Last week, we asked our readers to tell us the best albums of 2025 so far. Their answers were diverse, rounding up everything from the hard-hitting alt-metal of Spiritbox’s Tsunami Sea to the shapeshifting hardcore of Turnstile’s NEVER ENOUGH. Naturally, we also needed to ask about the best songs of 2025 so far. From loosies and deluxe edition extras to lead singles, their responses were just as intriguing, making us excited about what’s to come in the next few months. Find the top fan picks ranked below.
Read more: 10 hidden meanings in twenty one pilots lyrics you probably didn’t know
5. Pierce the Veil – “Kiss Me Now”
In addition to heading out on an era-spanning world tour, Pierce the Veil have been busy plotting a deluxe edition of 2023’s The Jaws of Life. The expanded album includes their cover of Radiohead’s “Karma Police” and “Kiss Me Now,” which quickly became a favorite. Vic Fuentes described it as “a love song to my wife, Danielle, exploring the concept of fear of time passing by too fast. It was inspired by a quote I find true as I move through life. ‘There will never be a perfect time for anything.’ If you spend your life waiting for the perfect moment to do something, it may never come. I tend to overthink things, and this song reminds me to give in more often.”
4. Sleep Token – “Look to Windward”
Sleep Token’s Even In Arcadia, the masked band’s first album through RCA Records, was a highly anticipated offering that shattered records. Although many of its songs could have made this list, our readers gravitated toward its epic opener “Look to Windward.” Hypnotic and heavy, the layers of piano, synths, and guitars give the song an unpredictable but overwhelmingly emotional feel that’s easy to resonate with. The band have even opened their recent gigs with the song, including their appearance at last month’s Download Festival in the U.K. No matter what your favorite Even In Arcadia cut is, “Look to Windward” is certainly a grand way to start the album.
3. Turnstile – “NEVER ENOUGH”
It is indeed a Turnstile summer. The band began their NEVER ENOUGH era with a gigantic free hometown show at Wyman Park Dell, where they gave the massive-sounding title track its live debut. It’s been a complete whirlwind since then, including appearances on The Tonight Show, team-ups with Paramore’s Hayley Williams, and playing a packed release show at Under the K Bridge in NYC. “NEVER ENOUGH” is at the center of it all, ushering in their new chapter with a world-class video (one that’s part of a larger, more cinematic project) and teasing their metamorphic sound.
2. Good Charlotte – “Rejects”
After a good bit of teasing, Good Charlotte announced their highly anticipated return with Motel Du Cap. While at a family member’s wedding at the Hotel du Cap in France, the band put on a spontaneous performance filled with intimacy, warmth, and a total lack of pressure. It proved to be just the inspiration they needed to return to the studio — and remember why they made music in the first place. “It was this wild, once-in-a-lifetime vibe,” Joel explains. “We were just there to celebrate, no pressure, and it reminded us why we started this — pure, unfiltered connection.” Produced by close friends Jordan Fish and Zakk Cervini, “Rejects” proves their modern songs are just as potent as their early 2000s hits.
1. twenty one pilots – “The Contract”
Earlier this year, twenty one pilots revealed that their new album, Breach, was on the way, arriving in September via Fueled by Ramen. Last year’s Clancy — billed as the conclusion to the painstakingly detailed worldbuilding that began with Blurryface — ended on a cliffhanger, revealing that the story wasn’t quite over. The video for “The Contract” picks up where they left off with “Paladin Strait,” giving us the first taste of their fresh era. Given how steadfast their fanbase is, it’s only fitting that this song snagged the top spot.