British singer Olivia Dean has claimed the top position in triple j’s Hottest 100 of 2025 with her single Man I Need, following millions of public votes and a year that featured debut artists alongside established Australian acts.
Olivia Dean Claims the Top Spot
Olivia Dean secured the number one ranking with Man I Need, marking her first win in the annual countdown. The track was released in August and served as the third single from her second album, The Art Of Loving.
Olivia Dean celebrates her number one win in triple j’s Hottest 100 of 2025. (Source: ABC)
Dean wrote the song in East London, where she recreated familiar surroundings to support her creative process. She brought personal items, including her piano, mugs, and photo frames, to shape a relaxed recording space.
Speaking to triple j’s Lucy Smith in October, Dean described the sessions as communal. She said the environment helped shape the song’s warmth and emotional tone.
Man I Need also reflected her growing connection with Australian listeners. She tested early material at Laneway Festival in 2025, which influenced the direction of her second album.
Strong Australian Influence in the Top 10
Australian artists featured heavily across the top end of the countdown. Ball Park Music, Spacey Jane, and Tame Impala all placed within the top 10.
Ball Park Music entered at number 10 with Please Don’t Move To Melbourne. The track expressed longing and attachment, rather than criticism of the Victorian capital.
Spacey Jane ranked sixth with Whateverrrr, the final single from their third studio album, If That Makes Sense. The album later received a J Award nomination for Album of the Year.
Tame Impala placed third with Dracula, marking Kevin Parker’s first appearance on the Billboard Hot 100. The song reflected a shift toward electronic sounds on his fifth album, Deadbeat.
Kevin Parker of Tame Impala placed third with the single Dracula. (Source: ABC News)
Playlunch Brings Debut Energy to the Countdown
Melbourne group Playlunch delivered one of the highest debut placements at number four with Keith. The band described the song as a humorous take on neighbour disputes.
Melbourne band Playlunch debuted at number four with Keith. (Source: themusic)
The track contained explicit language and featured AFL figure Barry Hall in the music video. Playlunch embraced a lighthearted tone during their first appearance in the countdown.
Their placement continued a trend of new artists reaching the upper tier. Several debutants featured throughout the top 10.
Sombr ranked eighth with 12 to 12, the fourth single from his debut album I Barely Know Her. The track blended synth pop with funk and blues influences.
Keli Holiday Steps Out Solo
Keli Holiday secured second place with Dancing2, marking a strong solo debut. The track was written about his partner Abbie Chatfield and gained traction online.
Released in August, the song became widely used across social media. It appeared in wedding clips, nightclub videos, and short-form content.
Holiday previously worked as one half of electronic duo Peking Duk. His transition into solo work drew attention from triple j listeners and online audiences.
The song also featured on Like A Version, further increasing its exposure. Holiday described 2025 as a defining year for his creative direction.
RAYE and Viral Success in the Countdown
RAYE placed fifth with WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!, her only eligible track for the 2025 countdown. The single was released in September and previewed her upcoming album.
The track topped the UK charts and became widely shared on social platforms. It marked her second number one in the United Kingdom.
RAYE’s album This Music May Contain Hope is scheduled for release in March. triple j listeners backed her track into the top five.
Disco Lines and Tinashe placed ninth with No Broke Boys. The remix gained attention before its official release, reaching millions of views online.
Olivia Dean’s Wider Presence in the Countdown
Dean featured four times across the Hottest 100 of 2025. Her song Nice To Each Other placed seventh.
The track was first performed during her Laneway Festival appearance in 2025. She later released it as the first single from The Art Of Loving.
Speaking to triple j hosts Concetta and Luka after her win, Dean reflected on her writing process. She said touring Australia influenced her creative direction.
She described testing new songs during live performances. The response guided the remaining material for her second album.
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triple j Countdown Continues
The Hottest 100 of 2025 drew votes from listeners in Australia and overseas. The countdown reflected a balance between emerging talent and established names.
triple j announced further programming following the main event. Double J will replay the Hottest 100 of 2005 on Sunday, 25 January.
The station will also count down the Hottest 200 of 2025 on Saturday, 31 January. The broadcast will begin at 12pm AEDT.
The annual event continued its tradition of listener-driven rankings. The 2025 edition showcased a broad mix of genres and international voices.
