🎶 My favorite normie music of 2025
We weren't done!
As you may or may not know, I don't exclusively listen to metal, and there were quite a few amazing albums that are firmly within the realm of "normal" music that I really loved and listened to quite regularly throughout the year. I won't be doing none of that genre stuff here, but the format of the list will be about the same as the heavy one: I'll be doing one music video of choice for each album, and the album titles will link to some sort of purchase option for the record.
Will try to keep this one short and sweet. Here we go!
Cheekface - Middle Spoon
Yeah I can't deny it, this has probably become one of my all-time favorite bands. Incredibly catchy and cheerful tunes, with zany and yet somehow clever lyrics. Very easy to like, and easy to enjoy with others.
clipping. - Dead Channel Sky Plus
For me this is just the best rap act out there at the moment. Consistently original, tight, and dark. They go so hard at times I almost forget what genre they are. There's also something very satisfying about how articulate and well enunciated Daveed can be even when he's rapping as fast as he can. Tickles my cockles, it does.
Geese - Getting Killed
Yes I know, this is on everyone's list this year, but you see THERE'S A BOMB IN MY CAAAR!!!
Seriously though, good music is good. Worth a listen if you like experimental indie rock music. I also really like the track "Au Pays du Cocaine".
Little Simz - Flood
I have so much respect for this woman. She has such a clear artistic vision for her music while still being an incredibly talented lyricist. Banging and organic sounding beats as well. The whole package!
Model/Actriz - Pirouette
This band's previous album was a bit one-note for me, but this new one was way more varied and interesting. They have a very unique and artistic approach to their music. Electro-tinged, menacing beats with very queer-coded lyrics.
Ninajirachi - I Love My Computer
Without a doubt my favorite electronic album of the year, though admittedly I wasn't too good at keeping up with that scene in 2025. This album however broke through the noise somehow and let me drift away in complextro house bangers in a way that I haven't experienced since Porter Robinson's masterpiece Nurture. I feel a certain kinship with this one, because I as well, love my computer.
Oklou - Choke Enough
One of those albums you can play on a rainy sunday with headphones on, close your eyes, and just completely drift away for the entire runtime. Trippy, trancey, ethereal, vast, expansive, floaty, and full of texture. One of my most played albums of the year, regardless of genre. This could be up there with the classic electronica albums I listened to in my younger days which ended up shaping my musical taste in profound ways. It's that good.
Lizzy McAlpine - Older
Technically this was a 2024 release, but I didn't catch it until the very start of 2025, and it's been on steady rotation since then. Musically it's fairly traditional singer-songwriter faire, but the songs here are just so wistful, melancholy and tender. The lyrics are intimate and vulnerable, and the songs are clearly written and performed by very talented and passionate musicians. Definitely my favorite release from McAlpine thus far.
Wevie Stonder - Sure Beats Living
I had to end with this one. I can guarantee you that you have never heard anything like this, and probably never will again. As I wrote in my September roundup where I first featured this album: This is meant to make you smile and shake your head in disbelief at how silly it is, all while still being thoroughly enjoyable.
The ones I missed
Every year I get to compile a list of critically acclaimed albums that I for some reason missed along the way, and which I end up enjoying personally. The list has unfortunately become way too long to mention all of the albums here, but some standouts are:
- Annahstasia - Tether :: This silky smooth indie/soul offering from Annahstasia was a very velcome surprise at the very end of the year. Just absolutely gorgeous deep vocals, and great atmosphere throughout.
- Guttural Slug - Ulcers In The Flesh Of Thought :: I can't believe I missed this absolute monster of a slam record. The gurgly vocals and pounding drums just make me grin, dude.
- Rosalia - Lux :: I have few words to describe how impressed I was with this record on my first listen. The way they combined classical symphonics with modern production techniques and pop sensibilities here is just phenomenal.
- Tyler Childers - Snipe Hunter :: You know, when it's done right, country music ain't all that bad. You just have to drop the pretense and be genuine in your creative expression. That's when you get shit like this.
- Unbirth - Asomatous Besmirchment :: A death metal masterpiece that I'm very, very sad that I didn't catch sooner. Shout out to Last Rites for making sure stuff like this finds its way my earholes.
There are plenty more of course, especially a lot of electronic music that I've yet to digest fully. If you use Qobuz (which you should), you can find the entire list here!
I know January was a bit of a dud for the blog and I'm sorry about that, but I'm hoping to get right back into it for February now that I've finally managed to wrap 2025 up properly. I hope I'll see you back here for what I have planned going forward in addition to the regular monthly roundups.
Until next time, peace! ✌️