Music Year-End List || Dennis’ Favorite Albums of 2025

“When the universe looks right at you // You’d be wise to hold its gaze // Averted, missed opportunities // A crisis on its way” (from Universe Blues by Moon Orchids).

“What once was pure through your childish eyes is complicated by the truth // What once was pure as a shot so sure has you longing for a time // When you could stand judging right and wrong through tight drawn blinds // At safe distance” (from At Safe Distance by Patterson Hood).

We live in uncertain times, but music still knows how to meet us wherever we are, whether by giving voice to our feelings, offering an empathetic hug, or simply providing a much-needed distraction. The journeys songwriters take—often more compelling than any destination—lead us through personal and family reconciliation, anxiety and imagination, nostalgia and escapism, emotions and vulnerability, holding on and giving up. Bridging past and present, my favorite musicians and new discoveries shape their messages and sounds with equal parts mind and heart (usually with a guitar in hand, but that goes without saying). Throughout last year, there was plenty to appreciate, if not get completely lost in.

In 2025, I checked out 2,600+ new albums—it’s far from possible to listen to everything that came out—which ultimately led to a diverse longlist of 130 wantlist-worthy releases (the ones I was able to buy are shown in the photo above). Let’s dive in. The 50 records I liked and played the most—is there any accounting for taste?—are listed below, each with a standout song embedded (it’s all about the music after all). Links point to Discogs or Bandcamp (the headings), and where available to our previously posted, more extensive reviews (in the body text). As always: add to your wantlist—or even better: your collection—whatever you like!

Here we go, starting at the top (note: much less fun, but you can also turn to this playlist on Spotify).

1. Patterson Hood || Exploding Trees & Airplane Screams
[Americana, US || ATO Records] Portland, Oregon-based singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Patterson Hood stripped things back on this hauntingly beautiful set of ten ambitious songs steeped in melancholy, memory, and hard-earned grace. With heavenly guest appearances from Lydia Loveless, Waxahatchee, Wednesday, and other friends (and, according to himself, a lot of happy accidents). The Drive-By Truckers frontman balances darkness with warmth, his weathered voice carrying decades of stories and scars in an album that feels intimate and sprightly (he explores his growing up, and builds on a self-penned short story, The Exploding Trees). I wasn’t expecting it upon first listen—perhaps put off by the ominous cover art (Headache by Frances Thrasher aka Heaven4theYoung)—but this record ended up on my turntable again and again. It’s tender but tough, and it hits me every time.

2. The Tubs || Cotton Crown
[Indie Rock, UK || Trouble In Mind Records] Two years after their acclaimed debut Dead Meat (also #2 on my list then), London-based Welsh band The Tubs returned with another striking mix of jangly guitars and sharp hooks—as characteristic and off-center as we have come to know them, but with added emotional weight. The album’s cover photo, featuring frontman Owen “O” Williams as a baby with his late mother in a graveyard, hints at its deeply personal core, and that proves to be true. Across nine tracks, grief turns into melody, without becoming mournful. Inimitable.

3. Neverland Ranch Davidians || Shout It On The Mountain
[Garage Punk, US || Heavy Medication Records] Two years after their explosive debut, the Los Angeles trio returned with a bigger, bolder follow-up. This is a wild rock ‘n’ roll ride—thirteen tracks of gritty soul, punk energy, and swaggering rhythm & blues. Tex Mosley and crew tear through originals and killer covers alike, blending passion, groove, and raw attitude into one enticing mix. Loud, loose, and totally alive.

4. Escape-ism || Charge of the Love Brigade
[Found-Sound-Dream-Drama, US || Radical Elite Records] Ian Svenonius tears up the rulebook with his fifth outing as Escape-ism. Joined by Sandi Denton, he rewires rock’s DNA into something revolutionary and eccentric, thrillingly strange yet instantly catchy—equal parts manifesto and dance party. Think Suicide meets The Velvet Underground with a wink—vintage electronics, stimulating grooves, poetic talk-singing, and choruses that sneak up on you. Absorbing.

5. Little Barrie & Malcolm Catto || Electric War
[Psych Rock, UK || Easy Eye Sound] Rock ‘n’ roll, blues, psych, funk, soul, kraut, and jazz collide in groove and gravel that march in hypnotic patterns. Guitarist Barrie Cadogan, bassist Lewis Wharton, and drummer Malcolm Catto crafted eight tracks that balance cinematic scope with raw spontaneity—every note feels both meticulously sculpted and effortlessly cool. This is a masterclass in rhythm, restraint, and rock’s more adventurous corners. 

