Music We’re Taking Into 2025
Morinsola Kukoyi | Digital Director
Though plenty of new music is going to be released this year, there are quite a few previously released songs that everyone should consider listening to throughout the new year. Whether old or new, music is made to listen to as the years go by. Here are some song recommendations that one might happen to fall in love with.
“Bruises Off The Peach” by Ryan Beatty: For anyone not familiar with Ryan Beatty, he got his major start in the industry by working with the group BROCKHAMPTON on their albums “Saturation II” and “Saturation III.” He has since gone on to drop his own albums and has written on “Cowboy Carter” with Beyoncé. “Bruises Off The Peach” is from his album “Calico” and is such a beautiful song. With a tender melody of a guitar and Beatty’s soft voice, he delivers a tender performance that is sure to tug on the heartstrings. The song explores the chaos of trying to figure out whether it be with a relationship or one’s inner thoughts. In a hauntingly beautiful way, the song allows Beatty to feel grief about what he has been through. The pain in his words sting like a deep cut but emote grief that any listener can relate to.
“Maroon” by Taylor Swift: There are so many words to describe Taylor Swift; her pen and hard work have made her one of the most successful women in the music industry. Some people are only familiar with her radio hits, but her best songs are the hidden gems from her various albums. Her 2022 album “Midnights” (which won Album of the Year at the Grammys) happens to hold some of these treasured gems. “Maroon” reminisces about a long-term relationship that took place in New York many moons ago. The cleverness of using the color of maroon and other shades of red symbolizes the different memories that came along with the relationship. Another point of view that some Swifties had mentioned is that the song can be seen as a mature version of her 2012 hit, “Red.” While “Red” focuses more on a young love, “Maroon” sheds light on a much older and complicated love.
“Birds of a Feather” by Billie Eilish: Imagine driving down the interstate with friends or a significant other. One’s hair is flying in the wind, while the sun is shining down and warming their skin. “Birds of a Feather” encapsulates this picturesque moment. Billie Eilish’s pen sums into words and a melody of how much love one has for the people that they care about. The beginning of the song feels like one; a body is being lifted into ethereal eternity. Eilish’s soft voice instantly calms all anxiety that was taking over the brain and allows one to drift into another dimension. The idea of having love for someone special until everything disappears is touching. Platonic and romantic relationships are meant for us to build trust and community with those who want to love every fiber of our souls.
“Luther” by Kendrick Lamar featuring SZA: Starting off a song with a sample of “If This World Was Mine” by Luther Vandross is an iconic move. Kendrick Lamar has delivered nothing but a momentous year of music and really shone through with his album “GNX.” “Luther” offers a mellow vibe but leans into a sense of romance. The song centers around wanting to continue to admire one’s significant other and trying to create a safe space for them. In addition, SZA’s vocals on the song make it sound so heavenly. Listening to this song is the audio equivalent of the meme of Bart Simpson vibing to music. If one needs to just unwind, turn the speakers up and blast this song.
“BMF” by SZA: After her long-awaited album “LANA,” SZA finally delivered us some great music. “BMF” is a tropical sounding song that one could shake their hips to while sipping on a fresh smoothie. With a sample from “The Girl from Ipanema,” the song gives the classic bossa nova hit a fresh, modern twist, blending its smooth melody with SZA’s sultry vocals and vibrant beats. It is the kind of track that effortlessly transports listeners to a breezy seaside getaway. This song will become a big hit this summer. It will not be a surprise if its radio stations all over the nation. Its infectious rhythm and feel-good vibes make it perfect for every playlist.
“Don’t Smile” by Sabrina Carpenter: It has been about time that Sabrina Carpenter got her flowers. Her 2024 album “Short n’ Sweet” has since boosted her popularity. Ms. Carpenter has already blessed society’s ears with smash singles, including “Expresso,” “Please, Please, Please” and “Taste.” The beauty of her latest album is the lesser-known songs. “Don’t Smile” touches on the honest struggle of trying to move on. Carpenter croons about wanting her ex to feel the same heartache that she is currently facing. “Don’t Smile” might honestly be one of the best songs off the album. Her vulnerability to display her mourning with her sultry voice illuminates her underrated artistry within the industry.
“My All” by Mariah Carey: Something about a 90s Mariah Carey song will always soothe the soul. Off her sixth studio album “Butterfly,” “My All” longs for the passion about falling in love. After a relationship with former baseball legend Derek Jeter, Carey detailed that she wanted her song to reflect the longing for a passionate relationship after years in a loveless marriage. Her authenticity and vulnerability make the song so powerful. With the beautiful Spanish guitar strumming softly in the background, the song allows for listeners to focus on Carey’s stunning vocals. In a world where our generation is longing for genuine romantic connections, Carey provides a song where the yearning is nothing but relatable. “My All” is one of Carey’s most raw and magical RnB songs ever written.
Though the music industry continuously evolves with fresh releases, there is something special about revisiting hidden gems and timeless classics. These songs, whether new or old, resonate with emotions and stories that transcend time, making them perfect companions for the year ahead. From Ryan Beatty’s tender emotions in “Bruises Off The Peach” to the nostalgic yearning in Mariah Carey’s “My All,” each track offers a unique perspective on love, loss and life. Whether swaying to the tropical vibes of SZA’s “BMF” or reflecting on the complexities of relationships with Taylor Swift’s “Maroon,” these songs remind listeners of music’s ability to connect and heal. As the year unfolds, give these recommendations a listen—a new favorite song might be on the horizon!
Morinsola Kukoyi is a grad student studying Journalism and Media Studies, with a concentration in Sports Media. She holds the role of Digital Director at Alice. In her free time, Morinsola loves to watch soccer and Formula 1.
