My Albums of 2025

Ordinarily, I do a year-end blog about my favorite games of the year (which I still intend to do at a later date), but recently, I've been thinking about all the new music I checked out in 2025, and wanted to talk about the most significant releases for me. Not necessarily the best ones, but everything from what some of my favorite bands put out, to albums I finally picked up, and anything that really peaked my interest. So with that in mind, let's just get right into it.

Returning With Another Banger

Not Another Sad Album - Call It Off

Back in 2022, Call It Off played what was supposed to be their final show, put out one last EP, and closed shop. It was something I was genuinely heartbroken about, so much that I even wrote a blog post about how much I love this band. So you can imagine how excited I was when they announced they were coming back the following year.

I have to say, the rollout of songs for this album was pretty extended, so by the time Not Another Sad Album came out, I had a already heard half of it, and boy, did it build the hype. "Letting Go" was a sign that even though the band had their lineup change a bit, the sound was still the same, and the hits kept coming after that. From my most listened to song of 2024 "Watch The World" to the high-octane guitars of "Screw Loose," I was all in, and when we got the rest of the songs, it just got better from there. The deep cuts on this album were gold, whether it's the arena rock anthem "Overload" to the power behind songs like "Dear Mary," "Sometimes," and "B.O.M.B."  Time and time again, Call It Off has proven they're masters of their craft that don't get the attention they deserve, and this album is just another example of that.

Favorite Songs: "Sometimes"

Slowing Down, But Still Solid

Ricochet - Rise Against

I've had a bit of a back and forth relationship with Ricochet. When the band dropped "Nod" at the beginning of the year, I was pretty neutral on it if I'm being honest. It wasn't bad, but it didn't have the lasting impact that other Rise Against songs have had for me. Then they put out "Prizefighter" a few months later, and that was the song that hooked me. The song had such great energy, especially the guitar solo in the bridge. It had me sold on the idea of a new Rise Against album, but when it finally came out, I found myself continuing this trend of going back and forth on my opinion.

The biggest thing about Ricochet is that it feels like a much slower album than their previous efforts. Even though the tempos are about the same, the songs don't kick it into double time, which is pretty uncharacteristic for the band. I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing, but I will admit that a lot of my favorite Rise Against songs are the faster ones. That said, there's still a lot of enjoyment to be had here. "I Want It All" is genuinely one of the most unique sounding songs I think they've put out, we got another great acoustic ballad with "Gold Long Gone," and the energy in "Forty Days" is some of the best in their catalogue. All in all, I don't think Ricochet is the strongest album for Rise Against, but it's still one I can enjoy.

Favorite Track: "Forty Days"

Continuing to Explore

For The People - Dropkick Murphys

Last year, I finally decided to pick up the classic that is the Dropkick Murphys' The Warrior's Code. It was the exact kind of 2000s punk album I would love with loud guitars, catchy hooks, and an overall sound that while having elements of pop, didn't stray too far into pop. And of course, you can't talk about this band without noting the celtic punk sound, with energetic bagpipes, accordions, fiddles, and all. It was one of the most unique punk albums I've listened to for sure. Later on in 2024, I decided to dive deeper into their catalogue, giving a listen to both Do or Die and Signed and Sealed in Blood, but sadly, the two albums didn't hit the same way and I moved on from the band.

Fast forward to spring of this year, and I'm reintroduced to Dropkick Murphys when they put out "Who'll Stand With Us?" This song clicked almost instantly, but I actually didn't realize it was coming with a new album. Sure enough though, For The People popped up in my Apple Music feed one day, and I said "why not give it a shot." What I got was an album that brought me back to The Warrior's Code; those classic guitar riffs, the celtic folk instrumentations, and that great punk rock energy. From paying homage to Fletcher Dragge on "The Big Man" to the power ballad that is "Bury The Bones" and Al Barr's return to the band on "The Vultures Circle High," For The People is jam packed with classics that this band should be proud of for years to come.

Favorite Track: "Bury The Bones"

Giving It Another Shot

Mass Nerder - All

This really was a spur of the moment thing; I was on a very long walk on a very cold day, and I had just wrapped another listen of The Decendents' Everything Sucks. Naturally, listening to this got me thinking about the recording sessions for the album, and I remembered that this album was written and recorded at the same time. I had listened to Mass Nerder a few years prior, but for some reason, it didn't stick. Well I had a decent bit left in my walk, and was in the right mindset, so I gave it another spin... and I am so happy I did.

