Jay Som Lands On Barack Obama’s Favorite Music Of 2025 List
Continuing his year-end tradition, the former U.S. President released his Favorite Music of 2025 this week, featuring a mix of artists and acts like BLACKPINK, Laufey, Olivia Dean, and Filipina-American indie pop artist Jay Som.
Courtesy of Jay Som
Courtesy of Jay Som
Filipina-American singer-songwriter Jay Som makes it onto Barack Obama’s list of favorite music of 2025 with her song “Float,” featuring Jimmy Eat World frontman Jim Adkins.
On Instagram, Obama reflected on the year and shared his annual favorites, “As 2025 comes to a close, I’m continuing a tradition that I started during my time in the White House: sharing my annual lists of favorite books, movies, and music. I hope you find something new to enjoy — and please send any recommendations for me to check out!”
Also on Obama’s list of favorite music this year are “Jump” by BLACKPINK, “Nice to Each Other” by Olivia Dean, “Abracadabra” by Lady Gaga, “The Giver” by Chappell Roan, “Silver Lining” by Laufey, and “luther” by Kendrick Lamar featuring SZA.
Over the years, Obama’s annual favorites list has become a highly anticipated tradition. His music picks are celebrated for their mix of mainstream hits and emerging artists.
“Float” is the second track of Jay Som’s fourth studio album, Belong, released on October 20, 2025. Her first album in six years, it also featured Paramore’s Hayley Williams on the track “Past Lives.”
Jay Som is known for her bedroom pop, dream pop, and indie pop sound, which she began when she started recording in her bedroom studio. She debuted with her first album, Turn Into, in July 2016, followed a year later by Everybody Works in March 2017. Her critically acclaimed third studio album, Anak Ko, was released in August 2019. In 2020, she collaborated with fellow Filipino international artists beabadoobee and No Rome on the track “Hurry Home.”
Listen to Jay Som and Jim Adkins’ “Float” below: