Editors’ Picks: 2025 In Review

Across the year, newcomers and legacy acts alike have released bold new music. From rap’s ever-evolving subgenres to experimental rock off-shoots like shoegaze and post-hardcore, the sound of 2025 has been in a constant flow of innovation. On the dance music front, there have been fresh, pop-adjacent takes on classic electronic genres like house, garage, techno, disco and more, with no shortage of artists exploring different sounds, influences and production techniques.

Throughout the year, SoundCloud Stories — SoundCloud’s editorial hub for original content and music discovery — has championed the fresh sounds of the underground that have blossomed on the platform. This year, rappers like honestav and FattMack, dance producers like WHIPPED CREAM and Myd, and indie artists like spill tab and Julia Wolf have reached new heights, further exemplifying how it’s been a banner 12 months of forward-thinking music that’s made us excited for 2026.

Dive into this collection of essential tracks — featuring Clipse, Cautious Clay, Leon Thomas, Subtronics, TOKiMONSTA, Bob Moses, Raekwon, Sammy Virji, Turnstile and more — and discover the wealth of exciting artists that helped define the year 2025 in music.

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LISTEN TO THE EDITORS’ PICKS: 2025 IN REVIEW PLAYLIST ON SOUNDCLOUD NOW

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Clipse, John Legend, Voices of Fire, “The Birds Don’t Sing”
Rap duo Clipse collaborate with John Legend and the gospel choir Voices of Fire on this track from their long-awaited 2025 album, ‘Let God Sort Em Out,’ which marked their first collaborative album since 2009. Listen to the story of this track and more in Clipse’s episode of Voice Notes.

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Leon Thomas, “NOT FAIR”
R&B vocalist and musician Leon Thomas dropped the deluxe version of his Grammy-nominated album ‘MUTT’ and his ‘PHOLKS’ EP in October 2025.

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Cautious Clay, Q-Tip, “(5th Floor) 10PM”
Vocalist, musician and songwriter Cautious Clay blends R&B, rap and indie on his latest project, October 2025’s ‘The Hours: Night,’ featuring this track with Q-Tip. Listen to the story of this track and more in Cautious Clay’s episode of Voice Notes, as well as learn more about his career journey on Sound Advice.

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DXRKNOVA, “go far”
Vocalist and songwriter DXRKNOVA blends elements of rap, indie, R&B and alternative pop into his melodic storytelling. His latest album is July 2025’s ‘crush.’

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Subtronics, “Stratosphere”
Known for huge, nasty mechanized baselines and otherworldly melodies, the Philadelphia dubstep DJ, producer and Cyclops Recordings label founder’s latest album, December 2025’s ‘Fibonacci,’ is named after the Italian mathematician. This track features on the project, and you can hear Subtronics reflect on the making of this album cut and more in this exclusive Voice Notes commentary. For an in-depth interview with Subtronics about his career journey, creative process and his best tips for fellow artists, check out his episode of Sound Advice.

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onlywoke, “same timing”
Hailing from the UK, onlywoke mixes trap, R&B and soulful pop into his catchy melodies, reminiscent of Drake and The Weeknd.

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Raekwon, Stacy Barthe, “1 Life”
This soulful, jazzy collaboration between rap legend Raekwon and vocalist Stacy Barthe features on the former’s July 2025 album, ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes.’ Learn more about tracks from the album on Raekwon’s installment of Voice Notes.

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Destin Laurel, “i kno’”
Rising Atlanta-based R&B-rap artist Destin Laurel dropped this track on his September 2025 album, ‘MERCY.’

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FattMack, “I Admit It”
On his August 2025 album, ‘Untreated Trauma,’ the 20-year-old rapper from Mobile, Alabama, rides over chest-thumping 808s and bursts of distorted guitar. FattMack is a SoundCloud Ascending artist for 2025; find out more about his rise here.

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Jim Legxacy, “stick”
On his July 2025 album ‘Black British Music,’ rapper-producer Jim Legxacy draws from Afrobeats, drill, garag grime and more, as an homage to modern Black British culture.

