Following our “Top 5 Live Music Moments of 2025”, it’s time to look back at some of the best songs released this year.
Close to home, ‘Bloom Baby Bloom’ (Wolf Alice), ‘This Is The Killer Speaking’ (The Last Dinner Party), ‘Take a Sexy Picture of Me’ (CMAT), ‘The Rope’ (Wunderhorse), and ‘Catch These Fists’ (Wet Leg) have all been stand-out releases, along with Black Country, New Road’s ‘Besties’, Shame’s ‘Cutthroat’ and a huge year for Olivia Dean.
Globally, the likes of Doechii’s ‘Denial is a River’, Tame Impala’s ‘Dracula’, Djo’s ‘Basic Being Basic’, and Sombr’s ‘Undressed’ have all caught the attention, alongside an array of stellar tracks from the breakthrough Geese record, ‘Getting Killed’.
But of course, we focus our end-of-year song list on the tracks released up north here in the UK…
So which songs made our “Top 10 Northern Songs of 2025”?
10) Westside Cowboy – Can’t See
Manchester’s Westside Cowboy have enjoyed a breakthrough year and only fuelled the hype surrounding them. It saw the band being picked up by Island Records’ Adventure Recordings, and the pick of the releases was ‘Can’t See’, a fast-paced delight of an indie rock song. Recorded in New York with producer Loren Humphrey (Cameron Winter, Wunderhorse), the track, along with ‘Don’t Throw Rocks’, has hinted at the promise of forthcoming EP So Much Country ‘Till We Get There, out January 16th.
9) Arkayla – Doctor
A band destined for many “Ones to Watch” lists in the new year, Manchester’s Arkayla are showing promising signs for a major breakthrough, and infectious indie track ‘Doctor’ was their 2025 highlight. Frontman, Cal Blakebrough’s voice feels like it was made for an indie band, and with their live videos and new releases gaining plenty of traction throughout the year online, we’re excited to see what’s next for Arkayla.
8) Biffy Clyro – A Little Love
Scottish rock veterans Biffy Clyro returned with new album ‘Futique’ in 2025, and it was the lead single that stole the show. With a buoyant chorus, it is quintessential modern Biffy, as they drifted towards pop in the more recent years and away from their heavier roots. The song leans into themes of resilience and connection, and packs in the energy to make it a frequent opener for their acclaimed live performances.
7) Jasmine.4.t – Guy Fawkes Tesco Dissociation
Manchester’s Jasmine.4.t became the first UK signing to Phoebe Bridgers’ label, Saddest Factory Records, and went on to release debut album ‘You Are The Morning’ under the production guidance of Bridgers and Boygenius bandmates Lucy Dacus and Julien Baker in January. The pick of the releases for us was ‘Guy Fawkes Tesco Dissociation’, a wonderfully unique offering with back and forth introspective lyricism over catchy melodies as Jasmine takes us on a poignant journey.
6) Joesef – Stephanie’s Place
In 2023, Glasgow-born soul-pop sensation Joesef released one of the albums of the year in ‘Permanent Damage’. 2025 was the year he followed up this success, and ‘Stephanie’s Place’ was the lead single that did so with ease. A laid-back, groove-laden anthem of longing and reflection, it creates the chilled atmosphere that Permanent Damage mastered, with the smooth vocals and tight production that garnered the right kind of attention two years ago.
5) Yungblud – Hello, Heaven Hello
Next up is Doncaster’s global star, Yungblud, whose epic, nine‑minute single ‘Hello Heaven, Hello’ was a showcase of his talent and versatility. It was the lead single for his 2025 album Idols, and marked his bold and creative comeback with a a multi-layered, genre-blending hit that could comfortably sit at the top of his discography to date. It comprises thrashing guitars, anthemic choruses, and emotional acoustic moments, and for quite a divisive character there is surely something there for everyone in this track.
4) Pulp – Spike Island
The Oasis comeback may have dominated most headlines, but it was also an impressive year for iconic Sheffield band, Pulp, who promised ‘More’ and certainly delivered. ‘Spike Island’ was their first new single release in 12 years, and the reception couldn’t have been better. It was the lead single from their first new album in 24 years, and launched ‘Pulp Summer’ in 2025, leading into their secret ‘Patchwork’ Glastonbury set, where ‘Spike Island’ went down as well as some of their biggest hits.
3) Tom A. Smith – Fashion
After signing to Fiction Records, home to the likes of The Cure, St. Vincent and Kurt Vile, Sunderland’s Tom A. Smith was in safe hands for the next chapter of his career, which at the age of just 21 has plenty to show for it already. And the direction has been faultless. A new bold sonic direction packed with attitude. The ‘Say What You Want’ EP arrived, and ‘Fashion’ was the epitome of Tom’s transition in style. Already a fan favourite before release, the track also brings out a new side of Tom on stage, and you can see the confidence flowing in his performances.
2) Sam Fender – Arm’s Length
Narrowly missing out on our Song of the Year for 2025 is Sam Fender’s ‘Arm’s Length’, a highlight of his Mercury Prize-winning album ‘People Watching’. The infectious riff, which transitions from the studio sessions into the final product to kick off the track, lays the foundations for what could be the catchiest single Fender has produced to date. The single is effortless in its nature. The hook is on repeat, and it doesn’t get tired – “do you have to know me, know me inside out?”. Well, fans will certainly know this one inside out by now.
1) The Royston Club – Cariad
And last but not least, our Northern Song of the Year for 2025 goes to Wrexham’s The Royston Club, and the fourth single from their latest album ‘Songs For The Spine’ in the shape of ‘Cariad’. The record was an incredible sophomore effort and the evolution from the debut is clear to see, but this one track just hit the right spot, becoming an instant fan favourite and now set closer. Meaning “love” in Welsh, it is stripped back and raw. Emotional vulnerability is at the core of its songwriting and the track builds sensationally to make it a must-see indie song live. This feels like a defining hit for The Royston Club.
So there are our Top 10 Songs of 2025. Agree? Disagree? Have your say!
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