2025 FAVOURITE TRACKS ROUND-UP

2025 has delivered another string of essential albums, as well as exclusive tracks from EPs and singles. The rundown itself predominantly focuses on albums (including my Top 30), while the playlist showcases favourite tracks from both albums and singles. There's probably hundreds that I've missed but it's based on what I've heard, rather than kudos, label bribes and critical opinions.

So here we go, a little later than scheduled - my personal Top 30 albums of 2025, all worth exploring and 134 streamable tracks of 2025 (some taken from the aforementioned albums). You can find many of these fine records (and other formats) on Bandcamp, which is somewhat encouraging.

1 - Cult With No Name - Indifference and Dust 

The London duo's 12th studio album marks their umpteenth consecutive entry on this site's year-end round-up and their first number1!
Jammed full of airy synth-pop melodies, there are some proper anthems on here. They manage to successfully demonstrate their self-description of 'post-punk electronic balladeers' with moody tracks such as Home Is Where The Heart Is, Natures of Conflict and the melancholic Niall In The Coffin. But Messrs Stein and Boux can also trigger the rhythm machines and up the tempo - hear Clockout or Set, Go for evidence, both of which in a just world would be hit singles. If you're into emotional pop with an academic and subtly socially-aware futuristic nod to the '80s and '90s - think Pet Shop Boys, Bill Nelson (his Mercury Years) and China Crisis - head to their CWNNN Bandcamp 

2 - Benefits - Constant Noise

When an album starts with the words, "I'm looking up in awe at a mountain of shit", you just know that its creators mean business. However, in contrast to the 'Boro duo's visceral debut, Constant Noise is somewhat easier on the ear, yet all the more political and angry. Commentaries on class, stereotypes, thuggery, racism, self-congratulating pontification, poverty and bullshit from all sides doesn't sound like a jolly formula, yet apart from the sheer rage on Lies and Fear, you can be enraged and entertained. It's like listening to a documentary waiting to be filmed, a kitchen-sink drama being acted out, a final episode in a late-night post-watershed series based in a forgotten town by the sea (the bit where the protagonist bully gets their comeuppence by dubious, but justified, means). The last three pieces on Constant Noise are genuinely moving and have their roots in bleak mining-town landscapes, delivered as a contemporary poetic eulogy. Benefits Bandcamp

3 - Chameleons - Arctic Moon

Still touring, still making music after some 40+ years - who could've predicted Chameleons' longevity? Perhaps only founder, singer and bassist Mark Burgess/ Vox knows the answer. Arctic Moon is only their fifth studio album in almost as many decades and their first since 2000's Why Call It Anything?. Moodwise, it's reminiscent of Strange Times, minus the thunderous drums -  melodic, melancholic without any particular standout, just a perfectly flowing running order and Vox's voice still as unique as ever. I-spy the trademark 'whirly-tune' on the plaintive Magnolia and some chiming guitars on the glorious Lady Strange and Saviours Are a Dangerous Thing, the album's powerful ode to socially and politically-charged narcissism. Thankfully, there's no sign of there being a calmer Chameleon just yet. The album can be purchased from their Bandcamp  

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4 - Bob Mould - Here We Go Crazy











5 - Warrington Runcorn New Town Development Plan - Public Works and Utilities











6 - John Foxx - Wherever You Are











7 - The Utopia Strong - Doperider











8 - The Names - Encore!











9 - C Duncan - It's Only a Love Song











10 - Dominik Eulberg (Lepidoptera) 











11 - Suede - Antidepressants











12 - Doves - Constellations For The Lonely











13 - Christian Kjellvander - Ex Voto/ The Silent Love











14 - Jonathan Jeremiah - We Come Alive











15 - Miki Berenyi Trio - Tripla











16 - bdrmm - Microtonic











17 - Wim Mertens - As Water Is To Fish











18 - Marie Davidson - City of Clowns











19 - Ultramarine - Routine











20 - Whatever the Weather - Whatever the Weather II











21 - NAS and DJ Premier - (Light-Years)











22 - Baxter Dury (Allbarone) 











23 - Andy Bell (Pinball Wanderer)











24 - Khruangbin (The Universe Smiles Upon You II)











25 - Saint Etienne (International)











26 - Rhoda Dakar - Version Girl In Dub











27 - DjRum (Under Tangled Science)











28 - Death and Vanilla (Whistle and I'll Come To You)











29 - De La Soul (Cabin In The Sky)

 











30 - The The (Odyssey)











Honourable mentions: Kathryn Williams (Mystery Park), Seth Lakeman (The Granite Way), Virna Lindt (Danube), The Charlatans (We Are Love), Claudia Brücken (Night Mirror, Cymande (Renascence), Edwyn Collins (Nation Shall Speak Unto Nation), David Byrne (Who Is The Sky), The Waterboys (Life, Death and Dennis Hopper), Ron Sexsmith (Hangover Terrace), Kenneth Lien (Norwegian Electronic Folk Music), Armory Show (Dead Souls), Nation Of Language (Dance Called Memory), Blood Orange (Essex Music), Held By Trees (Hinterland)

Hear these and more on Spotify here: 

Flipside Reviews 2025 Top Tracks