IN THE YEAR 20 AND 25 – IF MAN IS STILL ALIVE, IF WOMAN CAN SURVIVE: THE YEAR'S FAVOURITES
- Bernard Zuel
- Dec 17, 2025
- 3 min read
The apocalypse may be upon us far sooner than anticipated, the world of small men playing hard man may deal us out before then anyway, but some things remain true. Among them: cricket remains the most satisfying sport, Kensington Pride is the only worthwhile mango, and there’s always good music about, sometimes even great music, and this is the spot to find them.
Or at least some of them. Because as I say every year, these aren’t the best albums of the year (necessarily) and this is not the definitive list of anything except what I enjoyed the most, played the most or was intrigued/provoked by the most in 2025.
So below you’ll find my favourite 25 albums of the year arranged in no particular order, accompanied by a review, if I did one, one sourced elsewhere if I did not, or a related interview, if I did one. You can hit the links to read those reviews and from there you’ll also find links to read and hear more. You’re welcome!
And because it is that time of year for gift giving, there’s a double gift-with-purchase. Firstly, there’s a dozen of the best gigs I had the pleasure to see. Most of them were reviewed so you can jump to those too. Then there’s four music-related films on which I had some thoughts.
But wait, there’s more. I’ve already put together a playlist of my songs of the year (CLICK HERE FOR MAXIMUM PLEASURE) and today it’s joined by a playlist compiled from each of the 25 albums of my year (CLICK HERE FOR ADDITIONAL PLEASURE) except for Icecream Hands who aren't on Spotify, and including more than one from Bruce Springsteen given it was a seven album box.
No, really, you can thank me later. Before then buy some of these albums, share them with friends, and along the way help feed a musician – some of them look positively peaky.
(Technical work done here by the far smarter than me Susie Hamilton.)
25 OF 25: THE YEAR’S MOST PLAYED/ENJOYED/MAYBE EVEN BEST ALBUMS
BONUS BUYS
Two albums from more than 50 years ago I finally bought this year and played a lot. Like, a whole lot. Frank Sinatra – Where Are You? and Watertown
WANT MORE? HERE'S A DOZEN GIGS A GIGGING
Kneecap at Misneach – Domain March 16
Sierra Ferrell – Enmore Theatre January 14
Billy Strings – ICC Sydney Theatre July 17
Ed Kuepper and Jim White – City Recital Hall October 11
AND ... MUSIC FOR FILMS/FILMS FOR MUSIC
READ MORE
Wow, a really fun list! It's good to see someone still enjoying things even thinking about… well, everything. Speaking of things that keep you busy when you want to escape, I've been hooked on chaves nightmares lately. It's a surprisingly addictive game!
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