The Amplifier publishes readers’ playlist of songs that marked 2025

The New York Times music newsletter The Amplifier published a readers’ playlist of songs that defined their 2025, assembled by pop critic Lindsay Zoladz as the newsletter’s first playlist of 2026.

Zoladz opened submissions to both new releases and older songs; the resulting mix pairs 2025 tracks from artists such as Bad Bunny, Mt. Joy and Durham’s Fust with classics by Bob Dylan, Billy Joe Shaver and Curtis Mayfield. Contributors shared personal explanations for their choices, including reflections on loss and family (Michael Goodfriend of Medford, N.J. on Billy Joe Shaver), retirement after 45 years in education (Craig Bassingthwaighte of Australia on Bob Dylan) and a pregnancy linked to Nina Simone’s recording that the submitter said helped her baby turn in utero ahead of a January 2026 due date (Amanda Price of Brooklyn).

Zoladz noted she generally avoids publishing submissions from people she knows, but made an exception for the playlist’s final track and offered congratulations to Amanda and Matt. The Amplifier published a 14-track list and provided links to streaming services for each selection.

Readers can listen along while they read; past editions of the newsletter are available and the Amplifier team invited feedback and ideas at theamplifier@nytimes.com.

Key Topics

Culture, The Amplifier, Lindsay Zoladz, Bad Bunny, Fust, Bob Dylan