Here are the winners of the 2025 lstn. awards.

PARTYOF2 - Courtesy of Evers Pund

As 2025 comes to a close, certain projects and artists have stood out not by chasing trends, but by shaping them. This year was defined by bold creative risks, deeply personal storytelling, and a new generation of voices refusing to be boxed in. Across genres and formats, these releases left a lasting imprint on the musical landscape, resonating far beyond numbers and hype. Today, we highlight the artists and projects that truly defined the year, not just for what they achieved, but for what they represented.

And the winners are:

Artist(s) of the year.

• FELIX AMES

• MILES WESLEY

• RUTHEE

• PARTYOF2 - Winners

• CAMERON WINTER

Los Angeles hip-hop duo PartyOf2, consisting of Jadagrace and SWIM, formerly part of grouptherapy., has had a standout 2025 with the release of their debut album AMERIKA’S NEXT TOP PARTY!, arriving October 17th via Def Jam Recordings. The 11-track project, supported by singles like Just Dance 2, Friendly Fire and Out Of Body, blends genre-bending hip-hop with rock, electronic and R&B influences, showcasing their chemistry and lyrical agility. In 2025 they’ve also taken their sound on the road with a North American tour and a Camp Flog Gnaw festival performance, solidifying their position as one of the most dynamic emerging acts in hip-hop. To us, PartyOf2’s evolution from collective to a duo and their bold debut album make them deserving Artists of the Year, marking a breakout chapter in their career.

Album of the year.

• MOOD CONTROL - BLK Odyssy

• A SOFTER PLACE TO LAND - Avara

• ReBIRTH.THEORY - Sol ChYld

• SOULSTAR - Boy soda

• AMERICA’S NEXT TOP PARTY! - PARTYOF2, Jadagrace, SWIM - Winner

With AMERIKA’S NEXT TOP PARTY!, PartyOf2 deliver a debut album that feels both chaotic and carefully controlled, capturing the tension of ambition, identity and creative freedom. The project thrives on contrast, switching between explosive, high-energy moments and more reflective passages without ever losing coherence. Drawing praise for its audacity and creative ambition from outlets like Rolling Stone and XXL, the record explores themes of love, resilience and the push-and-pull of following your dreams. Each track reinforces the duo’s ability to blur genre lines while maintaining a strong narrative and emotional core. Bold in its choices and confident in its vision, the album stands as one of the most defining releases of the year. And it rightfully earns the title of Album of the Year.

Record of the year.

• SOLD MYSELF FOR LOVE - SABRI

• POSER - PARTYOF2, Jadagrace, SWIM

• GAS STATION LOVE - EJ Jones - Winner

• I WILL SURVIVE - Zinadelphia

• POP N OLIVE - Samara Cyn, Smino

• SHADOWS - Miles Wesley

• SWEET NOTHINGS - Mychelle

• BLIND IN LOVE - Talia Rae

EJ Jones’s breakout single Gas Station Love, released on September 26, 2025, has been crowned Record of the Year for its soulful blend of retro-inspired warmth and modern R&B storytelling. Grounded in a narrative about a spontaneous romantic encounter at an everyday gas station, the track pairs nostalgic Rhodes chords and gospel-tinged harmonies with Jones’s rich, timeless vocal delivery. Fans and critics alike have praised its authentic feel and emotional simplicity, with social buzz highlighting how effortlessly he bridges classic soul vibes and contemporary sensibilities. Across streaming platforms and social feeds, Gas Station Love became a cultural moment in 2025, reaffirming that heartfelt songwriting and classic feeling still resonate deeply today. EJ Jones is a name that will definitely become familiar to a large audience in years to come.

Best new artist.

• CAMERON WINTER - Winner

• EJ JONES

• KATERINA LOMIS

• WAMEN

• YOUNG ATHENA

Cameron Winter, best known as the frontman of New York rock outfit Geese, has emerged as one of 2025’s most exhilarating solo voices with his critically acclaimed debut solo album Heavy Metal. Released in late 2024 via Partisan Records, the record drew widespread praise for its eclectic blend of introspective songwriting and genre-bending sound, establishing Winter as a nuanced storyteller and inventive musician in his own right. Tracks like Drinking Age and Love Takes Miles showcase his emotive baritone and artistic range, and his solo performances, including appearances on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, further cemented his reputation outside the band context. With Heavy Metal earning accolades and a devoted following this year, Winter takes home the title of Best New Artist, a testament to his bold creative voice and rapid ascent as a solo artist.