Favourite Albums 2025

Best Of 2025 Records

Neil Young - Oceanside Countryside 

Incredible to think that he discarded releasing this for 50 years and only now, as part of his Archives series, has it seen the light of day. Familiar as some of these songs may be, these stripped down versions work on a whole new level.

Favourite song - Human Highway 

https://youtu.be/ebu-5lQ2lwU?si=nyOjrnX_BxHVTLwm

Watchhouse -- Rituals 

9th album but a new discovery of mine, I think via the Roddy Hart radio show. Simple and compelling songs from the married couple. Great harmonies with wonderful, variation to the rhythm section.

Favourite song - Beyond Meaning.

https://youtu.be/0ep_7iY6Ffs?si=JlEfh7KDV1XRwzUx

Soulwax - All Systems Are Lying 

Ever daring, Soulwax challenged themselves to make a rock album without guitars for All Systems Are Lying. Great anthemic sludges of modular synths and, frankly, cheating somewhat with inviting the drummer of Sepultura to rock out, this astonishing album fulfills the brief and then some.

Favourite song - New Earth Time 

https://youtu.be/TRph0woZ_Vk?si=4izgzdj-yDsNl5xQ

Emma Pollock - Begging The Night To Take Hold

Beautifully and lovingly produced by husband and fellow ex-Delgado Paul Savage, this is a scintillating, melodic and often entrancing sonic wonder. Well worth the wait of some five years since the excellent In Search Of Harperfield.

Favourite song - Future Tree

https://youtu.be/xxiSE1oD35w?si=q_rWClSWdtPIip3A

Cate le Bon - Michaelangelo Dying

Continuing the theme of orchestral pop, this is the years great heartbreak record. All consuming anger, grief and denial swirl throughout before the album concludes in apparent enlightenment and a display of steely resolve, "I can't break down". She can do no wrong.

Favourite song - Heaven Is No Feeling 

https://youtu.be/F_iagFqLgyg?si=URyNX1UYe-FFDxYv

Rosalia - Lux

After being drawn to listen to this album after hearing the single Berghain featuring Bjork, this has become my most played album of 2025. This album is an Iberian journey in four movements. Jaw dropping drama, passion and warmth, it's pulsating and hypnotic in equal measure.

Favourite song - Berghain 

https://youtu.be/htQBS2Ikz6c?si=pN1Nn-n-IbAWzFZT

Midlake - A Bridge To Far

In my opinion, one of the most underrated bands of the millennials, Midlake are back with another signature piece of folk-psych Americana. While there's nothing groundbreaking for the band here, the usual earthy, uplifting songs nevertheless remain unique to Midlake. Few attempt to copy as Midlake are so good at what they do.

Favourite song - Guardians 

https://youtu.be/2P7nTlp7CTk?si=fN0c4ynZvy6gZIWr

Suede - Antidepressants 

A band I have almost criminally been ignorant of until 2022's Autofiction finally turned my head. Huge sounding anthemic gothic post punk with Brett Anderson's vocals ageing like a fine wine. Interesting and innovating, Suede are still surprising and revelatory on album ten and not satisfied with trading purely on past glories.

Favourite song - Trance State 

https://youtu.be/8KRJbg2KJBQ?si=PJLeK5qN7nJietRZ

Cut Copy - Moments

Plays out almost as a space launch with Cut Copy launching into Moments with their likeable signature jam of sunny synths and indie guitar before the countdown begins to far more progressive and explorative ground with two rapturous 7 minute bangers highlighting a sense of renewal and confidence looking ahead.

Favourite song - Gravity 

https://youtu.be/V0a-wqdY_GI?si=U3pxk9NiQ3Y_Kkmk

Big Thief - Double Infinity 

While short by Big Thief standards and in parts subdued there's a warmth and sense of homecoming throughout Double Infinity often skirting E-Bow The Letter era REM. Adrienne Lenker's vocals and Buck Meek on guitar ensure it remains signature Big Thief and while perhaps it's not a patch on previous Big Thief albums, there's enough here to keep fans ticking over.

Favourite song - All Night All Day

https://youtu.be/5ypvGArgmIk?si=2Tezuk2fyY_hNmFK

Jeff Tweedy - Twilight Override

Top drawer 30 Song triple album from the Wilco front man every bit as good as his band output, you wonder why he chose to release these as a solo artist? Perhaps it’s due to it being wildly eclectic, veering between slanted acoustic tracks, glammy ’70s rock and even ’80s dream pop, often veering into the Velvets. It's also a family affair with both his sons playing guitar.

Favourite song - Out In The Dark 

https://youtu.be/IQKqUdM4VJI?si=242e9zcyK2hEXIuq

Alan Sparhawk With Trampled By Turtles 

I miss Low! But, all is not lost. Alan Sparhawk is endeavouring to carry on despite still so recent a personal and public loss of his wife and Low bandmate Mimi Parker. Accompanied here by accomplished Bluegrass group Trampled By Turtles, Sparhawk continues with his signature brand of lo-fi Americana with a twist, here, transforming his grief into an exquisite form of inspiration.

Favourite song - Princess Road Surgery 

https://youtu.be/EQQHGbxhK-M?si=v0Mf6NBRGcUTQd5R

Edwyn Collins - Nation Shall Speak Unto Nation 

From the heart, direct, unflinching, Edwyn Collins has been a constant inspiration since my own brush with life altering illness. It's truly remarkable then, given his struggles with articulacy since suffering a terrifying brain bleed and paralysis in 2005, that he is able to find the words to provide such insight in a compelling 3 minute pop song. In 2025, Collins embarked on a farewell tour. On the strength of this album, I hope this isn't the last we hear from him.

Favourite song - Strange Old World 

https://youtu.be/qcSRYzAdz0w?si=GYFS_YWnZ1dUFkM8

Bonnie Prince Billy - The Purple Bird

It took me years to come round to appreciate BPB. Laid back and full of fun wordplay - sitting at the bar with a drink or two/telephone rings and it's you know who/you know who is gonna get his ass chewed tonight, The Purple Bird is full of loose mountain jangles and great bluegrass fiddle. Maybe I'm getting old, but this is my kind of jam these days.

Favourite song - Guns Are For Cowards

https://youtu.be/MC9C07AnzOo?si=SXLVmgsh6mxAK16y

Jason Isbell - Foxes In The Snow 

Great songwriting full of wisdom and wonderful acoustic guitar, Foxes In The Snow is an album about love, loss and finding a way. Isbell on Foxes produces some of his most direct, emotional and gut-wrenching songs in years, and it's absolutely compelling. An album not so much about reinvention as starting over, Foxes is full of life tip gems such as Don’t be tough until you have to/Let love knock you on your ass.

Favourite song - Don't Be Tough 

https://youtu.be/EPlJswvtJ4s?si=vD74VB99WQi970KW