Masthead Un-Wrapped

Published

December 17, 2025

The CanCulture masthead shares their top songs of the year!

A graphic that says "2025 Un-Wrapped" in grey and red text. The text "Unwrapped" and kaleidoscopic CanCulture logos are incased in black rectangles. The backdrop of the graphic is grey with gritty texture and a sketched star sits atop everything.

By CanCulture Masthead

With another year almost over, we wanted to un-wrap and reflect on the songs that continue to move us. From the soundtracks that carry memories of cathartic club dances past 3 a.m., of weeping on your kitchen floor, or biking through a city thousands of miles from home, we want to give you a glimpse into the hearts and minds of our masthead.

And while this collection is inspired by a yearly tradition originally developed by Spotify, we want to take this moment to urge you to explore alternatives like Tidal or Bandcamp and take your music off the platform, as a listener.

Alongside a well-known history of platforming misinformation and setting insulting and unsustainable rates for musicians who house their work on the platform, Spotify’s CEO, Daniel Ek, is investing in drone weapons technology — the likes of which Israel and the United States have used to wage a genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza.

We can all do our part to mobilize in rejecting Spotify and exploring alternatives that honour the music we love.

Andrea Zayan

Co-Editor-in-Chief

Album cover of a split-screen repeated image of a blow-up doll head held by arms wearing red latex gloves. The person holding the head has black hair and is also wearing red latex underwear with red fishnet tights. The right side of the album cover is scuffed and burned.

“DOUBLE DARE” by Slash Need

Slash Need came to me this summer at a lesbian cruising party. There was kitschy porn projected on a wall and the electro-punk band soundtracked the beautiful, ravenous, chainsmoking wreck of the floor. I used to pray for times like this and dyke Nine Inch Nails miraculously showed up at the Cafeteria doorstep. Protect queer art.

Grace Henkel

Co-Editor-in-Chief

An entirely navy blue-coloured album cover with a close-up image of Joni Mitchell with long hair and bangs. She's closing her eyes and has a longing look on her face. In the top left corner, the cover says "Blue, Joni Mitchell."

“All I Want” by Joni Mitchell

You can’t go wrong with Joni. Her songs came up a lot in my playlists over the last few years, but most often when I went back home to Alberta from uni — the weather would be getting colder but I’d be stepping back into the warm, sometimes strange feeling of home. The groovy, twangy textures of Joni Mitchell fall so naturally into the feeling of being in between memories and places — the city and the prairies. This track also just taps into that universal human need to “knit sweaters and write love letters.”

Anna-Giselle Funes-Eng

Managing Editor

An entirely halftone album cover of a black and white photo of a man sitting on a stool. The photo sits on top of a dark blue paisley and floral background. On top of it all, "Rufus Wainright" stretches the width of the cover in orange text and "April Fools" is written below it in white text.

“April Fools” by Rufus Wainwright

I was in Stuttgart, Germany when spring came around and I would ride my used bike through the fields while listening to Rufus Wainwright’s 1998 self-titled album. Everything was turning bright green as Wainwright gave a spiritual response to Cher, repeating “Girl, you will believe in love.”

Ella Miller

Managing Editor

An album cover of an embroidery hoop containing pink felt fabric on top of a pink backdrop with a ghost pattern and two polaroids images on iy. Colourful beads spelling "Needle Crafts," black and white beads spelling "Frowd Up" and a polaroid picture of a brown dog sits on top of the felt.

“Heart Kill Daisy Pills” by Needle Crafts

I once tried to write a profile on this killer punk rock band from Newfoundland, but half the members were busy writing their dissertations and the other half were working on the oil rigs. When they finally returned from the sea the band broke up, but I will always long for what could have been.

Gray Moloy

Social Media & Graphics Director

A grainy album cover of two people in-motion, with blurred faces, running outdoors with tree silhouettes visible in the background. The sky is a dim purple-y blue and hand written white text that says "Never Before Seen, Never Again Found" sits atop everything.

“Formative Age” by Arm’s Length

I’ve seen Arm’s Length live two or three times (can’t remember anymore!). I once hit my head on the floor of the Velvet Underground (R.I.P.) while crowd surfing to this song. This is my ultimate cancon midwest emo anthem. I’m grateful for my 19-year-old self that braved the mosh pit, this band opened me up to so many great Canadian bands.

Zanoah Plummer

Arts Editor

An album cover of a cartoonish illustrated devil caricature holding a green drink and skeleton sceptre poses with its tail up. A black sun graphic contains white text that says "Something green and leafy this way comes" and SNFU is written in a green font at the top. Everything is on top of a dull light blue backdrop and is encased in a black frame.

