Some of the space's best songwriters and producers returned with something to share, including Dijon's sample-heavy Baby, Bon Iver's contrasting Sable, Fable record, and Turnstile's Never Enough album.
Looking back at the songs I played the most in 2025, I can sense my own hunger for music that felt wounded, carnal, unfamiliar, tactile, and askew-far from the uncanny sheen of A.I., far from the devastated feeling I get when I must scan a QR code to see a menu. I have listed fifteen of my favorites below. These are the records that best balanced my humors and kept me afloat.