I know that most people come to this blog looking for K-pop, but I’ve made it my mission to also spotlight global pop music each month. Those “global pop round-ups” culminate today with my top 50 tracks of the year. It’s been a very good year for pop music, making this list hard to cobble together (and resulting in a very long “honorable mentions” list). Part of this is by design. Unlike my K-pop and J-pop lists, any song released or promoted in 2025 is eligible here. A song doesn’t have to be a single or have a music video to show up on this list, but I do limit myself to a maximum of three songs from each artist because otherwise we run the risk of someone totally dominating with a bunch of great album tracks.
Enjoy, and I hope you discover something new that appeals to you! Warning: my taste heavily favors pop music with a capital “P”!
SONGS 50-31
SONGS 30-11
SONGS 10-1
2025 YEAR-END MASTERPOST
30. Benjamin – Lokki
Benjamin does what Benjamin does best yet again with this synthpop slammer. It has shades of Hoida Mut, which is the biggest compliment I can give.
29. Dove Cameron – Too Much
This arch electropop highlight re-established Dove Cameron in a new way and instantly converted me into a fan.
28. Jade – This Is What We Dance For
Jade released so many great songs this year, but this propulsive dance track won my heart the most. It reminds me of Xenomania’s work with Girls Aloud.
27. Andy Bell – Dance For Mercy
The Erasure frontman has been releasing music for forty years now. His new collaboration with producer/DJ Dave Audé proves he’s still got plenty of hooks left.
26. Zara Larsson – Crush
Everyone else was dancing under the Midnight Sun this year, but I was in the next room over enjoying this perfect pop/EDM banger.
25. Metteson – Hunger
This sounds like a synth-soaked, sweaty bacchanal. I’m not sure if that makes sense, but I can think of no better way to describe it.
24. Maris – Mary + I
We’ve seen many artists playing around in this post-Chappell Roan style of pop, but none found a better chorus than Maris.
23. Gustaph – The Feeling
Incredibly euphoric electropop from this Belgian star. It has such a strong pulse and a sweep-you-off-your-feet chorus.
22. Vincint – I Forgot
Vincint’s music is impossibly cathartic and this song is no different, unfurling a mammoth singalong chorus supported by equally huge production.
21. Doja Cat – Jealous Type
Unjustly ignored by American listeners, Jealous Type reinvented Doja Cat as a late-80s R&B superstar.
20. Tom Aspaul – That Girl
A bittersweet blend of perfectly calibrated 80s soft rock that culminates in an incredibly placed guitar solo.
19. Maria Jane Smith – I Hate San Francisco
This is about as close as I get to country music these days, carried by a killer set of melodies and cathartic energy.
18. Frankmusik x Shirobon – Imposter Syndrome
Sharp and angular and stuffed to the brim with electronic goodies. This will get your blood going.
17. Sigrid – Fort Knox
Not even a talk-heavy chorus can thwart the fantastic energy and anthemic power driving this highlight.
16. Sleigh Bells – This Summer
I love when songs are able to contrast dark lyricism with peppy, upbeat music. This one blends influences from so many different places to create a complex — yet breezily simple — statement.
15. Chrissy Chlapecka – Aria
Aria concludes with three mighty key changes in a row, upping the stakes for its madcap, over-the-top intensity.
14. Barbara Bobak – Stan Na Dan
Did you ever want a Serbian version of Infinite’s The Chaser? Probably not, but Stan Na Dan bottles that same energy and brings it to the Eastern European dancefloor.
13. Rebecca Black – Twist The Knife
Perfect, Gaga-esque pop from an artist who started her career as a laughingstock. What am amazing turnaround!
12. Comanavago – Say Less
This was the only track promoted from this group in 2025. Otherwise, they would have been all over the countdown. It’s recession pop brilliance.
11. Annalisa – lo sono
Absolutely stunning pop music from the Italian phenom. The chorus has such addictive power and I love the beefy 80s instrumental.