Every December
Songs of the year
Cash’s definitive list, because the A.I.-infested personal recaps stink. Counted down on Instagram stories every December, kept here for good.
His non-A.I. infested
2025 songs of the year
- no.10
OUTLANDERWestside Gunn OUTLANDERWestside Gunn
This was actually the first song I put on my ‘2025 SOTY’ note.
I’ve been a fan of the Buffalo rap genre from a distance. However, Westside Gunn has always stood out to me, and I think this song is a really enjoyable listen.
- no.9
sakpaseGunna sakpaseGunna
Gunna’s 2025 project was my least favorite of the three he’s released since his stint in prison.
However, that is not a knock because the first two are masterpieces. “sakpase” has been my most revisited song on the album.
- no.8
put it on heartsWHATMORE put it on heartsWHATMORE
I peer into the New York music scene on occasion. My biggest discovery from that activity was WHATMORE.
Their sound reminds me of the late 2000’s Mac Miller era despite it also sounding nothing like that. I promise you that that makes sense in my head. Trust me.
- no.7
BIG MONEYJon Batiste BIG MONEYJon Batiste
Jon Batiste’s 2025 project ‘BIG MONEY’ was one of my favorites of the year.
The title track is an absolute knee slapper that carries some profound messages mixed with a genuine upbeat sound.
- no.6
People WatchingSam Fender People WatchingSam Fender
I was pleasantly surprised to find out that Sam was British instead of American. This song has such a 1980’s Americana vibe that gets better with each relisten.
It sounds like a song from an album that would have a man in blue jeans on the cover.
*Released in Nov-24, album was 2025.
- no.5
Carry OnReverend Hylton Carry OnReverend Hylton
It is always inspiring when people you know are out there creating.
As I got to know Justin, I have gone through his discography and really enjoy his authentic tone. “Carry On” is a wonderful representation of this.
Also, congrats to his partner and him on the birth of their first child.
- no.4
ValerieCongress The Band ValerieCongress The Band
I have been listening to a lot of Amy Winehouse music since moving to London.
So when I discovered a Charleston jam band covering “Valerie”, it definitely ticked a lot of boxes for this 36-year-old South Carolinian.
- no.3
Feel It Coming My WayPenelope Road Feel It Coming My WayPenelope Road
A common theme among this list are songs that remind me of Atlanta. I can admit to missing it in the past year.
Discovering Penelope Road is an Atlanta band after listening through their EP, and then, finding out my friends already followed them made me happy.
- no.2
In RetroThe Gringos In RetroThe Gringos
This has to be my most listened to song of the year. A new discovery for me coming out of the music pipeline that is Athens.
The voice, the rhythm, the guitar solo towards the end really strikes a balance for me. Big fan.
- no.1
Man I NeedOlivia Dean Man I NeedOlivia Dean
I shazamed this song at dinner with Natalie in August. We were shocked to find out that Olivia Dean was actually from Waltham Forest.
I didn’t think much of it and just thought Olivia was a neighborhood icon. I was completely oblivious to actually how big she was until I saw her performing on GMA.
Well, I actually just saw the clip on the neighborhood WhatsApp.
Honorable mentions
- HM
There It IsSunny Lou, 414bigfrank, Run Along Forever There It IsSunny Lou, 414bigfrank, Run Along Forever
This was my Algorithm-driven song of the year. Love these guys. Shoutout Milwaukee. Great city.
- HM
Baby StepsOlivia Dean Baby StepsOlivia Dean
“Man I Need” deserves the top billing, but this song deserves its flowers. It is an absolutely beautifully constructed song.
Cash’s definitive
2024 songs of the year
Ranking completed while commuting on the tube (so much time for activities!)
- no.10
Walking UphillLake Street Dive Walking UphillLake Street Dive
Natalie introduced me to Lake Street Dive. I liked their music but always thought of them as a really good cover band (poor, uneducated assumption by me) because of their fantastic rendition of ‘Rich Girl’.
Their “Good Together” album was great, but ‘Walking Uphill’ always gives me those goosebumps on the back of my neck if I listen to it at the right time in the right mood.
- no.9
ShifterIcewear Vezzo ShifterIcewear Vezzo
I heard this song for the first time at a hip Paris wine bar while I was drawing a sign for Soey before picking Natalie up at CDG. The playlist went from ‘Magnolia’ (good Playboy Carti song) to ‘Down in Atlanta’ (decent Travis/Pharrell song) to this song.
I was shocked Vezz wasn’t from Atlanta. I love the irony of a song called ‘Shifting’ while constantly discussing an electric vehicle.
- no.8
Price I’ll PayThee Sacred Souls Price I’ll PayThee Sacred Souls
By far, my favorite group discovery this year (I know, I know - I’m late), but maybe I’m right on time because their album “Got A Story to Tell” is their most polished work. ‘Price I’ll Pay’ is a perfect example of their stripped down, analog style.
- no.7
Third CoastTeezo Touchdown Third CoastTeezo Touchdown
What else can you ask for in a song? Three beat changes and a thorough assessment of the current state of the dating scene in Natalie’s hometown.
I guess my only complaint is that all three beats almost deserve their own feature.
“Beaumont - too bougieeeee.”
- no.6
Big City BoysCailin Pitt Big City BoysCailin Pitt
When Cailin left Atlanta for Chicago, I immediately moved to London.
Jokes aside, I love seeing the people I know create - it’s inspiring. And I think Cailin’s music is probably this year’s top example.
