I know most people are not a fan of Mondays, given that it’s the start of a new work week and all that that entails, but I like the idea of new starts and all of the potential they bring. And what better day than a Monday to start a new series… and one that celebrates another year of great music at that.
Yes, indeed, it is that time again.
And though I’m not one to want to wish the days away, I gotta say I won’t be sad to kiss 2025 goodbye. It’s been, for the most part, an uneventful year, but also one that I won’t ever forget. I’ve spent the lion’s share of it in recovery mode. Health concerns that I don’t really want to get too deep into here but ones that, at many times this year, have had me worried that I’d never fully recover from. I am only now just returning to work after a long period away and that in itself is its own challenge.
All this to say, there were but a few bright spots to point out from 2025. I can include all the precious time I was able to spend with my lovely wife as one, of course, and all the quality time whiled away listening to great music as another. Yes, I devoted as much time as I could spinning records and exploring new music and old favourites on the streaming sites on the old Internet. The pure joy of music was almost as much a part of my recovery as the balance of rest and calm and fresh air.
So, yeah, by my quick glance at the calendar, I see we’ve got just over five weeks left of 2025 and my plan is to share, interspersed with my regular blog programming, some of my favourite albums that the year has offered. I’m starting today with some honourable mentions, albums that didn’t quite crack my top ten but that are definitely worth your time, and I’ll be back soon with a start to the countdown of my ten faves. Enjoy.
bdrmm “Microtonic”: Hull, England based outfit imbues electronic dreams into their shoegaze arsenal for their third outing with brilliant results.
Check out: “John on the ceiling”
Ezra Furman “Goodbye small head”: Always raw and immediate, the American singer/songwriter’s 10th album is filled with personal tales that at the same time feel quite universal.
Check out: “Grand mal”
Just Mustard “We were just here”: The Irish quintet’s third album smacks equal parts of the haunting goth of Cranes and the noisy experimentation of Sonic Youth.
Check out: “We were just here”
Amy Millan “I went to find you”: The Stars’ co-frontwoman’s* third solo album moves away from the folk/country of her first two releases and into an indie pop sound that feels like a warm comforter on a cold Canadian winter morning.
Check out: “The overpass”
Pale Blue Eyes “New place”: More beautiful and danceable dream pop ecstasy from the trio originally from Sheffield, songs that feel blissfully eternal.
Check out: “Scrolling”
Sloan “Based on the best seller”: The Canadian alt-rock icons doing what they do best on their fourteenth studio LP – just keeping on keeping on bringing the rock.
Check out: “Dream destroyer”
The Veils “Asphodels”: The latest by Finn Andrews’ musical vehicle is typically dramatic and epic, and worthy of another David Lynch soundtrack.
Check out: “The ladder”
*Whose last name I learned this year that I’ve been mispronouncing for two decades.
I’ll be back very soon with albums #10 through #6 for my Best albums of 2025 list. In the meantime, you can check out my Best Albums page here if you’re interested in my other favourite albums lists.
My (life in) music lists 