This year, I created a new goal to listen to music with more intentionality. I still listen to music for hours a day, but often it’s just as background music while I’m completing other tasks. In addition to that time, I made an effort to focus on one album at a time and review them all. Over the course of the year, I listened to 206 albums this way, and now have a ranking of my favorite albums of the year.
Top Ranked of 2025
- BADBADNOTGOOD – BBNG
- Waiwan – Distraction
- The Crystal Method – Vegas
- DROELOE – The Art of Change
- Fatboy Slim – Back to Mine
- Christophe Leusiau – A Tribute to Blade Runner
- Macroblank – System Residue
- N°ALIAE® – Soma
- Jon Hopkins – Immunity
- Kruder & Dorfmeister – G-Stoned
- Suede – Suede
- Richie Hawtin – DE9 | Transitions
Most Listened
- glue70 – 2070
- Sasha – Scene Delete
- Bones – Dungeon
- Hank Williams Jr – Family Tradition
- Future Sound of London – Environment 7.003
- Tyler, the Creator – Flower Boy
- Kruder & Dorfmeister – 1995
I think I listened to as much music this year as I ever have before, but what really stood out this year was keeping track of what I listened to and liked. I have about 20 albums on deck which I’m looking forward to listening to critically in 2026:
Coming Up Next
- Pixies – Doolittle
- Sonic Youth – Daydream Nation
- Tool – Lateralus
- CloZee – Neon Jungle
- Panda Bear – Sinister Grift
- Imperial Triumphant – Goldstar
- Aesop Rock – Black Hole Superette
- Morcheeba – Big Calm
In addition to that, the big concerts I went to this year were Paul Simon and Thievery Corporation, and both were spectacular. Here’s to another year of great music in 2026.