AGS CONNOLLY
Dylan Earl - Level-Headed Even Smile
This was one of my favourites this year - Dylan is a superb and unique live performer who can weave stories into songs effortlessly. This is probably the best representation of his music on record that I’ve heard, and shouldn’t be missed.
Weldon Henson - Stone Cold Country Gold
Henson is one of the last hard-charging honky tonk acts still defending the traditional outpost in Austin. This album is as solid an example of that as you’ll find, and of a type that is increasingly scarce.
Joshua Hedley - All Hat
Don’t ever tell Josh Hedley that he doesn’t understand western swing. I really loved how jazzy this thing is, showing true commitment to the roots of the genre. He completely ignores radio-friendly catchiness in favour of high-class authenticity. It’s reassuring that a significant record label will still release music like this and, of course, that it’s still being made at all.
Jeremy Pinnell - Decades
Jeremy is one of the most underrated artists out there, and this Shooter Jennings-produced effort is an effort to change that. It’s a mature body of work containing some of his best lyrics, which works best as a full album (apparently some people don’t listen that way anymore).
Throwback album:
Annie Gallup - Swerve
I listen to more albums from yesteryear than from the current one, but this one keeps coming back around. The songwriting and production (atmospherics?) on Swerve get me every time. Annie Gallup is still making music and should be far better known by now.
PETUNIA PETUNIA
The Deslondes
CW Stoneking - Gone Bugaloo
Mostly though, just random music from the 1920’s to the 1950’s
Last night Clyde McPhatter
SEAN BURNS
1. Colter Wall - Memories and Empties
2. Christopher Seymore - King of Nothing
3. Brennen Leigh - Don’t You Ever Give Up on Love
4. Rosy Nolan - Main Attraction
5. Garrett T. Capps - Life is Strange
6. Carter Felker - Loser
7. Emily Love - Heart of a Fool
8. John Howie Jr. and The Rosewood Bluff - The Return Of...
9. Brandon Birkedahl - High & Lonesome
10. Sterling Drake - The Shape I’m In
My go-to’s for classic country are pretty consistent and have been so for many years ...
Ray Price - Night Life
Hank Thompson - A Six Pack to Go
Red Simpson - Roll, Truck, Roll
Johnny Bush - Here Comes the World Again
Amber Digby - Passion, Pride and What Might Have Been
DANIEL MEADE
Stephen Wilson Jr - Son Of Dad deluxe, 2025
Blaze Foley - The Dawg Years, 1975-1978
Sierra Ferrell - Trail Of Flowers, 2024 / Long Time Coming, 2021
Chas And Dave - Gold, 1981
Billy Strings - Live At The Legion, 2025
Muireann Bradley - I Kept Those Old Blues / I Kept Those Old Blues - Remastered 2025
Justin Townes Earle - ALL IN: Unreleased and Rarities, 2024
Big Bill Broonzy - (All of it!)
The White Stripes - White Blood Cells, 2001
Diana Jones - Museum of Appalachia Recordings, 2013
Daniel Meade & The Basement Boogie Band - Live at The Rum Shack, 2023
BEN de LaCOUR
Gin Wife - incredible songs from a unique and otherworldly voice. Hilarious, heartbreaking, smart and evil in the most impish of ways.
Upset Boy and the Queens - if Oasis had grown up in the meth swamps of Louisiana this is how I imagine they would sound. Biblical.
Chloe Kimes - a force of nature, birthed into this world fully formed and glowing. I don’t really know how to describe Chloe, so you’re just going to have to listen to her.
Caitlin Cannon - so funny, so smart, so poignant… Caitlin’s songs could’ve only been written by her and they’ll stick to your soul like a caterpillar.
Jess Nolan - a sentient Ouija board. Jess’s songs feel like the soundtrack to some tender-hearted David Lynch film lost to the annals of history only to be found in your reclusive uncle’s storage unit.
Richard Inman - nobody writes songs like Richard, and nobody sings like him either.
Misty Harlowe - ethereal Americana from the high plains of Australia. One part Dolly Parton, two parts glitter cannon.
Maisy Owen - a new discovery for me this year, Maisy is one of my favourite new artists in Nashville. She has a vision, so we had better all get in on the ground floor while there’s still room.
DAVID MURPHY
Robert Plant - Saving Grace
Now into his late 70’s, Robert Plant continues to mine gems from the folk tradition and rework into new arrangements, this time alongside local comrades from his west Midlands home. This album contains some gorgeous harmony singing with Suzi Dian and, in usual Plant style, touches upon North African, British folk and soulful American vibes alongside more swampier sounds and instrumentation. Electric baritone guitars and subtle electronics that swim alongside cuatro, acoustic guitar and banjo provide the perfect atmosphere and space for their voices, covering traditional material as well as songs by Donovan, Kansas Joe McCoy and Low amongst others. This record sits perfectly alongside the US-based sojourns Plant previously made with Alison Krauss and Patty Griffin.
