Julie's Top 10 Albums of 2025

Hello! 

It's been a minute! I know it has been several months since my last playlist but in complete honesty, Spotify's bullshit has left me a bit paralyzed. For those of you that are not aware, in addition to paying artists terribly, the founder sold shares of Spotify to invest in military drone technology prompting artist boycotts. As if that wasn’t bad enough, Spotify started accepting paid ads for ICE after Trump’s return to the White House. 

Personally, I stopped using Spotify for my daily listening years ago and I am a firm believer of boycotting a corporation when they do things that do not align with your beliefs. I recognize that most people that follow me here use Spotify and the Spotify account that I have access to is not my own so it is not my choice to cancel it. However, I can encourage everyone to make other choices when it comes to streaming services. In addition to hosting my playlist on Apple, I have decided to give Mixcloud a try. For those that are new to Mixcloud, you don't need an account. You can just click the link and listen on your web browser (there is also an app available). I will include a Spotify link for this playlist but I am not sure what the future holds.

Now that bit of downer business is out of the way, let's talk about music in 2025. First of all, I should state that this playlist is not any specific order. Although for the record, Wet Leg’s Moisturizer and Rosalía's Lux are my favorite albums of 2025. 

Wet Leg's Moisturizer, was, without a doubt, my most played album of the year. I adore their brilliant debut album and their knack for catchy melodies and sly, clever lyrics is still here along with a new confidence which I love. 

Rosalía's Lux immediately caught attention. I couldn't help being reminded of  “genre is a funny little concept" line that the great Linda Martell recites on Cowboy Carter, "In theory, they have a simple definition that's easy to understand. But in practice, well, some may feel confined." Lux refuses to be confined moving through classical music, avant-garde, flamenco, pop, opera and even a waltz. The album takes inspiration from female saints, "feminine mysticism, [and] spirituality,” and it is an astonishing work of art. 

Lily Allen's West End Girl is a brutal retelling of the collapse of a relationship that leaves us all wondering "Who the fuck is Madeline anyway?" Perfume Genius' beautiful, deeply emotional album Glory earns a top spot on my list as well.

It is so great to have new music from one of my all time favorites, British band Pulp, after 24 years. The wait did not disappoint. Jarvis Cocker's lyrics are as wry and hilarious as ever. 

Sharp Pins' Radio DDR pushing all the right nostalgia buttons for me. Their lo-fi aesthetic and catchy melodies brings to mind '90s bands  like Guided by Voices or even further back like the Kinks. I am all in. 

The jangly indie rock of Australia's The Belair Lip Bombs is pure joy.

Another favorite returning from a lengthy hiatus is the avant-pop band Stereolab, who made us wait 15 years for Instant Holograms On Metal Film, but oh so worth it.

Pitchfork refers to Blood Orange's Dev Hynes a "collagist" and that is a fitting label for his latest release Essex Honey as he weaves together pieces of samples, field recordings, and guest vocals with his own music beautifully. 

Finally we have FKA twigs new one, Eusexua, which was inspired by the healing power of the dance floor. 

There you have it! I am curious to know your favorite albums from the past year and I hope you enjoy mine. 

Wishing you all a peaceful holiday season. Let's catch up in the New Year. 

xo, 

Julie 

Wet Leg - “mangetout" from Moisturizer 

Rosalía - “Reliquia" from Lux 

Lily Allen - “Tennis" from West End Girl 

Perfume Genius - "It's a Mirror" from Glory 

Pulp - "Got to Have Love" from More

Sharp Pins - "If I Was Ever Lonely" from Radio DDR 

The Belair Lip Bombs - "Hey You" from Again

Stereolab - "Melodie Is A Wound" from Instant Holograms On Metal Film 

Blood Orange - "The Field" (featuring The Durutti Column, Tariq Al-Sabir, Caroline Polachek and Daniel Caesar) from Essex Honey

FKA twigs - “Eusexua" from Eusexua

Golden Hour

Hi Friends, 

I hope you are able to find some moments of joy this summer as much as that is possible in our world right now. I have been finding my joy spending time with family and friends, in nature, in art and of course, in music.  

Instead of a summer banger playlist, this one is on the chill side. I picture myself listening to this on my imaginary deck watching the sun dip below the horizon, not the sweaty rush to the subway. Let’s call this playlist Golden Hour and let the fantasy live on. 

A couple of my longtime favorites released excellent albums this year.  British band Pulp returned in June with More and British-French avant-pop band Stereolab released Instant Holograms on Metal Film in May. Both albums from these hugely influential artists are well worth your time. I think Laetitia Sadier’s vocals got me in a Fench mood because I couldn’t stop thinking about Sylvie Vartan so I had to include “Baby c’est vous.”

In addition to being a conservatory-trained classical French horn player, SASAMI is also a fearless indie pop artist. Her third album Blood On the Silver Screen is her most emotionally expansive yet and the track “In Love With A Memory” that features indie singer-songwriter Clairo is a highlight. 

Shockingly, I realized that I have never included New Order on a playlist before? I debated which track to use and somehow landed on the 8-minute version of “The Perfect Kiss.” So it goes… 

Jamaican reggae duo Althea & Donna’s 1977 single “Uptown Top Ranking” just sounds like summer. They recorded the song when they were just teenagers and it was released as a joke but thanks to legendary DJ John Peel, it became a number one hit in the UK. 