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Bob Moses, “Blink”
Canadian dance-rock duo Bob Moses returned in October 2025 with their fourth studio album, ‘Blink.’ Learn more about the making of the album and their creative process on Bob Moses’ episode of Sound Advice, and hear a breakdown of key tracks on their episode of Voice Notes.

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Daniel T, “One Look” feat. Vetiver
Formerly of the duo Cosmic Kids, and with releases on labels like DFA, Daniel T is a seasoned electronic DJ/producer. This latest track features vocalist Andy Cabic, of indie folk band Vetiver. Hear insights into the making of this track and more in this exclusive Voice Notes commentary.

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Tourist, “Embrace”
This track features on Grammy-winning electronic producer and pop songwriter Tourist’s 2025 album ‘Music Is Invisible,’ which features collaborations with Julianna Barwick and Real Lies.

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TOKiMONSTA, “Reverie”
LA-raised DJ/producer and Young Art label boss TOKiMONSTA elevates her blend of hip-hop and dance on her March 2025 album, ‘Eternal Reverie.’ Listen to the story of the album and TOKiMONSTA’s creative process on her episode of Sound Advice.

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STRAWBRY, Covex, “Run Back To U”
LA-based vocalist, DJ and producer STRAWBRY injects sweetness and melancholy into her sentimental dance tracks. 

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Myd, “Song For You”
French electronic DJ/producer Myd dropped his collaboration-packed debut album, ‘Mydnight,’ in August 2025. Hear more about Myd’s story and creative process on his episode of Sound Advice, and listen to him break down the making of key album tracks in this exclusive Voice Notes commentary.

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nimino, Manta, “Better”
UK DJ/producer nimino mixes house, garage and pop into the stutter house style. Discover the current sound of stutter house on this exclusive SoundCloud Stories playlist, and check out exclusive Voice Notes from nimino to hear behind-the-scenes insights into the making of his recent tracks, including his viral breakout track, “I Only Smoke When I Drink.”

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Weval, “Movement”
UK dance duo Weval dropped this track on their 2025 album, ‘CHOROPHOBIA,’ on Ninja Tune imprint Technicolor. Listen to them discuss the making of key album tracks on their episode of Voice Notes.

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Fcukers, “I Like It Like That”
On this latest single, outlandish duo Fcukers create a dancefloor banger. Their debut EP, September 2024’s ‘Baggy$$,’ dropped on Ninja Tune.

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Sammy Virji, “I Guess We’re Not The Same”
This 2025 track by UK garage DJ/producer Sammy Virji, from his 2025 album ‘Same Day Cleaning,’ became a crossover hit on US dancefloors. Learn more about the current sound of UK garage in this exclusive SoundCloud Stories playlist.

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WHIPPED CREAM, MEMBA, “Redline”
Known for her bass-y, electronic-rap sound, Canadian vocalist, DJ and producer WHIPPED CREAM dropped this track on her 2025 EP, ‘Careline.’ Listen to her story on her episode of Sound Advice, and hear her break down key tracks in this exclusive Voice Notes commentary.

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Isabella Lovestory, “Telenovela”
Canada-based Honduran vocalist Isabella Lovestory brings a colorful flair to her blend of pop and reggaeton, heard on her June 2025 album ‘Vanity’. Back in May 2025, Isabella Lovestory dropped the stems to “Telenovela” exclusively on SoundCloud, calling on producers to remix and reimagine her sound. You can hear what the artist community came up with in this playlist of Isabella’s favorites. 

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puka, “ashes”
Taken from her 2025 EP ‘orphic,’ this track sees producer puka blend bass, dubstep and trap to dramatic effect.

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zoska, “risk”
Chicago-based zoska injects a jazzy instrumental flavor into her bassy dance music. She dropped this October 2025 track on the Soapbox label.

