The year that killed music (best and worst of 2025)

From big-ticket albums by Taylor and Gaga, to a revival of the stomp-clap revival – 2025 had it all, for better and for worse. Now that the year has come to a close, it's time to take a look back at the past twelve months: what happened in the zeitgeist, what we loved listening to, and what we missed here on the show. Reanna, Charlie, and Nate talk about it all, including a look back at our predictions from January to check off boxes for Switched On Pop bingo.

Links: Newsletter (switchedonpop.substack.com), YouTube (youtube.com/@Switched-On-Pop)

Songs discussed:

• Taylor Swift – The Fate of Ophelia

• Alex Warren – Ordinary

• HUNTR/X – Golden

• Morgan Wallen – I'm The Problem

• Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga – Die With A Smile

• Bruno Mars – 24K Magic

• ROSÉ, Bruno Mars – APT.

• Olivia Dean – Man I Need

• Ravyn Lenae – Love Me Not

• Justin Bieber, Dijon – DEVOTION

• Bon Iver, Dijon, Flock of Dimes – Day One

• Dijon – Baby!

• Dijon – Yamaha

• CA7RIEL – SHIPEA2

• Paco Amoroso – Viuda Negra

• CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso – EL ÚNICO - Live at NPR MUSIC's Tiny Desk

• CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso – EL DÍA DEL AMIGO

• CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso – #TETAS

• Breaking Rust – Walk My Walk

• Jack Black – Steve's Lava Chicken

• Saja Boys – Soda Pop

• Snocaps – Coast

• Miley Cyrus – Something Beautiful

• Bad Bunny – DtMF

• MOLIY, Shenseea, Silent Addy, Skillibeng – Shake It To The Max (FLY) - Remix

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