By Anita Papsmear
This year brought us many cool releases from an array of talented artists. Of note, there was a lot of good, topical punk rock. I gravitated to female led bands—so many refreshing voices out there. In this crazy world, there’s a lot to sing about. Here’s my picks for 2025. Of course, all have received the coveted 5 out of 5 Papsmear rating. These musical gems are malignant and may possibly cause ear worm-age.
Favorite Songs:
Pulp, “Spike Island.”
By far, this is the best song of the year for me. So catchy, comes from the gut, full of human longing and finding your purpose.
Matt Berry, “I Gotta Limit.”
While well known for his Lazlo character in What We Do in the Shadows, Matt is a man of many talents. His music catalog is varied, and his 2025 release is chocked full of gems like this duet with Kitty Liv.
Holy Death Temple, “Algo-Rhythm Is Gonna Get You.”
Truly a song for these times.
Edwyn Collins, “The Heart Is a Foolish Little Thing.”
Former Orange Juice frontman; it is so refreshing to hear Edwyn’s voice on a new track this year
Kid Cudi, “Submarine.”
Such an earworm.
Corlyx, “Witches Dance.”
Gothy, dance-y—all the things you want.
Nine Inch Nails, “As Alive as You Need Me to Be.”
Classic Trent #soneeded.
Adrian Crowley, “Cherry Blossom Soft Confetti.”
It’s warm and dark at the same time.
Laufey, “Lover Girl.”
Lounge perfection. Laufey hails from Iceland, mixing light jazz, pop, and bossa nova elements. I find a filthy dirty martini pairs well #extraolives.
Ty Segall, “Shoplifter.”
Love this tune!
The Nightingales, “The New Emperor’s New Clothes.”
British band that formed in 1979 and still putting out amazing stuff. From the album, The Awful Truth.
NightCrawl, “Lost Highway.”
Gothy goodness from Ireland.
MIEN, “Evil People.”
Title says it all.
Lael Neale, “Wild Waters.”
Great lyrics. Her voice is pure.
Marie Davidson, “Demolition.”
Strong release from Canadian singer and producer.
Assemblage 23, “Lunatics.”
Amazing song and lyrics:
Robber barons, ketamine cowboys
Vulture capital parasites
Unearned vanity, silicon sadists
Sharks with gluttonous appetites
Arrogant halfwits, nepotist failures
Trust fund vagrants, indigent kings
Dead weight desperates, amateur tyrants
Gilded goats with gossamer wings
The lunatics have taken the asylum
The wolves are left to guard the lambs
The inmates are governing the prison
And time is slipping through our hands
The lost are acting as a lighthouse
The blind are left to lead the blind
The ship careens without a rudder
And all of this is by design.
Favorite Albums:
Wet Leg, Moisturizer.
It’s perfect—every single track. Great live show too!
New Candys, The Uncanny Extravaganda.
So fucking good. Really would love to see this band live. Check out “Regicide,” “Crime Wave,” “Night Surfer,” and “Cagehead.”
Viagra Boys, Viagr Aboys.
Another great release from this amazing band. Songwriting cuts to the bone, and I expect nothing less. Great live show too. Favorites: “Man Made of Meat,” “Uno II,” “Waterboy,” and “Pyramid of Health.”
Automatic, Is It Now?
One of the strongest releases of the year from this Los Angeles band who takes their name from The Go-Go’s track. The Go-Go’s album, Beauty and the Beat, was a formulative album for me so no wonder I heart this band so much. Catchy melodies, good songwriting, so many great tracks on this CD. This three-member band features Izzy Glaudini, Halle Saxon, and Lola Dompe (daughter of Kevin Haskins/Bauhaus). Check out “Black Box,” “The Prize,” and title track.
Emi Pop, No Te Voy A Extranar.
Puerto Rican born, Seattle-based musician. This album is filled with catchy, Latin-flavored power pop. Favorites include: “Quiero Bailar Rocanrol,” “Amigos Vampiros,” and “Psicopata.” #so good.
Sprints, All That Is Over.
Another solid release. Check out: “Need,” “Rage,” and “Coming Alive.”
Raveonettes, Pe’ahi II.
Dark and yummy. “Killer,” “Lucifer,” and “Blackest” are highlights.
Garbage, Let All That We Imagine Be the Light.
Shirley is on fire with her lyrics here—one of their best releases ever and that is saying a lot. My favorites include: “There’s No Future in Optimism,” “Hold,” “Radical,” and “R U Happy Now.” #shirleyforpresident.
Lola Young, I’m Only Fucking Myself.
Excellent. Listen to: “Can We Ignore It?” and “D€aler.”
White Rose Motor Oil, Merry Crisis.
Best holiday album in years! So fun, so good. Check out their version of a holiday classic with “The Feminist Santa Baby,” “Hooray for Santa,” a great cover of Dolly’s “Hard Candy Christmas,” and “Sublime Majestic Orb”—every track is a must have for your holiday playlist.
Favorite Bands to Check Out:
The Vultures.
Not to be confused with another band of the same name. The only thing I can find on this band is that they are originally from London and formed in 2013. Check these musical gems, “I Go Ape,” “I’ll Kill That Girl,” and “Jack the Ripper.”
Panic Shack.
Listen to: “Girl Band Started Pack” and “We Need To Talk About Dennis.”
The Pill.
Check out: “Scaffolding Man” and “Posh.”
Be Your Own Pet.
Highlights include “Erotomania” and “Never Again.”
Gallus.
Favorites incude: “Cool To Drive” and “Depressed Beyond Tablets”
Society of the Silver Cross.
Wiccan gothic #enterthecircle.
Frankie and the Witch Fingers.
Listen to “Eggs Laid Brain.”
The Cocks.
“Sugar on the Rim” is fucking excellent.
Jesika Von Rabbit.
So impressed with the range and abilities on “Gotta Keep My Buzz Going.” There are some great covers too. #onetowatch.
38 Coffin.
Some super cool dark rockabilly. Listen to “Jacknife” and “666 Route.”
Church Burglars.
Favorites incude: “Invisible Man” and “Dr. Frankenstein.”
Great to Hear From:
Stereolab, Instant Holograms on Metal Film.
So lovely to hear Laetitia and Tim together and spinning some great songs: “Vermona F Transistor,” “Aerial Troubles,” and “Melodie Is A Wound.”
Buddy Guy, Ain’t Done With The Blues.
Gems include: “Upside Down” and “Swamp Poker.”
Rosetta Stone.
Gothy covers of “The Chain” (Fleetwood Mac) and “Sweet Emotion” (Aerosmith).
Kerala Dust, An Echo of Love.
London band band with expansive, atmospheric, yet deeply melodic, tunes—hard to describe but this is what you want to listen to when you are driving late at night or hanging out by an evening fire.
The Orb, Buddhist Hipsters.
Of note is “Doll’s House.”
Becky Black.
A couple new solo songs out from this half of The Pack AD—“Slow Burn” and “Body.”
The Pack AD.
Previously recorded in 2011 but just released this year on vinyl—a handful of great tunes. They are a must catch live. Got to see them again this year—even picked up Maya Miller’s new book, Genius Words.
Late to the Party:
Paul Cauthen.
Just found him—he has one of those voices. Check out “Cocaine Country Dancing” and “Cut A Rug.” #phenomenal.
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