As we reach the end of 2025, we’re looking back at the music that shaped our classes and inspired our riders. This marks our third year at ICA creating a year-end profile built entirely around the music that defined the past 12 months, and it’s become a tradition we look forward to—one that lets us celebrate the trends, stories, and standout artists that guided our rides. This year brought a mix of blockbuster releases, breakout artists, genre crossovers, and cultural moments that kept the charts lively and our playlists refreshed. Fern has pulled together a profile made exclusively from songs released in 2025, giving us a ride that doubles as both a workout and a celebration of everything this year gave us.
One of the first voices we hear in the ride is Ed Sheeran with “Sapphire,” a warm, guitar-driven pop single that marked his return to a more intimate sound. It debuted strong on global charts and quickly became a favorite for warm-ups thanks to its steady energy. The profile then moves into “What I Want” by Morgan Wallen featuring Tate McRae—one of the biggest crossover hits of the year. Country and pop rarely blend this seamlessly, and the pairing pushed the track into the top 10 across multiple charts while giving both artists another major streaming win.
2025 also belonged to artists redefining the pop landscape, including Chappell Roan. Her track “The Subway” became a viral alt-pop anthem, celebrated for its theatrical sound and punchy production. It fueled everything from TikTok trends to festival sets, and its energy fits perfectly into a progressive build on the bike. And of course, it wouldn’t be a year-in-review without mentioning Taylor Swift. “The Fate of Ophelia”—one of the most discussed songs on her 2025 album—returned her to the storytelling style fans love. The song’s literary parallels and emotional pull helped it climb quickly on streaming platforms and sparked plenty of online analysis.
The playlist also spotlights fresh releases from established icons. Lady Gaga delivered a standout pop-dance track this year with “Abracadabra,” which critics praised as a return to her club roots. Its pulsing beat made it an instant favorite for surges and tempo work. David Guetta, still a dominant force in EDM, teamed up with Teddy Swims and Tones & I for “Gone Gone Gone,” which topped dance charts and showcased the vocal power of one of music’s fastest-rising singers.
On the pop side, Sabrina Carpenter continued her massive upward climb with “Manchild,” a track that blends sharp lyrics with the catchy hooks that made her one of 2025’s biggest stars. And while big names carried much of the year, 2025 also introduced many riders to emerging artists like Sydney Rose, whose tender track “We Hug Now” became a quiet indie-pop hit. Her storytelling resonated across social media, offering a reflective tone that helps close out the ride.
The result is a playlist that spans pop, EDM, country, alt-pop, and rising indie voices—each track chosen not just for how it rides, but for how it shaped the sound of 2025. We hope you and your riders enjoy pedaling through the songs that kept studios buzzing all year long.
ICA members can download the profile and playlist below. We’d love to know how your riders enjoy this amazing playlist of current and relevant songs of 2025.
You can find countless lists online rounding up the best songs of 2025—from playlists on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube to recommendations you’ll uncover with a quick Google search or by asking an AI assistant. Some lists focus on the year’s biggest hits, even if they weren’t released in 2025. Our go-tos are Apple Music’s Top Songs of 2025 and Rolling Stone’s 100 Best Songs of 2025.