The 2025 Songs that Led Me to Safety

In the most recent episodes of “Stranger Things,” there was a beautiful moment where Max, a character trapped inside her mind, heard music—and it led her to safety. That’s the beauty of music: It can change your entire life if you let it.

2025 was a challenging year, but through it all, music inspired me, comforted me and helped me push through. Each of these songs defined my year. They’re not my top songs, or even the ones I listened to the most. But they are the ones that, when I listen to them again, will make me think of this time in my life.

“Anxiety” — Doechii

Without question, Doechii was one of the biggest breakout stars to hit the alternative hip-hop space this year. With her raw, uplifting aura and authentic personality, she delivered hit after hit. One of them was “Anxiety,” a deeply catchy song that samples Gotye’s 2011 megahit, “Somebody That I Used to Know.”

In it, she talks about—well—her anxiety. It becomes a character, one she has to fight off. That’s what having anxiety is like. It lives and breathes, becoming, at times, overpowering. But in a way, naming it took some of the power away from it—which I needed a lot this year.

“Denial Is a River” — Doechii

The Swamp Princess (a moniker of her own choosing) makes another appearance on my list because this was pure genius lyricism. As a writer, I love consuming good writing, and this song was a masterclass. It was fun while also being deeply relatable. I used it to pick myself up whenever things got heavy.

“Man I Need” — Olivia Dean

Olivia Dean taught all of us that being a smiley, sunshine girl is still cool. She embodied that with “Man I Need” and somehow got us all to do her little jig. When not in distress, I consider myself a fellow smiley, sunshine girl. This tune brought me so much unfiltered joy.

Her entire album, “The Art of Loving,” is fantastic. It feels like the most perfect cup of tea with a good book in a field of yellow flowers.

“Golden” — HUNTER/X

Many have compared “K-Pop Demon Hunters” to “Frozen” or “The Lion King.” After watching it 500 times, I have to agree. The impact those movies had on the children of their time is very much replicated here.

Like “Let It Go,” “Golden” is an anthem about being yourself and loving all the parts of you. It’s no wonder it’s up for so many awards. I found myself belting it all autumn and using it to sit further in my love of myself.

“We’re in Bloom” — Georgina Birch

This song is not from 2025. However, I listened to it for the first time in 2025—and that, in and of itself, is ironic. I heard it in the end credits of an audiobook I was reading, “Maybe This Time” by Cara Bastone.

It reminded me that you can find lovely things, beautiful music and joy in very unexpected places. It was wonderful.

“All This Love” — Cat Burns

When I had my most recent miscarriage, the thing I struggled with most was what to do with all the love and affection I had already developed for my baby. Was I crazy to still have all this love for a being that was gone?

Enter the talent that is Cat Burns. She put everything I was feeling into a song and made me weep. I can’t listen to this song without crying, and I can’t listen to it often. When something is that spot-on, it’s like looking at the sun.

“The Wizard and I” — Cynthia Erivo

No need to explain this one.

“Gnarly” — KATSEYE

These women have dominated TikTok in a way that should be studied. I am not a choreography person. I love to dance, but it’s wild that I can identify their songs just by the dances alone.

They embody fun and girlhood in a way I haven’t experienced since I was a Directioner. At 31, I love as much mindless fun in my life as possible.

“I’m Confident That I’m Insecure” — Lawrence

This band went platinum in my household this year—everything on repeat, particularly this song. Gracie Lawrence has more talent in her little pinkie than most people have in their entire bodies. This song summed up the wild and weird start to my 30s and made me feel seen.

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