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