As 2025 comes to an end, The Sunday Special is looking back on the year in culture.
This week, we’re listening to the songs and albums that defined the year, for better or worse. Gilbert Cruz is joined by Caryn Ganz and Lindsay Zoladz from The Times’s pop music desk to discuss some of the biggest and best releases of 2025.Albums and songs mentioned in this episode:
Bad Bunny, “Debí Tirar Más Fotos”
Lady Gaga, “Mayhem”
Justin Bieber, “Daisies”
Chappell Roan, “The Giver” and “The Subway”
Sabrina Carpenter, “Manchild”
Doechii, “Alligator Bites Never Heal”
Taylor Swift, “The Life of a Showgirl”
Morgan Wallen, “I’m the Problem”
Ghost, “Skeletá”
Dijon, “Baby”
Geese, “Getting Killed”
Water From Your Eyes, “It’s a Beautiful Place”
PinkPantheress, “Fancy That”
Lily Allen, “Tennis”
Ella Langley, “Choosin’ Texas”
Sleigh Bells, “Bunky Becky Birthday Boy”
Hayley Williams, “Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party”
Turnstile, “Never Enough”
