Staff Picks – Top 100 Albums of 2025

1. Royel Otis – hickey
   Moody was a “first listen” song for me – I knew it would be one many people would like and it would probably get picked up as a song of the summer. And then the whole thing came out and I was flat out impressed, so much so that I made it #1.
2. Jeff Tweedy – Twilight Override
   Much has been made about the fact that this was three (!) discs long. The question becomes, “did he really need to put out three discs?”, and the answer is yes. He’s Jeff Tweedy and he just can’t stop writing good songs. Just buy one of the Wilco box sets and you’ll understand. Maybe not all 100% great tunes, but 100% worth listening to the whole thing.
3. I’m With Her – Wild and Clear and Blue
   It’s almost become a cliché to say that Sara Watkins, Aoife O’Donovan and
   Sarah Jarosz sound amazing as a trio. Take a deep dive into this whole
   album and you’ll emerge practically stunned by how true that statement is.
4. Hannah Cohen – Earthstar Mountain
   Some records are good, some are beautiful and some are fascinating. This one is all three.
5. Charley Crockett – Dollar A Day
   While Jeff Tweedy releases three discs all at once, Charley spreads them out each year (practically). You’ll find something good on each one, I found more than one on this one.
6. Flock Of Dimes – The Life You Save
   This reminded me why I really enjoy putting on a whole CD at home, sitting down and just listening. No urge to read or multi-task. Just listen and feel happy I did.
7. Loaded Honey – Love Made Trees
   Never heard of them, but listened to one song and have been hooked since. So much to discover on this disc and worth every moment.
8. Lord Huron – The Cosmic Selector Vol. 1
   If you don’t want songs stuck in your head, you might want to avoid this one. When the songs are this good, I really don’t mind at all.
9. Kathleen Edwards – Billionaire
   The last release was all about “welcome back”, this is just joy that she seems to want to be back.
10. Neko Case – Neon Grey Midnight Green
    I was fortunate that I got to see her a year ago and she played a few tunes off this. Happy to finally hear it in her studio context and get to hit repeat on it and not have to leave a show wondering what the rest might sound like.

1. Hannah Cohen – Earthstar Mountain
2. Royel Otis – hickey
3. Wet Leg – Moisturizer
4. Japanese Breakfast – For Melancholy Brunettes (And Sad Women)
5. Flock of Dimes – The Life You Save
6. Snocaps – Snocaps
7. Panda Bear – Sinister Grift
8. Palmyra – Restless
9. Charley Crockett – Lonesome Drifter
10. Neko Case – Neon Grey Midnight Green

New Love Mixtape

1. Deep Sea Diver – Billboard Heart
2. Belair Lip Bombs – Again
3. The Beths – Straight Line Was A Lie
4. Oracle Sisters – Divinations
5. Geese – Getting Killed
6. Twen – Fate Euphoric
7. Bon Iver – SABLE, fABLE
8. Nation of Language – Dance Called Memory
9. Panic Shack – Panic Shack
10. Wolf Alice – The Clearing

Honorable Mentions
Sierra Hull – A Tip Toe Highwire
My Morning Jacket – is
Laufey – A Matter of Time
Lord Huron – Cosmic Selector Vol. 1
Kathleen Edwards – Billionaire
Loaded Honey – Love Made Trees
Jon Batiste – Big Money

