Picking this list is always challenging, even more so this year without a runaway favorite album (still psyched about that Jack White record). Not saying it was a bad year for music, far from it – there was lots of great stuff as always. But I had high hopes for so many anticipated new releases in 2025, and while some of them delivered (Kathleen Edwards, Wet Leg) several others weren’t fully realized (Jason Isbell, Black Keys, Sprints, Sports Team) – still good with some standout tracks, but overall they were a bit of a let down. I suppose that’s the risk you run with high expectations. The good news is that left plenty of room for new discoveries like Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers (great name!) and Deep Sea Diver (how was I sleeping on this band?) as well as kickass records from local bands like the Velveteers, Graveyard Choir and Pink Fuzz. Can’t wait to see what 2026 brings!
| Artist | Album | Label | |
| 1 | Curtis Harding | Departures & Arrivals: Adventures of Captain Curt | ANTI- |
| 2 | Kathleen Edwards | Billionaire | Dualtone |
| 3 | Teen Jesus & the Jean Teasers | Glory | Mom + Pop Music |
| 4 | Wet Leg | Moisturizer | Domino |
| 5 | Frankie & the Witch Fingers | Trash Classic | RAS / Greenway |
| 6 | Deep Sea Diver | Billboard Heart | Sub Pop |
| 7 | Pink Fuzz | Resolution | Permanent Teeth |
| 8 | Adrian Quesada | Boleros Psicodelicos II | ATO |
| 9 | Antibalas | Hourglass | Daptone |
| 10 | The Doohickeys | All Hat No Cattle | Forty Below |
