2025 was a horrible year geopolitically with democracy and international law at bay, and 2026 is not shaping up to be any better. But last year, one thing gave me hope: culture. I attended the Melbourne International Film Festival and saw so many good movies, honestly a strong highlight this year. I explored a lot of music and read a decent number of books, notably a few essays and scifi short stories. We tend to become cynical easily these days by saying art has become too formulaic or commercial but it's not true: people constantly put out original ideas, express new viewpoints and showcase different kinds of beauty. And a lot of it is available online.

I always start the Juju Awards with the Track of the Year category, which lists the songs I have enjoyed the most over the past year and elects the track that has marked my year the most. Because, what can bring you back to a time as easily as music?

Here are the 5 nominees for this year!

Summer Is Almost Over by Polo & Pan

The Frenchies Polo & Pan keep serving the good tunes with a track that is both feelgood and nostalgic. It strangely resonates with the current mood, bidding farewell to an era.

I Can’t Lose You by Confidence Man

Australia has many good music acts and Confidence Man, a crazy band from Queensland, is one of them, producing pure fun. The video reflects that with singers Janet Planet and Sugar Bones baring it all while flying over London.

Nymphéas by Léonie Pernet

The French electronic musician is back this year with a great album and this is the closer. It evokes nostalgia again with a melancholic piano but also a message about not worrying anymore.

Les Véliplanchistes by Flavien Berger

I knew French musician Flavien Berger, notably since he collaborated with Etienne Daho, but didn't know most of his work. This track is from one of his first ever EPs and is an invitation to come check out the windsurfers with him. It's not about love or anything like that, just about appreciating something as simple as the reflections of the Sunlight on the sea.

Looking At Your Pager by KH

I had no idea Four Tet had an alias and had released this beautiful track a couple of years ago. He even played it to close his set at the Sidney Myer Bowl in Melbourne this year.

And the winner is... (Suspense! Drumroll! Panic attack!) The winner is Les Véliplanchistes by Flavien Berger. What a soothing yet uplifting track.

Do hashtags work on Write.as?!

#JujuAwards #JujuAwards2025 #TrackOfTheYear #BestOf2025