Music in 2025 has had it all from breakout new artists and big stars continuing to top the charts to AI-generated artist igniting fierce debate online.

To help us sift through the year in music, Stephanie Sye spoke with Mara Johnston, a freelance music writer and critic, and Candice McDuffie, a freelance music journalist.

Maura and Candice, this is the third year running we've gotten together to talk about the

biggest music stories of the year. It's so great to have you back. I just want to start with

asking whether there were any breakout artists, moments, or shows for either of you in 2025. And we'll start with you,

Candice. I think Tyler the Creator had another really big breakout year. Last year, he had

massive success with Promocopia. This year, he released Don't Tap the Glass. Like sugar on my tongue,

tongue, tongue. And it felt really authentic, refreshing, and deeply intriguing.

Mora, what about you?

Any breakout moments, shows, or albums?

I thought that the Irish singer-songwriter C-Matt had a really great year.

She put out a new record called Euro Country.

She's from Ireland.

She has a really sort of astute and sharp way of

observing the world. Nice words. The times I spent tonight. It's this incredibly honeyed voice

that just, you know, makes you want to listen to Oliver complaints all the time.

You know, what I love about having you guys on is your picks do not always match the charts.

So when you look at the pop charts, you still see familiar names at the top.

Taylor Swift, Morgan Wallen, Bad Bunny.

What do you girls think of their continued dominance?

I think in the case of Bad Bunny, him just honoring his heritage, speaking and singing and rapping in his native language,

continuing to push the boundary sonically for what it means to be a Latin artist has been really important.

...