Mary Beth’s 2025 in Review
By WTJU Rock
The ladies really dominated my favorites list this year! Here are 10 new albums I loved in 2025:
Ace by Madison Cunningham (Verve)
For me, Madi takes the cake for 2025. On her third album (and her first not driven by guitar), her songwriting is both heartbreaking and gorgeous. I also enjoyed several albums this year that feature her!
Favorite tracks: “Beyond That Moon,” “Take Two”
The rest are in no particular order!
The Clearing by Wolf Alice (Columbia)
This was my album of the summer!
Favorite tracks: “Passenger Seat,” “Safe In The World”
Dog Eared by Billie Marten (Fiction Records)
Heard “Swing” randomly while driving this summer and have had this album on repeat ever since!
Favorite tracks: “Goodnight Moon,” “Swing”
Billboard Heart by Deep Sea Diver (Sub Pop)
Started listening to Deep Sea Diver this year thanks to a Madison Cunningham feature!
Favorite tracks: “What Do I Know,” “Let Me Go (feat. Madison Cunningham)”
Lucius by Lucius (Wildewoman Music and Fantasy Records)
Another Madi feature that led me back to a band I hadn’t listened to since 2013!
Favorite tracks: “Gold Rush,” “Impressions (feat. Madison Cunningham)”
Snocaps by Snocaps (Anti-)
Katie and Allison Krutchfield plus MJ Lenderman? Unstoppable. Solid album all the way through.
Favorite tracks: “Coast,” “Wasteland,” “Cherry Hard Candy”
Anthology 4 by The Beatles (Apple)
While I’m disappointed by the lack of previously unreleased material (lots of repeats from previous reissues can be found on the tracklist), Anthology 4 includes a few groundbreaking studio outtakes!
Favorite tracks: “Tell Me Why (Takes 12 and 13)” (we get to hear George rehearsing his harmony!), “Nowhere Man (First Version – Take 2),” “I Need You (Take 1),” “I’ve Just Seen a Face (Take 3)”
The Light for Days by Jacob Collier (Decca)
Jacob Collier albums tend to be a mix of hit and miss for me. This one was no different, but the hits were really hits.
Favorite track: “I Know (A Little)” (and an honorary mention for a great cover of “Norwegian Wood”)
Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party by Hayley Williams (Post Atlantic)
While I love Hayley Williams’ music with Paramore, this was my first time checking out one of her solo albums.
Favorite track: “Mirtazapine”
Send a Prayer My Way by Julien Baker & TORRES (Matador Records)
I was hooked from the first single (still my favorite track)!
Favorite track: “Sugar In The Tank”
Mary Beth co-hosts Ragtag Radio, Saturdays, 1 1 p.m. – 1 a.m.
