Looking back at Triple J’s Hottest 100, Australia’s most anticipated voter-driven music chart provided by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, we have seen a diverse list featuring songs of many different influences that can all be considered pop music in one way or another. To many people, pop music may refer to a certain ‘radio-friendly’ sound, often associated with this stereotype of overly polished and heavily produced music. While we agree that in some cases this seems to be the common aim, lists like Triple J’s Hottest 100 show that we now live in an era where musical diversity is increasingly appreciated by the mainstream.

What’s interesting about pop music is that it doesn’t have one particular sound. Pop music can either be an initiator of pop culture influence or a reflection of the already prominent pop culture of the moment. Therefore, pop music from different decades sounds completely different and can originate from a wide range of genres. These days, it seems that more alternative influences are being embraced in commercial pop music. Not convinced yet? Take a look at these three facts about Triple J’s Hottest 100 of 2025…

1. Billie Eilish proves that complete albums are still relevant

Nearly every song from Billie Eilish’s new album, Hit Me Hard and Soft, made it onto the list. Out of the album’s ten tracks, seven secured a spot in Triple J’s Hottest 100. While her music has become a staple on commercial radio, its originality remains undeniable. Hit Me Hard and Soft serves as proof that modern pop can draw inspiration from virtually any source, even the most unexpected ones. Perhaps the most telling aspect of her Hottest 100 success is what it reveals about listener engagement.

Despite the common belief that audiences no longer have the attention span to consume full albums, the fact that seven out of ten tracks from one album are listed in a democratically formed chart suggests otherwise. It shows that people aren’t just engaging with individual singles. They’re embracing the full album experience when given the opportunity. Even when an album is released gradually through separate singles, listeners are still willing to immerse themselves in the full album experience.

For upcoming artists, there’s an important lesson to take from this. In today’s music industry, releasing multiple singles is more beneficial than ever. In the past, albums were typically promoted with a maximum of two or three singles. Now, it can be advantageous to release almost the entire album this way. Once all the singles are out, an artist can shift focus to the full album release, creating yet another promotional moment to highlight the same songs. This strategy increases the likelihood that audiences will become familiar with the entire album over time, making them more inclined to listen to it from start to finish when it finally drops.

2. Bring Me The Horizon ranks well above Beyoncé

Kool-Aid by Bring Me The Horizon (#53) ranks exactly ten spots higher than Beyoncé’s TEXAS HOLD ‘EM (#63). With a bit of logical reasoning, we can identify a few factors that contributed to this outcome. Beyoncé’s new album, Cowboy Carter, has received global attention for its country influences. Media outlets have taken the opportunity to proclaim that country music is now more popular than ever. While we may beg to differ on this statement, there is no doubt that country music is experiencing a significant revival in U.S. pop culture. However, despite the international success of new hit songs taking this approach, country-influenced pop doesn’t seem to dominate the charts in Australia. At least, not in a voter-driven ranking.

Meanwhile, geography also plays a crucial role in shaping musical popularity. Australia has a deep-rooted history in rock music, which comes as no surprise given the massive success of bands like AC/DC. Today, the Australian rock and metal scene continues to thrive, producing a never ending wave of influential and emerging heavy bands such as Parkway Drive, Karnivool, Caligula’s Horse, The Amity Affliction, Ne Obliviscaris, and of course Voyager, who even made it surprisingly far in the Eurovision 2023 contest. Australia’s strong rock and metal culture could explain why a track like Kool-Aid resonates more with Australian voters than TEXAS HOLD ‘EM. Expectedly the cards would have been turned if the ranking was held in Nashville, Tennessee. Every country and region has its own musical history, which is why the results of a voter driven chart can vary significantly. Even though Bring Me The Horizon is not an Australian band, metal listeners are wired to explore far outside their own borders. Couple this with Bring Me The Horizon’s commercial success, and it’s easy to see why they ranked even higher than Beyoncé in Australia.

3. The number one song is surprisingly more eclectic than expected

Topping this year’s Triple J Hottest 100 is Good Luck, Babe! by Chappell Roan. A song that feels both fresh and nostalgic. With its rich, organic production and unmistakable ’80s-inspired vibe, the track stands out due to its unique and eclectic style. Its success highlights a growing appreciation for retro influences in modern pop, proving that listeners are drawn not just to innovation but also to the warmth and authenticity of past decades. Good Luck, Babe! seamlessly blends these elements, making it all the more satisfying to see a song like this claim the top spot on the list.

…At last, here’s our little shout out to the metal songs in the list!

• #98: Bring Me The Horizon – Top 10 staTues tHat CriEd bloOd
• #82: BABYMETAL & Electric Callboy – RATATATA
• #53: Bring Me The Horizon – Kool-Aid