Bridghe Caimbheul - Sunwise
Continuing in her journey to take the lesser-known Scottish smallpipes to a wider global audience, Bridghe Caimbhuel once again delivered a gorgeous album in 2025 - a concept album as such on the theme of the closing-in of winter. In a slight departure from her last record ‘Carry Them With Us’ in 2023 - a collaboration with Colin Stetson of Arcade Fire - this album features some beautifully minimal solo tunes. With this theme alluding to the annual ritual of the hibernation and insulation that comes with the seasonal change, the album sets the scene in the opening track with an almost 5-minute single-note drone to introduce the tune. It’s striking in its simplicity and envelops and lulls the listener into a hypnotic trance. Soon beautiful overtones, rhythms and layers being to emerge, preparing us for a venture deep into a subliminal dream of a mystical winter landscape.
Zoe Basha – Gamble
Also of the hauntingly-beautiful vocal harmony trio Rufous Nightjar, Zoe Basha is a French/American artist residing in Ireland. This is her debut album and features her spectacular voice backed by an amazing crew of Irish musicians, deftly pulling from jazz, blues and American folk influences. The acapella ‘Love is Teasin’ is a mesmerising album opener and invites the listener deep into Basha’s world which falls somewhere between New Orleans, Dublin and the Appalachian mountains. Ultan Lavery contributes some amazing piano, organ, clarinet and old-time fiddle throughout. Highly recommended!
Geckos – Geckos
I’m partially biased on this record as I contributed pedal steel guitar to a few of the songs, regardless of which it would be high on my rotation playlist if I hadn’t, as it is essentially a supergroup of some my favourite musicians: M.Ward, Mark McKowski (of The Lost Brothers) and Howe Gelb (Giant Sand). It has the spooky and atmospheric southwestern American textures and all the languid feel of the Arizona desert one would expect from this crew and supporting cast. Containing some gorgeous songs including ‘Lo Hice’ - an M.Ward Spanish lead-vocal with Ry Cooder-like slide guitar.
Bobby Lee & Joe Harvey-Whyte - Last Ride
Joe Harvey-Whyte is a prolific pedal steel guitarist and composer from London who is always making beautiful records via his various collaborative projects with other artists. ‘Last Ride’ sees him paired with Sheffield’s Bobby Lee – another purveyor of 70’s-inspired psychedelia and cosmic British and American music – for a gorgeous record of dusty and ambient instrumentals. This is probably my most-played album of 2025 and it contains some tasty interplay between both as they take the listener on a journey through a hazy American west with such tunes titled ‘Flatbed Alfalfa Run To Pueblo, Colorado, Fall 1972’ and ‘Sagebrush Fire’ with trippy drum-machines and twanging guitars evoking all the feelings of a cosmic sun-soaked acid-trip!
DEAN OWENS
These are the albums I’ve listened most to this year. Four are new albums, one is an oldie, but very much a goldie.
Grant-Lee Phillips - In The Hour Of Dust
Grant-Lee is one of my all-time faves. You know how there are those artists that you just can’t wait for them to release another record? He’s one of them. He’s a great singer with a great voice and he writes beautiful songs. This is a superb album.
Max Richter - Sleep Circle
I love where Max’s music takes me. I find it very moving. I love listening to this album when I’m both walking and when I’m trying to get to sleep. However, not sleep walking.
James McMurtry - The Black Dog And The Wandering Boy
Another fantastic record from James. He’s such a brilliant wordsmith. He pulls you into his little world.
Pete Drodge - Fade Away Blue
I hadn’t heard anything from Pete for a long time. It’s great to see him back with this lovely record. There are some heavy themes in these songs, but he handles them beautifully
Roy Orbison - Mystery Girl
I’ve played this old record on vinyl a lot this year. It’s an album I’d kind of forgotten about. It links up perfectly with the stuff he did with The Travelling Wilburys and man, that voice! Wow! There are often tears in my eyes when listening to this record.
GREY DeLISLE
Joshua Hedley - All Hat
I met Joshua when we were filming Ray’s Roadhouse and I was VERY impressed with his songwriting, so I was really looking forward to this release and it did NOT disappoint!