While I definitely wouldn't call it as good as Everything Sucks, Chad Price brings an awesome vocal performance to the signature pop punk stylings of the other members. And of course it's great to have Milo along for the ride on backing vocals, especially on songs like "Perfection" and "Think The World." I think on the whole, All can still be a hit or miss band for me, but Mass Nerder will likely be a record I come back to every so often and have a great time with.

Favorite Track: "Honey Peeps"

A Newcomer to My Favorite Bands

You Deserve Love - White Reaper

So before I get into this one, I do have to shout out the fact that White Reaper also put out the delightful Only Slightly Empty earlier this year. The only reason I'm not talking about it for this list is because this one is just so great!

White Reaper was a recommendation from one of my coworkers that also happens to be a Harmonix alumni. I actually started out with their second album, The World's Best American Band, and that album slaps just as hard. That said, there was something about You Deserve Love that was so much fun. The songs were just as energetic, but the heavier use of synths to contrast the guitars added a really unique style, whether that was the happy vibes of "1F" or the atmospheric tones they provided on "Might Be Right." At the very least, it was enough fun for me to grab tickets to their Burlington, VT show back in October, and man are these songs even more fun live. I could definitely see myself going to another one of their shows if they come back, and look forward to hearing what they put out next.

Favorite Track: "Ring"

Sadly Missed The Mark

Silver Bleeds The Black Sun - AFI

Over the years, AFI has slowly introduced more and more new wave elements into their sound, but I found that they still had a lot of aggression behind that sound on albums like The Blood Album and Bodies. This time around though, it feels like they really pushed the boundaries on that move, and in a way that I guess didn't click with me.

The first time I heard "Behind The Clock," it definitely threw me off guard; starting out with a spooky gothic synth and going into an almost blues-inspired synth sound was pretty jarring, and I can't say the song has really grown on me. And oddly enough, the most aggresive song on the album, "Nooneunderground" might be my least favorite on the album. It's got decent energy, but there's something about the melody and composition that I just don't like. It's possible I could revisit this albums later on and like it, but for now, I'll be looking at other music.

Favorite Track: "Ash Speck in a Green Eye"

Talk About A Return

Better Days - Yellowcard

If you asked me if I thought Yellowcard would be getting back together, let alone making new music, a few years ago, I probably wouldn't have believed you. I had been falling out of love with their music a bit after the whole Juice Wrld situation, and I also wasn't the biggest fan of the self-titled 2017 album. But when the band came back a few years ago and put out the Childhood Eyes EP, things started to turn around, and it only added when they announced they would be doing this album with Travis Barker behind the drum kit.

I'm still of the mind that LP3 will still be Yellowcard's most iconic drummer, but if they had to get someone else to play on this, Travis is more than up to the task. And I think he did a phenominal job as their producer. After hearing the new Alkaline Trio songs, I was a little worried he was gonna bring a bit too much of Blink-182's sound to Better Days, but that was absolutely not the case. If anything, he moved with Yellowcard's signature sound seamlessly, letting Ryan Key's vocal melodies shine, Sean Mackin's violin be the dominant force, and bringing his own raw talent to each song. From the self-reflection of "Skin Scraped" to embracing and loving fatherhood on "Big Blue Eyes," Better Days couldn't have been a better return for a band, and now sits as one of my favorite Yellowcard albums ever!

Favorite Track: "Love Letters Lost"

Stubled Upon an Absolute Diamond

Thanks For Nothing - Seriously Serious

One night back in December, I was working late and put on an old favorite, Far As Hell's Divided We Stand, to get me through the rest of my work. Usually I loop albums when I do this, but this time around, I decided to listen to a few recommended songs that came on afterwards. One of those happened to be a song called "Miss Fly" by a band called Seriously Serious, and it immediately caught my attention. It was catchy, had great guitars, and the lead singer's voice was really unique. So afterwards, I looked to see if it was off an album, and sure enough, it came from their latest effort, Thanks For Nothing.

I can't even describe how quickly I fell in love with this album, and that doesn't just happen for me. Usually it takes a few good listens to really have an album catch on, but Thanks For Nothing hooked me instantly. From the second you hear the drum intro of "Think Twice," you know you're in for an awesome ride. It's an album that just oozes with catchy melodies inspired by early power pop and alternative, all with a dash of punk to make a complete experience. Whether that's the upbeat guitars of "One Minute To Midnight," the energy of "That's What She Said," or the grandios finale that is "Be Ready," I couldn't get enough of this album, and had to have listened to it at least 10 times the following day. It very quickly entered my essential albums list, and I am so exiced to explore the rest of Seriously Serious' catalogue, and follow what they do next.

Favorite Track: "Just A Memory"

And that about wraps this list up. Lots of great music got me through 2025, and I can't wait to see what this year holds for albums!