Jessie Ware - "I Could Get Used To This"

In these trying times sometimes you need some way to find joy in life. Jessie Ware returns with the single "I Could Get Used to This," which is the perfect balm. It's a lush, string-filled disco fantasia.  

Harry Styles - "Aperture"

"Aperture," the first taste of Harry Styles' upcoming record Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally, shows Styles leaning into a more dance-centric direction. Borrowing from the LCD Soundsystem playbook, the track starts with a low throb, and slowly builds on more and more layers. It's intriguing, and makes me excited to hear the rest of the album.

James Blake - "Death of Love"

From his forthcoming debut as an independent artist, James Blake presents the brooding track "Death to Love," featured on his new album, Trying Times. The song showcases his signature rumbling bass, atmospheric synthesizers, and his impeccable vocals.

Ulrika Spacek - "Picto"

Ulrika Spacek, the acclaimed UK art-rock band, is set to release their new album EXPO in just a couple of weeks, and their latest single, "Picto," offers a compelling glimpse of what's to come. Drawing on influences such as Sonic Youth, Deerhunter, and My Bloody Valentine, "Picto" stands out as a hyperactive and endearing track that masterfully balances whimsy with substance. The song is both playful and inventive, filled with lively rhythms and experimental guitar work, yet remains grounded by robust instrumentation and a driven momentum. Ulrika Spacek continues to push boundaries within the art-rock genre, making "Picto" an imaginative and energetic preview that heightens anticipation for their forthcoming album.

Sassy 009 ft. yunè pinku - "Mirrors"

Norwegian producer Sassy 009’s debut album, Dreamer+, is quickly becoming one of my favorite records of the year. The album features several notable collaborations, including “Mirrors”—a glitchy and haunting track created in partnership with rising artist yunè pinku.

2025 Favorite Albums (10 - 1)

And here we are, my top ten albums of 2025:

10. FACS - Wish Defense 

Angular and haunting post-punk from the Chicago trio. I got to see them live this year, and they are a formidable live act.

9. Just Mustard - We Were Just Here

Heady mix of shoegaze, dream pop, post-punk, and noise rock with ethereal vocals layered over.

8. DJ Kose - Music Can Hear Us

Fever dream of a record. Though it is a cliché, he honestly takes you on a surreal, contemplative journey.

7. Addison Rae - Addison

The best pure pop record of the year. So many great songs, so many great melodies and hooks.

6. Smerz - Big City Life

Quirky, surreal, and captivating synthpop.

5. Erika de Casier - Lifetime

The perfect mixture of trip-hop, R&B, and ambient electronica. The best Sunday morning record.

4. Deftones - private music

This might be the nu-metal legends' best work. It hits hard.

3. Purity Ring - Purity Ring

This is a soundtrack to an imagined video game, and it does take you on a fascinating journey. It's softer and more polished than their earlier records, and it lingers long in your mind.

2. Rosalía - Lux

Mother.

1. aya - hexed!

This record is absolutely batshit crazy. It's a car crash of styles (hyper-pop, industrial, noise, collage, ambient), sometimes all at once. It's never more than fascinating, and a record I consistently came back to, just to say, "How the hell did she do that?" 

 

2025 Favorite Albums (20-11)

Inching closer to my top ten:

20. Eterna - Debunker

A beautiful album of songs that feel like old friends. It's an evocative collection of dream pop and post-punk.

19. Gelli Haha - Switcheroo

This record is just bonkers; in a good way. It defies easy description, but it sounds like Tom Tom Club and Kelly Lee Owens got together to make music for Pee Wee's Playhouse. It's lunatic club music.

18. Amaarae - Black Star 

Party album of the year.

17. Daniel Avery - Tremor

Producer Daniel Avery dips his toes into goth-tinged synthpop on this glorious album.

16. FKA twigs - EUSEXUA/EUSEXUA Afterglow

I couldn't split these two records, as they work as a complex whole. FKA twigs is still pushing the boundaries of what pop music can be. 

15. Barker - Stochastic Drift

Icy, yet human, techno from the Berlin-based producer.

14. bdrmm - Microtonic

Blurring the lines between shoegaze and electronica.

13. Real Lies - We Will Annihilate Our Enemies

Swooning, propulsive synthpop that evokes a seedier version of the Pet Shop Boys.

12. YHWH Nailgun - 45 Pounds

Intense and lumbering mix of industrial rhythms, collage-like synths, and mantra-evoking vocals. 

11. Model/Actriz - Pirouette

The Brooklyn band expands on their debut record with a set of tightly coiled industrial post-punk mayhem.