WendyMix 2025

Trying to share a bit of fun with my annual funny photo* and songs I loved from 2025 (not trying to proclaim these THE BEST songs of 2025 at all, just ones I had on repeat). The WendyMix is now, I think, in it's 24th year!

Go here for the Spotify playlist. I'll try to put on Apple Music too.

Track listing and explanations below

Absolutely genius Photoshop wizardry – NOT AI – by a great graphic designer called Robyn Larkin, from the agency Bobo Creative who does wonderful film campaigns. Hire him to do real work to make up for the disturbing minutes of his life he wasted putting my head on Walton Goggins’ body.

Berghain, Rosalia, Bjork & Yves Tumor

Do we call it highly original or batshit crazy? Either way it completely stops me in my tracks and I love the combination of these three totally unique creatives.

It’s a Mirror, Perfume Genius

He never disappoints.

Everybody’s Song, Robert Plant

A cover of a Low song, and at 77 Mr Plant still very much HAS IT.

Townies, Wednesday

Small town ennui, warbly falsetto – I’m in.

Heathcliff, Snocaps, Waxahatchee & Allison Crutchfield

Also check out Waxahatchee’s solo album from this year.

Scissors, Julia Michaels & Maren Morris

Breakup song with catchy melodies and clever lyrics in a don’t give an F way.

Joy, Joy!, Valerie June 

Her voice is so distinctive.

Catch These Fists, Wet Leg

Was scared for their sophomore slump and relieved when I heard this.

The Subway, Chappell Roan

She really is a strong songwriter, eh? A bit of dream pop influence I’m digging.

Nice To Each Other, Olivia Dean

Liked the summery, laid-back vibes.

Focus is Power, Self Esteem

Adore her too.

Not Ideal, Men An Tol

Probably my fave song on this whole list. Discovered from 6 Music and I love a bit of jangly folky indie boy pop. They are from South London but named after some standing stones in Cornwall. Aside: I love me some standing stones and adored visiting Avebury this summer.

Geese, Cobra

As a 6 Music listener I heard Geese hundreds of times, and I’m so glad I did. They’re from Brooklyn, of course they are.

Crying the Night, Buckingham Nicks

I was going to put on a track from the play Stereophonic, inspired by Fleetwood Mac, then I realised that the songs just weren’t as good as the OGs. Scott turned me onto this 1973 album which was finally released properly in 1975.

Tina, Pulp

Jarvis is a National Treasure. A lot of great tracks on this album but this one is my earworm.

Cold Heart, Nilufer Yanya

Another unique talent we’re lucky to have in the UK.

Bloom Baby Bloom, Wolf Alice

Whole album is fantastic, seek it out.

A Point Too Hard to Make, The Cribs

Just some random indie rock I liked. Twins from Yorkshire.

Never Enough, Turnstile

Just some random guitar rock I liked from a Baltimore band.

Euro-Country, CMAT

I’m embarrassed I missed CMAT in 2024! Only discovered here on Jools Holland on NYE. She’s quite a character and we need more characters in the world, and especially in pop music.

Whole Again, Atomic Kitten

True story: sitting in a pre-Cannes screening of Harris Dickinson’s Urchin, and the lights go up and the friend sitting next to me says, ‘so, that means Atomic Kitten on the WendyMix right?’ OF COURSE IT DOES. Because I wasn’t living in the UK during the Kitten heyday I had never properly heard this song (released in 2000), or didn’t really know who was singing. It’s a DELIGHT, thank you Harris for bringing this song into my life. And for your gorgeous film – BAFTA voters go watch Urchin immediately. (I since learned a lot more about Atomic Kitten in the BBC Girlbands Forever docuseries.)

Nokia, Drake

I thought we were over Drake out of loyalty to Kendrick but this song proved me otherwise.

Another Baby!, Dijon

Spiritual successor to Prince? Discuss.

Dudu, yeule

Dumb but catchy? She’s from Singapore.

APT., Rosé & Bruno Mars

An inspired pairing and a hooky song.

Hooked, Franz Ferdinand

The first song selected for this year’s WendyMix, the day it was released: Jan 6, 2025.

Don’t Tap That Glass, Tyler The Creator

The other song of the year that just stopped me in my tracks every time I heard it, sounds like nothing else.

Golden, Huntr/X, Ejae, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami

Am I down with Gen Z or is it Gen Alpha? – maybe I’m not so down after if I don’t know what Gen it is. A too-catchy pop song from K-Pop Demon Hunters!

Sports Car, Tate McRae

What’s gone wrong in my life that a 51 year old grown woman is listening to this 22-year-old Canadian pop starlet? But I can’t help myself. At least it’s raunchy.

Dopamine, Robyn

Always love some new Robyn. We all need more dopamine, find yours however you can, I’m not judging.