Favourite Music of 2025 So Far....
And other years....
I’ve had trouble getting into albums this year, I’ve fallen in love with plenty of songs, but when it comes to the album I find there is a lot lacking in an overall project. Albums are getting shorter (the rise of the 8-track album has become more obvious this year) while the quality seems to be dwindling. I would not mind the standard album getting shorter if it was because artists are less interested in filler and only going for what they think is the best of the best of their work but instead I’m finding more and more that the album has become set decoration for a single. Pay the regular price of 10-15 dollars for an album when the in reality, the single, which can usually be bought on its own, is the only thing worth the money. But with the physical media comeback, I imagine most people would rather pay for a whole album than a single. Because of this I’ve been listening to less new music, with some exceptions. It’s not that I’m not finding good albums, but I’ve been busy listening to music I already own for the most part. Exhausting my CD collection, putting on a vinyl I’ve listened to 30 times because that is what one is meant to do. I’m working on getting better at drawing at the moment which is when I do most of my music listening, instead of playing the same youtube videos over and over in the background (I have a playlist of Redlettermedia horror movie reviews that at this point I can recite parts of). There are some newer releases I’m excited about but not including them here because I’ve not had enough time with them.
As per usual, playlist here.
2025 Albums:
Rathlin from a Distance/The Liquid Hour by Yann Tiersen, April 2025
Electronic/intrustmental
Soft spot for this one because I was having a panic attack while my da was driving us through Barcelona city on our way to an English language bookshop. I put this on having listened to it once and it was instantly calming. A Mix of piano and electronic music, beautifully intertwined.
ISKRA by Olga Anna Markowska, January 2025
Instrumental/Ambient
A soundtrack for a movie that doesn’t exist that I desperately want to. Ominious yet tranquil, like the calm before the storm. My favourite of the year so far.
Luster by Maria Somerville, April 2025
Alternative/ambient/drone
The perfect late night drive album. As if the music is working with the headlights to brighten the way. Reminds me of being young, the early evening coming in, feeling hopeful.
Heaven Can’t Heal by Circuit Preacher, April 2025
Industrial/Electronic
I implore the people to make youtube vampire edits to literally any of these songs, if this was the Myspace era, I guarantee that this album would be all over the goth boards. I say that in the most flattering way possible, this feels like a geniunely iconic industrial album, the best I’ve heard in the last 15 years. If you love old Nine Inch Nails, this’ll scratch that itch.
Other Years:
Dreamstate by Kelly Lee Owens, October 2024
Electronic/pop
I think this might be my most played album of the year so far, and was a special mention in my 2024’s favourites. It’s become a no-brainer, hop into the car, put it on, guarenteed a good time. A good balance of pop and electronic, like just very good vibes all around. It’s a shame it came out in Ocotober because it’s such a summer album, which is shall be this year.
Violence by Truck Violence, July 2024
Hardcore/metal
Every year I find one hardcore album I love and leave the rest of the genre alone until the following year. Despite this album falling into the 8-track album catagory, this is the rare instance where it feels concise and intentional. This is such a great debute and makes me excited for the bands future and how far they can push it, but I’d also be content if this was their only album because it’s so good. I’m a little confused about the release, on Bandcamp it says July 2024 but it’s on Pitchfork’s best of 2025 so far list, so idk if this counts as a 2024 or 2025 release. If you like Show Me The Body or Model/Actriz, I’d recommend checking this band out!
Singles:
Thanks for reading (listening),
Enya x
Nice En!