- no.5
II MOST WANTEDBeyoncé & Miley Cyrus II MOST WANTEDBeyoncé & Miley Cyrus
Hands down, this should win the Album of the Year.
I love this song - it has an odd association to me with us saying goodbye to Carmen. I miss her everyday, and this song brings about her memory in such a positive way.
Also, Miley and Beyoncé on the same song. Literally nothing could go wrong.
- no.4
Everyday HustleFuture, Metro Boomin & Rick Ross Everyday HustleFuture, Metro Boomin & Rick Ross
A proven recipe for my favorite song on a great project is a Rick Ross feature. None more important than my favorite song of all-time ‘Devil in a New Dress’ on Kanye’s MBDTF.
This is an instant classic for me on Future’s best project of the year (“WE DON’T TRUST YOU”). It is definitely not the most acclaimed song on the album, but man, you don’t invite Ross on a track and expect anything less than a heater.
- no.3
Darling, ITyler, The Creator ft. Teezo Touchdown Darling, ITyler, The Creator ft. Teezo Touchdown
I’m not the biggest Tyler fan. I still always picture him as the goofy internet guy from his Odd Future days, but his music, like age, has matured and evolved. His creativity is wild, and his ease of re-definition is envious.
“Chromakopia” is a great album, and ‘Darling, I’ is my most listened to song on the project. The upbeat nature and the inclusion of Beaumont’s own, Teezo, wins me over.
- no.2
New Perspective (Live From Fenway Park)Noah Kahan New Perspective (Live From Fenway Park)Noah Kahan
I haven’t bought into the Noah Kahan hype, but I have to admit his Live at Fenway album is great. The first time I heard the ‘New Perspective’ to ‘Everywhere, Everything’ transition, I was immediately taken back to a Wofford dorm room where we would watch John Mayer’s “Live at Nokia” album on DVD (side note: best song is ‘In Your Atmosphere’, hands down).
So, I can totally see his appeal to the younger generations. And this whole album is really good.
- no.1
SOUTH OF FRANCEFuture SOUTH OF FRANCEFuture
In my first in-depth conversation with Casino, I told him that ‘SOUTH OF FRANCE’ was my favorite song on the project - hands down, but I thought Future left some meat on the bone of the beat. It felt like it was missing another verse from him. He smiled and told me to wait.
Well, what he meant was that a remix with a Travis Scott feature was going to drop.
And let me tell you - pee you, does it stink.
Supposedly, Travis didn’t submit the verse in time to be included on the album version. And thank goodness because the album version is perfect, even if it is brief, and it’s my song of the year. Skip the Travis remix verse and put the album version on a loop. Shoutout to Kirkwood.
Two other awards
- ★
Down 4 So Long (Remix)ILOVEMAKONNEN Down 4 So Long (Remix)ILOVEMAKONNEN
Song of the year that came out a decade ago but I just found out about it
A SoundCloud drop from a decade ago came across my purview randomly and I have enjoyed running it like it was a new release. Ezra Koenig is that dude.
- ★
True Love (Live at Paste)Durand Jones & The Indications True Love (Live at Paste)Durand Jones & The Indications
Song of the year that came out at the end of 2023 that I didn’t discover until 2024
I can’t stop listening to Durand Jones. And this song is epitome of the mood he brings about when I listen to his tunes.
Honorable mentions, no particular order
- HM
squabble upKendrick Lamar squabble upKendrick Lamar
When Kendrick teased this song at the start of the ‘Not Like Us’ music video, you had to be skeptical if the hype was going to live up to the final result. Well, GNX was great. I actually don’t think this is my personal favorite song of the album, but I think it is the most important.
- HM
back in the aGunna back in the aGunna
“One of Wun” was my personal album of the year. I listen to it every time front to back with zero skips. So picking one song as my favorite is difficult, but I will choose this one because it is an ode to Atlanta.
- HM
Pink SkiesZach Bryan ft. Watchhouse Pink SkiesZach Bryan ft. Watchhouse
I didn’t listen to much country music this year but I always enjoy Zach Bryan’s music. This was my favorite off of his most recent project.
- HM
The LargestBigXthaPlug The LargestBigXthaPlug
You have to give a hat tip to the ascension of Big X. Also, it makes me feel old that this might be the last generation of rappers who will shoutout Jordan wearing 45.
- HM
Style RareOffset & Gunna Style RareOffset & Gunna
This is just an enjoyable song featuring two of my favorite Atlanta rappers. Just some casual shit talking about absurdly-priced, ostentatious clothes over a weird beat.
- HM
BABY I’M BACK (Remix)The Kid LAROI & Gunna BABY I’M BACK (Remix)The Kid LAROI & Gunna
The Kid LAROI might be the white boy of the year. Getting Gunna and Future to do features in the same year - he either has some sway or deep pockets.
- HM
ÉtoufféeVince Staples ÉtoufféeVince Staples
Not much of Vince’s music is on my repeat list (shoutout ‘EAST POINT PRAYER’ - absolute banger) But ‘Étouffée’ is a great song on probably a better project - “Dark Times” was an excellent spin even if I don’t plan to revisit in the future.
- HM
Streets Made Me A KingFuture & Metro Boomin Streets Made Me A KingFuture & Metro Boomin
If this wasn’t Future’s 3rd best project, then it probably makes my top 10. But by far the best song on the project, I love that it was the last in the tracklist.