Music I loved in 2025

I’m writing this from Bar, Montenegro, where I’m soaking up some winter sun. I haven’t spent a ton of time in this part of the region, but I’m glad I’m here for the free New Year’s concerts. Of course, I had to see Aleksandra Prijović a few nights ago!

I listened to many songs, went to amazing shows, and made some music this year. I’ve selected just four albums and four songs that I loved in 2025, all of them new releases. I decided to keep my list to the things that really wowed me and the things that really stuck with me.

Thanks to my followers who encouraged me to write this, and to everyone who's been with me this year in person, online, or in spirit!

Wishing you all a peaceful, joyful, loving New Year and 2026! Gëzuar, şerefe, živeli, živjeli, noroc, Γεια μας, na zdravje, наздраве! Send me some other ways to say “cheers” in different languages, as well as your favorite music from 2025!

ALBUMS

Soundtrack to the 2025 life I didn’t quite have

Mert Demir, Yalan Dolan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHg2bkSddIY&list=PLHGbYwCN0p68ujfUECRCmUEEqwJHUmcv1

Mert Demir came onto my radar a few years ago with his hit “Antidepresan” (featuring Mabel Matiz). Since then, I’ve been listening to him casually on and off. His 2025 album Yalan Dolan really clicked for me, though, and I’ve had it on repeat since it came out. It especially accompanied my trips to Istanbul and Antalya. It’s hard for me to pick a favorite song, but if you’re happy you might enjoy dancing to “Bi Gece Gidebilirim”; if you’re sad, “Unuttun Sen Beni” might help you cry.

Soundtrack to the 2025 life I did have

Mitsko Biće, Došlo vreme da se Biće menja

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oe9KM2dPfow&list=OLAK5uy_nfG0mI4gSc1PM1RorJAIGVh8EPxUThrrI

 Before this year, I went to lots of Mitsko Biće concerts without catching the hype. I was just like, this is cool, but not for me. All that changed when I decided, while walking across Brankov Most this summer, to listen to their new album. It’s different from the older stuff, although clearly born of it. Alternating with Mert, this was my soundtrack for the rest of the year. I saw them in concert a couple times. Including the weird (but good) one at Kvaka 22 where he did not play this album. Here's a little taste of the live vibe.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcQX0iF-RuI&list=RDEcQX0iF-RuI&start_radio=1

The long-awaited second album

Koikoi, O Sreći U Snovima

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOd9Zvwn5Wg&list=PLcgz1Wul3sOpEAyVHGtq_i8YJi0pj2KUo

 You know this is one of my favorite bands, you know I participated in breaking the stage last year, you know I went to the album premiere this year (only for the most ardent fans)… You know this is one of my favorite albums of the year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5aemQksPVE&list=RDa5aemQksPVE&start_radio=1

They released music videos for "Ponovo Stran" and "Ti Imaš Mir," but my favorites right now (and it's hard to pick) are "Voleo Je Dan" and "O Sreći."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M52KL101MAY&list=RDM52KL101MAY&start_radio=1

Best traditional-ish

Igor Božanić, Žega

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGdPZdSilLc&list=PLRh4dN-TQZJZ5fZ81LVVbI0xvug3JXKKz

It is not surprising that I should love this ethereal, experimental sevdalinka, but I hope you love it too. Igor also has one of the most gorgeous voices and I got to hear it live earlier this month. And he is from Banja Luka. Absolutely a must!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38cyGbJrpLA&list=RD38cyGbJrpLA&start_radio=1

SONGS

Best “Part II”

suze od luka and Yung Bude, “Nemam Vremena”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iD5GZGJxwU&list=RD9iD5GZGJxwU&start_radio=1

We all know (or do we) that my most listened to song last year (2024) was the Pocket Palma remix of “ALL IN” by Yung Bude (well, now you know). This song is literally the follow-up. Need I say more?

Best vibes

Dina Jashari, “Moreto me tera da mislam”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjFA78lYoUM&list=RDAjFA78lYoUM&start_radio=1

Dina Jashari’s new music is rich and complex, and I love where her explorations are taking her. This was my favorite song on the new album.

Justice for Turkish pop!!!

Mabel Matiz and Ko Shin Moon, “Perperişan”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYTHXdpaLw4&list=RDbYTHXdpaLw4&start_radio=1

The only crime Mabel has committed is making too good of a song. And that doesn’t come with jail time.

Best alternative pop song

Sahati, “Për Kon”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCeEEFzVqeA&list=RDVCeEEFzVqeA&start_radio=1

UGH! I love this so much. Keep your eyes on Toronto-based Kosovo pop artist Sahati.

A bonus, because I love one: Ljubojna “Krena Martinata” (OFFest, 2017)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcTh6MwtwTI&list=RDvcTh6MwtwTI&start_radio=1