1. Deep Sea Diver – Billboard Heart
   It’s terrible. I almost forgot about the album that I enjoyed listening to most this year. Released back in February, I have listened to SO MUCH new music since then, that I almost forget I spent a solid 2-3 months listening to this album that I believe is the best ‘Alternative Rock’ album of the year – and my favorite album. That’s the problem with ‘Year End Lists’. Years are long. Even though Deep Sea Diver has been around since 2012, this was my first year getting to know Jessica Dobson and I loved every 45 minutes of it – especially “Shovel”. Unfortunately, DSD didn’t make a trip through the Commonwealth this year – but hopefully I’ll have the chance to see them live soon!
2. The Belair Lip Bombs – Again
   I started hearing a song here-and-there by these Australian indie-alt rockers that popped up on some playlists I follow, and every one just seemed a little better than the last, capped off by ‘Hey You’, which is easily one of my favorites of the year. I’m a sucker for this ‘new wave’ of young alt-rock bands, and they’ve got a slightly scuzzy, slightly melodic mix that I’m very into.
3. Wet Leg – moisturizer
   After the quirky, ‘Mean Girls’-quoting ‘Chaise Lounge’ went viral and got stuck in our heads, there was no telling where Wet Leg could go next after disappearing for a couple of years. Turns out, they went to an absolute heavy-hitter. A little aggressive on ‘Catch These Fists’, clever on ‘mangetout’, and great songs all around. They could have easily been a one-hit wonder in a different universe, but not in this universe.
4. Turnstile – Never Enough
   Baltimore creates some of my favorite artists: Beach House, Future Islands, Maggie Rogers, and the list goes on. When I saw Turnstile at the Showbox in Seattle in 2022, I couldn’t have predicted what a big impact they’d make with this Jane’s Addiction-esque alt-rock, but with the massive show at Brown’s Island and now Grammy nominations in Rock, Metal and Alternative categories, Turnstile can’t be denied.
5. shame – Cutthroat
   Like IDLES in 2024, sometimes I have the Millennial urge to dance in an aggressive way, and shame fills that order. Sonically, the crossover with Fontaines D.C. (who also made my 2024 list) is very apparent as both bands have supported each other. Every song on the album offers something just a little bit different and it’s a great listen when you want to get your heart rate up.
6. Hannah Cohen – Earthstar Mountain
   This was a ‘sleeper hit’ for me, driven by Desiré Moses and Mark Keefe’s fandom of Hannah Cohen. I heard a couple songs, but didn’t dig too deep. The more songs Des and Mark brought up in our music meetings, the more I liked it. As someone that gets teased in the office for liking Fleetwood Mac, there is no way I couldn’t love ‘Mountain’ especially.
7. The Bug Club – Very Human Features
   While I don’t love VHF quite as much as their 2024 album ‘On the Intricate Inner Workings of the System’, I have an unashamed love for the frantic energy of The Bug Club (as seen in our In-Studio Session from earlier this year). 11 songs, 28 minutes and 40 seconds of just good times. Sing along with “We’re not rich, we’re just good lookin'” on “Best Looking Strangers in the Cemetery” and try not to have fun.
8. Panic Shack – Panic Shack
   Speaking of fun, if I could get The Bug Club and Panic Shack on the same live bill, it would be the best hour and 5 minutes of live music I could imagine. The lead-off track “Girl Band Starter Pack” is instantly dance-y and infectious. Sure, I’m a middle-aged man, but I would love to get double-voddys with the girls. It reminds me a lot of The Ramones… with Gen Z energy.
9. Tame Impala – Deadbeat
   Of Kevin Parker’s (5) albums, I would honestly list ‘Deadbeat’ at Number 5 – considering ‘Currents’, ‘The Slow Rush’ and maybe even ‘Lonerism’ are in my Top 10 favorite albums of all time, but I dig what he does so much that even my least favorite Tame Impala album is one of the Top 10 of 2025. This album leans more in the EDM lane, and he’s been playing a lot of festivals. I last saw him at Life Is Beautiful in 2022 and I bet this album is absolutely amazing at 10pm in the desert. “No Reply” is a standout track.
10. Twen – Fate Euphoric
    I first heard of this band when they opened for Commonwealth artists Illiterate Light at their album release show, and the song ‘Infinite Sky’ got me curious. This fall, their name started popping up everywhere, playing Richmond, Norfolk, Charlottesville and Harrisonburg, so I got curious again. Jane and Ian are living their van-life traveling across the country, playing this interesting mix of indie rock and power-pop as DIY as it comes. With all those Virginia dates, we were fortunate to have them stop by for an In-Studio Session, and I encourage you to experience it live if you’ve got the opportunity!

