Favorite Records of 2025

 Happy 2026 all, may this year continue to aurally bless us as 2025 had. In honor of the new year, I wanted to dive into the records that I considered highlights of the year. From artists I know, love, and anticipated to new blood that stuck with me.

Geese — Getting Killed

This album is unadulterated chaos in a perfected form. There are songs on here that make you feel alive, others that are abrasive, but somehow they make you want to come back to the feeling of discomfort. I still prefer 3D Country as my quintessential Geese listening, but this album did not disappoint.

Viagra Boys — Viagr Aboys

Our boys from Sweden have stayed true to their satirical takes on the bizarre state of global politics. Seeing the biggest tracks from this live was a musical highlight of the year, and one of the funnest shows I’ve ever been to. This was released in January of last year, but recently the Japanese Deluxe edition dropped, and with it, four new songs—so if you haven’t checked back in with them since this release, please do.

Die Spitz — Something to Consume

This was an album I wasn’t anticipating, but didn’t know I needed until I heard it. This is an all-woman band that is reviving the metal and hardcore scene that has been dominated by so-called “alpha males” for far too long. I love this record; the songs blend seamlessly into one another to create a sound that is raw, nervy, and unpolished.

Ghost — Skeletá

Of course, I have to talk about Ghost. This was a really good record, definitely a different sound from what we might’ve come to expect from older albums like Meliora or Prequelle, but I do like the way the new sound was forged here. All in all, I consider this a rather fun album that isn’t a heavy listen.

Wednesday — Bleeds

Wow. This album is one of a kind, probably my top record for the year. I loved the honesty of the lyrics with this deeply emotional center, surrounded by a gritty alt-country sound. Coming from a small (or smaller) Appalachian town myself, I found this to be resonating with my own experience. They’re set to be one of my first shows of 2026, and I cannot wait to hear “Townies” in person.

Dove Ellis — Blizzard

A beautiful late-year release that sings about devastation in such a way that your own heartstrings are tugged about. “Love Is” is the standout track on this for me. This album is easy to repeat despite the emotional weight it carries.

Nick Shoulders — Refugia Blues

And when the world needed him most, Nick Shoulders released his most human record yet. Nick echoes what most of us are feeling these days; this is a great soundtrack to inspire you to not give in to nihilism—because in times like these, we must dare to be radically optimistic to keep the flame of hope alight.

I appreciate art and artists that don’t try to bend themselves into something they’re not so that they can become more palatable to the masses or cater to the endless sharing of an algorithm. These records did that, and they did it well. I look forward to seeing what these—and many other—artists will get up to in 2026.

For your listening pleasure, I’ve compiled this into a single playlist here.

Want to be the first to see my playlists and posts? Subscribe to the free newsletter here.