Our Top 10 Lists have been named in honor of late Blog Director and DJ Clarence Ewing, who pioneered and published this annual feature for nearly a decade.
Our next list is from Matt Garman.
The role of music in my life in 2025 was largely a reflection of my emotional state, which was affected by events in the country, the world, and stuff going on in Chicago. It was a rough year for people who care about the most vulnerable: BIPOC people, queer people, trans people, women, immigrants, low-income families, and basically anyone who isn't a cishet white male. As such, the music that affected me most deeply was often hard, heavy, and angry, or it was gentle, soothing, and relaxing. Maybe that clicks for you, too; I wanted music that reflected my inner turmoil and/or gave me safety and reassurance.
10. Cancionera by Natalia Lafourcade (Sony)
Beautiful, aching, emotional folk music from this gifted Mexican singer-songwriter. Strings, horns, woodwinds, and a gorgeous lead vocal.
Listen: Natalia Lafourcade webstore
9. Let God Sort Em Out by Clipse (Roc Nation)
Goosebumps. Literal brothers Pusha T and Malice reunited, got back with Pharrell, and made this glorious album of confessional, honest, pointed hip-hop in 2025; their first in 15 years. They also document their differences with Kanye and Travis Scott, which is fine by me.
Listen: Clipse webstore
8. Instant Holograms on Metal Film by Stereolab (Warp)
This French-English indie band returned in 2025 with their first album in 15 years, and it is soothing and pulsating, as it should be. Stereolab are wonderfully, consistently pleasant; there's really no big surprises here, and it sounds lovely! Let's sway.
Listen: Bandcamp
7. the world is still here and so are we by Mclusky (Ipecac)
Arch, shrewd, witty, ferocious post-hardcore punk from this trio of real ones out of Cardiff. I love them so much, and I love that they finally put out a new album 21 years after the previous. I caught them live at The Vic last year, and it felt like reconnecting with an old friend who is kind of a lot, but very fun, and very sharp. Join us.
Listen: Bandcamp
6. Superb by Surprise Chef (Big Crown)
Instrumental funk and soul from this young Melbourne outfit that makes me feel like shaking something. They touch all your groovy parts, and if you like Khruangbin (or, like, Daptone Records, Stax Records, Isaac Hayes, et al) you will like Surprise Chef. I was fortunate to see them at Lincoln Hall this past year, and it was magnificent time. Get going.
Listen: Bandcamp
5. It's a Beautiful Place by Water From Your Eyes (Matador)
These Ex-Chicago Brooklynites messed around and made a killer album with crunch, dissonance, density and weight. I couldn't get enough of the lo-fi bedroom aesthetic, the nervy, arty smash-cuts from one riff to another, and staticky monotone vocals this duo delivers. Let's all go!
Listen: Bandcamp
4. Animaru by Mei Semones (Bayonet)
Jazzy bossa nova sounds permeate this acoustic indie rock album, which features truly breathtaking guitar work. Semones went to Berklee College of Music in Boston (but makes Brooklyn her home) and her skill is extraordinary. I adore her sweet, searching songwriting and overall style, and cannot wait to see her live in 2026! See you there?
Listen: Bandcamp
3. Equus Caballus by Men I Trust (self-released)
One of two albums this Montreal band released in 2025, and it is full of what I need: soft-rockin 80's-influenced chillouts that radiate calm. Safe and sound, pop hooks, easy vibes, and gentleness = balm for the soul. This is the stuff I reach for when things are entirely terrible everywhere else. Phew.
Listen: Bandcamp
2. 45 Pounds by YHWH Nailgun (AD 93)
This NYC quartet made us a collection of percussive noise to freak out to, together. Seek here to find oblique cuts with raspy vocals and woozy synths that seriously rattled my soul. The sounds are galactic, expansive, spooky, and badass. The highly-tuned toms alone are worth the price of admission, but stick around for the entire drum kit. BOOM!
Listen: Bandcamp
1. moisturizer by Wet Leg (Domino)
Wet Leg blew me away, again! Their self-titled debut was fully packed with bangers, and for the follow-up they also delivered bangers, but different. Click thru to discover slightly (barely) less poppy indie rock. The band lineup has expanded to include their touring musicians, and the impact on Wet Leg's songcraft is evident in the tastier grooves they bring. Wrestling with fame, a healthy dose of humor, and a fantastic queer sensibility are all to be found in the lyrics. Giddy up!
Listen: Bandcamp
Honorable Mentions
Here's 11-25:
11. The Enoch Karpenter Project - So It Goes (self-released)
12. Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory - Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory (Jagjaguwar)
13. Panda Bear - Sinister Grift (Domino)
14. Jay Som - Belong (Polyvinyl)
15. Car Seat Headrest - The Scholars (Matador)
16. Plosivs - Yell At Cloud (Swami)
17. DITZ - Never Exhale (self-released)
18. FACS - Wish Defense (Trouble In Mind)
19. Makaya McCraven - Off The Record (International Anthem)
20. Squid - Cowards (Warp)
21. Motrik - Earth (Jealous Butcher)
22. Little Simz - Lotus (AWAL Recordings)
23. The Beths - Straight Line Was a Lie (ANTI-)
24. tUnE-yArDs - Better Dreaming (4AD
25. Sorry - COSPLAY (Domino)
Here's my Top 14 CHICAGO albums of 2025:
1. FACS - Wish Defense (Trouble In Mind)
2. Makaya McCraven - Off The Record (International Anthem)
3. Sharp Pins - Balloon Balloon Balloon (Perennial/K)
4. Jason Moody - Dear Deaf Angels (self-released)
5. Jeff Tweedy - Twilight Override (dBpm)
6. Horsegirl - Phonetics On and On (Matador)
7. Saba & No ID - From The Private Collection of Saba and No ID (self-released)
8. Tortoise - Touch (International Anthem/Nonesuch)
9. Heet Deth - Bad Reading (The Ghost Is Clear)
10. Bussy Kween Power Trip - Coming With the Strap (self-released)
11. 8-bit crEEps - Sunset From the Shallows (self-released)
12. Glyders - Forever (Drag City)
13. Natural Information Society & Bitchin Bajas - Totality (Drag City)
14. oux - necronym (self-released)
Lastly, here's my favorite EP/Single of 2025
Specifically because the 3 songs included ("No Kings," "Join ICE," and "The List") were all big in my head in 2025, and had they been included on one of this guy's FOUR ALBUMS he released this year, then that album would be on my list of top albums of 2025: Jesse Welles - No Kings (self-released)
Happy New Year! Here's to hoping 2026 is better than 2025.