Honorable Mentions (aka The Next 10 – in no particular order):
Charley Crockett – Lonesome Drifter / Dollar A Day
Flock of Dimes – The Life You Save
Lambrini Girls – Who Let The Dogs Out
Wolf Alice – The Clearing
Laufey – A Matter of Time
Murder By Death – Egg & Dart
My Morning Jacket – is
Neko Case – Neon Grey Midnight Green
Tamino – Every Dawn’s A Mountain
Loaded Honey – Love Made Trees

1. My Morning Jacket – Is
2. Bon Iver – Sable, fable
3. Hannah Cohen – Earthstar Mountain
4. Samia – Bloodless
5. Cass McCombs – Interior Live Oak
6. St Paul and the Broken Bones – St. Paul and the Broken Bones
7. David Byrne – Who Is the Sky?
8. Japanese Breakfast – For Melancholy Brunettes (and sad women)
9. Turnstile – Never Enough
10. Nation of Language – Dance Called Memory

Country Feedback 

1. Brennen Leigh – Don’t You Ever Give Up On Love
2. Turnpike Troubadours – The Price of Admission
3. Sunny Sweeney – Rhinestone Requeim
4. Charley Crockett – Lonesome Drifter
5. Jesse Daniel – Son of the San Lorenzo
6. Pug Johnson – El Cabron
7. Dylan Earl – Level Headed Even Smile
8. Charles Wesley Godwin – Lonely Mountain Town
9. Jason Boland and the Stragglers – The Last Kings of Babylon
10. Melissa Carper – Borned In Ya

1. Jesse Welles – Pilgrim
   breakout sets at Newport & Farm Aid, an Americana Award, live duets with Fogerty & Baez, 4 Grammy noms, 4 full-length albums and 2 live compilations…all in 1 calendar year!? He has somehow turned virality into virtue
2. Wet Leg – Moisturizer
   expanding on the success & charm of their debut with humor, riffage & hooks galore
3. Frankie & The Witch Fingers – Trash Classic
   As discovered after midnight in downtown Austin, TX during SXSW, Devo meets King Gizzard meets Megadeth with sharp-tongued lyrics custom-made for 2025
4. Turnstile – Never Enough
   Baltimore moshpit mavens channel Third Eye Jane’s Rage with a Fugazi-like precision & attitude
5. Palmyra – Restless
   Commonwealth trio turns poignancy into power
6. Don Was & The Pan-Detroit Ensemble – Groove In The Face of Adversity
   Five eclectic covers (Hank, Curtis, Cameo) & one original prove the timelessness of grooving through adversity
7. Galactic & Irma Thomas – Audience With The Queen
   Two New Orleans legends “right where (they) belong” uplifting us all in the process
8. Jason Isbell – Foxes in the Snow
   Same mic, same guitar for 11 songs that conjure Nebraska meets Blood on the Tracks
9. The Hives – The Hives Forever Forever The Hives
   As rollicking as ever
10. Bob Mould – Here We Go Crazy
    As hooky & seething as ever

1. dodie – Not for Lack of Trying
2. Laufey – A Matter of Time
3. Wallows – More
4. Wes Parker – fantom
5. Lucy Dacus – Forever is a Feeling
6. Of Monsters and Men – All is Love and Pain in the Mouse Parade
7. Wet Leg – moisturizer
8. Goose – Chain yer Dragon
9. Big Thief – Double Infinity
10. runo plum – patching

1. Olivia Dean – The Art of Loving
   Soulful, elegant, fun. Olivia Dean does not miss. This album stays in constant rotation like her others.
2. Bad Bunny – DeBí TiRAR MáS FOTos
   Non-stop hits. Much respect for Bad Bunny and how he’s staying true to himself and handling his artistry and fame at the moment. All while producing music with vibessss.
3. MARO, NASAYA – LIFELINE
   A mostly English language album by two artists, one Portuguese, one French, but the chill vibe and beautiful vocals wouldn’t need translation anyway.
4. Colter Wall – Memories and Empties
   This album isn’t even released yet but that’s how much confidence I have that Colter Wall will deliver top tier prairie yearning in these trying times.
5. Sabrina Carpenter – Man’s Best Friend
   This is pop sugar cotton candy at its finest and I will stand by that.
6. Royel Otis – hickey
   Happy to listen to this album straight through repeatedly. Love their sound.
7. Panic Shack (self titled)
   The girls are rocking out and I am here for it. So damn fun.
8. St. Paul & The Broken Bones (self titled)
   Music to move and sing and feel to.
9. Cat Burns – How To Be Human
   Talking and voicemails on songs are a top pet peeve but I am willing to look past it a bit for the melodies and vibes on this album. V solid breakup content as well.
10. Brandi Carlile – Returning To Myself
    Brandi is always a classic.