6. Brian Bilston and The Catenary Wires || Sounds Made By Humans
[Indie Pop, UK || Skep Wax] Poet Brian Bilston joins indie pop luminaries Amelia Fletcher and Rob Pursey for a wonderful collaboration that feels as natural as it is inspired. With Ian Button and Fay Hallam completing the line-up, they created thirteen songs where Bilston’s witty verse and The Catenary Wires’ melodic spark merge seamlessly in smart, modern pop that’s both playful and profound. Truly unique.

7. Moon Orchids || Moon Orchids
[Indie Folk, US || Positively 4th Street] Led by singer-songwriter Jacob Simons, Kalamazoo’s Moon Orchids delivered a debut LP as delicate as their floral namesake—eight immersive tracks at the intersection of folk, pop, blues, and rock, filled with intriguing lyrics, lush instrumentation, and expressive vocals. The production is refined yet organic, revealing new details with each listen. Intelligent, atmospheric, and beautifully arranged, this record still feels like a hidden gem waiting for quiet attention and generous replay. Discovery of the year?

8. Eades || Final Sirens Call
[Indie Rock, UK || Breakfast Records] On their second LP, the quintet from Leeds stretched their sound: still urgent and hooky, but more layered and confident, more orchestral and expansive. Across eleven tracks, they shift easily between swagger and reflection, keeping the storytelling sharp and the energy high. Eades is ambitious without losing its edge. If I hadn’t already been a fan, I would have become one.

9. The Vapors || Wasp In A Jar
[New Wave, UK || Absolute / Red Chuck Records] The Vapors proved their brilliance hasn’t faded. Their latest LP—released forty-five years after their iconic debut (and five years after a successful comeback album)—bursts with catchy choruses, sharp guitars, and the unmistakable voice of Dave Fenton. Beneath the earworms lie thoughtful lyrics and flashes of melancholy, yet the mood remains confident, fun, and full of life: “It’s like a nonstop radio playing all my favorite songs, everyone’s singing along.”

10. Pan Arcadia || Everything’s Fine
[Indie Rock, US || Self-Released] New York’s Pan Arcadia channels chaos into catharsis on this dazzling sophomore album that transforms urban burnout into euphoric rock. Across twelve eclectic tracks, the quintet blends swaggering guitars, punchy choruses, and lyrical wit to capture the contradictions of modern city life—connection and confusion, humor and heartache. It’s a restless and vibrant late-night soundtrack for dancing through disillusionment. A physical release would make me feel even better.

11. The Beths || Straight Line Was A Lie
[Indie Rock, New Zealand || Anti- Records] Their fourth studio album in seven years is the sharpest and most emotionally complex record of Auckland’s The Beths yet, balancing intelligence and immediacy perfectly. Frontwoman Elizabeth Stokes writes through shifting mental landscapes, turning medication, melancholy, and meaning-making into jangly anthems that shimmer with clarity and heart. The sound of growing up without growing dull. Pop perfection.

12. Jim Bob || Automatic / Stick
[Pop-Punk, US || Cherry Red Records] It was a pleasant surprise that Jim Bob released two separate albums—we shouldn’t consider it a double album—on the same day. I still can’t decide which I like better; both Automatic (more subdued) and Stick (more energetic) showcase the cult hero’s unmatched storytelling and sharp, witty observations, coupled with memorable melodies and effective riffs, proving his solo run is still evolving in all the right ways. A double triumph.

13. Guided By Voices || Thick Rich And Delicious
[Indie Rock, US || GBV Inc.] Every time you think you have enough GBV in your life, new work proves once again too good to ignore. Their 42nd(!) album finds Robert Pollard and his friends blending brand-new songs with long-shelved gems, blurring the lines between past and present with effortless charm—still sounding unmistakably like themselves, but freshly charged. Another essential chapter from a prolific band that simply doesn’t miss.

14. Thee Headcoats || The Sherlock Holmes Rhythm ‘n’ Beat Vernacular
[Garage Rock, UK || Damaged Goods] As always, Billy Childish has secured a deserved spot on my year-end list. This time with a 12-track blast of punk-charged R&B and raw garage rock by Thee Headcoats. Paired with a simultaneous release from Thee Headcoatees, this album feels like a loud and spirited reawakening that plays like a greatest hits compilation of their enduring aesthetic.

