The Best Music of 2025
Each year at NPR Music, we curate two flagship lists: The Best Albums of the Year and The Best Songs of the Year. But there’s a lot more recommendations and criticism where those came from.
You’ll find all of NPR Music’s year-end journalism — including content from our partner public radio stations and personal picks from our critics and hosts — on this page. Come back often throughout the month of December to see all of our coverage.
The Best Songs of 2025
This is the sound of public radio in 2025. Our list was curated by more than 60 writers and DJs across the NPR Music Network, and runs the gamut of sounds, scenes and styles.. Read the full list.
A federal jury finds Milwaukee judge guilty of obstructing immigration agents
A jury returns a guilty/not guilty verdict in the case of Hannah Dugan. The Milwaukee judge was accused of allowing an undocumented immigrant defender to evade immigration agents
Suspect in Brown University shooting found dead in New Hampshire
The suspect in the shooting at Brown University Saturday was discovered dead Thursday at a storage facility in New Hampshire.
TikTok signs deal to give U.S. operations to Oracle-led investor group
The agreement aims to resolve a yearslong standoff between the popular social media platform and the U.S. government over national security concerns tied to China's parent company, ByteDance.
A family reunion to commemorate the Montgomery Bus Boycott
This month marked the 70th anniversary of the historic Montgomery Bus Boycott. The demonstration was catalyzed when Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a bus. The boycott lasted over a year and is considered a spark of the Civil Rights Movement.
President Trump to add his own name to the Kennedy Center
The arts institution will be called the Trump-Kennedy Center. The president's press secretary said it comes after a unanimous vote by the center's board, which Trump took over earlier this year.
Mangione pre-trial hearing wraps, but judge won’t rule on evidence for months
After three weeks of testimony, a judge will now rule on whether evidence found in Mangione's backpack can be used in his state trial for the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
