We compiled a playlist of songs that tell us where music is going. Hosted by Jake Silverstein, the editor in chief of The New York Times Magazine, and Nitsuh Abebe, a story editor, it features some of their favorite writers and the songs that spoke to them this year. Find the magazine’s music issue at nytimes.com/25songs.

Wesley Morris on Adele’s “Send My Love (To Your New Lover).”

Julianne Escobedo Shepherd on Missy Elliott’s “I’m Better.”

Hazel Cills on Ariana Grande’s “Side to Side.”

Greg Howard on Shirley Caesar’s “Hold My Mule.”

Angela Flournoy on Solange’s “F.U.B.U.”

Alexander Chee on Rufus Wainwright’s “A Woman’s Face — Reprise (Sonnet 20).”

Jenny Zhang on Mitski’s “Your Best American Girl.”

Thomas Chatterton Williams on Kanye West’s “Fade.”

Charles Aaron on Charles Bradley’s cover of Black Sabbath’s “Changes.”

Margo Jefferson on Cécile McLorin Salvant’s “The Trolley Song.”