Kat: 2025 was a so-so year in music. Not as bad as 2024 but there have been many years that were better in this 21st century. As usual, I'm going to note ten albums that stood out this year.
10) CMAT? Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, Her EURO-COUNTRY makes me think of trips to Ireland. It feels like home (I'm Irish American and tend visit family in Ireland at least once a decade). The band's album has 12 tracks and it's a toss up between three songs for which is the best on the album. I'm going to go with "Lord, Let That Tesla Crash."
9) Mari B's EVERY OPP is for everyone who likes their rap stripped-down and powerful. This isn't 'rap' in any 'Big Wilie' style. There's no cuteness and giggles to be found here. This straight up rap, the kind that made people first want to listen to begin with. Need a track to start with? Try "Pack of the Year."
8) Melanie's RIGHT ABOUT NOW. That was one of the late singer-songwriter's five albums released in 2025:
Lullabies From Heaven (April/May 2025) – Her children's album, full of sweet lullabies like "Puff The Magic Dragon," "Teddy Bear's Picnic," classics, and some originals she recorded over decades. Super tender, family-finished project.
Right About Now (May 2025) – Mid-80s studio sessions, rootsy folk return with tracks like the title song, "Clever Boy," "Cyclone." Collector gold.
Maiden In Japan (September 2025) – Archival live from her 1970s tours.
There Should Have Been A Rainbow - The NY Folk Sessions 1963-1965 (October 2025) – Early early stuff, super raw Greenwich Village era.
Plus a Christmas one, Melanie’s Christmas Treasury (November 2025).
Five albums in one year is a bit overwhelming.
I don't have time for five albums from one artist in a year, but I can tell you RIGHT ABOUT NOW is worth listening to.
7) Mavis Staples' SAD AND BEAUTIFUL WORLD made it to number five on the BILLBOARD Gospel chart. Her version of Tom Waits' "Chicago" probably sums the album up best.
6) Ledisi's THE CROWN finds a great singer paying tribute to the late and great Dinah Washington. Try "This Bitter Earth" to get a feel for the album.
5) Miley Cyrus's SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL is something to behold or at the very least a crush. This was a huge step forward for Miley and my favorite track is "End Of The World."
The lyrics are highly visual and tis album is part of a multi-media project with the film SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL due out next Friday, June 6th.
4) Natalie Bergman's MY HOME IS NOT IN THIS WORLD. Singer-songwriter Natalie wrote or co-wrote all twelve tracks and they quickly speed by and you're eager to listen all over again. "Stop, Please Don't Go" is probably my favorite of the 12 songs.
3) The year started with people still buying tickets to Cynthia Erivo's WICKED and it ended with people buying tickets to her WICKED: FOR GOOD. In between, there was I FORGIVE YOU. My favorite track was "Worst Of Me."
2) Taylor Swift's THE LIFE OF A SHOWGIRL. I'm not a Taylor lover and I'm not a Taylor hater. I think she's made some good music. But she's only popped up once in all these years on my top ten for the year. THE LIFE OF A SHOWGIRL was an amazing album, a strong and powerful one. .
1) Garbage's LET ALL THAT WE IMAGINE BE THE LIGHT is the band's triumphant return. One track after another of alt-rock brilliance. If you haven't listened to the album yet, make "Sissyphus" your entry point.
This is vintage Garbage. An insta-classic. If you were evert a fan of the band or if you've ever been a fan of alternative rock, this is an album that you need to hear.
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2025 end of the year pieces include Rebecca's "hottest men of 2025," Ann's "2025 in films" and Stan's "2025 in films," Mike's "Idiot of the Year," Martha & Shirley's "2025 in books (Martha & Shirley)," Kat's "Kat's Korner: 2025 in music," Ruth's "Ruth's Media Report 2025," Ava and my "Media: The best and the worst of TV showed up in December" and my "2025: The Year Of The Jig Is Up."
