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“In a world on fire,
music is my one sure thing.”
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I confessed to a musician friend recently that I was spending far too much time organizing my “best of” music list for the year. That it felt self-important and, well, dumb. I’d say that “nobody cares” but, well, here you are. So I’m not alone after all.
And isn’t that the writing life in a nutshell?
Here or not, I’d do it anyway. But thanks for being here. Pull up a crate, there’s chips in the bowl.
Anyway, my friend quickly countered that it wasn’t dumb — it was a reflective way to take stock of the art that made a dent.
So: Blame Eric for the outrage that follows.
I feel like more than ever, music has pulled me through a difficult year. A distraction, a pleasure, an obsession & inspiration. In a world on fire, music is my one sure thing. It might be too much to say that I owe music my life. But it’s not entirely wrong, either. I don’t know. Living without music would be like existing in a world without trees or meadows, birds or clouds, wind or rocks or mountaintops.
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The truth is, I’ve been intensely, passionately listening to music since my youngest days, the baby in a family of seven children, in a house filled with records and powerful influences. Weaned (not Weened!) on Dylan and the Stones and whatever else I was digesting in 1966 at five years old. During the birth of rock’s greatest era, I was a sponge soaking up the atmosphere.
A quick word about process: This year, I listened to 598 full-length albums. Starting seven years ago, I began to keep meticulous track. This year, I listened to 168 full albums that were released in 2025. Obviously, there’s a lot I’ve missed. And a lot, assuredly, I didn’t really hear. I am aware that when an album doesn’t connect, the fault is often with the listener. Failing to hear deeply enough, attend thoughtfully enough. My apologies all around.
What makes an album push its way to the front? How does it get on the list? I wish I knew. But when I pretend to know, I say that in art I most admire singularity. The album that only one artist or band could have made, no one else. That feels powerful and original. For the annual list, I also seek a wide range, breadth, because that’s how I listen, a little bit all over the map.
I’m just a guy, this isn’t perfect. Hopefully you find something new, worth checking out. I love a lot of music, and I enjoyed so much new music that isn’t represented here. Catch me in a month and I’d probably lop five off and urgently add five new ones.
What follows is my Top 20 and then 35 Honorable Mentions.
TOP 20 (in alphabetical order)
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Annahstasia: Tether
Bad Bunny: Debi Tirar Mas Fotos
Beirut: A Study of Loses
Blood Orange: Essex Honey
Laura Cannell: The Visible Light of Other Worlds
Clipse: Let God Sort Em Out
Ryan Davis & the Roadhouse: New Threats from Soul
Alex G: Headlights
Geese: Getting Killed
S.G. Goodman: Planting by the Signs
Horsegirl: Phonetics On and On
Salif Keita: So Kono
Ben Kweller: Cover the Mirrors
Linda May Han Oh: Strange Heavens
Juana Molina: DOGA @ 2025
Wednesday: Bleeds
Sharp Pins: Balloon Balloon Balloon
Alan Sparhawk w/ Trampled By Turtles: s/t
Yann Tiersen: Rathlin from a Distance/Liquid Hour
Jeff Tweedy: Twilight Overdrive
HONORABLE MENTIONS
JAZZ
Fieldwork: Thereupon
James Brandon Lewis: Apples Cores
Myra Melford: Myra Melford Splash
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ROCK, INDIE
Big Thief: Double Infinity
Craig Finn: Always Been
Robert Forster: Strawberries
Friendship: Caveman Wakes Up
Fust: Big Ugly @ 2025
Liminanas: Fader
Cass McCombs: Interior Live Oak
Mekons: Horror
Perfume Genius: Glory
Joanne Robertson: Blurry
Gruff Rhys: Dim Probs
Stereolab: Instant Hologram on Metal Film
Wreckless Eric: England Screaming
The Beths: Straight Line Was a Lie
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AMERICANA, FOLK, COUNTRY & ALT-COUNTRY
Sam Amidon: Salt River
Jason Boland & the Stranglers: Last Kings of Babylon
Bonnie “Prince” Billy: The Purple Bird
Tyler Childers: Snipe Hunter
Richard Dawson: End of the Middle
Florry: Sounds Like . . .
Greg Freeman: Burn-over
Will Johnson: Diamond City
Hayden Pedigo: I’ll Be Waving . .
Esther Rose: Want
EXPERIMENTAL, AMBIENT, NEW MUSIC
Wednesday Knudsen: Atrium
William Tyler, Kieran Hebden: 41 Longfield Street
Water From Your Eyes: It’s a Beautiful Place
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HIP HOP, R & B, WORLD
Mulatu Astatke: Mulatu Plays Umlaut
Jim Legxacy: Black British Music
Little Simz: Lotus
Rosalia: LUX @ 2025
Songhoy Blues: Heritage
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Artists pictured, top to bottom: Annahstasia, Alan Sparhawk, Karly Hartman (Wednesday), Juana Molina, Devonte Hynes (Blood Essex), Laura Cannell, Salif Keita, Linda May Han Oh, Horsegirl, Geese, Clipse.
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THANKS FOR STOPPING BY!
