Well, here they are, my favorite albums of 2025. It’s always a bit funny to me to come up with these, as I like so many different kinds of music, and also, I think I’m less of an album person and more of a playlist type. At least, that’s been my listening attitude for the last long while. I’ve been leaning more and more into album listening, though, and came up with a few solid choices. Hope you find something new in here that you like.
Related: here’s a link to my 2025 liked playlist on Spotify.
Here Now, Gone There by Wet Season
I have a bit of a theme this year, and it's “Aussie.” Wet Season is from Australia’s Gold Coast, which I think of as sunny and warm. Wet' Season’s vibe on Here Now, Gone There, however, is more like their name than their home: dark, damp, and atmospheric. Give a listen to “Come Out to Get Me” or “Penny Drop” to get a sense of these guys.
File under: Indie Rock
RIYL: The Strokes, Foals, Fontaines DC
To All The Ones That I Love by Press Club
More rock from Australia, and this is one that I loved. It’s a throwback rock album loaded with good tracks that feel fresh and new, but also remind me of so much good music from the past. It’s a classic.
File under: Indie Rock
RIYL: Garbage, Johnny Mar, The Smith Street Band
Blindness by The Murder Capital
Irish Post-Punk band The Murder Capital has released a stellar album in Blindness. I’d been hearing tracks from it for a little while before it came out (last year, in February), so it might be the album on my list I’ve listened to the most, and it’s still in heavy rotation. It’s moody yet energetic, dark and emotional. Try “The Fall” or “Words Lost Meaning” to get a feel for it.
File under: Indie Rock
RIYL: The Twilight Sad, Gurriers, Shame
Underneath by Floodlights
Another Aussie band, Floodlights are from Melbourne, formed in 2018. Underneath is their third release. This one won me over with the horns. And the clever arrangements. And the catchy vibes. It’s really well put together and has a unique but familiar sound that calls you back. “Bouyant”is my favorite of the album.
File under: Indie Rock
RIYL: BCNR, dust, Radium Dolls
Layovers by Signals Midwest
Holy fuck, I love this band. They’ve been pumping out my kind of music for a while now, and their latest, Layovers, is more of the same, while also being a bit of an evolution of their DIY, garage emo sound. It’s still kinda emo, kinda Springsteen, but it’s more experimental and more polished, branching out but still completely heartfelt and full of catchy emo rock bangers.
File under: Emo, Indie Rock
RIYL: American Football, The Get Up Kids, Siani Vessel
Boys These Days by Sports Team
Boys These Days is a groovy, messy pile of feel-good, which is what I was hoping for and expecting in this album. If you don’t know, Sports Team is an indie rock band, but with a unique blend of styles and sounds that stands out. They’ve changed a bit over the years, from energetic indie rock to incorporate elements of '70s soft rock, disco, Bryan Ferry-style sophistication, and the melodicism of Prefab Sprout (an old fav of mine). Features saxophone, harmonica, and a more polished production while maintaining their witty social commentary. They bring a sense of humor, some really quirky vocals, jazzy horns, and catchy riffs to their work, and all of those abound in this one.
File under: Eclectic Indie Rock
RIYL: The Goon Sax, Yard Act, Courting, Prefab Sprout
Never Enough by Turnstile
One of this year’s hype albums that worked for me. Love how it has thematic consistency but also a lot of variety. It incorporates funk, soul, R&B, electronic elements, and melodic rock, while maintaining a hardcore energy and expanding into more experimental territories. It’s simply an excellent rock record with a lot of variety, a kind of a something-for-anyone type of album.
File under: Indie Rock, Punk
RIYL: Militarie Gun, Fugazi, High Viz
I’m Nice Now by Upchuck
Angry, relentless, and rocking all the way through, I’m Nice Now is chuck (heh) full of powerful tracks. I bet Upchuck is great live, and I’ll be keeping an eye out for them.
File under: Punk
RIYL: Amyl & The Sniffers, Die Spitz, Scowl
Billboard Heart by Deep Sea Diver
I think Deep Sea Diver needs more hype. I know they have some hype, but this record is better than the hype would suggest. It’s sophisticated indie rock with elements of prog and art rock, featuring intricate guitar work, cunning arrangements and powerful vocals. It’s complex and layered, but accessible. Jessica Dobson has the knack!
File under: Indie Rock
RIYL: St. Vincent, Wolf Parade, TV on The Radio
Who Let The Dogs Out by Lambrini Girls
Easily the best live band I’ve seen in the last couple of years (I’ve seen them twice, and both times were electric), and they’ve somehow been able to infuse Who Let The Dogs Out with that live energy. It’s a raucous, button-pushing, energetic, and well-crafted album that I think will go down as a classic.
File under: Punk
RIYL: SPRINTS, Bikini Kill, IDLES