Jeff Tweedy – Twilight Override
It takes guts to put out an album with 30 songs stretching almost two hours. Even as a longtime fan of Wilco’s frontman, it requires much more time than I’m used to spending with any individual release. And guess what? It’s great. It’s beautiful and sad. And yet it sounds hopeful.
The Tubs – Cotton Crown
Jangle rock was super popular in the 1980s after R.E.M. paid tribute to the Byrds. Welsh band the Tubs resurrect this sound but also makes the music seem contemporary.
Wednesday – Bleeds
A ’90s alternative guitar rock album meets Americana with devastating lyrics and vocals. This the best Wednesday album yet.
The Men – Buyer Beware
Buyer Beware is another solid album from these New York rockers.
Mint Mile – andwhichstray
Indie music vet Tim Midyett enlisted Steve Albini on what would be one of the legendary recording engineer’s last productions. The album, which sounds a bit like Midyett’s former band Silkworm, includes a Jason Molina song that has a compelling backstory.
Tropical Fuck Storm – Fairyland Codex
Very dark. This is one of the more interesting albums I heard this year.
Lambrini Girls – Who Let the Dogs Out
Foul-mouthed punk rock ladies. What’s not to love?
Viagra Boys are so over the top. They made one of the most fun albums of 2025.
Infectious songs.
Idiosyncratic, weird and cool. Come jump on the bandwagon.
Here’s the rest of the list in alphabetical order by artist.
Chicago Underground Duo – Hyperglyph
Theon Cross – Affirmations (Live At Blue Note New York)
Fan Club – Ain’t No Saint EP / Stimulation
Horsegirl – Phonetics On and On
Makaya McCraven – Off the Record
Natural Information Society – Perseverance Flow
Sharon Van Etten – Sharon Van Etten and the Attachment Theory
All the Young Punks 