Selected Albums, 2025
In 2025, I listened to 2233 projects. More music than anyone should listen to in a year, but nonetheless a fascinating and enjoyable project. Assembled below are a handful of choice albums that I felt didn't get the attention they merit. If you think something's missing I probably considered it too well-covered in some respect. Enjoy!
weed420 - amor de encava
This is the one. My favorite album of 2025. Noisy, assertive, all over the place. An incredible array of latin and electronic sounds and rhythms melded with horns, vocal bits, and more. Enough to overwhelm and drive one to move, perhaps the most distinct sound this year.
Arvo Pärt, Vox Clamantis, Jaan-Eik Tulve - Pärt: And I Head a Voice...
One of the biggest surprises for me this year is how into Arvo Pärt I ended up being, amazing choral music. Just beautiful, turn it up and let it ring around in your head.
THEY. - LOVE.JONES
Excellent alt-r&b. Brings forward an old-school ethos without wallowing in nostalgia like so many of their peers. If you think anybody out there is hitting grooves like these guys, let me know.
Rolando Villazón, L'Arpeggiata, Christina Pluhar - Orfeo son io
One of the best combinations of program and arrangement I've ever come across. A fascinating take on Monteverdi and others, a dozen composers come together into a shockingly cohesive project.
MIKE, Tony Seltzer - Pinball 2
One of my favorite rappers and possibly my favorite producer. Tony's bend towards eclecticism and MIKE's soothing flows meld such that their strengths highlight each other in a very fun way.
Rafael Toral - Traveling Light
Incredible. Hauntingly beautiful. Ambient drone jazz that just tugs at you. All at once soothing and demanding of your attention. Hard not to understate how much I like this one.
quinn - of the world
My most compelling underground rapper right now. A delicate balance between overcooked and lazy, over production that fits the youthful folly of the tape. Immature, in very compelling ways.
Bruno Monteiro, Joao Paulo Santos, Sergei Prokofiev - Prokofiev: Two Violin Sonata / Five Melodies
The tones Monteiro is able to pull out of his violin are astounding. This Prokofiev is a perfect pairing, such a captivating listen.
Bridget Hayden and the Apparitions - Cold Blows the Rain
Lovely dirges. The height of folk melancholy.
Maria Dueñas, Niccolò Paganini - Paganini: 24 Caprices — Caprices by Berlioz, Cervelló, Kreisler, Ortiz, Saint-Saëns, Sarasate, Wieniawski
Excellent collection of music. Dueñas gives a one of the best performance of the caprices I've heard. That said, the last hour of this album is where it really takes off. Such a good program, such good performances.
José de Nebra, Los Elementos, Alberto Miguélez Rouco - De Nebra: Venus y Adonis
Very charming Spanish Baroque opera. Charming and driving, with a great performance from the cast. Shocking that an opera of this quality went nearly 300 years before its first recording.
Blanco Teta - La debacle de las divas
Argentinian hardcore punk. Hard as shit, raw as shit.