Read time: 5 min 30 secs
You blink and it’s April. Q1 is over. A boatload of music has already dropped this year and it’s time for a quarterly review.
I’m one of the seemingly few ChatGPT holdouts, but I thought it would be fun to explain my taste profile and see how its list of this year’s best songs compared to what I had already put together. As I read its response, “drawing from that vibe, here’s a mix of songs from 2025 that would align with your taste,” I was thinking “damn this fucking robot really understood the assignment.” I was ready to be impressed with all of the overlap in our lists. However, there was no overlap. In a hilarious turn of events, it just spit out a list of fake songs. Literally fake. Made up. Invented. Fabricated.
I wanted to be fair to everyone’s favorite AI companion… it could have been a fluke… so I closed out and tried again. The second time, it went a step further and provided a description of its own fake songs.
Maybe this will provide a glimmer of hope to the “AI is gonna steal our jobs” crowd. Handpicked by a human music listener, here is a list of the top 40 real songs released during the first quarter of 2025 (no specific order):
Night Moves – “Hold On To Tonight”
The lead single from their upcoming LP DOUBLE LIFE has instantly found a place on my Night Moves Mt. Rushmore
strongboi – “be mine”
This groovy ballad from Alice Phoebe Lou’s side project was an instant earworm for me and would probably be my #1 song of the year if Spotify Wrapped dropped today
Parcels – “Safeandsound”
This was an enjoyable change of pace from the Aussie quintet. A little more downtempo than some of their previous stuff but builds up nicely into a calm climax
Hannah Cohen – “Earthstar”
She and producer Sam Evian paint dreamy, twangy landscapes all over her new album Earthstar Mountain, but this was the standout for me. With recognition pouring in from major artists and platforms, she seems to be in the middle of the type of breakthrough Mk.gee experienced in 2024
Palace – “Greyhound”
Their new EP dropped after Q1; but the moody and atmospheric title track that came out in January helped get me through the Northeast Winter slog
Durand Jones & The Indications – “Been So Long”
I don’t think a bad song exists in their catalogue as they help drive the revival of the Motown sound. Soul never left, but they are showing that it is here to stay
Babe Rainbow – “Like cleopatra”
The Aussie psych rockers really embraced the groove on this addictive summertime anthem. “LONG LIVE THE WILDERNESS” was another favorite from their album that dropped last week
Toro y Moi, Kenny Beats – “Daria”
It was a worlds colliding moment to see one of my top indie artists link up with one of my top hip hop producers. The result did not disappoint at all
Justend, Zac B – “collateral damage”
NYC products float all over this spacy track. As a whole, Justend’s reflux album is a drug-infused cocktail mixing elements of hip hop, R&B, neo-soul and pop; but it’s no point putting him in any of those boxes as he has stated he plans to keep creating his own genres
Eyedress – “Satan’s Son (feat. Matt Sweeney)”
His new album stoner drops on 4/11, and the lead single grows on me with each listen. I dig the grimy sound he and rock n roll vet Matt Sweeney create as they reflect on past transgressions
Neal Francis – “Need You Again (feat. Say She She)”
A few years ago, I was pumped to see electronic pop duo NEIL FRANCES on the lineup for a music festival, only to be disappointed later when I found out it was actually ‘some random guy named Neal Francis.’ In hindsight, I am embarrassed by that moment of disappointment because Neal Francis rocks the fuck out in his own right
Phantom Youth – “All Red Over”
I have Stray Fossa’s Instagram story to thank for putting me on to Phantom Youth whose music sits at the intersection of The Cure and Washed Out
Stray Fossa – “Change The Film”
Speaking of Stray Fossa, their new single is sunshine in a bottle. The jingle jangle guitar riff and the pleasant, catchy hook fills me with nostalgia as I draw parallels to the Real Estate songs that have been the soundtrack of countless beach cruises
Beach Fossils – “Inside Out”
The Brooklyn indie rock legends kicked off the year in music by dropping this single on January 2nd and bringing park hang vibes to the dead of winter
D.D. Mirage, Private Joy – “Night Time”
D.D. Mirage was recommended to me by an artist I previously wrote about and they’ve been a welcomed addition to my library with their sophisticated approach to dance music. Private Joy’s soulful crooning compliments this track perfectly. If I’m having a nightcap at a swanky city lounge, this is what I want playing in the background
