2025, Best of... (Music)

Home Sweet Home by The Favors. I saw them perform this song on a late night talk show and I was immediately hooked. I’d forgotten that my wife had found another track from the album for her best-of in 2024, a nice track that was an earlier release - there is lots of great music on the album. Duets are not that common and I really love their sound together and the chemistry extends to their performances. FINNEAS appeared on my 2024 Best Of and is someone I enjoy listening to and watching perform - so naturally talented.  

Man I Need by Olivia Dean. She seemed to be everywhere in 2025 since coming on the scene for me in ‘24, from SNL to being on stage with Sam Fender. Just a lovely melody from a beautiful voice.  

Headlights Home by Mat Kearney.  Such an easy voice and rhythm to listen to makes him a regular in my rotation. 

People Watching by Sam Fender. Hard driving pop-rock with that Geordie accent and irresistible horns. A solid talent that gets bigger every year.

Bad As I Used To Be by Chris Stapleton. Proof the country and rock crossover. I think I may have found this track as I was skimming through the CMAs after coming back from Nashville. But I hadn’t noticed that this is a new track written for the F1 movie until I heard it again watching the movie for the second time. 

Your House by Inhaler. One of those bands that keeps coming up in rotation and you go - man his voice is so good, there’s something familiar about it. Duh, it’s Bono’s son - Elijah Hewson.

The World’s Not Out To Get Me, I Am by The Wombats. Great hook, solid track from a great album. I love the quirky and often humorous lyrics, and there’s always a catchy melody and beat.

Satisfaction Skank by Fatboy Slim. I think this remix came up on my Apple New Music playlist and it was irrlstable being a Stones fan and recall this banger coming out.  I saw a recent video about the making of the original and he commented on the many remixes he continues to produce.

The Giver by Chappell Roan. I saw her perform this on SNL in 2024, but the studio recording wasn’t promoted until ‘25. Once re-discovered, it’s a keeper. 

Lonely Road by mgk and Jelly Roll. I was watching the Grey Cup half-time show and I really liked this guy called mgk. Great energy and stage presence and the mix of John Denver’s Country Road really stuck with me. That track has also been mixed into the finale of Tomorrowland show that was so catchy. Later I looked into mgk and found it was Machine Gun Kelly which was a pretty big surprise - I knew him, but was never impressed. And those tattoos - wow, that’s a commitment. The video for the song feels dirty, but the song and mix is solid. Jelly Roll was on my 2024 Best Of and adds prop points.  

Azizam by Ed Sheeran. Very catchy. I watched a making-of video - I love seeing how a song comes together and Azizam is a lovely sounding term of endearment in Farsi.

My Old Ways by Tame Impala. I had another track on the album shortlisted but I came across this one just recently. The low quality intro is a bit too long, but once it gets into its groove, I love it. I had thought TI were a band, but I think it’s mostly one guy - and he’s an Aussie from Perth where I have family - so I liked the shots of the the Perth area on the video. Tracks can gain points for me if the video is good - and I really like the video.  

Last Forever by Bob Moses.  One of only three artists I’ve seen live on this year’s list. Solid tune but tricky choice from the album, but the melody and steady beats get stronger on every listen. 

Bad Dreams by Teddy Swims. This one came very early in the year and may have slipped into last year’s Best Of. Perfect pop with just enough grit in his voice tempered by the soft tones work beautifully.   

Suzanne by Mark Ronson and Raye. I’m eagerly awaiting Raye’s new album, but this single was more attractive than Raye’s more popular single this year. The jazz-infused mood, rich Ronson production, and Raye’s rhythm are perfect chemistry.  

L’Ocean by Eric Hilton featuring Natalia Clavier. Eric is half of one my favourite band Thievery Corporation and Natalia, from Argentinia is one of the lead singers on many of their tracks over the last 15 years. A magical dreamy sweet sounding electronic treat.

Hey Homie by Sofi Tukker. I don’t recall how they got on my radar but the bossa nova groove and smooth vocals is one of my favourite sounds. I did like their dance music, but this track and the album is closer to my sweet spot. The video shows their beautiful friendship so well.  

The Sweetest Song by Kathryn Gallagher. A good example of something that I come across and I added to my library back in March 2025. It was worth combing through the library and re-discovering this lovely song. 

Returning to Myself by Brandi Carlisle. I think she has a stupendous voice and her songwriting is so rich. I chose this track because it really reminded me of Joni Mitchell who is a big influence of hers. But I keep getting more from the lyrics every time I hear it. I'm excited to see her in concert in a few weeks. 

So Long by The Lumineers. They just make so much great music it’s always difficult to pick just one. This year it’s a powerful, raw build of a track perfectly demonstrating their signature of multi-layered instrumentation and vocals. 

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and here for a YouTube playlist.