industry misogyny. Distorted guitars give off Velvet Underground vibes, the honest lyrics are painful and powerful.
Read our review of Everybody Scream here.
‘The Subway’ / Chappell Roan
Released 31.07.25 via Amusement and Island Records
Andrew Butcher
Chappell Roan finally releases fan-favourite ‘The Subway’, a ’90s-tinged jangle-pop track using NYC’s subway as a vivid backdrop for heartbreak and healing, showcasing her range and a lingering “She’s got a way” earworm.
‘WHERE IS MY HUSBAND’ / RAYE
Released 19.09.25 via Human Re Sources
C. Sharmishtha
RAYE delivers a sassy, funk-soaked thesis on modern romantic longing. With swaggering brass and rapid-fire vocals, this retro-pop anthem perfectly balances theatrical humour with genuine vulnerability. It’s an instant, unforgettable classic.
‘Sugar Talking’ / Sabrina Carpenter
Released 29.08.25 via Island Records
Sophia McHardy
Sleek and vulnerable, ‘Sugar Talking’ is arguably one of Sabrina Carpenter’s best vocal performances. Complete with a pensive guitar part and sophisticated melody, it’s an infectious standout on ‘Man’s Best Friend’.
Read our feature on Man’s Best Friend here.
‘Leave Me Alone’ / Reneé Rapp
Released 21.05.25 via Interscope Records
Sophia McHardy
Reneé Rapp’s powerful, pop-rock banger ‘Leave Me Alone’ blends frustration and humour into an infectious, unapologetic anthem of self-acceptance and fun. With its chaotic, rebellious feel, this song is loaded with sass and style.
Read our review of ‘Leave Me Alone’ here
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Compiled by Lana Williams
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