15. De Keefmen || Different Worlds
[Garage Rock, The Netherlands || Soundflat Records] After a decade away, the Dutch trio returned in top form with a keen, soulful fresh dose of Nederbeat energy. Across twelve fuzzed-out yet finely crafted tracks, the band blend vibrant vocals, groovy rhythms, and timeless garage rock grit. It’s catchy, confident, and full of heart—a triumphant comeback that showcases the enduring skills of Henri Sulmann, Peter Kroes, and Arjan Spies.

16. The Gnomes || The Gnomes
[Garage Beat, Australia || Dog Meat Records] Breaking out of Melbourne’s Bayside suburbs with a blast of vintage swagger, this fully charged four-piece released an electrifying debut LP with the spirit of 60s mod—twelve tracks of fuzzed-out riffs, catchy hooks, and authentic brilliance. It was a confident arrival that demonstrates classic rock ‘n’ roll energy still burns bright in Australia’s new generation. It didn’t get much cooler than this.

17. The Laughing Chimes || Whispers In The Speech Machine
[Jangle Pop, US || Slumberland Records] Inspired by Appalachian ghost towns, Ohio’s Seurkamp brothers blend eloquent vocals, shimmering guitar jangle, and mysterious synths that lend a Gothic hue. Across eight richly textured tracks, their sophomore album explores the tension between brightness and brooding romanticism. It’s an evocative constellation of songs that shows the youthful spirit that made their debut so likeable is still present.

18. Comet Gain || Letters To Ordinary Outsiders
[Indie Pop, UK || Tapete Records] Three decades in, Comet Gain returned in full jangling glory on this love letter to the tender-hearted misfits they’ve always championed. David Christian’s literate songwriting meets the band’s punk-and-soul spark across twelve nostalgic, melancholy-kissed indie pop postcards. Snippets of band chatter add warmth and immediacy, but beneath the loose surface sits a tight, thoughtful record. It’s intimate and idiosyncratic, still fighting the good fight.

19. Benny J Ward || Super!
[Power Pop, Australia || Cheersquad Records & Tapes] From the Perth Hills came Benny J Ward’s irresistible burst of pure power pop energy, eleven hook-packed tracks that blend jangly guitars and bubblegum melodies, with some emotional chaos. Beneath the fun lies a restless heart—songs of longing, frustration, and obsession disguised as sunny sing-along hits. This is punchy, melodic perfection that sticks to your brain and refuses to leave.

20. Ezra Furman || Goodbye Small Head
[Alternative Rock, US || Bella Union] Across twelve tracks, Ezra Furman—nowadays: Ms. Ezra Furman—explores what it means to lose control and still find strength in the wreckage. This is a rock record at heart, full of restless energy, but layered with strings and samples—a visceral, emotional ride that feels both deranged and genuine. The trademark mix of vulnerability, defiance, and wild-eyed passion is intact, recalling the spark of early work with The Harpoons, while sounding utterly present.

21  Zack Keim || Battery Lane
[Indie Folk, US || Action Weekend / Super Sport Records] Blending indie folk warmth with flashes of power pop, garage rock, and country shimmer, Pittsburgh’s Zack Keim shapes songs that feel both familiar and fresh, with a knack for melody, and clear yet expressive vocals shifting from tender to gritty as the mood demands. This sophomore album plays like a lovingly curated mixtape of his best ideas.

22. Heat Manager || Relaxed American
[Indie Folk, US || American Grapefruit] ‘New York Choogle’ trio Heat Manager served up a nostalgic, sun-faded gem with their debut LP. It unfolds like a scrapbook of pop cultural references and other memories: Coachella ’11, a ’99 Camry, the ghosts of Elvis’ studio, and the ache of wanting to be somewhere else. Pop, rock, folk, and country come together with sultry melodies and sharp storytelling, what’s not to like?

23. Chicos de Nazca || Cherry Bowl
[Neo-Psych, Chile/Germany || Self-Released] Chicos de Nazca delivered nine tracks of lush, neo-psychedelic bliss. Sun-soaked guitars shimmer, easy-going vocals drift like heat haze, and the grooves stretch out with sedative ease. The Santiago de Chile-originated/Berlin-based band captures that endless-summer feeling where time slows and everything glows. Equal parts languid and electrifying, this is music for golden afternoons, late nights, and everything in between—the soundtrack of my summer.

