Click here for a Spotify playlist with the songs mentioned in this newsletter.

The month kicked off with a cursed 72 hours for pop stars and their stage designs. In Houston, Beyoncé got stranded midair when her flying car stalled during “16 Carriages,” dangling above the crowd as she repeatedly called to stop the show. Then in Adelaide, Katy Perry got stuck inside a giant metal sphere mid-flight, halting her show too. The next night in Glendale, Post Malone fell off the stage mid-toast during “Pour Me a Drink,” right as he sang, “I’ve been breakin’ my back.”

The 50 Best Songs of 2025 (So Far) ✨

2025 is flying by, and we’re officially past the halfway point, so it’s time to run back the best songs of the year (so far). We’ve pulled together 50 standouts that defined the last six months. A few highlights are below; hit Spotify for the full list.

50. The Marías, Back To Me (Dream Pop)

33. Bad Bunny, BAILE INoLVIDABLE (Salsa)

18. The Weeknd, Open Hearts (Synthpop)

10. Miley Cyrus & Brittany Howard, Walk of Fame (Electro-Disco)

3. Clipse, So Be It (Gangsta Rap)

BIGGEST Songs of the Week 📈

Katseye's new single "Gameboy" isn't a bad song. It's a nice, catchy earworm that's perfectly pleasant to listen to. But for a group positioned as the next big thing, it’s all just a bit too boring.

If you missed it, Katseye is the latest industry-assembled girl group, formed on the reality competition Dream Academy, where 20 hopefuls competed for a spot in a global pop act. The show was a joint venture between U.S. label Geffen and South Korean entertainment giant Hybe, aiming to create a group inspired by K-pop’s style and choreography with a more palatable sound for a U.S. audience.