June 2025 has been a weird month for the Instagram algorithm. If you've been scrolling through Reels lately, you’ve probably noticed that the typical "aesthetic" lo-fi beats are getting pushed aside by some pretty aggressive high-energy tracks and oddly specific nostalgic throwbacks. It’s not just about what sounds "good" anymore; it’s about what the platform is actually rewarding with reach.
Honestly, the "trending" arrow is a bit of a liar sometimes. Just because a song has that little upward-slanted icon doesn’t mean it’s going to skyrocket your views. You have to catch these tracks in the "Goldilocks zone"—after they’ve started moving but before every single MLM and dog account has beaten them into the ground.
What’s Topping the Charts Right Now?
The heavy hitters this month are a mix of brand-new pop and some deep-cut revivals. "Pretty Little Baby" by Connie Francis is probably the biggest surprise. It’s a track from 1962, but creators are using it for these incredibly clean, high-contrast fashion transitions and "day in the life" montages that feel surprisingly modern. It has over 1.1 million uses now, which usually means a trend is peaking, but the engagement rates on it are still holding steady.
Then you have the heavyweights. "Birds of a Feather" by Billie Eilish is still a monster. It’s been trending for months, but June 2025 saw a massive spike in "cinematic storytelling" Reels using the bridge of the song. People aren't just dancing to it; they're using it to soundtrack travel vlogs that look like A24 movies.
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Here is a quick look at what’s actually moving the needle:
- "Heaven Must Be Missing an Angel" by Tavares: This is the "Song of the Summer" contender for June. It’s being used for those "Summer has officially started" recaps.
- "Die With A Smile" (Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars): This one is huge for "glow-up" videos or couple content. It’s sentimental but has enough of a beat to keep people from scrolling past.
- "Dame Un Grrr" (Fantomel & Kate Linn): If you do makeup or outfit transitions, this is your audio. It’s hit over 3.7 million uses across platforms, mostly because of that "reveal" moment in the chorus.
- "What Was That" by Lorde: This is the "it girl" audio of the month. It’s being used for slightly chaotic, fast-paced edits.
Why Some Audios Are Flapping While Others Fly
It's tempting to just grab whatever is at the top of the "Trending" list in the music library, but that's a rookie move.
Instagram’s Professional Dashboard (for those of you in the US) has been showing a major shift toward Original Audio over licensed music. In June, we saw a massive trend called the "House Tour" trend using a Sabrina Carpenter track, but the versions getting the most views weren't the official studio release—they were unofficial remixes or "sped up" versions uploaded by random creators.
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Why? Because the algorithm often treats "Original Audio" as a unique piece of content. If you use a version of a song that only has 5,000 to 10,000 uses, you’re much more likely to end up on the Explore page than if you use a song with 2 million uses where you’re competing with celebrities.
The Return of the 2010s
We are officially in the "Indie Sleaze" revival era of Instagram. Tracks like "Paper Planes" by M.I.A. and "Le Freak" by Chic are everywhere. It’s a nostalgic play for Millennials, but Gen Z is using these sounds for "chaotic energy" posts—basically videos that are intentionally unpolished or messy.
If you're a brand, stay away from the "messy" trends unless your voice is incredibly casual. Stick to the high-fidelity tracks like "Sunkiss" by Raiun or "Feel the Groove" by Queens Road. These are "safe" trends that signal quality without looking like you're trying too hard to be a teenager.
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How to Find Trending Audio Before It Sucks
Waiting for the "Trending" tab to update is like reading yesterday's newspaper. By the time it’s there, the peak is over.
Instead, look for the "Save" to "Use" ratio. If you see a Reel with 100k likes but the audio only has 3,000 uses, that is a goldmine. It means people are consuming the content but haven't started replicating it yet. You want to be the 3,001st person to use it, not the 1,000,001st.
Check the TikTok Creative Center too. It sounds counterintuitive, but TikTok trends usually hit Instagram Reels about 7 to 10 days later. If you see a sound like "Hold My Hand" by Jess Glynne exploding on TikTok (which it did this month with over 9 million uses), start preparing your Instagram version immediately. You'll catch the wave just as it moves over.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Reel
Don't just post and pray. Use these specific tactics for June's sounds:
- Sync to the beat, literally: If you’re using "Pretty Little Baby," your cuts must happen on the "da-da-da" rhythm. The algorithm actually analyzes video-to-audio sync now.
- Use the "Double Audio" trick: Keep the trending audio at 1% volume and use your own voiceover or a different song at 100%. You get the "trending" tag without sacrificing your creative vision.
- Check the "Original Audio" tab: In your Professional Dashboard, look for the "Inspiration" section. It lists the top original sounds in your specific niche, which is way more valuable than a global top 50 list.
- Avoid the "Overused" trap: If a song has more than 500k uses and the top videos are more than 2 weeks old, move on. You missed it.
The goal isn't just to be "on trend." It’s to use these sounds as a vehicle to get your actual message in front of people who would otherwise keep scrolling. Use the nostalgia of M.I.A. or the cinematic vibe of Billie Eilish to keep them watching for those crucial first three seconds.