24. The Prize || In The Red
[Power Pop, Australia || Anti Fade Records / Goner Records] Ever since we saw them live a few years ago, we’ve been eagerly anticipating their debut full-length album, and finally Melbourne’s three-guitar power pop force fulfilled that desire. Expectations were met with a hook-packed mix of punk bite, hard rock swagger, and melodic finesse. Pure rock ‘n’ roll adrenaline with high-voltage energy.

25. The Guy Hamper Trio featuring James Taylor || The Goddess Tree
[Rhythm & Blues, UK || Spinout Nuggets] On their fourth LP in as many years, Guy Hamper aka Billy Childish (yes, he again), Juju Hamper and Wolf Howard teamed up once more with Hammond maestro James Taylor, for another twelve gloriously unpolished tunes of garage rock and soulful R&B. It’s wild and unfiltered, with cinematic flair and infectious groove.

26. Holly Golightly || Look Like Trouble
[Garage Soul, UK || Damaged Goods Records] It was worth the seven-year wait: phenomenon Holly Golightly returned in full swing with this sharp but charming album that verifies her name hasn’t faded a bit. She blends garage rock, punk blues, and smoky soul with effortless confidence and nonchalant cool. Her voice lifts up the album’s timeless groove, while the band—longtime collaborators—delivers a lived-in sound that’s powerful yet delicate.

27. The Limiñanas || Faded
[Garage Psych, France || Because Music / Berreto Music] Lionel & Marie Limiñana celebrated their 15th anniversary as The Limiñanas with a spellbinding 2-LP that displays the fading glamor of old Hollywood, a stylish, immersive journey through the dreamlike Theater of Cruelty. This next step surprised with well-chosen covers (Louie Louie, Où Va La Chance) and striking collaborations (Bobby Gillespie, Juniore’s Anna Jean, Jon Spencer & Pascal Comelade, and more). Blending cinematic instrumentals and haunting grooves, this collection balances nostalgic melancholy with the duo’s signature hypnotic pulse.

28. Hamilton Leithauser || This Side of the Island
[Indie Rock, US || Glassnote Music LLC] The Walkmen’s frontman reemerged with a beautifully bittersweet collection of songs about love, distance, and self-destruction. It ranges from energetic rockers to lush reflections, with honed storytelling, sunlit melodies, and always those signature vocals that conceal any emotional turbulence. Bruised romanticism full of soul.

29. Brad Marino || On The Brink: Rarities, Remixes & Unreleased
[Power Pop, US || Rum Bar Records] These aren’t just leftovers, but a hand-picked suite of singles, unreleased cuts, remixes, and deep-catalog gems. Punchy and filler-free, it’s an appealing blend of 60s-soaked garage rock and Ramonesque pop-punk. Ace originals sit alongside standout covers (including Hoodoo Gurus’ What’s My Scene?, one of my favorite songs), all reminding us why Brad Marino is one of rock ‘n’ roll’s most reliable heroes.

30. Native Sun || Concrete Language
[Alternative Rock, US || TODO] I only recently discovered this debut LP full of early punk ferocity, garage rock grit, and art rock ambition, but upon first listen, I knew it had to be on this list (and in my collection). Frontman Danny Gomez fires off socially charged lyrics (“Come on, take a ride // In my subconscious view // Won’t you be there too?”), while the band pivots from breakneck rippers to slacker sway and breezy dawn-after indie. Wow.

31. Clock Radio || Turfin’ Out the Maniacs
[Slacker Pop, UK || Danish Goodtime Records] No matter how hard you try, you miss a lot of new music you wish you hadn’t missed. In this case, Oliver Daltrey from Clock Radio clearly sensed that his new band is right up our alley, and I couldn’t be more thrilled that he introduced us to this quietly released gem. Its ten songs wrestle with middle age, friendship, and life’s absurdities, delivered with spontaneous vocals and live-in performances that feel like a late-night living-room session. Not to be missed.

32 Ryli || Come and Get Me
[Indie Pop, US || Dandy Boy Records] Bay Area indie outfit Ryli—Yea-Ming Chen, Rob Good, Luke Robbins, and Ian McBrayer—bursted onto the scene with a debut brimming with chemistry and confidence. They deliver ten jangly, melodic songs that capture the pure joy of making music with friends—and it sounds every bit as good as that feels.

