2025: The 3rd Quarter - Singles
- kevpalowe8
- Mar 22
- 7 min read
Originally posted Oct 2025
Justin Bieber “DAISIES” (#1)
There’s something about the style of this – the raw rough guitar playing, the simplicity of the composition etc., that makes it very attractive. Not that its amazing. Its one of those tracks – I’ll really enjoy it when its on....... but never choose to put it on myself.
HUNTR/X, EJAE, AUDREY NUNA, REI AMI & KPop Demon Hunters “Golden” #1
This was the 1st track that signalled what soon became an apparent ‘invasion of K-Pop’...... that I’m not convinced actually IS K-Pop..... but I will get to that. Its a pretty good and well written track. Its catchy, melodic, danceable etc. In terms of modern melodic writing (which focuses on single melodic phrases rather than melodic development) it has a great phrase that dominates the track and you can hear in the bridges and 1st half 2nd half of the choruses. I think its contending to be the most successful track of the year at this point
Olivia Dean “Nice To Each Other”
Simple but great. Its bothered me initially that there are similarities between this and Lola Young’s earlier #1 hit “Messy”. Namely, the style, the dominance of 2 chords a tone apart, and even the distant guitar sound entering in the intro. But, I got past that. Its an addictive track. Very above average for modern pop music.
The Last Dinner Party “This is the Killer Speaking”
The band who name my favourite album (by a mile) in 2024 and of which I wrote a ridiculously extensive review/analysis. In the conclusion of that I expressed my concern for how high they had set the bar. ‘Difficult follow-up album’, much? I like this track but fear that my..... fear is going to be realised! It good, creative...... but kinda kitsch! They’ve claimed to have gone for darker subject matter in their 2nd album (due for release in October). Its a big claim because their 1st album touched on serious subject matter. The title of this DOES back up their claim...... except they treat it fairly playfully. There's a section towards the end where the band totally breaks down and its done all very over the top – before launching into a final rendition of the chorus. It then has a rock ‘n’ roll ‘bam’-type ending that they avoided on their 1st album and I find quite cliché. That’s just me personally – Simon for example quite likes those endings so there are different points of view. However, I feel like this track signals that their album could be a serious, creative, innovative etc as the 1st one..... but with a bit of kitsch thrown in. I’m not sure how I will feel about that.
Eartheater “Nova”
Her collab with Shygirl “Shark Brain” is fighting to be my #1 track of 2025. This is a contrasting track – built around piano and vocal (with a synth backdrop) its understated but still quite interesting. I’m not blown away by it in quite the same way though.
Alex Warren “Eternity”
I have a bit of a mixed reaction to this track. Warren is a good songwriter and performer (whose track “Ordinary” is one of the most successful of 2025). One the one hand, I think this is his best one. On the other, I feel like, after just a few months since he broke out, we already know exactly what we are always going to get from him.
Drake & Central Cee “Which One”
M’eh
Disco Lines & Tinashe “No Broke Boys”
So, we had “Golden” (above). Then a few weeks later the next 3 tracks on this list climbed up the charts and we had the ‘K-Pop’ invasion! It did feel like an invasion in a sense. Suddenly there were all those ‘K-Pop’ tracks. I’ve got 2 points however. I'll make them over the next 2 tracks. This is quite good. Its got a great rhythm to it and you can imagine a festival crowd singing back that catchy ‘no broke boys, no new friends’ line as a singer belts it out then points the mic towards the crowd.
Saja Boys, Andrew Choi, & Neckwav “Your Idol”
My 1st point about this K-Pop thing is that these tracks are all from a popular musical film from 2025 called “KPop Demon Hunters” – so I’m not convinced this is a ‘K-Pop’ invasion rather than songs from a popular film being streamed. This one is a slower and more serious affair than the other 2 and “Golden”. Its a very decent track to be fair.
Saja Boys, Andrew Choi, & Neckwav “Soda Pop”
My 2nd point is the more important point. I don’t recognise any of this as K-Pop!! Although K-Pop is derived from Western influences – it is a sub-culture and has its own distinct characteristics. The whole point is that those Western influences have been very much frowned upon in that area of the world so they are deliberately exaggerated and hard-hitting. Its ‘anti-establishment’ if you like. Its meant to have the same impact Punk did in the late 70s. I’ve left that point for this track because, if I'm right, this is very much the antithesis of K-Pop surely. This is just pure classic bubble-gum pop. It doesn’t represent a subculture. I’m not on board with the west high-jacking K-Pop to destroy it. We’ve done that with enough things already.
That said, its a brilliant pop track!
