With the popularity of the “your music wrapped” trend on streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, avid music listeners can see their top tracks, genres and artists for the year. There are over 100 tracks on our monthly new music mega playlist, and it’s time to reflect on the local bangers of 2025.
St. Louis on the Air host Elaine Cha, new music show originator Miya Norfleet and producer Darrious Varner discuss why these 11 tracks from the past 14 episodes have stuck with them all year long.
“Looking back it's been great to have people comment to me when I meet them, how this show has been a source of not just introduction, but of exploration of different genres and artists, especially in a time when there's not that much coverage of music,” Cha said.
These are the top tracks from St. Louis artists in 2025:
K Kudda Muzic, Lena Clav - “Lie to Me”
K Kudda Muzic’s jazz prowess is on full display with the arrangement of this track. All of the instruments from the electric piano to the subtle symbol crashes and bass guitar ooze traditional jazz, while Clav’s ethereal vocals ground the song with a more modern tone. This song stands firmly at the intersection of jazz and neo-soul.
Inner City Witches - “Malfunction B.C.”
“In every person, there exists two wolves. In me, there is a wolf that loves pop music and ‘girly popness’. And there's a wolf that is raging and ready to head bang and rock out. This song turns me up every time I hear it.” - Darrious Varner, St. Louis on the Air producer
Eldraco Price + FreeNation - “Glitter”
Funky live instrumentation meets soaring vocals on the Eldraco + FreeNation title track “Glitter.” Price’s voice is powerful and undeniable, standing as tall as he is with or without heels. While this sexy and sensual track makes for delicious headphone candy, you have to see Eldraco live because “glitter is a promise that gets delivered on,” Cha said.
Russo & Co. - “Key West of the Midwest”
“Listen, I have no desire at all to be in an inner tube floating, but this song makes me want to go on a float trip. There is something about it that is so catchy and just so chill and laid back. It just makes me want to, like, lay back with a beer in an inner tube on a river, which is not something I would do.” - Darrious Varner, St. Louis on the Air producer
Whitworth - “Standard Faces”
“Whitworth is just full of light and love and an absolute delightful person to be around. He called it bedroom pop when he was in the studio with us. And this is an album that was basically a byproduct of being in the house during COVID shutdown. I love this song, and it's crazy to think that he's just under a comforter writing this and recording it.” – Miya Norfleet, St. Louis on the Air producer
Mai Lee - “I’m Ready”
“I don't know what it is about pop music that just makes my whole body like ascend to the heavens, but something about a woman singing over a synth beat. It never fails to make my body move.” – Darrious Varner, St. Louis on the Air producer
Umami - “Djadou”
“If the last couple of songs made you break your neck, this song will make you throw it in a circle. The first time I heard this song, when Umami put their album out, I almost threw my headphones down, but I did stand up and forgot for two seconds where I was. Along with this being a banger, bringing in their Iranian roots with this song as well, is also gorgeous.” – Miya Norfleet, St. Louis on the Air producer
Fera - “nauseous”
“Mvstermind got me hip to Fera during one of our previous new music roundups earlier this year. I just want to shout out to the Black alternative girlies. I love this song. It puts me in mind of Evanescence.” – Miya Norfleet, St. Louis on the Air producer
G.A. Barz, Bates - “Good Sis”
On “Good Sis,” G.A. Barz and Bates expertly juxtapose the hard-hitting, slightly dark and spooky vibe of the instrumental with uplifting and powerful lyrics. The two rappers paint the picture of a ride through the city empowering each other to be the “epitome of cool kids.”
Shinra Knives - “Some of Y’all Don’t”
“Some of Y’all Don’t” is a track that host Elaine Cha “cannot stop playing.” It is frenetic and forces you to get lost in the distortion. The choppy vocal samples throughout the track go by so fast that you can’t understand most of them outside of a random scream and “Let me get ‘em!” This one is a chaotic journey through tempo, pitch shifting, time and space.
Rockwell Knuckles - “YES YOU ARE (A STAR)”
“You will break your neck listening to this song, okay! Rockwell, his word play, his delivery, I mean, he's a star. He's literally rapping as the sun. That's beautiful. I love it, and we need it because it's cold outside. So, I've been listening to this song even more lately, because I need that literal energy and vitamin D to feel the heat.” – Miya Norfleet, St. Louis on the Air producer
Check out the St. Louis on the Air 2025 mega playlist here:
For more reflections of new releases from St. Louis-area musicians, listen to St. Louis on the Air on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or click the play button below.
“St. Louis on the Air” brings you the stories of St. Louis and the people who live, work and create in our region. The show is produced by Miya Norfleet, Emily Woodbury, Danny Wicentowski, Elaine Cha and Alex Heuer. Darrious Varner is our production assistant. The audio engineer is Aaron Doerr.
Calling all St. Louis-area artists and music fans: St. Louis on the Air wants your recommendations! Help us discover and feature musical talent in the region by filling out this Google Form. All genres are welcome!