33. Tom Henry || Songs to Sing and Dance To
[Power Pop, US || Royal Oakie Records] Chicago-born/Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter Tom Henry, aka Big Star Tom, debuted with twelve songs that exude 70s power pop charm through jangly guitars, vintage organs, and melodic finesse. This album is a vibrant blend of nostalgia and new energy, warmly orchestrated and emotionally charged.

34. Jacuzzi Boys || Too Cold To Tango
[Garage Rock, US || Self-Released] Only released on December 5, this is a last-minute contender, but the Miami trio’s first full-length since 2016 has everything it needs to belong here. Recorded live in just two days at Memphis’ legendary Sam Phillips Recording studio, the band delivers nine energetic, unvarnished tracks that feel raw, loose, and spirited—a candid snapshot of catchy rock ‘n’ roll in motion.

35. The Dogmatics || Nowheresville
[Garage Rock, US || Rum Bar Records] Boston garage rock legends The Dogmatics have released several worthy EPs in recent years, but Nowheresville was their first new full-length in nearly 40 years. It’s punchy, eclectic—you hear influences from punk, power pop, alt-country, and bluegrass—and heartfelt, blending 80s nostalgia with contemporary flair. Anchored in family, friendship, and the band’s storied history, it brought everything you could hope for in such a comeback.

36. Gyasi || Here Comes The Good Part
[Glam Rock, US || Alive Naturalsound Records] Multi-faceted phenomenon Gyasi (Jah-See) strutted confidently into a brighter spotlight with this dazzling glam-rock revival LP bursting with swagger and sparkle. Across twelve tracks, he blends stomping anthems and sleazy riffs with slick, modern polish. From glitter-drenched rockers to lush pop moments, it’s a fearless, flamboyant celebration of theatrical rock ‘n’ roll—all hooks, heat, and high-heeled bravado.

37. MindsOne || Stages
[Hip Hop, US || Fort Lowell Records] North Carolina collective MindsOne takes us on an ambitious 17-track journey through the cycles of life—from birth to reflection—with sharp lyricism and soulful depth. Across its 63-minute runtime, KON Sci and Tronic (together with skilled friends) perform thought-provoking verses over jazzy, sample-rich production, tight beats, and fluid turntablism. Introspective and energizing.

38. Family Company || Pieces of Us
[Soul, US || Self-Released] LA-based music collective Family Company teamed up with powerhouse soul singer Sam Pounds for a full-band LP cut the old-school way, with the musicians in a circle, tape rolling, mind wide open. Across eleven groove-soaked tracks, rich instrumentation—guitars, organ, percussion, horns, strings, harmonies—wraps around the room-filling vocals, preaching love, hope, and unity. The kind of medicine the moment calls for.

39. Grateful Cat || Ready To Go Anywhere
[Folk Pop, Germany || Waterfall Records] Berlin DIY duo Grateful Cat merges folk, twee pop, and a touch of bossa nova into twelve melodic, sun-hazed tunes full of sly humor and soft melancholy, turning everyday chaos into jangly charm and comforting connection. Here are harmonies to sing, smiles to share, and spirits to lift.

40. The Len Price 3 || Misty Medway Magick
[Garage Beat, UK || Wicked Cool Records] Twenty years in, the mod revival trio still delights with electrifying melodies, spirited vocals, and infectious “whoo-hoo” choruses. Their latest fuzzed-up burst of pub-rock energy fused with British Invasion pop also won me over. There’s no grand reinvention, just unpretentious fun. A joyful reaffirmation of their wizardry.

41. The Violet Mindfield || Distorted Portrait
[Garage Rock, US || Outro Records] Southern California’s The Violet Mindfield shared 14 garage-psych gems steeped in 60s freakbeat flair—all fuzzed-out guitars, swirling organ, and irresistible hooks, It’s a kaleidoscopic, high-energy trip—radiating the energy of Swinging London—that feels both vintage and alive, proving the five musicians are masters at turning retro inspiration into pure, modern-day excitement.

42. Ugly Sounds || Never Say I’m Doomed
[Garage Punk, Italy || Groovie Records] The Italian trio rose from the crypt with 11 raw, riotous garage punk cuts that could slip seamlessly onto a Back from the Grave compilation. Fueled by frantic guitars, pounding drums, and unhinged vocals, this is dirty, dangerous, and deliriously alive.

