Songs That Defined My Year - 2025 Edition

Happy Holidays! It's that time of the year already. Another year went by extremely fast with music always around me. This was a memorable year for me with a lot of new experiences, discovering new places, learning new things, always with new music to match the emotions and moods of each moment. 
 
As I've been doing throughout the years, I wanted to share a playlist of the songs that accompanied me throughout this year in no particular order as it's not a top, but a collection of songs that brought me joy and emotion. While listening to them (in shuffle mode to surprise me), they bring back the memories of those fond moments and experiences and I just wanted to share the songs that I played a lot and that made my year shine brighter. 
 
Hope you enjoy and let me know which songs accompanied you through the year! I am going to highlight some of the songs that got a special place in my heart and the full list is on the spotify playlist below as well!

 

Julia Logan's ‘Thrown Down’ 

Swedish singer and songwriter Julia Logan shared her stunning acoustic folk gem Thrown Down earlier this year. A track taken from her Faraway Nearby album and that reflects themes of feeling lost, searching for meaning, and embracing resilience despite pain and struggle. A beautiful, relatable storytelling flawlessly conveyed through Logan's enchanting, heartfelt vocals which are accompanied by lush acoustic guitar riffs nicely intertwined with stead drum patterns, twangy guitars and delicate piano keys together creating an overall warm, intimate atmosphere perfect for an introspective day home alone. 


Nuala's ‘Power’


British singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Nuala's heartfelt Power, a song about finally overcoming one's struggles with self-belief and confidence, finding that inner strength, healing and reconnecting with our true selves. A message conveyed through Nuala's powerful and rich vocals that are accompanied by delicate guitar strums and lush strings.


NAPA's ‘Deslocado’


NAPA's 2025 Eurovision entry for my country (Portugal) Deslocado is my most streamed song this year as I am so proud of them, especially because they're also from my little island Madeira. This is a retro-infused pop/soft-rock song with melancholia and nostalgia. An anthem for those that are far away from home, feeling homesick and counting the days to come back home, even if just for a few days. I adore the harmonies, infectious melodies and how every single time I play this song it gives me goosebumps! A timeless gem! 


Lola Young's ‘Messy’ 


Taken from her 2024 album This Wasn't Meant For You Anyway, Lola Young's Messy was on my radar since then but it wasn't until earlier this year that I started blasting it over and over again, mostly because of its powerful message and infectious hooks. I adore her voice and how a gifted storyteller she is! Messy is one of those songs that I will definitely be playing throughout the years for sure!


Jack Dean's ‘Still On My Mind’


British singer and songwriter Jack Dean's heartfelt gem Still On My Mind won me over as he shows a vulnerable side to his music, drawing from personal experiences to gift us with an emotionally-charged piece of music that addresses themes of reflection, pain and longing. The star of this song is definitely his voice and how passionate and evocative his delivery is, packed with raw emotion and soul that instantly gave me the feels! 


Rosalia & Carminho's ‘Memória’

A song taken from the massive hit that is Rosalia's latest album LUX, Memória, sung both in Portuguese and Spanish, features Portuguese artist Carminho and is simply a stunning blend of Fado and Pop with a classical touch to it. You can feel the melancholia and sadness pouring from both their passionate, heartfelt vocals which soar over an intimate production. This one hits deep and I haven't stopped playing it since it came out!


Hannah Nicolaisen's Cover of Lola Young's ‘You Noticed’ 


I love the original version but there's something about Hannah Nicolaisen's piano-based cover that just blew me away! Hannah's rich, emotionally-charged vocals are effortlessly accompanied by a simple, yet heartwrenching, piano-based melody that beautifully enhance the raw emotion of Lola Young's lyrics. This is one of those songs I play when feeling a bit sad, wanting to connect deeply with my emotions.


SAINT KID's ‘Kids Again’

Los Angeles-based artist SAINT KID's heartfelt, nostalgic Kids Again finds him singing about growing up, making sacrifices and looking at past events with a new outlook. An emotionally-charged piece of music that pairs his gorgeous vocals with a piano-driven melody with subtle electronic textures that make this a warm, intimate piece of music with touches of melancholia and nostalgia perfect for those introspective moments home alone. 


David Archuletta's ‘Crème Brulée’

The lead single of the American Idol alumn's Earthly Delights EP, Crème Brulée was released earlier this year but its upbeat atmosphere and infectious melodies made it a summer hit for many, and definitely for me. It's fun, flirty as it finds him embracing the sensual and sexual aspects of his identity! This is one of those songs that just make me feel light and in a good mood. I played this song over and over again and it was definitely part of my summer!


MARINA's ‘CUNTISSIMO’

Taken from her latest album PRINCESS OF POWER, CUNTISSIMO is by far my favourite track off of that project and brings back the energy and playfulness that made me fall in love with her earlier music. The entire song is full energy, with tongue-in-cheek lyrics and female empowerment. One of those songs that instantly give me a boost of energy!


Otto Aday's ‘Down’

This hauntingly beautiful piece of indie-pop/rock Down, a hauntingly beautiful piece of indie-pop/rock finds the Welsh singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer pouring his heart out, instantly making you feel like you're going through the pain and loss of heartbreak. Down captures the inevitable ending of all that we love, and clambering onto those last minutes of closeness. His voice is like a siren opening our ears to the moments that we have left. Accompanying his powerful, emotive vocals we have a captivating production that pairs live swooning cello, distant guitar chimes and thoughtfully placed piano melodies!


Bertie Newman's ‘Coldest Sea’

This gem finds the talented British artist gifting us with a heartfelt indie-folk gem, taking listeners on an emotional journey through loss, fear and pain. A warm and intimate gem that shows one's struggle to move on after heartbreak, capturing the pain of abandonment and how difficult it is to let go of the one you love. A relatable, heartfelt message that is flawlessly conveyed through his super smooth, expressive vocals which radiate raw, honest emotion from start to finish. A song that comes straight from the heart and that gave me the feels right after the very first listen!