Honorable Mentions
Wet Leg – Moisturizer
GIVĒON – Beloved
Parcels – LOVED

1. Wednesday – Bleeds
I got the chance to see them perform songs from this album in October in Las Vegas and they sound so great live.
2. American Football – Live in Los Angeles
I also saw them on this tour, the 25th anniversary of LP1. The release of their first live album from their LA shows is super special to me.
3. They Are Gutting a Body of Water – LOTTO
The latest album from the Philly shoegaze group blew me away the first time I heard it.
4. Momma – Welcome to My Blue Sky
This album was on my mid-year top albums list and is still holding strong.
5. Hotline TNT – Raspberry Moon
A super solid record from Hotline TNT that adds a power pop edge to their indie shoegaze vibes.
6. Blondshell – If You Asked for a Picture
Blondshell’s sophomore album was full of songs that kept getting stuck in my head.
7. Jay Som – Belong
Jay Som returns with a solid album that includes a few collabs, such as lead single “Float” with Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat World.
8. Nation of Language – Dance Called Memory
I loved the songs WNRN has been playing from Nation of Language and getting to experience their In-Studio Session made me love them more.
9. Tunde Adebimpe – Thee Black Boltz
TV on the Radio’s frontman released his debut solo album this year and it’s a must listen.
10. Lily Allen – West End Girl
Heartbreak historically produces great albums, and this record is no exception.

1. The Last Dinner Party – From the Pyre
2. Sabrina Carpenter – Man’s Best Friend
3. Lucy Dacus – Forever Is A Feeling
4. Laufey – A Matter Of Time
5. dodie – Not For Lack Of Trying
6. The Beths – Straight Line Was A Lie
7. Hayley Williams – Ego Death At A Bachelorette Party
8. HAIM – I quit
9. Lorde – Virgin
10. Pulp – More

Bonus: Wallows – More

1. Wilson Banjo Company – Lonely As It Gets
2. Max Wareham – Daggomit
3. Larry Sparks – Way Back When
4. Junior Sisk – It’s All Fun and Games
5. The Seldom Scene – Remains to be Scene
6. Don Rigsby – Kentucky Troubadour
7. Pitney Meyer – Cherokee Pioneer
8. Danny Paisley – Bluegrass State of Mind
9. Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers  – Thankful and Blessed
10. Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers – Lovin’, Fightin’, Losin’ Sleep
11. Seth Mulder and Midnight Run – Coming on Strong
12. The Kody Norris Show – Highfalutin Hillbilly
13. Alison Krauss and Union Station – Arcadia
14. Ashleigh Graham – I’ll Just Drive
15. Rick Faris – Life’s Parade
16. Kristy Cox – Learning to Walk with Him
17. The Burnett Sisters Band – Easy Come, Easy Go
18. Shawn Camp – The Ghost of Sis Draper
19. Big Country Bluegrass – Carry Me Back to the Bluegrass
20. Volume Five – Leave a Light On
21. Sister Sadie – All Will Be Well
22. East Nash Grass – All God’s Children
23. Billy Strings & Bryan Sutton – Live at the Legion
24. Jaelee Roberts – Let Me Be Lonely
25. Will Clark – Carolina Lightning

1. Royel Otis – hickey
2. Palmyra – Restless
3. Sports Team – Boys These Days
4. Florence + The Machine – Everybody Scream
5. Bon Iver – SABLE, fABLE
6. The Beths – Straight Line Was a Lie
7. Wet Leg – moisturizer
8. The Belair Lip Bombs – Again
9. Tyler Childers – Snipe Hunter
10. Olivia Dean – The Art of Loving

1. Southern Avenue – Family
2. Buddy Guy – Ain’t Done With The Blues
3. Christone “Kingfish” Ingram – Hard Road
4. Laufey – A Matter Of Time
5. The Alexis P. Suter Band – Just Say High
6. Jon Batiste – Big Money
7. MRCY – Volume 2
8. Wet Leg – moisturizer
9. S.G.. Goodman – Planting By The Signs
10. Paul Thorn – Life Is Just A Vapor

