Lola leads the pack as ‘Messy’ tops mid-year radio rankings
Lola Young has topped the RCS Media Monitors Half-Yearly National Radio Airplay Chart for 2025 with her breakthrough single ‘Messy’.
Released via Universal Music Australia, the song quickly resonated with local audiences and programmers alike, racking up an impressive 20,860 spins in the six-month period. It sat comfortably at the top of the weekly chart for 10 weeks, spearheaded by Brisbane’s KIIS 973 which contributed 1007 spins.
Close behind at #2 is Gracie Abrams with ‘That’s So True’ (19,504 spins), followed by Chappell Roan’s viral anthem ‘Pink Pony Club’ at #3 (17,099 spins). The latter has become a pop culture moment in its own right, powered at Aussie radio by the Hit Network’s SAFM (876 spins) and Hit106.9 (865 spins).
It’s been a huge first half of the year for Warner Music, which placed eight songs in the Top 20, including chart favourites from Alex Warren (‘Carry You Home’ at #10 and ‘Ordinary’ at #11), Teddy Swims (‘Bad Dreams’ at #14) and the ARIA Multi-Platinum smash ‘APT.’ by Rose & Bruno Mars (#4).
Emerging artists feature prominently on the chart, with new names like Sonny Fodera (‘Somedays’, #5), sombr (‘Undressed’, #44), and PAWSA (‘Dirt Cash (Money Talks)’, #46), proving that fresh talent continues to break through in a crowded space.
Aussie acts also left their mark this year. Royel Otis scored a Top 25 placing with their live version of ‘Linger’ (#24), while Dean Lewis appears twice — once solo with ‘With You’ (#40) and again alongside CYRIL on ‘Fall At Your Feet’ (#36). Other local entries include Guy Sebastian’s ‘Maybe’ (#37) and Tobiahs’ ‘Angel Of Mine’ (#31).
Sabrina Carpenter, Shaboozey and Chappell Roan were among the most prolific hitmakers of the year so far, each earning three entries within the Top 50.
