This year has tested our humanity in many ways, but it has also brought us together through some brilliant music. We’ve done our best to whittle down the cream of the crop, in The Groove’s Christmas countdown, marking the greatest tracks to be released this year. Read the countdown below for our top 12 songs of 2025.

It’s the Twelve Grooves of Christmas, which is where we look back on the best music releases of the year, beginning with brand new albums that have graced our ears in the year 2025.

September’s best new music has been dominated by British women, from the mystical indie rock of The Last Dinner Party, to the jazzy return of RAYE, and of course, Olivia' Dean’s highly anticipated sophmore album. See who else made it into our monthly picks of new tracks and albums on The Groove.