Not all music in 2025 hit the mark. Some tracks were overly polished, while others were simply overhyped, leaving listeners questioning the choices that led to their release.
Here’s a look at five songs that stood out, though not for great reasons. And, well, you might want to see this.
1. Kanye West “WW3”
The title “World War III” suggests something significant, yet the song feels more like a half-formed rant with a beat. Kanye starts with “She wants to jump on ‘Lari'”—it quickly loses its meaning—before diving into a self-referential critique, throwing out lines like “They say I’m a bully, totally anti-Semitic,” without any real context or clarity. There’s no catchy hook or structure; just raw lyrics thrown at the audience. It almost sounds like musings that weren’t quite finished.
2. Will Smith ft. Obanga “Pretty Girls”
Talk about a letdown. “Pretty Girls” feels like an attempt by Will Smith to revive a carefree rap persona that’s been absent for years. The song features earnest lyrics aimed at celebrating women, but it feels awkward—especially given Smith’s complex personal life which could have provided a more engaging narrative. Rather than feeling charming, it’s rigid and seems stuck in the past. Honestly, maybe a music comeback wasn’t necessary here.
3. Cruise Beckham “Optics”
“Optics” does exactly what the title implies—it focuses on surface appeal. Cruise Beckham relies on shiny production and vague, self-satisfied lyrics that deal with perception and societal pressure, yet the song lacks depth. Amidst family drama involving his brother Brooklyn, this track fails to carve out its own identity. Instead of packing a punch, it just regurgitates buzzwords, ultimately feeling more like marketing than musical art. In a year filled with true hits, “Optics” showcased that just having connections doesn’t translate into good music.
4. Rihanna “Friend”
Fans were eager for Rihanna’s return with “Friend of Mine,” her first release since “Lift Me Up” back in 2022. Yet this highly anticipated song—written for the new “Smurfs” movie—feels more like a cheerful obligation aimed at a younger crowd than a heartfelt comeback. It’s upbeat for sure, but it doesn’t deliver the kind of powerful return that many fans were hoping for.