Brennen Leigh- Don’t you Ever Give Up On Love
Brennen is a total powerhouse! Excellent musicianship and top-notch songwriting are hardly ever contained in the same person! Give this Classic a listen!
Sunny Sweeney - Rhinestone Requiem
One of my favourite Texas songwriters! She co-wrote a couple with Brennen Leigh on this one, too! Every song is a home run!
The Doohickeys- All Hat No Cattle
Keep your eye on this up & coming duo! I’ve played with them around Los Angeles & even made a little cameo in their video! Their songs aren’t just really catchy…they’re also HILARIOUS!
Willie Nelson - Oh What A Beautiful World
Rodney Crowell is my songwriting mentor & has been such an invaluable resource so it was really touching to listen to his songs covered by one of HIS heroes- the master! Mr. Willie Nelson!
Grey DeLisle & Friends-It’s All Her Fault (A Tribute to Cindy Walker)
Is it bad form to mention an album that I executive produced???? Ha! I’m just SO DANG PROUD of this tribute to my favourite songwriter of all-time. The talent assembled here are some of the finest female voices in Americana music today!
JAIMEE HARRIS
Spyboy (Live) - Emmylou Harris
It’s no secret that Emmylou Harris is my favorite artist. The Spyboy era, although a band I never got to see live, is my favorite band. This is a spectacular live album that includes so many of my favorite arrangements of my favorite songs. “All My Tears” with Julie Miller on harmonies. Transcendent. Daryl Johnson’s harmony on “Tulsa Queen” is unreal. The rock n’ roll version of “Get Up John” is spectacular. Absolute masterpiece.
Heart Go Wild - Caroline Spence
Any year we get a new album from Caroline Spence is a gift. She never misses. She’s able to write songs that are both timeless and deeply personal reflections of where she is as a person, navigating her continued growth as an artist and human being. This record explores her fight to regain independence over her art while preparing to welcome her first child into the world. I’d put “Effortless” up there with one of the greatest songs about being a female troubadour navigating the music business in the company of Eliza Gilkyson’s “Beauty Way” and “Nanci Griffith’s “Workin’ in Corners.”
Creature of Destruction - Jane Leo
I’ve been a fan of Jane Leo from the jump. This sophomore album is a blast. I particularly love “I Want to be Left Out.” I’ve never laughed and rocked so hard at the same time.
Some Kinda Summer - Richard Bennett
I became obsessed with Richard Bennett in April. I found myself watching videos of him playing guitar in the backseat when I was touring the Netherlands. Once I started to dig in I realized he’d been a part of so many recordings that shape what I love about music. Buddy Miller hipped me his solo records. In October, we got a great new one from Bennett! This album puts me in the best mood.
Millionaire Money- Angela Autumn (song)
The satisfying internal rhymes and hypnotic melody have had me putting this song on repeat for weeks. I can’t wait to hear more from Angela Autumn.
JOSHUA HEDLEY
“Thanks for having me on your list. I’ve actually heard more new music this year than I have in a long time. I typically don’t listen to much new music, but a lot of my friends put out great albums this year.
Jonny Fritz - Debbie Downers
What can I say? He does it every time and he did it again. His perspective is unmatched. Nobody is doing anything like him — ever. It’s always fresh and new and he’s always got some incredible trick up his sleeve, and this album cycle will be no different for him.
Brennen Leigh - Don’t You Ever Give Up On Love
I struggle to think of anyone doing straight-ahead no-frills country better than Brennen Leigh. My soul sister. I swear we share a brain sometimes. She’s got a whole catalogue of bangers, and she’s really captured that 60s Texas Troubadours vibe here beautifully.
Kristina Murray - Little Blue
Another pal, another great record. Tina is such a talent. Little Blue is a beautifully written album, and the production is SO GOOD. Soulful, funky, dreamy. She’s got such a smooth voice. I really like this album, it’s got a blue-eyed soul vibe but with some modern sounds sprinkled in. Super into the direction. I’m excited to spread the gospel of Kristina Murray.
Luke Bell - The King Is Back
Boy, I wish more people would’ve recognized Luke’s talents while he was here to hear the praise. Luke was one of a kind. He really embraced and embodied a kind of life that other people write about. And then he wrote about it too, and he did so beautifully. His new album is lonesome, rowdy, and dusty. You can feel all the miles traveled in his songs. I’ve always said country music is about taking your own experiences and making them relatable to everyone. And Luke does that perfectly here.”
KEN POMEROY
Gum Shoe - Samantha Crain
Genuinely amazing person and awesome artist and the record is a breath of fresh air
Getting Killed - Geese
I’m sure many are with me on this one, the coolest of cool
Manning Fireworks - MJ Lenderman
I listened to this nonstop when it came out we were on tour.
