🎶 The Best Music of 2025 🎶

A belated best-of for music from last year.

I way ran out of time in January, thanks to being in America and having too good a time — and that means my annual “best ofs” lists are arriving late this year and aren’t as filled in as I’d prefer. But alas! Here we are, to look at my most beloved music of the last year. Enjoy! And keep the records spinning this year, fam!!

Find a full “report” of my 2025 listens from Last.fm. Peruse previous music best ofs, even if most of the links are broken: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2017, 2016, 2013, 2012, 2011. If interested, follow along with my favorite songs of the moment in this always updating playlist.

NOTE: Normally I would include lots of embeds but…I ran out of time. Follow the links, etc.!!! I also did not get to proof these so please give your boy some grace.

Best mix close: Miscmeg’s use of Ladytron’s “Playgirl” for pi/live

After a mix that grooves along in Miscmeg’s noted smooth style, she ends it with a revelatory and plucky remix of Ladytron’s “Playgirl.” It’s the type of ending to a mix that, if experienced live, would make everyone lose their mind. She’s so good and this remix flexes her ability to balance the heady and intellectual with dance alongside the more groovy.

Most nourishing return: Oneohtrix Point Never

Not only was Tranquilizer a return to the biblically accurate 0PN, but his soundtrack for Marty Supreme was similarly revelatory (and the only item from the movie I will engage with). Between “Lifeworld” and “Force of Life,” it felt like I was in 2012, listening to Chuck Persons, riding my bike down Sunset. Could literally bring tears to my eyes.

Most timely return: Voices from the Lake

It was a dark year and it was entirely fitting that the misters of the darkness — Neel and Donato Dozzy — made their triumphant fifteen year’s long return with a new voice from the lake. I wore this album / mix to death in December through…now lol