Back to News
The best songs of 2025 … you may not have heard
Music•December 27, 2025 at 11:02 AMNational

The best songs of 2025 … you may not have heard

By Laura Snapes, Alaina Demopoulos, Jim Farber, Kate Hutchinson, Ben Beaumont-Thomas, Rob LeDonne, Benjamin Lee and Bryan Armen Graham•The Guardian Music

From a folk murder ballad to an impassioned call for peace, Guardian writers pick their favourite lesser-heard tracks of the yearThe pick of 2025’s film, music, art, TV, stage and games, chosen by Guardian critics and writersThere is a sense of deep knowing and calm to Not Offended, the lone song released this year by the Danish-Montenegrin musician (also an earlier graduate of the Copenhagen music school currently producing every interesting alternative pop star). To warmly droning organ that hangs like the last streak of sunlight above a darkening horizon, Milovic assures someone that they haven’t offended her – but her steady Teutonic tenderness, reminiscent of Molly Nilsson or Sophia Kennedy, suggests that their actions weren’t provocative so much as evasive. Strings flutter tentatively as she addresses this person who can’t look life in the eye right now. “I see you clearly,” Milovic sings, as the drums kick in and the strings become full-blooded: a reminder of the ease that letting go can offer. Laura Snapes Continue reading...

From a folk murder ballad to an impassioned call for peace, Guardian writers pick their favourite lesser-heard tracks of the year

There is a sense of deep knowing and calm to Not Offended, the lone song released this year by the Danish-Montenegrin musician (also an earlier graduate of the Copenhagen music school currently producing every interesting alternative pop star). To warmly droning organ that hangs like the last streak of sunlight above a darkening horizon, Milovic assures someone that they haven’t offended her – but her steady Teutonic tenderness, reminiscent of Molly Nilsson or Sophia Kennedy, suggests that their actions weren’t provocative so much as evasive. Strings flutter tentatively as she addresses this person who can’t look life in the eye right now. “I see you clearly,” Milovic sings, as the drums kick in and the strings become full-blooded: a reminder of the ease that letting go can offer. Laura Snapes

Continue reading...

Related News

‘So lovely’: Stevie Wonder surprises Stalybridge restaurant with late-night visit and £1,000 tip
UK NewsMusicMusic News

‘So lovely’: Stevie Wonder surprises Stalybridge restaurant with late-night visit and £1,000 tip

Singer, 76, was in Manchester with his band for penultimate UK show of his Songs in the Key of Life anniversary tourWhen...

The Guardian Music10 hours ago
Philharmonia/Honeck/Ax review – principal conductor designate gives a scorching taste of things to come
EntertainmentMusicMusic News

Philharmonia/Honeck/Ax review – principal conductor designate gives a scorching taste of things to come

Royal Festival Hall, LondonWith this programme of Strauss (Johann II and Richard) and Mozart – and Emanuel Ax the deft a...

The Guardian Music10 hours ago
The week’s best new tracks and the act you need to know: acrobatic Lagos producer Azzi on the Beat
EntertainmentMusicMusic News

The week’s best new tracks and the act you need to know: acrobatic Lagos producer Azzi on the Beat

An innovator in mara, the fast, sample-heavy dance music of neighbourhood parties, the Nigerian has made a debut album t...

The Guardian Music12 hours ago
Sheherazaad: Khudgarzi review | Ammar Kalia's global album of the month
EntertainmentMusicMusic News

Sheherazaad: Khudgarzi review | Ammar Kalia's global album of the month

(Erased Tapes)Dreamy, reverb-laden arrangements, virtuosic vocals and echoes of PJ Harvey and Massive Attack make this d...

The Guardian Music15 hours ago
Snoh Aalegra: Legendary Love review – raw R&B talent restrained by reverence for the greats
EntertainmentMusicMusic News

Snoh Aalegra: Legendary Love review – raw R&B talent restrained by reverence for the greats

(Stem)Her truly remarkable, Sade-ish voice is hypnotic against some dizzyingly plush production, but a modern spin on 80...

The Guardian Music16 hours ago
‘Would you breastfeed your own father?’ The goofy, spiky world of art-pop duo Charlotte Adigéry and Bolis Pupul
EntertainmentMusicMusic News

‘Would you breastfeed your own father?’ The goofy, spiky world of art-pop duo Charlotte Adigéry and Bolis Pupul

After wittily blending pop and politics on their debut, the Belgians are now processing their personal lives. We join th...

The Guardian Music16 hours ago

More From These Categories

No other articles in this category yet.