American Nervousness - Ramsey Thornton
Ramsey plays in our band and is genuinely one of the coolest and best musicians i know
KIRSTEN ADAMSON
Indoor Safari - Nick Lowe
I discovered this album by chance when Spotify threw one of the tracks into my algorithm. The song was Blue On Blue, not the well known Burt Bacharach hit but a simple and perfectly composed piece of Nick Lowe genius. I couldn’t believe the record was from 2024 and not a classic album from his past repertoire. From start to finish the work, in my opinion, is some of his finest. Los Straitjackets are his backing band for the 12 track recording and the album perfectly navigates the human condition of being in love.
Loose Future - Courtney Marie Andrews
The first single I heard from this album was Satellite when I watched the ethereal video of her cycling through a leafless forest in winter. I am already a fan of her work but Loose Future stands to be my favourite of all her albums. The production by Sam Evian is perfect, all the little intricate guitar lines, percussion and depth of the sound and writing makes it an otherworldly listen.
Days In Europa - The Skids
There are a few new projects in the making surrounding my dad’s life and works and while I was delving into one of them I also found myself returning to listen to his first band of note, The Skids. I was particularly drawn to the songs from Days In Europa and found myself playing the album over and over. Tracks I hadn’t heard before like The Olympian, Dulce Et Decorum Est and Peaceful Times all reigniting my love for this period of my dad’s work and the album as a whole got me through a very difficult time (as did the others I have aforementioned).
Dreamer Awake - Rachel Sermanni
I was drawn to this album as a fan of Rachel’s voice and the honest fragility she allows to be exposed in her records. The album explores the journey of motherhood and the end of a long term relationship, two things I was also experiencing in my life around the same time as this release. I connect most with songs that feel honest and lived and the emotional openness of this album allowed me to explore my own situation without prejudice.
Wildflowers - Tom Petty
I think I can safely say I will never stop listening to Tom Petty and with everything that was going on in my personal life there was no better record to get me through the tough moments than Wildflowers. Time To Move On in its resolute clarity pulled me through days of despair in the way that only this kind of track can - with quiet acceptance. The reason why Tom Petty will never fail to be one of my top songwriters of all time.
KYSHONA
Here are some projects that have caught my attention this year *In no particular order:
1. Maia Sharpe - Tomboy (I am especially a fan of the title track from this album. Maia’s lyricism and strong melodies have been my favourite things about this album. Enough groove to feel like a pop song, but enough depth to feel like true poetry.)
2. Jac Ross - American Dream - (The story telling in this song is top notch for me. I love Jac Ross’s vocals as well. He is a beautiful cross between R&B and Country that just hits the right spot for me.)
3. Kirby - Miss Black America - (Storytelling at it’s finest. I’ve been a fan of Kirby’s for years and have loved hearing the transformation of her voice between different albums. Kirby is an artist from Memphis, TN and the Memphis vibes and sounds are so infectious on this project! Highly recommend)
4. Louis Cato - Black Man’s Blues - (Play this song on repeat. You’re welcome.)
5. Louis Cato - Space - (I play this song over and over and over and over and.... you get the point. I love how the production of this song reflects the lyrics of this song. Also Louis’s vocal quality is absolutely stellar.)
6. Trousdale - Growing Pains- (This album is pure delight to me. It’s spunky, youthful and even though it’s listed as country, has a great pop element to it that is addictive.)
7. Jensen McRae - I Don’t Know How But They Found Me! - (Story telling at its finest! Do yourselves a favour and listen to all of her projects.)
MICHAEL WESTON KING
Music:
James McMurtry - The Black Dog & The Wandering Boy
Robbie Fulks - Now Then
The Waterboys - Life, Death and Dennis Hopper
Van Morrison - Remembering Now
Marc Ribot - Map of a Blue City
Books:
Ben Elton _ What have I Done
Kathy Burke - A Mind Of My Own
Justin Currie - The Tremolo Diaries
Peter Guralnick - The Colonel and the King:
John Harris - Maybe I’m Amazed
Films:
Train Dreams
Caught Stealing
Blue Road: The Edna O’Brien Story
A Real Pain
I Swear
Blue Moon
Friendship
MISS TESS
The best new music I have been listening to this year is MILLIONAIRE MONEY by Angela Autumn.
SHAWN WILLIAMS
Bonny Light Horsemen - Keep You On My Mind / Set You Free
It was released last year, but I just recently found out about after being obsessed with an older song of theirs, “The Roving”. This new album is brilliant, from the phrasing and delivery in Anais’ voice to the arrangements and lyrics. I love this album’s raw, not overly-produced sound. This is my album of the year.