Honorable Mentions:
Arcade Fire – Pink Elephant
Nick Lowe & Los Straightjackets – (Not) Indoor Safari, Vol. 2
Sons Of The East – Sons
The Devil Makes Three – Spirits

Fresh Roots New Blues

1. Buddy Guy – Ain’t Done With The Blues 
2. Candace Ivory – New Southern Vintage 
3. Christone “Kingfish” Ingram – Hard Road 
4. Alexis P. Suter – Just Stay High 
5. North Mississippi AllStars – Still Shakin’ 
6. Southern Avenue – Family 
7. Eric Gales – A Tribute To LJK 
8. Bobby Rush & Kenny Wayne Shepherd – Young Fashioned Ways 
9. Mike Zito & Albert Castiglia – Help Yourself 
10. Taj Mahal & Keb’ Mo’ – Room On The Porch 
11. D.K. Harrell – Talkin’ Heavy 
12. Maria Muldaur – One Hour Mama: The Blues Of Victoria Spivey
13. Rory Block – Heavy On The Blues
14. Tommy Castro & The Painkillers – Closer To The Bone 
15. Bob Corritore & Friends – Doin’ The Shout 
16. Carolyn Wonderland – Truth Is 
17. Charlie Mussellwhite – Look Out Highway 
18. Heavydrunk & Watermelon Slim – Bluesland Theme Park 
19. John Primer – Grown In Mississippi 
20. Kent Burnside – Hill Country Blood 
21. Kim Wilson – Slow Burn 
22. Mississippi Heat – Don’t Look Back 
23. Mississippi McDonald – Slim Pickin’ 
24. Mud Morganfield – Deep Mud 
25. Robbin Kapsalis – The Blues Is In The House 

1. Florence & The Machine – Everybody Scream 
2. Big Thief – Double Infinity (but really tied for #1) 
3. James McMurtry – The Black Dog and the Wandering Boy
4. Brandi Carlile – Returning to Myself
5. Olivia Ellen Lloyd – Do it Myself
6. Wolf Alice – The Clearing
7. Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory
8. Bon Iver – Sable Fable
9. Japanese Breakfast – For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women)
10. Julien Baker & TORRES – Send A Prayer My Way

1. Wet Leg – Moisturizer
2. Rosalía – Lux
3. Olivia Dean – The Art of Loving
4. Samia – Bloodless
5. Twen – Fate Euphoric
6. Sports Team – Boys These Days
7. PinkPantheress – Fancy Some More? 
8. Oracle Sisters – Divinations
9. Royel Otis – Hickey
10. The Wildmans – Longtime Friend

1. Wet Leg – Moisturizer
2. Rosalía – Lux
3. Olivia Dean – The Art of Loving
4. Samia – Bloodless
5. Twen – Fate Euphoric
6. Sports Team – Boys These Days
7. Fancy Some More? – PinkPantheress
8. Oracle Sisters – Divinations
9. Royel Otis – Hickey
10. The Wildmans – Longtime Friend

1. Wet Leg – moisturizer
2. Florence + the Machine – Everybody Scream
3. Ben Kweller – Cover the Mirrors
4. Panic Shack – self titled
5. Chaparelle – Western Pleasure
6. Tune-Yards – Better Dreaming
7. The Beths – Straight Line Was a Lie
8. Morcheeba – Escape the Chaos
9. Lucy Dacus – Forever is a Feeling
10. Big Freedia – Pressing Onward

1. Molly Tuttle – So Long Little Miss Sunshine
2. Bruce Springsteen – Tracks II: The Lost Albums
3. Alison Krauss & Union Station – Arcadia
4. Bon Iver – SABLE, fABLE
5. Brandi Carlile – Returning To Myself
6. Mumford & Sons – Rushmere
7. Will Overman – Stranger
8. Mac DeMarco – Guitar
9. Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram – Hard Road
10. St. Paul & The Broken Bones – St. Paul & The Broken Bones