Best Of 2025: Jon’s Favorite Albums, Songs, Shows (And More)
Making a list of good things that happened in 2025 may feel like a very short exercise…however despite the world being on fire, somehow, some way, great music is still getting produced every single day. Join us in celebrating our favorite albums, songs, and shows of the past year.
Albums (Local) – in no particular order
This is maybe my favorite new local band. Caught them live last Summer and it was a treat. They have a classic country sound rooted by really excellent musicianship and vocals.
Been waiting a few years for this follow up and it doesn’t disappoint. It’s gorgeous psychedelic-tinged alt country in the vein of Mazzy Star.
I have been meaning to write about Ruth’s excellent album but have so far failed. It’s a departure from anything she’s released previously – a softer, warmer sound that’s more akin to a lullaby than the elegant poetry of her earlier work.
Alan Sparhawk with Trampled by Turtles
I confess to having been TbT skeptical in the past but this collab won me over this year, in no small part to Sparhawk’s contributions.
A solo bass album might be a hard sell to some folks but you shouldn’t sleep on this. Reminds me a bit of Arthur Russell’s cello work in the best way possible.
Full Catholic – Things Go Quiet
This year was my first time really diving into this quartet and they really impressed me. Things Go Quiet is an album full of a lot of dramatic tension, emotion, and artful dynamics that play off discord and melody expertly.
Verdin Brothers – Endless Night on the River Dirge
These guys are just consistently laying down amazing work and this record is no exception. The fingerpicked instrumentation here is on another level. Why aren’t these brothers famous?
This record kind of blew up this year for good reason – this is jangle pop done really, really well. It would make a perfect soundtrack to a bittersweet ending.
Yuasa-Exide – Hyper At The Gates Of Dawn
Gritty, loud, experimental rock that sounds like it was run over, backed up, and then run over again. Love it.
This is gorgeous pop and it got widely noticed this year, by plenty of folks who have described it more eloquently than I can.
Albums (National)
1. The New Eves – The New Eve Is Rising
This record is primal and raw, a patriarchy-spurning celebration of femininity, nature, and psychedelic rock. It reminds me a bit of Brute Heart mixed with Jefferson Airplane mixed with the Incredible String Band. Please let this band tour here.
2. Cameron Winter – Heavy Metal
With both this record as well as the Geese one, this was definitely Winter’s year. It always strikes me when a artist or band has a really singular sound and it either really catches on or doesn’t. This was one I think is amazing but I am also a but surprised how popular it got, given its a far cry from top 40 pop.
3. Cate Le Bon – Michaelangelo Dying
I’ve been following Le Bon’s artistic journey for many years and this record feels like a crowning achievement. Its not to say she couldn’t top it with the next one but wow.
4. Sudan Archives – BPM
Following up 2022’s Natural Brown Prom Queen was a TOUGH bar. Brittney Denise Parks didn’t surpass her last record with this one but she comes about as close as one could reasonably expect.
5. Geese – Getting Killed
Again, Cameron Winter is a phenom. This band landing in next year’s Yacht Club lineup feels like an odd fit but then again, I don’t understand anything anymore.
6. Sofia Kourtesis – Volver EP
A beautiful tribute to the LGBT+ community that you can dance to – this EP is all about uniting in a world that is dividing.
7. Folk Bitch Trio – Now Would Be A Good Time
A great companion piece to the New Eves’ record above, this Australian makes me think of Mountain Man if they were more instrument-inclined and slightly more punk in attitude.
8. Mac DeMarco – Guitar
This is a gorgeous, unpolished folk/rock album. DeMarco lost me a bit ove rthe course of his last handful of records but this brought me back into the fold in spades.
9. Billy Woods – GOLLIWOG
I am not remotely in tune with hip hop these days but I have noticed that anything Billy Woods touches seems to turn to gold.
10. Preservation and Gabe Nandez – Sortilège
This was a late add for me and is within the Billy Woods-associated universe: It’s gritty New York rap with production reminiscent of RZA.
Other Notables: Emma Louise – DUMB / Bad Bunny – Debí Tirar Más Fotos
Singles not on top albums (see playlist of ALL singles here)
Amber Mark – Serotonin
Joan Thiele – Veleno
Courtney Marie Andrews – Keeper, Cons and Clowns
Viagra Boys – Uno II
Rosalia – Reliquia
Dry Cleaning – Hit My Head All Day
Kelly Lee Owens – Ascend
Adrian Quesada – Primos
Westerman – Nevermind
Kassie Krut – Reckless
Barry Can’t Swim – Klimpton, All My Friends
Reyna Tropical – Tu Voz
Grace Ives – Avalanche
Shows
Paul McCartney at USBank Stadium (Photos)
Japanese Breakfast at the Palace Theater (Photos)
Adrian Younge at the Turf Club (Photos)
Suzanne Vallie / Crystal Myslajek at Wolf House (Photos)
Dua Saleh at the Fine Line (Photos)
Porridge Radio at the Entry (Photos)
Most Anticipated For 2026:
Artists/Bands I hope tour here this coming year:
Sofia Kourtesis
The New Eves
Folk Bitch Trio (they will be performing at the Blue Ox Festival in June but hoping for a TC show as well)
Courtney Marie Andrews (both forthcoming new album and her April Turf Club show)
Whatever the revised Eaux Claires Festival ends up being
Biggest Misses (shows I missed seeing)
I’ll probably regret missing Geese performing at the Amsterdam in October (the next morning I checked my email to find out I had been added to the guestlist the night before but didn’t see it)
Billy Woods/Gabe Nandez at the Entry (11/17/25): Two artists from my top ten albums this year, performing on the same stage. I didn’t hear about this until after it happened.
Cardiel at the Cloudland Theater (9/21/25): I heard this psychedelic Mexican band shortly after they toured here. An intimate show at Cloudland would have been amazing.
Maria Somerville at Zhora Darling (9/13/25): One of those times where an artist you admire plays the smallest of venues. This one was sold out well in advance but tix were available via resellers.
Spellling at the Fine Line (5/14/25): Spellling finally came to town and I would outside the country when it happened.
Ethel Cain at the Palace Theater (9/19/25): Still hoping for a chance to catch the mercurial Cain live.