Chappel Roan “The Subway” #1
I like the way that almost no one Chappel Roan tune can be claimed to be similar to the last. “Good Luck, Babe” had that indie-pop feel, whereas “H.O.T.T.O.G.O” was bubblegum pop, whereas “Pink Pony Club” is theatrical, whereas “The Giver” is country............. whereas this is sort of ‘indie ballad’. Its arguably a little bit dreary but I’d say its an equally strong track to any of Roan’s others.
BLACKPINK “JUMP”
Now! This is much closer to K-Pop...... they are a Korean group for one. They’re probably closer to ‘trap’ (hip-hip, electronic dance, and rave fusion) than K-Pop....... although these genres all blur a little. Its a great track.
Reverend and the Makers & Vicky McClure “Haircut”
This is a good track but nothing particularly special.
Wolf Alice “White Horses”
Same comment as “Haircut”
Glass Animals “Vampire Bat”
I'd say with this one......... its alright – It sounds exactly like Glass Animal and that’s all there really is to say about it.
Lola Young “d£aler”
Subtle and brilliant. I was a little unconvinced to begin because the structure and chord progression was remarkably similar to her #1 hit “Messy”. There’s just an additional chord thrown in between the 2 repeated chords of 1 & 2. (1 4 2 repeating instead of 1 2 repeating). However, I like the simple but effective melody of the chorus and although I’ve not experienced an identical situation to that described I do relate to the overall sentiment of much of the lyric. Its very ‘classic’ in its make-up but with a raw and modern edge to the lyric. Its very much up there with my favourite tracks of the year. Top 3? We’ll see.
Teddy Swims “God Went Crazy”
A soulful classic-sounding ballad worthy of Stevie Wonder. This artist continues to impress. Among the greatest songs of the year.
Sunflower Thieves “Say The Word”
This one is a little different, a little harder, a little rockier than they usually are. I think this may be Simon’s new favourite by them.
Olivia Dean “Man I Need” (#1)
Its a great number with a soul feel to it. This particular track reminds me of Des’ree from the 90s, particularly with its keyboard work. Speaking of that, I like the way the root of the tonic chord is avoided. There’s a repeated 1-4 that dominates much of the track. But, chord 1 is played in its 1st inversion, so the middle note of the triad that makes up a chord is heard at the bottom rather than the usual bottom note. Its a simple mechanism that creates a little ambiguity and gives a sense if things being slightly ‘up in the air’ and never finding there way to the ground. You could argue this matches the lyric in some senses.
Doja Cat “Jealous Type”
I like Doja Cat. This one’s alright but that’s about it.
Lola Young “SPIDERS”
Another Young track that I really like. I like the setting/imagery of the lyric....... the whole notion of ‘I’m not nothing if I don’t have you’........ because I need you to ‘kill all the spiders’ so I can sleep is both touching and funny. I’ve talked about ending in previous posts and this has a really good one. I leans towards the abrupt ending that I like – except it has a little guitar flourish as the end with a final chord. It very clearly signals ‘end’. I’d say its quietly one of the best endings I’ve heard. Lola Young has become one of my favs.
Night Tapes “storm”
Really like this one
Gorillaz & Sparks “The Happy Dictator”
I mean...... sigh....... does the whole Gorillaz thing really work still. Its a fun track..... I guess.
Rosie Hopkins “These Are The Days”
I knew this artist as the girl who appeared occasionally with my all-time favourite YouTuber’s, Emily Hartridge (RIP), channel. Follow Hartridge’s death she released a track called “The Tree” in tribute. I’ve not seen her pop up again since until this year. It was nice to see her. This is not a masterpiece by any means. Nor is it as good as “The Tree”. But, its a very stripped back and ‘authentic’ sounding affair.
Rosie Hopkins “Speak A Little Louder”
This ones got a little more of a ‘fun’ vibe to it.
Lewis Capaldi “Something In The Heavens”
It is a good song. Its a beautiful sing in fact. Its subject matter (the loss of a loved one) is quite heart-wrenching. Some might argue this is a manipulative tactic – but I think he’s genuinely a good enough songwriter to quash that claim – he doesn’t need to play those tricks. My criticism is its exactly how I predict a Lewis Capaldi song to sound. He’s not a master of variety.
Raye “Where Is My Husband?”
I like Raye – I've mentioned before that I really like it when she does her rapid-fire monosyllabic vocals. Here, she actually does it melodically, which adds a fantastic extra dimension. The track is a really strong one.
It has a ‘ tongue-in-cheek’ vibe to it with quite a bit of humour behind the ‘sass’. It blends funk, soul, and pop with ease and attitude. I have very little to say in the way of fault........ there could be a bit more melodic mastery? I dunno.
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