Best Albums of 2025

I suppose it would have been easier, and indeed predictable, to simply pick the best releases from those that had been reviewed over the last year but it would perhaps be more interesting to list the albums that I actually bought. That limits things nicely as I only purchased two digital downloads yet somehow managed to buy some seventy physical albums. This isn’t a vinyl is better thing as, to tell the truth, it isn’t really the case in sound quality terms any more yet, due to some sort of addiction kicking in, all but one of the following list were on vinyl.

Anyway, the list is in alphabetical order. No favourites really, as they all took up a lot of turntable time this year.

Albums of 2025

Peter Capaldi – Sweet Illusions (Last Night From Glasgow LNFG182)

I keep playing this album. I’m not even sure why as it is either the greatest album ever made or the most pretentious piss take since music was invented. No matter, for an album that just doesn’t fit anywhere is a good thing to find and, in “Bin Night”, I now have the song that just cries out to be played as the soundtrack to any upcoming apocalypse.

Gates of Light – II (Last Night From Glasgow LNFG146)

Featuring the coolest voice this side of anywhere, this album exudes so much style that it was near impossible to believe that this came from Glasgow and, alternating between the trippy and dancefloor debauchery, Louise Quinn and her cohorts successfully demonstrate that wearing sunglasses indoors is the only way to go. “I Keep Reaching For The Sun” wins the race for my affections but the whole album isn’t more than a footstep behind.

Girobabies – Dreams Are Mental (Traffic Cone Records)

Girobabies were always an acquired taste yet, with this album, these purveyors of what might called urban protest songs quickly fill all the square peg in a round hole vacancies in the hotel of impending doom. As much a rant as a musical statement, “Dreams are Mental” bounces off the walls with a rare sense of blue collar indignation. Cult status awaits this album.

Gwenno – Utopia (Heavenly HVNLP234C and HVNLP234D)

So good I bought it twice. Actually true, for there was a standard version on pink vinyl and a “Dinked” version on gold vinyl and I needed, yes needed, both. I have had a long term addiction to Gwenno ever since her first releases on the much missed Peski label and, even though she has now gone (mostly) English and taken a distinctly mature and less mystical approach in her lyrics, she still has plenty of what it takes to make listening to an entire album the only rational thing to do.

Hectorine – Arrow of Love (Take A Turn TTR-006)

I doubt anyone would call “Arrow of Love” a sunshine album yet it does nonetheless make the world seem a brighter and better place. The properly matured songwriting skills evident in this album make the enclosed lyric insert worthy of more than a passing glance and, once you get your ears aligned with the brooding production and the arty intentions, the story that is being told over these ten songs inevitably moves you closer to happiness.

Lady Wray – Cover Girl (Big Crown Records BC166-LP)

I have always been a soul man at heart and Lady Wray did her bit to remind me that the old ways are best with this album exuding the solid soul feel of days gone by and, by having the redoubtable Leon Michels on production duties, this means that this vinyl version sounds just like it was yesterday too. “Cover Girl” is one of those albums that will remind you that everyone needs soul. Pure class.

Quad90 – Quad90 (Last Night From Glasgow LNFG187)

Probably the most playful selection on this list, Quad90 just made me happy with their self-titled album. This duo haven’t many miles on their clock and are undoubtedly making full and complete use of their musical influences yet they infuse all that they do with a sense of fun. Whilst they may not currently be on the same cool street as, say, Gates of Light, they will surely be drinking cocktails with them soon.

Camilla Sparksss – ICU RUN (On The Camper Records OR043)

Camilla Sparksss has always had the art in her music which is, of course, just fine, With this album however, she hits the groove with a vengeance and whilst often discordant, lyrically direct and harsh to the point of nihilism, nothing here sounds remotely like a compromise. You might not like this album the first time around but a replay at maximum volume will change your mind as Camilla Sparksss plays this one like she wants to wield a hammer at your head as you sleep. This is an album for our time indeed.

Juho Toivonen – Lapsikuninkaan Fanfaari (Discreet Music 27)

My musical tastes sometimes verge towards the eclectic and it would not be too much of a reach to describe this album as eclectic. This is experimental music merged in with ambient sensibilities but with a, rather unexpected, spirituality as if listening to sounds trapped by time in an abandoned monastery with only the ghost of a less than mint condition piano to guide you into the light. I have no idea if that was Juho Toivonen’s actual intent but any album that has enough magic in it to encourage you listen to it again and again is just fine with me.

Jessica Winter – My First Album (Lucky Numbers LUCKY183LP)

It is almost old school to do arrangements for a song yet Jessica Winter does just that with this album and there are therefore plenty of examples of the art of the songwriter to be found. To listen to a bunch of songs without being distracted by effects chains and continuous looping is becoming increasingly rare in these plastic days and, so much so, that I actually wanted to read the enclosed lyric sheet. I feel the smile of musical satisfaction coming on.

Best Reissues of 2025

Lest we forget, the music of yesterday works every bit as well as the music of today. These two resissues reminded me of that.

Dolly Mixture – Demonstration Tapes (SPA GREEN SPA 001)

And that’s why we need record shops. This was a band I had long since forgotten yet, when I heard these songs played over the shop sound system, I had to have this album. This compilation covers their releases between 1979 and 1983 and there isn’t really a dud here with the songs sparkling in a manner that is practically guaranteed to improve your mood. The barebones packaging was a disappointment – two LPs but not even a liner note – but, when it comes down to it, the music tells you all you need to know. Happy is where it is at.

The Felt Tips – Living & Growing (Unspun Heroes UNSP-LP005)

I still remember the first time that I heard “Lifeskills” off this album. I laughed and laughed a lot. The rest of the album follows the same path with the kind of ironic lyrics that one might associate with Morrissey yet infused with this band’s very Scottish style of socio realistic humour. Apparently, this is the first reissue on vinyl and I, for one, was glad to add it to my collection and put it on rapid rotation on the turntable of love. I would say that they don’t make albums like this anymore and, sad to say, it is likely that they never will. Glorious!