2025 just keeps giving us fantastic songs and albums to treat our ears with. Here’s some music from the past month or so that has left the biggest impression on me.
Bon Iver – SABLE, fABLE
Indie folk extraordinaire Bon Iver return for their first album in nearly six years full of yearning heartache and blossoming instrumentation. While I’ve touched on the lead-up to this record a couple times now, nothing could’ve prepared me for the emotional rollercoaster and enchanting production that fuels this 41 minute masterclass in songwriting and blissful ambivalence.
This record truly reminded me why I fell in love with Bon Iver in the first place. While it can be much more cheerful and bright in pockets, it’s still the same guy we met in a log cabin from over a decade ago. Each song hits hard and in its own unique way. Whether it’s just Vernon and his guitar or Vernon with layered vocals and groovy synths, it’s some of the most personal and peaceful songs in all of the Bon Iver canon. I can’t wait to spin this all spring, and then some.
Tracks to try: “From,” “Day One,” “There’s a Rhythm”
Jane Remover – Revengeseekerz
Underground superstar Jane Remover officially blew my mind once again on her third album Revengeseekerz. Jane has never been someone to play it safe and this record is maybe the biggest indicator of that so far.
While her previous two albums were definitely forward-thinking and experimental, this record remains unrelenting and uncompromising in its abrasive and explosive soundscapes. Everything from hyperpop, digicore to even rage is explored on this album and it all works wonders.
While one of the more challenging listens of the year so far, it’s also one of the most rewarding. Check it out at your own risk!
Tracks to try: “Dreamflasher,” “Psychoboost,” “Professional Vengeance”
Djo – The Crux
I applaud Joe Keery for continuing to switch it up and not play it safe after the viral hit “End of Beginning” shot him fully into the beloved indie artist stratosphere.
The Crux sees Djo scale back and jam out on some rather soft and breezy instrumentals, almost reminiscent of legendary “yacht rock” acts of the ‘70s and ‘80s. While I might still prefer his more synth-heavy, spontaneous second record Decide, this is still a welcome addition to Keery’s ever-evolving artistic endeavors.
Tracks to try: “Delete Ya,” “Fly,” “Charlie’s Garden”
Sufjan Stevens – “Mystery of Love (Demo)” & “Death with Dignity (Demo)”
Sufjan Stevens’ seminal 2015 record Carrie & Lowell just turned 10, and to celebrate Stevens is releasing a commemorative reissue of the album along with some previously unreleased demos and reimaginings of beloved tracks.
The “Mystery of Love” demo was our first taste and it’s a stellar and quaint rendition of the classic ballad. Of course many may know it from the 2017 romance film Call Me by Your Name, yet the song was originally intended for this very album.
A loving tribute to lost love from the devastating sessions that crafted this excellent exploration of grief and healing.
The album’s opener “Death with Dignity” was the second demo released and showcases even more raw emotion in Stevens’ voice as well as a gorgeous, tranquil piano-led outro that makes the track all the more beautifully crushing.
I can’t wait for when the rest of this reissue drops at the end of May.
PinkPantheress – “Tonight” & “Stateside”
The queen of drum and bass earworms is back with two fun and invigorating singles from her upcoming mixtape. While the former shows off a more sultry and spontaneous side, the latter is an insatiable club banger co-produced by The Dare. PinkPantheress remains one of the more exciting and fresh faces to come out of this TikTok sphere of pop-stars.
Ludwig Göransson, Various – Sinners (Soundtrack & Score)
Ryan Coogler’s cinematic sensation Sinners has taken the world by storm over these last few weeks, and for good reason.
The moving and thoughtful thriller is also home to an incredible score by the great Ludwig Göransson, as well as a companion soundtrack. The album takes a lot of Göransson’s blues-inspired, cinematic production and puts some great voices like Don Toliver, Brittany Howard and even some of the film’s stars like Hailee Steinfeld and the incomparable Miles Caton on top of these entrancing beats.
Trust me, the film and its music are well worth your attention.
Tracks to try: “I Lied to You,” “Last Time (I Seen the Sun),” “Flames of Fortune”
Quadeca – “GODSTAINED” & “MONDAY”
Quadeca is slowly but surely making his return as a full-fledged artist. His highly anticipated album Vanisher, Horizon Scraper could be coming any day, but so far he’s treated his fans to some of the most forward-thinking and lucious singles of his career so far.
“GODSTAINED” and “MONDAY” show such promise in everything from the heightened lyrical ability to the stunning string arrangements and layered production. You don’t want to let these fall through the cracks.
Turnstile – “NEVER ENOUGH,” “SEEIN’ STARS” & “BIRDS”
Everyone’s favorite hardcore turned dream-punk fusion band is back with some killer singles for their upcoming fourth album.
2021’s GLOW ON has remained one of my favorite albums of the decade so far and from the sound of it this new record might put up some competition.
Turnstile has continued to experiment with their hardcore roots with expanding soundscapes and shiny, dreamlike ‘80s style pop production. I can’t wait to hear the full picture this June.
Lorde – “What Was That”
Lorde makes a grand re-entrance into the ‘20s pop landscape with the lead single to her long-awaited fourth album Virgin.
“What Was That” sees Lorde possibly at her most lyrically simple yet all the more blunt and hard-hitting in turn. The track is also full of vibrant and mystifying electronic production courtesy of Jim-E Stack and Dan Nigro, further exemplifying Lorde’s continued creative evolution and personal growth.
What was that? That was one of the 21st century’s greatest pop stars returning to the arena and rejuvenating everyone’s spirits.
Faves Playlist: 2025 (Spotify)
