Another year. Another batch of albums. As I considered my favorites from the year, there was no clear front-runner though my top albums certainly had the most consistent listens. In line with the last few years, a bunch of woman musicians on my list. Some oldies, some new-comers.
In other music news, I was able to attend my first proper Record Store Day this April at LUNA Music here in Indy with my pals, Lance & Morgan. Early morning, freezing in line, picked up 5-6 vinyls. Would do again.
My playlist of best songs of the year.
A few concerts of note. Of course plenty of others throughout the year though these are the standouts.
- Concert 1: caught Beyonce on her Cowboy Carter tour in Chicago. Show was delayed by thunderstorms though she hit the stage a few hours later and played her full 3+ hour set. It was a marathon though incredible, of course.
- Concert 2: Kendrick & SZA in Detroit. A joint headline show by two heavy-weights. I'm a big fan of this concert approach. Alternating sets with collabs sprinkled in.
Best music moments on TV/film that I can think of.
Enough chatter. List time. It's 2025 so 25 albums. Top 10 albums followed by 15 honorable mentions.
2024 gave us Diet Pepsi but 2025 gave us the full throwback-but-confidently-current pop girlie album of the summer.
I've never paid attention to Lily Allen but a whole album takedown of ex David Harbour?! A guy I don't have much connection to but he seems fine? A song titled Pussy Palace?! An uninspired SNL performance?! I listened to this album a lot in the last few months of the year.
Welcome back to my ears, Justin. You sound good and you patented a color.
Lucy's back with more smartly written melodies. Home Video is an all-timer album for me and while Forever hasn't hit that level for me, the album is consistently good with some stand out tracks. Best Guess fed into a friend's wedding vows, the collab with Hozier is solid. Lucy has mainstream recognition these days though thankfully her sound remains grounded and uniquely her own.
Relationships dropped and I was ready for HAIM summer. While the album as a whole doesn't quite match the single and thus dominate the summer, it holds it's own. The Haim sisters are collectively single during the writing and producing of this album and they've got thoughts. Keep it coming, ladies.
Well Spencer played album closer Parachute for me and well I was instantly hooked on this album. While I've been somewhat agnostic to the Paramore / Haley back-catalog, this album got me. Hooks and emotion throughout. I'm here for it.
We weren't done listening to Short n' Sweet but Sabrina decided to drop another whole-ass album. Explores new sounds, has some Abba moments, whip-smart lyrics. Why not drop another one in 2026?
Well Audrey is friends with Gracie Abrams and, well, they sort of sound similar (complimentary). A little catchy, highly listenable. Audrey is the quirky one though.
Back in Town, Legs, and Good Ass Movie are great songs on an album of really good songs. Except for Derek Jeter, that one's rough on the ears.
Olivia, my love. Welcome to the fold. I was turned on to Olivia's Messy album last year and I listened the heck out of it. I had high expectations for this release and my girl delivered. Man I Need is a near perfect single. Most listened to artist of the year for good reason. Appropriate to play in any setting. Carries on the Adele ethos while sounding distinctly herself. Get on the Olivia bandwagon if not already.
Honorable Mention (listed alphabetical)
- Phil Cook - Appalachia Borealis
- Indigo De Souza - Precipice
- Gordi - Plasticine
- Alex G - Headlights
- Saya Gray - SAYA
- Lady Gaga - Mayhem
- Valerie June - Owls, Omens, and Oracles
- Liquid Mike - Hell is an Airport
- Lorde - Virgin
- Momma - Welcome to My Blue Sky
- Taylor Swift - The Life of a Showgirl
- Tame Impala - Deadbeat
- Wednesday - Bleeds
- Wet Leg - Moisturizer
- Wishy - Planet Popstar (EP)
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