The Soundtrack of Summer 2025

2025’s music landscape has been up in the air for a while now. It is a year of music that is not putting pressure on itself to be defined by any specific sound, and this is precisely what might be causing listeners some anxiety. The past few years have featured structured releases with a clear trajectory towards the all-important and central component of an artist’s success: the summer soundtrack.

Being hailed as the artist who is defining the moment and encapsulating the energy of summer has catapulted many into the limelight in the past—think Megan Thee Stallion’s Hot Girl Summer and last year’s BRAT summer with Charli XCX at the helm. 2025 has not, as of yet, provided us with any hints as to who could be taking on this mantle—or if there will be anyone at all.

In some cases, it is a specific genre of music that takes over summer, giving everyone an odd sense of comfort, knowing that music is moving in a certain direction reflective of the zeitgeist it is surrounded by. Looking back, 2017 had a huge emphasis on Latin American pop, with the hugely popular Despacito by Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee and Justin Bieber dominating the charts and radio stations. The UK really revelled in the sound of Afrobeats in 2019, whilst America had fully taken note of K-Pop by this point, with BTS gaining an immense fanbase.

Certain artists have also been able to take over summer playlists with timed releases matching the sonic atmosphere. Most notable has to be Drake, with songs like Hotline Bling, Passionfruit, In My Feelings and Rich Baby Daddy (to name a few) getting huge numbers during the sunnier months. Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, Calvin Harris, Dua Lipa and others are more examples of this summer-sounding music. Whether it is purely pop, house, rap or Afrobeats, they bring a bright flair to their artistry that makes it unskippable during summertime.

The desire for summer 2025 to have a soundtrack and a specific direction is likely due to the huge lineup of releases from 2024. A lot of popular artists released albums in 2024, and so no matter what month, what week, what day, there was a new project to digest. Ariana Grande, Beyoncé, Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar, Dua Lipa, Charli XCX, Sabrina Carpenter, Doechii, Tyler, The Creator, Post Malone and more released projects all throughout 2024. This, in turn, oversaturated the music industry so much that every month had its own specific sound, often related to the artists who released then. However, Charli XCX’s BRAT really took over the summer months and gave EDM and house music its much-needed moment in the limelight—or should I say, the sunshine.

As we reach the precipice of summer this year, I have no idea what will be its defining moment. There are a few album releases to note this year, such as Tate McRae’s So Close to What, Lady Gaga’s MAYHEM, and The Weeknd’s Hurry Up Tomorrow. Upcoming releases by Reneé Rapp (Bite Me, due in August) and Miley Cyrus’ Something Beautiful (releasing next week) definitely have potential, but it seems 2025 is picking and choosing what it likes.

Rather than albums and artists taking over, certain handpicked tracks are building up to form an eclectic, messy but individualistic summer playlist. Examples include NOKIA by PARTYNEXTDOOR and Drake, Abracadabra by Lady Gaga, Doechii’s Anxiety, and Sabrina Carpenter’s Busy Woman. With a huge number of popular artists on tour—from SZA and Kendrick Lamar to Tate McRae and Post Malone—viral tour moments may cause a resurgence in popularity for their songs or projects. Other than this, the summer release schedule for 2025 is looking relatively empty.

This does, however, allow for opportunity. Newer artists, or any lesser-known ones, have a better chance of recognition for their specific artistry in a year where there are not as many huge pop stars releasing. Former Little Mix member JADE is releasing That’s Showbiz, Baby! in September, and Addison Rae’s self-titled Addison is out in June. Both debut albums are given the opportunity to define the musical environment with less fierce competition.While 2025’s summer soundtrack may still be undefined, this ambiguity reflects a broader shift in how we engage with music. Instead of a singular genre or artist dominating the season, we’re witnessing a mosaic of influences that echo the singular and authentic way people now consume music. Playlists are replacing traditional albums, and virality on social media increasingly shapes listening habits. This open playing field offers a unique space for emerging artists to break through, while seasoned stars adapt to a more fluid landscape. Whether a defining sound emerges or not, the summer of 2025 promises to be one of creative exploration and unexpected discoveries.