43. The Morning Bird || Dying Since The Day I Was Born
[Roots Rock, US || Self-Released] The debut LP from this Cleveland, Ohio-based four-piece delivered ten gripping songs where dark, personal narratives meet warm melodies and rugged Americana rock. What begins as hushed roots music quickly ignites into something rawer and more hard-hitting, carried by Jeremy Taylor’s heartfelt vocals and lines like “I gave you my heart, you gave me pawn shop drugs.” Heavy stuff, performed in a spellbinding manner.

44. Birthday Squirrel || Higher, Warmer
[Campfire Psych, Canada || Angry Pigeon] Brand new, but it feels like a lost psych-folk treasure. Based on Mike Frolick’s journey through sleeplessness and honest self-reflection, it works as a melodic, emotionally open 41-minute therapy session—scruffy, sincere, and secretly sublime. Only just released, but I became an instant fan.

45. Delivery || Force Majeure
[Post-Punk, Australia || Heavenly Recordings] This is a blistering sophomore album that turns indie rock tension into 40 minutes of controlled chaos. The Melbourne band fires on all cylinders: rumbling rhythms, biting guitars, and four vocalists driving twelve tightly wound tracks.

46. The Hello Crows || The Hello Crows
[Indigenous Rock, US/Canada || Castle Records] This self-titled debut is a powerful blend of folk and rock rooted in Wabanaki tradition yet charged with contemporary urgency. The Indigenous collective makes an indelible impression with nine songs in which resilience, grief, and hope merge with evocative storytelling and striking harmonies. They weave survival, memory, and reclamation into something timeless, atmospheric, and deeply affecting.

47. Working Battery || Volume One
[Experimental Rock, US || Clearly Records] The names of Pierre de Gaillande and Mike Watt pricked my ears, yet I was surprised by their inventive fusion of rock, jazz, reggae, funk, electronics, and improvisation. Activist lyrics add strength, but it’s even more the fearless creativity and percussion-driven architecture that make these twelve eclectic tracks so compelling.

48. Sean Keel || Dinosaur
[Indie Folk, US || Icons Creating Evil Art] In these stark, intimate songs, Sean Keel once again traces the quiet devastations and small mercies that shape ordinary lives. His cracked voice and bare arrangements let the details do the heavy lifting (missed buttons, dying leaves, a stolen neon sign, parades dissolving in rain). The record reminds us of the truth that everything we hold eventually lets go, and the holding is what makes it matter. It gets me every time.

49. Talulah Paisley || Fool
[Art Rock, US || People’s Coalition of Tandy x Ducky Collection] The long-gestating debut from Lyris Faron’s art rock persona unfolds like a technicolor coming-of-age fairy tale staged with theatrical sweep. Blending orchestral grandeur with intimate bedroom pop confessions, it’s an audacious concept album that showcases her striking vocals and witty lyrics in a whimsical, weird, and emotionally gutting domain.

50. Sumac & Moor Mother || The Film
[Free-Metal / Spoken Word, US || Daymare Recordings / SIGE / Thrill Jockey] A clash of styles that shouldn’t work, but actually led to a synergistic climax. Post-metal trio SUMAC and poet Moor Mother joined forces for a 2-LP that bends metal, free jazz, experimental hip hop, noise, and radical poetics into one expansive narrative work. Conceived not as a set of songs but as a full cinematic experience, it pushes against industry convention with shape-shifting riffs, searing vocal incantations, and themes of land, displacement, climate, and liberation. Heavy and hypnotic, it’s an intimidating cosmic storm of brute sound and visionary storytelling.

This finale actually feels so overwhelming that I’d like to take a break here, but for those who want more, there is more. In addition to the Top 50 above, these are 50 honorable mentions bubbling under (in alphabetical order; links point to previous write-ups where available).

