Best of 2025.5: Adam J

It’s been a rocky year, to say the least, but we here at Reviler are trying to see our way through the fog and still celebrate the music that has brought us joy, solace or at least some blissful distraction in the first half of this year. Check out Adam J’s favorite albums (both national and local). Enjoy!

Best Albums of 2025 (So Far)

Lambrini Girls – Who Let the Dogs Out

Speed Riders – Super Cheers*

jasmine.4.t – You Are The Morning

Ice Climber – s/t*

Color me impressed. And I don’t mean that like a jerk, for real. Remember Mr. Bungle? And they put out a record in 1991 no one listened to because the translation from stage to record was woefully lacking? Local freak outfit Ice Climber have avoided that unfortunate faux-pas altogether on their self-produced debut full-length. I wasn’t alive through the birth of punk & no-wave, but claiming an outfit like Ice Climber as neighbors makes me feel good to be an American….and that’s about it, honestly…

The Velveteers – A Million Knives

Elton John & Brandi Carlille – Who Believes In Angels?

Even if you omit all of the public knowledge around this record, it is an achievement in every sense. Elton John can’t really SEE anymore. Even cooler that he beats that piano like it owes him money; not to mention reciting ALL those fucking lyrics like he was throwing them away back in the old days. Big, big, big, fan of Ms. Carlille, as well. Her Firewatcher’s Daughter record brought me lots of catharsis and comfort, and I’ve been a devotee ever since. I certainly did NOT expect this collaboration in the 21st Century, but it may just be the best surprise we could have asked for. Best Record 2025, no doubt.

FACS – Wish Defense

Scour – Gold

God help me, Phil Anselmo did something worthwhile for once. Whether or not the aforementioned vocalist has rehabilitated his heart, this record fucking shreds all over the place. American Death Metal doesn’t get much better than this, folks. Being on the scene for over 30 years has provided The Kid with plenty of resources, and he lets them vibe the fuck out of about an hour’ or so’s worth of truly satisfying, acramonious, totally Satanic Death Metal while he provides a better performance on wax than he has in….when was Clinton president?

Stereolab – Instant Holograms On Metal Film

They’re baaaaaaaack. Just let it wash over you. Like every other Stereolab album. Never a bad record. Woot.

Carbs – Promoters Repotizioni Sbatte

Nao – Jupiter

Bartees Strange – Horror

Was totally not expecting an over-excelling followup to friend Strange’s last exceptional release. But DAMN. Their personality comes through the songs in the most beautiful and effective ways you could imagine. I’ve been accused of describing their sound as “Prince fronting the E-Street Band with Stevie Wonder on keys”. Y’all…

Zombie Zombie – Funk Kraut

Songhoy Blues – Héritage

Snapped Ankles – Hard Times Furious Dancing

I’m not one for “Dance Bands”, but when they base their sound in Gang Of Four…Yeah. Totally. It’s like GO4 made Songs Of the Free and it didn’t suck. Check these cats out, for real.

Rats of Gamorrah – Infectious Vermin

Deep Sea Diver – Billboard Heart

Swami John Reis – Time To Let You Down

Unstable Shapes – Delicate Machinery*

SOMEBODY had to take STNNG’s place on this circuit, and I think it might be these gentlemen. Totally not being a jerk, either. “Herzog’s Blues” is my jam this year. Talk about a sum of their parts. Good band. Need to sleep soon. (Shouldn’t have written that…(what is WRONG with me?!))

Rattle – Incircle

As far as I can tell, this is two people, two drum sets, two voices, and two microphones. And that’s it. I’m no Jazz aficionado, but if I had to ground this group in any camp it would be within Cale/Glass territory. Regardless, this is the go-to “turn on, tune in, and drop out” record of the year – this, 2025, the beginning of the end. Anywho…

Ripship – Crawling Chorus

Heavy Lungs – Caviar

Viagra Boys – viagr aboys

This is probably my favorite album of the year thus far. Groovy, rocking, and funny as hell. I dug their last record, too; but it took this wild ride to convince me they’re a viable voice in today’s Rock ‘n Roll Game. I kind of see Viagra Boys as the “global” answer to IDLES, conceptually. Nothing the matter with the latter—no, sir. Loves me some IDLES. But where IDLES are based more in global idealism, Viagra Boys give the microphone to the voice in the back. And that voice is hilarious.

mclusky – the world is still here and so are we

Still a little pissed I wasn’t able to see these guys perform my…*counts in head*…thirteenth favorite album of all time in its entirety a few years ago; but I’m glad ol’ boy got himself figured out. mclusky are back, beh-beh. Not to be a weirdo appropriateist or anything, but I sort of feel like mclusky were the Clash of my generation. Outspoken, multi-faceted, and dedicated to authenticity. They never got the same recognition as the Clash, but hey – there’s still time.

Kinski – Stumbledown Terrace

TANNINS – EP II*

I won’t get into my real-life relationship(s) with these cats, so I’ll just say I have been waiting for this for a looooooooong time. Chris is, has, and probably will ALWAYS be my favorite Twin Cities percussionist. Ya know…in general. Besides Steve Copeland and that dude in Oxbow, Chris works the hardest with the optimum effect of any “drummer” I’ve ever witnessed. No – I never saw Neil Peart in action. But hey – my dude Chris could haaaaang, no doubt.

Aesop Rock – Black Hole Superette

Brittany Davis – Black Thunder

“Narrative Jazz” was something I dipped into in college, but it wasn’t as cool as this. Ms. Davis is a new artist to me, but I could definitely feel this album as it unfolded. Apparently her primary instrument as a band-leader is piano, and that befits the “story” of the album to a T. 

Mary Halvorson – About Ghosts

Casua Sui – In Flux

GoGo Penguin – Necessary Fictions

Deadguy – Near-Death Travel Services

*Minneapolis/Minnesota