There’s been so many nice music releases this yr, however we right here at World Cafe would not dare attempt to rank them from greatest to … least greatest? As an alternative, we’re sharing some musical moments that introduced us a little bit of pleasure in 2025.
A few of these are private, just like the dwell reveals that blew us away. Others are cultural, like our favourite memes or the music headlines that caught our eye.
Kendrick Lamar takes a victory lap at Tremendous Bowl LIX
Kendrick Lamar performs onstage throughout Apple Music Tremendous Bowl LIX Halftime Present at Caesars Superdome on February 9, 2025 in New Orleans.
Gregory Shamus/Getty Photographs North America
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Gregory Shamus/Getty Photographs North America
An amazing efficiency made even higher as a result of it was adopted by a victory for my beloved Philadelphia Eagles. I most likely performed “Not Like Us” about 4 billion instances within the weeks following that sport, and I felt the joys of that win each single time. To actually put that into perspective: I am from Toronto, which Kendrick actually makes enjoyable of within the monitor. Would not matter, it dominated. Go Birds. — Raina Douris, host
The Spotify exodus good points steam
I gave up on Spotify earlier this yr across the identical time a wave of high-profile artist departed from the platform, together with Deerhoof and King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard. Guess what? I might nonetheless discover and purchase their music. (Thanks Bandcamp!) In a late-stage capitalist world the place all the pieces appears to funnel you into fewer decisions, it is reassuring to see artists reject the system that for all accounts treats them terribly.
Not each artist could make that decision, particularly these simply getting began. For these that may and did, I salute you. — Stephen Kallao, contributing host
Keke Palmer codifies Depraved‘s standing as a camp basic
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The two-part Depraved movie adaptation wouldn’t have been half of the cultural second that it was with out its, um, sturdy press tour.
We held area for the lyrics of “Defying Gravity.” Cynthia Erivo tapped her head. Ariana Grande cried, many instances. However when Keke Palmer took the stage on the BET Awards to just accept the award for entertainer of the yr, it felt like Depraved broke containment. In that second, for me personally, Palmer’s tackle the enduring vocal run on the finish of Elphaba’s signature music grew to become the de facto model. — Miguel Perez, producer
Neko Case opens up in her memoir, The More durable I Combat the Extra I Love You
I’ve all the time actually cherished Neko Case as a songwriter and singer. Studying about her childhood and early days within the music trade, my jaw dropped greater than as soon as. I had a couple of tears from each unhappiness and laughter, and I got here to the top of the ebook with a deeper sense of admiration for her as each a musician and as an individual. — Kimberly Junod, senior producer
Limp Bizkit serves up a double dose of “Break Stuff”
Limp Bizkit was one in every of my first favourite bands once I was a child, and attending to scream together with an enormous crowd was one thing I by no means thought I might get to do. They carried out one in every of their most enduring hits not as soon as, however twice, after they opened for Metallica within the pouring rain at Philly’s Lincoln Monetary Subject.
This is the way it went down. Limp Bizkit’s set began throughout an enormous rainstorm. They performed “Break Stuff.” It was superior. Then the rain calmed down and a bunch of individuals got here again to their seats. To shut out their set, they performed “Break Stuff” once more, and it was much more superior. — Raina Douris, host
Finneas creates Apple TV‘s new audio brand
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I will admit that I miss the unique sound, which served as a nod to Macs booting up for many years, however I appreciated what Finneas did with it, even when the musical phrase does not precisely resolve itself.
Soundscapes are musical concepts made by individuals who usually go unrecognized, however the sounds find yourself changing into a part of our lives. What I actually appreciated about this audio brand is that Apple gave Finneas credit score. Certain, he is a giant identify, and that is most likely why they requested him, however it’s nonetheless an acknowledgment. Now, if I might solely discover out who made the brand new ringtones? They’re bangers. — Stephen Kallao, contributing host
Mannequin/Actriz electrifies a tiny venue in Philadelphia
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Like a nightclub within the second circle of Hell, the Brooklyn-based band’s dwell present at Johnny Brenda’s in Philly was sweat-drenched, euphoric, surreal and menacingly queer. Frontman Cole Haden’s charisma is off the charts, and the band is able to pouring extra showmanship right into a 250-cap room with little greater than a tube of lipstick and an extended mic wire than some arena-level artists can ship on their greatest days. Allow us to pray that they headline one other tour quickly. — Miguel Perez, producer
Pulp‘s Jarvis Cocker is on the road
I am actually fortunate. I’ve labored on World Cafe for nearly 25 years now, and I’ve cherished Pulp for even longer. I not often get tremendous starstruck, however when Jarvis Cocker known as me straight on my cellphone to troubleshoot some tech points on a distant interview, I virtually misplaced my thoughts. I proceeded to inform anybody who would pay attention, which now additionally consists of you. — Kimberly Junod, senior producer
“Bizarre Al” Yankovic made us cry
Seeing “Bizarre Al” Yankovic dwell in live performance for the primary time in my life, I’ve by no means felt such unadulterated pleasure at a present. For 2 straight hours, I used to be both laughing out loud or crying blissful tears. The costumes! The showmanship! The songs that I’ve memorized phrase for phrase! Possibly one of the best present of my life. — Raina Douris, host
Hannah Cohen’s harmonies on “Draggin’ ” whisked us away
That is my favourite music of the yr, however there is a level the place it is merely euphoric. Hastily, I really feel like I am in a Kenny Loggins music concerning the power vampires in our life. That “such a drag” chorus simply kills me. — Stephen Kallao, contributing host
Tempesta di Mare spotlights the feminine musicians of baroque Venice
Do you know that it was as soon as thought-about obscene for ladies to play devices in public? In 18th century Venice, orphaned ladies have been skilled to turn out to be musical virtuosos, they usually’d carry out to huge crowds utterly obscured from view.
That is why Tempesta di Mare, Philadelphia’s baroque ensemble, carried out behind a sheer display wall throughout one in every of my favourite dwell concert events of the yr. “Hidden Virtuosas” paid tribute to those feminine musicians, and it blew me away. The cherry on prime? The voices of Girard Faculty’s pupil choir filling the halls of the cathedral. — Miguel Perez, producer
Lagartijeando mixes digital and folkloric traditions in “Guinea Congo”
This can be a rad music I stumbled throughout throughout some weekend listening. There appears to be virtually zero press concerning the Argentine musician’s newest venture, 7 Caminos. Although, frontman Mati Zundel did obtain a bit of affection from NPR again in 2012. If you happen to like this, you also needs to take a look at “Cholula.” — Kimberly Junod, senior producer
“I will take a few of that curry goat, rice and peas”
What occurs when an EDM producer provides a soundtrack to a comic who’s more and more fired up about ordering curry goat with rice and peas? Pure magic. Dom Solesky and Quix ended up creating one of many nice memes of the 2020s, and I’ve watched it lots of of instances at this level. — Stephen Kallao, contributing host
