caroline “U R UR ONLY ACHING”
caroline’s sophomore album ‘caroline 2’ is a masterpiece and one of the best albums of 2025. Their track “U R UR ONLY ACHING” opens with voices stating the title and a guitar that sounds like it’s being played in the room with us. The production then proceeds to grow and expand the sound to a very original level of intensity. This band is dialed in on a number of different frequencies. The song then just abruptly stops and changes back to the same tone as the opening and once the track picks up steam again it collides with the best use of auto-tune I may have ever heard. “In an old bar when I’ve heard it all before” is one of the most magical examples of music I’ve heard this year.
Sun Kil Moon “Writers Write”
Sun Kil Moon’s Mark Kozelek is my favorite living songwriter and his latest full length album under the near perfect Sun Kil Moon moniker, ‘All the Artists’ ends on an absolutely glorious note with “Writers Write”. “I write like a mad man, but I ain’t no mad man, I’m a content man” is a line that Mark sings touchingly. He sings about William Faulkner, John Steinbeck and John Connelly and how he writes about similar themes which they never stray from. His “friend Dave” performs all the piano parts which Mark says remind him of ‘Hill Street Blues’. The songwriting matched with the piano and the synth with the relaxed beat that comes in is bulletproof and expressively composed beauty. This song has the quality to go down as the best song of the year, since the almost title track single “All the Artists in L.A.” was our song of the year in 2024, and it’s nearly impossible to state which is stronger.
These New Puritans “I’m Already Here”
These New Puritans have created a beautiful song with “I’m Already Here” which opens with a wonderful glockenspiel and layered synths, and emotionally heartfelt vocals. The layering allows the track to breathe and the angelic background vocals add intimacy and assurance. The piano sets the mood and brings the track to a wonderfully arranged moment of brasses and theatrical beauty. The songwriting is cinematic and bleak but serves the purpose of filling a void. The 6 minute runtime makes the song feel grandiose with a heightened sense of self whilst listening.
Mogwai “Pale Vegan Hip Pain”
Mogwai have once again cracked the code on the genre they helped pioneer, post-rock. “Pale Vegan Hip Pain”, which was described to me as “words that don’t go together” by my brother, and easily the most uncommon song title of the year, is a angelic, and emotionally heartbreaking piece of music. The guitar licks go brilliantly with the relaxed nature of the percussion. Mogwai are the best instrumental band of all-time and this song comes over 25 years after they made their way into the hearts of listeners worldwide. Their tenacity and unique style of songwriting is captivating in all the right ways. This track could easily be played on repeat for hours and would serve as a clear example of a song that doesn’t need vocals to express the mood they are conveying.
Keaton Henson “Performer”
Keaton Henson has created some of the most intriguing emotional ballads of the last 15 years and his latest full length effort, ‘Parader’ allows us to experience this monumental journey of hopelessness. The final number, “Performer” features brilliantly crafted keys and unabashedly depressing lyrics like “I just need a little time to cut myself in two / I’m lonely, how are you?” and one of my favorite lines of the year, “I’m full of holes / So I fill them with hopes / that I might leave behind someone better than me.” Overall the emotional chords and vocals that sound strained and broken add to the immediate impact and groundbreaking intimacy. This song serves as a poignant reminder as to who Keaton Henson is and who his music serves.
Arcade Fire “Pink Elephant”
Arcade Fire are one of the most talented acts to come from the early oughts and they haven’t taken their foot off the neck of rock music since their inception. Their new album ‘Pink Elephant’ is due May 9th and the self-titled track is exemplary and majestic. The chorus “take your mind off of me a little while” is beautifully sang by Win Butler and his declarative nature to write the most awe-inspiring music of our age hasn’t taken a back seat to anyone. The instrumentation has post-rock features and alt-pop tendencies. “Now it’s all irrelevant, don’t think about pink elephant” is stated with an almost aggressive tone that feels bold and personal.
Matt Pond PA “The Clivia in the Living Room”
I have been a big fan of Matt Pond PA since PureVolume days and I would obsess over his song “New Hampshire” over 20 years ago. His latest album ‘The Ballad of the Natural Lines’ is truly a beautiful record and within it lies his most heartbreaking song to date, “The Clivia in the Living Room” which plays like a track from the film Wristcutters: A Love Story and is some of the most intimately heartfelt instrumental music I’ve ever heard. The guitars sound almost broken and distant, while the lo-fi recording adds a perfect sense of longing. Overall this track makes me feel like I’m on the edge of losing someone or something and this song will be all I have to remember it by.
Loney Dear “Alain.”
Loney Dear has been creating masterpieces for over two decades and there aren’t many musicians I am personally more excited to release a new album than I am when Loney Dear drops. His upcoming full length ‘Making friends is easy’ comes out early 2026 and features the single “Alain.” Opening with an intimacy and the atmosphere of a recluse, the pianist is barely hitting the keys and the background noises make for an expressive backdrop. Then once the percussion enters and the track picks up steam, you know you’re in for a treat, and then Emil sings “I can walk a straight line for you” and you feel the emotion and sadness buildup and flow through your veins.
Radical Face “From Time to Time”
Ben Cooper of Radical Face has been one of my favorite musicians since his days in Electric President and his new album ‘Mixtape #2’ opens with an incredible mix of electronica and indie-pop. “From Time to Time” features key notes that match the singing and the production value is extremely high, especially during the instrumental sections. The percussion is driving, lean, and doesn’t pack a punch too hard to handle. It is reminiscent of his ‘Family Tree’ days and serves as good reminder that Cooper will always be an indie -pop hero and electronic wizard.
you, infinite “Throughlines”
you, infinite is made up of members of the post-rock band This Will Destroy You, who are known for their cinematic and grandiose style of rock. Some of their songs are included in films at the most vital scene and they set the stage for the unbearable emotion within. Their new project is indecipherable from their main outfit, but that is not a knock on them. Their new project’s loud/quiet dynamics are thoughtfully rendered and beautifully executed. “Throughlines” is a masterclass in post-rock for 2025. The guitars crunch, build and break and the percussion is played in a majestic performance. If you catch This Will Destroy You live you may see them play a few of their new you, infinite tracks much like I was able to experience.
Army of Sound 