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KETTAMA, DJ HEARTSTRING, “IF U WANT MY HEART”
Irish DJ/producer KETTAMA merges hard dance and trance with catchy melodies. On this hit 2025 club track, he collaborates with Berlin duo DJ HEARTSTRING. Discover the sound of the Irish electronic scene in this exclusive SoundCloud Stories playlist.

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LIGHTLEAK, “Shelter”
Californian DJ/producer LIGHTLEAK released this 2025 banger on Hottrax, tech house figurehead Jamie Jones’ label. Learn more about LIGHTLEAK’s story and hear how he went from uploading his first track on SoundCloud to dropping his debut label release 14 months later in our creator spotlight here.

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Delilah Saxena, “High For You”
London-based house music vocalist and DJ Delilah Saxena’s latest track showcases her keen ear for melody and groove.

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spill tab, “Athlete”
Vocalist, guitarist and songwriter spill tab released her latest album, ‘ANGIE,’ in 2025. Hear more about her creative process on her episode of Sound Advice, and listen to her break down the making of this track on her episode of Voice Notes.

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Turnstile, “I CARE”
Grammy-nominated Baltimore hardcore band Turnstile continue their ascent with their June 2025 album, ‘NEVER ENOUGH.’ 

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Storm Henshaw, “feel again”
On this latest track, British indie pop artist Storm Henshaw reaches for the stars. You can hear more on her debut project, ‘BREATHE.’

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crayon, “i know youre sleeping”
Rising artist crayon blends indie folk and pop with a melancholy edge. He dropped this track on his May 2025 release, ‘b sides and demos.’ 

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honestav, “Livin’ Wrong”
Missouri vocalist and songwriter honestav blends country, rock, rap and indie on his heartfelt songs about struggle and success. You can find out more about his journey and creative process on his episode of Sound Advice, check out his exclusive recording for The Booth and learn more about him through his SoundCloud Ascending story here.

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bunii, “toothache”
LA-based alternative rock artist bunii was inspired by jazz, indie rock, emo and pop punk to create his latest album, July 2025’s ‘bastard.’ Learn more about bunii and his musical journey through his SoundCloud Ascending story here.

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Honningbarna, “Amor fati”
Raucous Norwegian post-harcore band Honningbarna kicked down the doors with their latest album, 2025’s ‘Soft Spot.’ 

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Militaire Gun, “B A D I D E A”
Post-hardcore band Militaire Gun dropped this track in August 2025 ahead of releasing their latest album, ‘God Save The Gun.’

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Daniel Allan, Arlo, fkblnde, “Bet You Didn’t Need”
Los Angeles-based, Louisville-born DJ, producer and songwriter Daniel Allan had a landmark year, from crossing performing at Lollapalooza off his bucket list this summer to releasing his ‘Time Well Spent’ album in September 2025. You can hear more about Daniel’s rise in our artist interview series Sound Advice, as well as hear him break down the making of key tracks from his catalog in this exclusive Voice Notes commentary.

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Julia Wolf, “In My Room”
Alternative pop vocalist and musician Julia Wolf taps into 2000s emo sounds, hyperpop and current rap aesthetics on her May 2025 album, ‘PRESSURE.’ Learn more about her creative process on her episode of Sound Advice alongside producer Scro, and hear her talking about the making of key tracks on her installment of Voice Notes.

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Deftones, “my mind is a mountain”
Californian alternative rock giants Deftones solidify their cross-generational appeal on their Grammy-nominated 2025 album, ‘private music.’

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YT, “saying stuff”
Coming out of North East London, YT has been steadily making a name for himself as a standout voice in the UK’s underground rap scene. From first uploading his music to SoundCloud in 2014 at the age of 14 to being named to the 2025 Ascending class a decade later, YT dropped this exclusive track in September 2025 as a thank you to his day-one supporters.

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fakemink, “Face to Face”
UK rapper/producer fakemink broke through with his 2024 EP, ‘Furever.’ His sound blends bloghouse and cloud rap to heady effect.

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LISTEN TO THE EDITORS’ PICKS: 2025 IN REVIEW PLAYLIST ON SOUNDCLOUD NOW