Naïm Amor & Kid Congo Powers || Tuscon Safari [Noir Surf, US || In The Red Records]

Atlantic Thrills || III [Garage Rock, US || Almost Ready Records]

Bass Drum of Death || SIX [Garage Rock, US || Cobraside]

Big Thief || Double Infinity [Indie Folk, US || 4AD]

Black Market Karma || Mellowmaker [Psych Gaze, UK || Fuzz Club Records]

Canyon Lights || Breathe Easy [Blues Rock, US || Self-Released]

Cardinal Black || Midnight at The Valencia [Heartland Rock, Wales || Jump in Records / Thirty Tigers]

The Cords || The Cords [Indie Pop, UK || Skep Wax Records / Slumberland Records]

Creem Circus || Get.Switched.On! [Glam Rock, US || Creep Records]

The Crystal Teardrop || The Crystal Teardrop…Is Forming [Garage Psych, UK || Rise Above Records]

Daily Toll || A Profound Non-Event [Post-Punk, Australia || Tough Love]

Scott Evil || Big Dipper [Shoegaze, Germany || Backpack Records / Spinda Records]

Ex-Vöid || In Love Again [Indie Rock, UK || Tapete Records]

Robert Finley || Hallelujah! Don’t Let The Devil Fool Ya [Blues, US || Easy Eye Sound]

Floodlights || Underneath [Alternative Rock, Australia || [PIAS]] 

Robert Forster || Strawberries [Indie Pop, Australia || Tapete Records]

The Fynches || The Fynches [Psychedelic Rock, Ireland || Self-Released)

The Gentle Spring || Looking Back At The World [Indie Pop, France || Skep Wax Records]

The Goods || Don’t Spoil The Fun [Power Pop, US || Dandy Boy Records]

Thee Headcoatees || Man-Trap [Garage Rock, UK || Damaged Goods]

Hunx and his Punx || Walk Out On This World [Garage Pop, US || Get Better Records]

Alex Kasznel & the Board of Directors || Flightless [Pop-Punk, US || Air Quotes Records]

The Kryng || Sweet Vibration [Garage Beat, The Netherlands || Soundflat Records]

Jeffrey Lewis || The Even More Freewheelin’ Jeffrey Lewis [Folk Punk, US || Blang Records / Don Giovanni Records]

The Loft || Everything Changes Everything Stays The Same [Indie Pop, UK || Tapete Records]

Lone Striker || Lone Striker [Indie Pop, UK/US || Hidden Bay Records / Repeating Cloud / Safe Suburban Home Records]

David Lowery || Fathers, Sons and Brothers [Americana, US || Cooking Vinyl]

Lutheran Heat || Hi Again [Pop Punk, US || Piñata Records]

Patton Magee || Last Cowboy on the Prairie [Alt-Country, US || Nudie Records]

Massy Ferguson || You Can’t Tell Me I’m Not What I Used To Be [Heartland Rock, US || North and Left Records]

Maybe Margate ||  Hello Rush [Twee Pop, France || Too Good To Be True]

Frank Meyer || Living Between The Lines [Heartland Rock, US || Kitten Robot Records]

Adam Newling || Love Takes Care Pt. 2 [Alt-Country, Australia || Space 44]

Olas De Surya || LINDA [Garage Rock, US || Self-Released]

Pastel || Souls In Motion [Indie Rock, UK || Spirit of Spike Island]

Pop Filter || Trade Place Tape [Indie Pop, Australia | Bobo Integral / Osborne Again]

Quality Used Cars || One Hundred Million [Garage Pop, Australia || Spoilsport Records]

Los Retumbes || Violentos Torpedos de Realidad [Garage Rock, Spain || Folc Records]

Luther Russell || Happiness For Beginners [Power Pop, US || Curation Records]

Ryan Sambol || Friend Of The Show [Folk Blues, US || Double Alligator / Abrahamic Music]

Santa Maria Death Trip || Lili’s Garden [Garage Psych, France || Staubgold]

Shapes Like People || Ticking Haze [Dream Pop, UK/New Zealand || Jangleshop Records]

Oswald Slain || BUCKY [Alternative Rock, UK || Self-Released] 

Superchunk || Songs in the Key of Yikes [Alternative Rock, US || Merge Records]

Teenage Tom Petties || Rally The Tropes [Slacker Rock, UK/US || Repeating Cloud / Safe Suburban Home]

The Telephone Numbers || Scarecrow II [Indie Pop, US || Slumberland Records]

Token Hearts || Token Hearts [Garage Pop, US || Midnight Cruiser Records]

Tulpa || Monster Of The Week [Indie Rock, UK || Skep Wax]

The Unknowns || Looking From the Outside [Garage Punk, Australia || Bargain Bin Records / Drunken Sailor Records]

WITCH || Sogolo [Psychedelic Rock, Zambia || Desert Daze Sound / Partisan Records]

Niek will publish his AOTY list the day after tomorrow. Click here for more year-end lists, including those from some of our favorite other blogs.