CHOSEN BY SPARK STAFF
1. Ribs by Lorde
Lorde, especially “Ribs,” is a cult classic among younger generations. “Ribs” laments on fleeting adolescence and the sweetly acrimonious feeling of growing up. 2025 is the year I and my peers graduate high school and move on to newer horizons. With its melodramatic lyrics and production, “Ribs” perfectly encapsulates the strange feeling of excitement but anxiety for an unclear future. It will consequently be on a loop throughout this year.
— Alex Schwind
2. Die With A Smile by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars
This song was on repeat last year and I plan on bringing it with me to 2025. Bruno Mars has always been a favorite of mine and I am so glad Lady Gaga wrote a song with him. The lyrics are truly beautiful and this song is so fun to play on any occasion.
–Macie Manzardo
2. ICON by TWICE
This—incredibly catchy—song never fails to boost my mood and my confidence! Sometimes you need a reminder that you are capable of achieving everything you want and more. I am `definitely bringing this song with me in 2025 as I strive to fulfill my year mantra of “2025 is my year to thrive” (they always rhyme). This year, you will certainly find me dancing to this upbeat K-pop song and repeating “I ain’t going nowhere, I’m an icon.”
–Delaney Finch
3. Mando by Will Paquin
Whether reading, writing, or in need of some ambient tunes, this song has been playing on my speakers on a loop. Will Paquin’s gentle lyrics, combined with the mellow but catchy guitar, create a mood reminiscent of going to sleep and waking up ready to tackle the day. It is a reminder of the possibilities of the future and the wonder of life.”
–Emma Vernon
4. Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon by Queen
The short and silly nature of this song captures my attitude towards the new year perfectly as lead singer, Freddie Mercury, goes through every day of the week explaining the luxuries and needed-yet annoying aspects of daily life. I hope my mood throughout the year will follow the light and happy demeanor of the song, even through the tedious and tough tasks I might partake in.
–Aubrey Moore
5. Ma Meilleure Ennemie by Arcane, Stromae, Pomme
Although it is sung in French and I do not know any French at all, it is a song I enjoyed listening to a lot in 2024. I watched the second season of “Arcane” as it was released weekly and, out of all the songs from their soundtrack, Ma Meilleure Ennemie was one of the ones always playing everywhere I went. The beauty of the song can be found in its lyrics, but also just the rhythm and how it all flows.
–Yen-Nhi Bui
6. Appletree by Erykah Badu
The lyrics of this song overall convey an amazing message about being true to yourself and not aiming to please others all the time. I think this song really encapsulates a strong and powerful mindset, which is the type of energy I want to embody in the new year. This song has been one of my favorites for a while and I can see myself listening to it all year long.
— Julia Viviano
7. Harvest Moon by The Brothers Comatose, AJ Lee & Blue Summit
This song conveys a feeling of just taking time to slow down and enjoy life, which is something I want to bring into the new year. The vibe and lyrics of this song remind me of sitting around a campfire or watching a sunset. I have heard versions of this song by many different artists such as Neil Young and Lord Huron, but this version is my favorite because of the harmonies and mix of instruments.
— Grace Callahan
8. Classical by Vampire Weekend
The standout track off of my favorite album of 2024, “Classical,” delivers a hypnotizing ensemble of instruments and a fusion of sounds from across Vampire Weekend’s 15+ year career. This song has absolutely everything you could ask for and more: grandiose organ playing, distorted guitar strumming, and beautiful brass crescendos all emerge during the instrumental break at the back end of the song.
–Luke Viviano
9. Are You Looking Up? by Mk. Gee
This whole album is full of dreamy production and gravelly vocals, giving the project a unique, hypnotic feel. The plucky guitar and ambient noise overpowers the lyrics at times, adding to the bustling atmosphere while also creating an air of serenity. This song is the perfect amount of experimentation and nostalgia, showcasing Mk.Gee’s eclectic production style and artistic lyricism. It truly embodies the chaos and beauty that the new year can bring.
–Elliana Celis
10. Long Lost by Lord Huron
I listened to this album for the majority of last year, specifically in the summer when I was going on a lot of hikes. This song has an air of nostalgia that is carried throughout the entire conceptual album, which tells the story of an old western troubadour. With a wide array of jaunty yet sorrowful instrumentals that transport the listener into a long-forgotten ghost town, “Long Lost” is arguably Lord Huron’s best album yet. This specific song encapsulates the feeling of being in awe of the natural beauty of the world, which is something I intend to bring into the new year.
–Ashley Skinner
11. This Is How It Feels by d4vd (feat. Laufey)
I first discovered this song on my home from work one night. It was dark and snowy, and this song added a sense of enchantment to my surroundings. The track opens softly, with only the quiet tune of the piano behind d4vd’s fluttering voice. As it plays, the music gradually intensifies, gaining strength as the singers harmonize. After Laufey’s captivating and devastating verse, the sounds continue to evolve, making you feel as if you were flying. There’s no better song to blast in the car while driving on snowy roads. This song feels like a theme song to snowfall, perfectly encapsulating the beauty of the early 2025 snow.
–Annabelle McCarty
12. Subterranean Homesick Blue by Bob Dylan
I dove into Bob Dylan’s immense discography towards the end of last year. The album I listened to most was his first electric album “Bringing it All Back Home.” The opening track from the album is one of his most influential and speaks of social issues from the time. It was definitely a sound ahead of its time; the catchy fast-paced rhyme scheme in the song with light bluesy instrumentals in the background really just ties everything together and makes for a song that is incredibly fun to listen to and one I am definitely bringing into 2025.
–Max Earl
13. Good Luck, Babe! by Chappell Roan
I was very late to the Chappell roan fever, but I am so unbelievably happy that I found her. I first solely listened to “HOT TO GO!” but my chemistry teacher told me I should listen to her other songs and I could not be more thankful that she recommended that. After listening to most of her discography, I added a ton of her songs to my playlist, but the one that stuck out to me the most was for sure “Good Luck, babe!” I know it is her most popular song and it is a pretty generic pick, but I genuinely love this song so much. I do not really know how to describe it. The slow verses that lead into the emotional chorus make the song great for when you are sad, but the upbeat drums and instrumental make it a fun song to play when you are out or with your friends. Overall an incredible song.
–Beck Lucas