“Sweet Danger” by Nigerian-born, London-based Afrobeat artist Obongjayar released his sophomore album Paradise Now in May.  

Regulars to my playlists, The Reds, Pinks and Purples are back again!  Glenn Donaldson’s project continues to deliver shimmering, melodic pop. No One Absolves Us in the End is from the just-released new album "The Past Is a Garden I Never Fed.”

I have also been wanting to include Tanya Donnelly on a playlist for ages. I went back and forth between her work with Throwing Muses and Belly but in the end, Throwing Muses “Not Too Soon” won out. It is just so good. 

I am really enjoying British indie-folk artist Billie Marten’s lovely new album Dog-Eared. The new-to-me singer-songwriter has been making music since she was a tween and now in her mid-20’s she has just released her fifth album. 

Finally, a little more moodiness to close things out: Charli XCX declared that it was a “These New Puritans Summer,” and honestly, that is the only endorsement that I need. “Industrial Love Song” featuring Caroline Polachek’s otherworldly vocals is stunning. A beautifully somber end to Golden Hour. 

Pulp - Spike Island 

Sylvie Vartan - Baby c’est vous 

Stereolab - Aerial Troubles 

SASAMI - In Love With A Memory (featuring Clairo) 

New Order - The Perfect Kiss

Althea And Donna - Uptown Top Ranking 

Obongjayar - Sweet Danger 

The Reds, Pinks and Purples - No One Absolves Us the End

Throwing Muses - Not Too Soon 

Billie Marten - Goodnight Moon  

These New Puritans - Industrial Love Song (featuring Caroline Polachek) 

xo,

Julie

CDMX

Last month, I visited Mexico City for the first time and it exceeded my expectations. The art, culture, food and drinks were all incredible. I had been hoping for a little playlist inspiration, especially since the current state of the world has dampened my creative impulses. Thankfully, CDMX delivered. Nearly every restaurant and bar we visited had an amazing soundtrack and, thanks to Shazam, I was able to grab a few tracks to help build this playlist.

One of the highlights of the trip was dinner at Choza, which served up our last and favorite meal of the entire visit. Music was integral to the dining experience with a live DJ spinning vinyl alongside some truly outstanding Thai-fusion food. The soundtrack was as global as the menu. This playlist kicks off with a track I heard there: Sroeng Santi’s “Kuen Kuen Lueng Lueng”, a cover version of a song that you will definitely recognize. 

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a big Wet Leg fan, so naturally their new single “Catch These Fists” landed on a playlist the moment I could add it. Their upcoming album, Moisturizer will be released on July 11th and I was lucky enough to catch them at a small club show in late March where they previewed some of their new tracks. I am happy to report that the new songs sound pretty fantastic.

Next up is Silvana Estrada’s “Tenías Que Ser Tú,” a beautiful track from the Mexico-based singer-songwriter. She performed at the Pitchfork Music Festival CDMX Festival earlier this month.  

I am completely hooked on Perfume Genius’ outstanding new  album, Glory. One standout is “No Front Teeth,” which features Aldous Harding.

Back in the early aughts, I was lucky to be part of the publicity team working on Broken Social Scene’s landmark album You Forgot It In People. That record holds a special place in my heart. Later this month, I have tickets for a screening of Stephen Chung’s new documentary, It’s All Gonna Break, about that time in the band’s history. On June 6th, an album of covers, Anthems: A Celebration of Broken Social Scene’s You Forgot It In People, will be released. One of the advance tracks they have released is Toro y Moi’s version of “Stars and Sons.”

Another standout release from this year is Sharp Pins’ Radio DDR. The solo project of Lifeguard’s Kai Slater, “I Can’t Stop” is the perfect blast of power pop energy.

Back to Choza in CDMX for a moment. Another record the DJ played was Moussa Doumbia’s James Brown–inspired Afro-funk track “Keleya,” which was released in 1997 and is definitely a vibe. (If you like what you hear, check out Choza’s Soundcloud)

There has been so much amazing new music this year so I really packed this playlist. One more highlight is Panda Bear’s epic single “Praise,” from his album Sinister Grift which was released in February.

I wish I could remember which CDMX restaurant or bar I discovered Grupo Venezuela’s “Agua Loco.” I think it may have been over an epic meal at Expendio de Maíz? I need to take better notes. 

Closing out the playlist is MJ Lenderman’s cover/collaboration of the brilliant This Is Lorelei track, “Dancing in the Club,” released in late March.

I hope you enjoy this mix of new and old, indie and global songs as much as I enjoyed putting it together.

xo,

Julie

Sroeng Santi - Kuen Kuen Lueng Lueng

Wet Leg - Catch These Fists

Silvana Estrada & Daniel, Me Estás Matando - Tenías Que Ser Tú

Perfume Genius featuring Aldous Harding - No Front Teeth 

Toro y Moi - Starts And Sons 

Sharp Pins - I Can’t Stop

Moussa Doumbia - Keleya 

Panda Bear - Praise

Grupo Venezuela - Agua Loca

This is Lorelei & MJ Lenderman - Dancing in the Club (MJ Lenderman Version)