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July 28, 2025
July 28, 2025
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It’s that time of year again. Time for holiday festivities and end-of-year reflection as we start looking ahead to 2026. Each year the RB Writing Team joins in on the fun by participating in a three-part series consisting of their top tracks, albums, and breakout artists of the year. Without further ado, let’s kick off the series with our writers’ top tracks of 2025 below:
Hana Hamdan
There’s always that one track you know is going to stick with you for years, and for me, “Make Me Feel” was exactly that. Oskar Med K took the emotional punch of house music and wrapped it in this shimmering groove that hits just as hard at 2 PM in your headphones as it does on a festival stage at midnight. Warm, uplifting, nostalgic — it’s a song that feels like a memory even the first time you hear it.
“Dreamin’” was one of those tracks that just refused to leave dancefloors this year. Dom Dolla bottled up that airy, floating vocal and paired it with a driving groove that feels like you’re being lifted the entire time. It’s bright, it’s euphoric, and it has that signature Dom Dolla sound where everything hits exactly where it should. This was a peak-time favorite for me — the kind of song that makes you feel like you’re rising with the crowd.
Zeds Dead always manage to be emotional and heavy at the same time, and “One of These Mornings” is one of their most beautifully crafted tracks. It’s cinematic, haunting, and full of that sunrise-drive energy. A breath of calm in the chaos, and one of the songs that stayed with me most this year.
“On & On” pulls you in with its clean, hypnotic groove. It’s simple, addictive, and unmistakably Chris Lake. Somewhere in the middle of replaying it again this year, it really hit me how monumental 2025 has been for him. This track is a perfect example of why: effortlessly cool, rhythmically tight, and built for any stage or moment. It’s Chris Lake in prime form, doing what he does best without ever overthinking it.
Chase Courtney
My pick for Top Track of 2025 is “Salamander” by Levity. The song is part of the Snack Pack Vol. 1 EP that dropped in late September and blew my expectations out of the water. “Salamander” is an absolute RIPPER and jumps effortlessly between vibes and sounds. It features froggy grunts, thick bass waves, and plenty of wubs. The wobbly dance break around the 1:30 mark, Levity’s effective use of samples and menacing synth further add to the track’s serious banger status. This track is a interdimensional rollercoaster that launches the listener into orbit only to violently crash back down to earth. Yes.. IT’S THAT GOOD! Hi-hats and residual bass waves briefly slow down the track, only to close out with another wobbly dance break. “Salamander” lives up to its name and is a definite highlight of 2025.
“PULL UP IN THAT NEW DRIP!”
Marcus Arrieta
REAPER is one of my all time DNB faves and he always throws down tracks that are filled with raw energy and buzzing basslines. REAPER and Basstripper’s collab track “MOMENT” is one track from this year that has had me hooked. REAPER blends his iconic dubstep and DNB fusion sound with Basstripper’s heavy roller beats in a way that just tickles the brain.
Very few do riddim like the don, OG Nixin. His style highlights that OG riddim sound mixed with his own special finesse. “HEAVYWEIGHT FUNK” from The High Rollers EP has a perfect layering of low to the floor bass, swinging riddim beats, sprialing melodies, and sprinkles of OG Nixin’s classic ad libs that just make you want to bounce. I highly recommend checking out his discography if you love riddim.
Kade Kleinschmidt
My favorite dance track from this year has got to be “You Don’t Own Me” by Prospa and Josh Baker. Both of these artists delivered some of their best music yet in 2025, and this track is a clear representation of that growth. It was one of the most memorable house anthems of the summer due to its tight synth work, driving low end and a vocal full of attitude delivered by RAHH. This one will surely stay in my rotation for years to come!
Jake Kwapiseski
Honorable Mention (personal favorite)
Courtney Longhurst
Chris Lake’s Chemistry album yielded many of my top songs from the year. One that stands out the most however, is ‘Ease My Mind.’ Its smooth, disco vibe kept me company by the pool all summer long.
I unfortunately joined the GRiZ hype train literally right before his hiatus after witnessing his Ursa Major sets in Flagstaff. Two long years later, his explosive 2025 comeback made the wait totally worth it, and this track ended up being one of my top hits of the year.
Another one of my poolside staples, ‘How Does It Feel’ is a groovy standout track from her stellar album released this year, Never Walk Alone.