Wet Leg - Moisturizer
I love their ‘90s grunge-feel on this album, and it moves with its grooves.
Neko Case - Neon Grey Midnight
“Wreck” is thee song of the year, for me! Neko sounds like no one else and is always so innovative.
Vicente García - Puñito de Yocachú
This album is fun with a little bit of soulfulness and unique instrumentation blended in with a modern sound.
Lord Huron The Cosmos Selector Vol. 1
They always take me to another world and time with their almost shoegazey blend of spaghetti western sound.
Pokey LaFarge - Rhumba Country
Released last year, but I didn’t hear of him ‘til this year. This music just feels good with his upbeat retro vibe.
Ryan Adams -Self Portrait
One of thee most prolific writers. He’s been releasing an abundance of music lately, and it’s still not enough!
Audrey McGraw
Love her voice and the music! She’s only released singles this year, from what I know of, but they are incredible!
Sarah McLachlan - Broken
She’s timeless. Watching the new Lilith Fair documentary, which is awesome, and then listening to this new record makes one realize how important Sarah has been in the music industry and why she still is.
Rachael Yamagata - Starlit Alchemy
One of my favourite voices, and she sounds beautifully achingly and heartfelt in this one.
NICKI BHULM
Dillon Warnek - As the Neighbors Tried to Sleep
Jess Nolan - Right at Home
Rachel & Vilray - West of Broadway
Valley James - Star
Chris Crofton - I’m Your Man
VINCENT CROSS
This was a year when I listened more slowly. I found myself drawn to records that trusted atmosphere, phrasing, and emotional restraint — music that doesn’t announce itself loudly, but quietly rearranges you if you stay with it.
Two recent releases that really mattered to me were Paul Spring and August Wells. Both records feel unhurried and deeply considered. There’s a confidence in the writing that allows space to do its work — songs unfolding rather than performing for attention. I kept returning to them not for spectacle, but for tone, patience, and the sense that the song knows more than it’s saying.
Hovering over a lot of my listening this year was the voice of Lowell George — not just his songs, but his spirit. His phrasing and word choice— a reminder that the music we love carries its own wisdom, its own sense of where we stand, and how close we are to the edge of things.
If I had to sum up my listening year in a sentence, it would be this: in 2025, I was drawn to music that values presence over polish — records where the human being is clearly audible, and where the songs linger long after the needle lifts.
BILL PRICE
For me, in the past year, no one comes close to Jesse Welles. What this man is doing right now with his songs could not be more important or more impressive for those of us in the U. S. While his songs sound simple, they are not. His melodies are unique. His guitar playing is excellent. His voice is raw and real. Lyrically, he handles controversial topics with amazing creativity, using surprising turns of phrases that are clever, but never cliché. While irony and sarcasm run through many of his songs, I don’t get any sense of bitterness, but instead, compassion, which suggests to me that he’s not an ideologue, and that is important. He’s able to step back from a topic far enough to give both sides a listen and draw his conclusion based on common sense and the common good, which is refreshing and critical, in my opinion. He is the real deal.
PETER HOLMSTEDT
These are my 12 favorites from 2025 :
Benmont Tench - The Melancholy Season
The Waterboys - Life, Death & Dennis Hopper
Robert Forster, - Strawberries
Van Morrison - Remembering Now
The Shootouts - Switchback
Mike Reed & Joe Henry - Life & Time
SunYears, - The Song Forlorn
Josh Ritter - I Believe In You, My Honeydew
Mike Farris - The Sound Of Muscle Shoals
Emma Swift - The Resurrection Game
David Mead -January, San Fernando
Johnny Irion - U.S. Elevator
STEVE ALIMENT
thanks for the opportunity to weigh in. A lot of great music was released in 2025. I’ll list a few I loved and I also saw some of these artists on tour:
Kelsey Walton - Every Ghost
This album is great and her band, the Muleskinners shine. Authentic songwriting
Mavis Staples - Sad and Beautiful.
A great selection of songs for Mavis to put her unique vocal style upon. She’s a treasure
Turnpike Troubadours - The Price of Admission
Produced by Shooter Jennings. Really good. By the way a couple others produced by Shooter, Charley Crocket’s Dollar A Day, and Waylon’s Songbird are all on my 2025 list.
Kristina Murray - Little Blue
Love the album and her voice! Saw her a couple weeks ago
Margo Price - Hard Headed Woman
Every song kills!! Love her and her new band.
Hayes Carl - We’re Only Human
Great songwriting!