The Undercover Dream Lovers – “good time”
Aptly named, this song is just a good time. Fun, upbeat, dancy and a worthy add to your party playlists
Jakob – “Swan”
Another psychedelic R&B masterpiece from the Norwegian artist formerly known as Jakob Ogawa
Night Tapes – “television”
This dreamscape of a song is best played after midnight. It effortlessly blends their distinct sound with introspective lyrics and a catchy hook. They’re already keeping busy in q2 with another single “Babygirl” having dropped last week
Alex Cherney, The Brothers Nylon, okaywill – “Space Coast”
I heard a 10 second snippet of this song on an okaywill repost and instantly knew it would be one of my most played songs of the year. Like love at first sight
Teenage Priest – “Heaven”
Indie pop, southern twang, and static guitar rips all meet up to form this bouncy track with replay value
The Tisburys – “A Still Life Without You”
I’ve watched them grind through the Philly scene for years. Their energetic approach to indie rock, and frontman Tyler Asay’s dynamic storytelling, is bound to help them pick up some new fans while touring with Neon Trees
Freak Slug – “Shiver”
It was cool to hear the shift to a slightly edgier sound on much of her new album; especially live. She and her band shredded at Philly’s famous venue Johnny Brenda’s a few weeks ago. However, this one runs in the same vein as her nonchalantly delivered bubblegum pop pillars “Radio” and “Care”
Sons of Sevilla – “My Little Fighter”
English blood brothers mesh psych, pop and folk on this breezy single that makes you want to enjoy a glass of wine on the patio
Daily J – “Go With The Flow”
Scatterbrains is one of those albums where you can just press play and be happy with whatever comes up, but this one has been a constant presence in my rotation
Yot Club – “Circles in My Brain”
Understated vocal performance sandwiched between bubbly riffs and a big hook
Louis Metric – “Take It Slow”
Urging someone to take it slow on an upbeat song may be oxymoronic, but this is an undeniable indie banger
Vinyl Williams – “Find The Hidden”
“Lansing” has been one of my top songs over the last few years with its retro psych pop sound. Their newest release perfectly passes the torch and is a sign of good things to come with a new album dropping on June 13th
zzzahara – “Head in a Wheel”
Slightly surfy, slightly grungy, slightly shoegazy, fully rocks. The intentionally repetitive “it feels like my head is in a wheel” flurry at the end of the song sends you into a headbanging daze and not only personifies the title of the track, but the Spiral Your Way Out album as a whole
Jaguar Sun – “Thousand Down”
I’ve enjoyed chilled out tracks like “Forever and More” and “Make It Out” for years but I dig the Silversun Pickups type realm he enters on this song
Josh Fudge – “home.”
Don’t be fooled by the EDM pocket he finds here; I recently saw him live and he is an uber talented instrumentalist. His drummer Jacoby is also worth a mention… absolute powerhouse. Fudge fans should be eating good all year as he just got out of a record deal and seems poised to be dropping at a steady clip
Mo Lowda & the Humble – “7.31”
The Philly-based indie rockers have struck gold once again with this upbeat, twangy track that is made for driving around town with your windows down
Oracle Sisters – “Marseille”
Easy to the ear and casually harmonious, this is the most pleasant indie pop coming out of France right now
Deb Never – “This Alive”
Cool and laid back, while also introspective, this is the perfect music to get lost in your headphones to while you skate (or bike) (or scooter) (or walk) (or hoverboard) around town
levitation room – “It Happens All the Time”
This song sounds like it’s made to accompany the main character’s cathartic LSD trip in a 70s based movie
Men I Trust – “I Come With Mud”
It’s easy to enter a trancelike state nodding along to this mellow track with dreamy vocals and beautiful guitar work
Nick Monaco – “Change Positions”
Sometimes I get the itch for some catchy, melodic EDM and this song has been scratching that itch for me
Jadu Heart – “AUX”
2019’s “I’m a Kid” remains one of my quintessential party indie tracks, but I get down with the dingy sound on their new single
Vundabar – “Beta Fish”
A fun song with quirky songwriting. Kinda reminds me of some of Modest Mouse’s more upbeat work
JAWNY – “Control”
He’s made a name for himself by bringing a unique, chaotic sound to the dance rock landscape. This one is a little more chilled out but still hooky and groovy
Husbands – “Nameless One”
Their infectious energy oozes into the airwaves on this slice of summertime that is great background music for playing games on the beach
part of the indiewave collection
indiewave 
Leave a comment