Inspired by “Release Radar,” Spotify’s weekly curated playlist of new releases, I bring you a playlist of my own making with some of my favorite releases from 2025. I really do believe this year in music has been like no other — that we have entered a golden age of music, so to speak. My friends often furrow their brows when I say this. Maybe a golden age is hard to conceive of while the impending doom of AI and its assault on the creative field looms over us. I hope this playlist convinces you otherwise and that you find these songs as awesome as I do — that they remind you how art and creativity can transcend the existential anxieties we’ve placed on ourselves (and that I so often read about on Substack). The AI bubble will burst. It’s only a matter of time. Music is forever.
1. “Wood Knot” — Dutch Interior (March 2025)
This gem from Dutch Interior’s new studio album, “Moneyball,” solidifies their reputation as being makers of genre-less rock. Some of their songs have a country twang to them, while others lean more folky and ambient — ”Wood Knot” falls somewhere in between. The steel pedal and intermittent harmonica give it a western feel that I find comforting, perhaps reflecting the lifelong friendships shared between all six band members, who describe themselves as “branches of the same core life.”
2. “Music and Me” — Fakemink (April 2025)
This song is by the not-so-underground, twenty-year-old U.K. rapper Fakemink, who has taken the interweb by storm. A single-releasing savant, he’s already dropped 16 singles this year and nearly 50 in 2024. “Music and Me” is my favorite of his 297-song discography. Produced by Ok, it’s addicting, majestic and unlike any rap I’ve heard in years. The cadence of Fakemink’s voice alongside Ok’s intoxicating beat is truly a blessing to the ears.
3. “Sexy Boy – Vegyn Version” — Vegyn, Air (April 2025)
Off Vegyn and Air’s new album “Blue Moon Safari,” this track reimagines Air’s iconic 1998 album “Moon Safari.” The original “Sexy Boy” is cool, smooth and yes, sexy — but Vegyn somehow makes his version cooler, smoother and indeed sexier. It’s more mellow and easier to sink into than its classic French electronic predecessor. Even diehard fans of “Moon Safari” can get behind Vegyn’s edits and I’m surprised the album hasn’t gotten more love outside the fanbase.
4. “SEEIN’ STARS” — Turnstile (April 2025)
I saw Turnstile in Buffalo on their “NEVER ENOUGH” tour and their music is as beautiful as the way they bring people together. That has long been characteristic of the hardcore punk scene. The moshing, circle pits and stage diving create a sense of camaraderie you can’t understand until you experience it. “SEEIN’ STARS” is optimistic, catchy and borderline pop. It’s the perfect entry song if you don’t consider yourself a hardcore punk listener … yet.
5. “Da Nang” — Tokyo Tea Room (May 2025)
Months after releasing their debut album, “No Rush,” Tokyo Tea Room put out “Da Nang” on “Worlds Apart (B Sides, Alternatives & Demos).” Their tracks are dreamy and calming — perfect for studying, foggy drives or just hanging out. They’re the only band that I think comes close to capturing the essence of Men I Trust, a band I see as the forefront of modern bedroom/dream pop.
6. “June Guitar” — Alex G (June 2025)
“June Guitar” was the second pre-release (fittingly, in June) from Alex G’s new album, “Headlights.” A dear friend and I did a treacherous out-and-back to Boston earlier this semester to see the infamous Alex G, and his performance of this song was nothing short of extraordinary. He even brought out bagpipes and did a silly dance. If you ever have the chance to see him live, take it!
7. “Los Angeles” — Big Thief (August 2025)
With its gentle acoustic guitar and introspective lyrics reminiscent of a past relationship, “Los Angeles” stands out as one of nine heartfelt tracks on Big Thief’s newest album, “Double Infinity.” Fun fact: Colgate’s student-operated radio, WRCU, got early access to the album and hosted an awesome listening party at the station in Coop in early September!
8. “tears on his rings and chains” — Dean Blunt, Elias Rønnenfelt (August 2025)
Released on SoundCloud in February, “tears on his rings and chains” captures the essence of love and life. I’ve always loved Dean Blunt’s solo works (especially during winter), but his music alongside Elias Rønnenfelt carries a warmth that speaks to the soul. Other notable collabs you should check out: their co-album “lucre” (2025) and the single “Smile Please” (2023), which features an awesome emoji-man album cover.
9. “WHY ME” — Serane (August 2025)
Serane is a French rapper known for bringing plugg, the Atlanta-born, R&B-leaning subgenre of trap, to Paris. While he takes inspiration from Playboi Carti and the mid-2010s SoundCloud rap era that defined plugg, his sound is very much his own. He raps almost exclusively in French, with a mellow, ethereal flow. Also, this track opens with one of my favorite producer tags of all time: “Je T’aime Milanezie” (prod. Milanezie).
10. “CD-R (unerthed)” — Toro y Moi (August 2025)
Alas, another album remake! Unlike “Blue Moon Safari”, though, this one is facing heavy pushback on the Toro y Moi sub-Reddit forum. “Unerthed: Hole Erth Unplugged” is a raw, instrument-focused take on his 2024 electronic album, “Hole Erth.” The release was pretty hush-hush, and fans are up in arms about it. Some call it unlistenable and cringe, others love the acoustic, country-ish vibe to it — best to settle the controversy for yourself.
11. “Vivid Light” — Blood Orange (August 2025)
On first listen, I found Blood Orange’s highly anticipated, “Essex Honey,” a bit underwhelming. But do not be fooled, for with each listen of “Vivid Light,” you get pulled in more and more. It’s an album about grief, hope and coming home. He also released a wonderful music video for another song on the album titled “The Field,” where Dev Hynes (Blood Orange) and all featuring artists on the song (The Durutti Column, Tariq Al-Sabir, Caroline Polachek and Daniel Caesar) drive around the British countryside in a blue Peugeot 205 GT.
12. “Petals” — Mark William Lewis (Sept 2025)
Mark William Lewis’ self-titled album is officially the first release under A24’s new in-house label, A24 Music. If you listen to “Petals,” you’ll know why they signed him. The track is incredibly crisp, with two intertwining guitar riffs that are so satisfying to listen to alongside Lewis’ deep baritone voice.
13. “Dracula” — Tame Impala (Sept 2025)
An absolute banger, this is the second pre-release of Tame Impala’s highly anticipated album “Deadbeat,” out on Oct. 17. The music video is a cinematic masterpiece, and the track itself is groovy, catchy and thriller-esque — the perfect vibe as we enter spooky season.