“Painful Reminder” by SNFU

I found this song while researching Canadian punk artists for my CanCulture article, “Punk’s not dead — it hitchhiked up north.” I instantly fell in love with it after the first listen. I’m a big fan of punk rock with a prominent bass and this song’s bassline opening really sets the tone for the entire song. I think Canadian hardcore punk rock is really underrated, which is a shame because there’s so much talent in the genre. Support your local bands.

Cris Nippard

Fashion Editor

An album cover of a person with feathered eyebrows, pink blush, eyeliner and mascara bleeding down their face is holding their thumb between their lips in front of a white background. They're wearing long red nails, have a tattoo on their hand and have their hair up in two braids.

“Ackee” by SadBoi

In May of this year, I found myself at APT200, a straight club I swore I’d never go back to once I turned 19. However, there I was, mesmerized by Toronto born rapper SadBoi, dancing on top of the bar with a microphone in hand. Shortly after, I became enthralled with her music. I saw her again a few months later opening for Rico Nasty at The Opera House. Whether it’s in a club or an arena, SadBoi will pack the venue.

Aisha Walters

Features Editor

An album cover of a rough, blurry sketch of the silhouette of a dog on a leash on a light grey backdrop.

“the speed of sound” by Jonah Yano

Jonah Yano is one of my favourite artists. I picked this song because the beginning immediately grabbed my attention. I remember listening to it for the first time and thinking that I’d never heard anything like it before, it’s so beautiful! Last year, he did this really cool show where he and his band played for 24 hours straight and ever since I experienced that live, I’ve been even more obsessed with his music. His artistry inspires me!

Hajir Butt

Film Editor

A blurry album cover of an image of a person on a beach, walking in sand while a tide washes ashore, with a small house in the background. In the top left corner, there's thin white text with geometric pink accents that say "My head is an animal, Of Monsters and Men."

“Little Talks” by Of Monsters and Men

Of Monsters and Men tend to make music that sounds more like poetry and storytelling that feels otherworldly. This song was my favourite when I was younger. I associate it with a lot of relationships in life, about growing up and not being afraid of change.

Sorousheh Salman

Food Editor

An album cover of an anime-style illustration of a girl with two large blonde pigtails, wearing an orange crop top, light wash blue jeans with angel wings. She's floating in space with speckled stars in the background.

“Rush” by Ayra Starr

It’s summer and my cousin played “Rush” while we were driving across Milton, ON and suddenly my whole summer playlist consisted of the vibes Ayra Starr captured. It was fun and made me feel like I was in a summer feel-good movie every time I clicked play whenever I was on the go.

Luis Ramirez-Liberato

Literary Editor

An album cover of an illustration of a forest with a black, purple, pink and orange colour palette. In the centre is large white text that says "World of Grief."

“Weird Dream, Conscious Stream” by I Hate Sex

I have recently come to terms with the fact that my music listening habits will lead me to lose my hearing earlier than most. Unfortunately, I love no other feeling like the way I feel when loud and violent sound waves flood into my ears in the overwhelming sensation that comes with screamo. Of all the bands in the genre, there is no sound like the raw and explosive tracks of Alberta’s very own I Hate Sex.

T Edward

Music Editor

A gritty, obscure purple album cover with a faint yellow image of a landscape in the centre. On the left of the cover is "Dambe 2025" written in pale olive ornamental text.

“Dylan” by Dambe

Of all the music I’ve listened to this year, I’d be lying if I didn’t say the EP my band mates and I released earlier this year. From writing to recording, this project has shaped who I am as a musician in all the best ways (and brought me closer with some of my favourite people!)

Tristan Forde

Socials Editor

An album cover of two people in all-black clothing in front of a black backdrop. Both of their heads are lit by a crown made up of flames and embers float around them.

“Bad Influence” by Hot Milk

When I looked at the lineups for bands playing and saw a band called “Hot Milk” I couldn’t help but let out a giggle. And yet this band turned out to be one of my favourite bands of all time. Their song Bad Influence resonated the most with me being the target for blame. My favourite line from the whole song is “Fuck all your friends, they don’t know what the truth is.”

James Bunga

Photo Editor

An album cover of an arm with a grey sleeve in the dark, with two LED lamplights in the background. The hand is reaching out.

“What Harm” by Lady Marge

I’ve been a big fan of Lady Marge from the beginning. One of the best bands in Toronto right now and I’m super lucky to have documented them in the past. Their passion for the music is matched only by their hard work and dedication to making every show something special. So next time they play, don’t miss it!

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