2025 Music
Each December since this blog began, I’ve shared a brief recap of my listening and reading for the year. This year, I realized that I wanted to write a bit more than usual, so I’m breaking it into two posts. We’ll do music today and books tomorrow!
Early in the year, I commented that 2025 was going to be “the year of Canadian folk.” That prediction largely turned out to be true, as my Spotify Wrapped confirmed. Here are my top artists of 2025:
- Donovan Woods
- Wild Rivers
- The East Pointers
- Ken Yates
- Ruston Kelly
And here are my top 5 tracks:
- Miner’s Dream (The East Pointers)
- Pablo Picasso (Matt Nathanson)
- How Good (Donovan Woods)
- Bedrock (Wild Rivers)
- Never Better (Wild Rivers)
The rest of the playlist continues in much the same way - feel free to check it out! Admittedly, this has not been my most adventurous year of listening. I’ve largely stuck with long-time favorite artists and those with similar sounds. But I’ve also been more intentional about really listening to music this year, instead of letting it fade into background noise. And that’s a trend I’m hoping to continue in 2026.
Having said that, here are a few superlatives that I think are worth calling out:
Favorite Album: Pale, Through the Window (Ruston Kelly)
Pale, Through the Window came out in mid-September, and by early December I had listened to it enough for Ruston Kelly to be in my top 5 artists. And the album really is that good - a triumphant and unapologetically joyful record from a man who has been to the edge and returned with newfound faith and love. I’ve listened to and enjoyed his previous work, but the lyrical themes and buttery-smooth production take this one over the top. It’s been on a constant loop with “Give Up the Ghost,” “Wayside,” and “Me and You” as particular standout tracks.
Favorite Song: “How Good” (Donovan Woods)
This song wasn’t even new in 2025, but it has become a bit of an anthem for me as the year progressed. In a world where uncertainty feels endless and inescapable, it can be easy to slip into pessimism. I’m trying to lean into these words from my favorite artist: “What if the only thing we don’t know yet, is how good it’s gonna get?”
Favorite New Artist: Fielder
A collaboration between singer-songwriters Skye Peterson and Addison Agen, Fielder’s music feels timeless and relevant all at once. The lead single, “Good Things Come,” has become a “never skip” track for me when it comes on, subtle and beautifully written.
Wildcard: The Foreign Landers
Like many aspiring mandolinists, I first discovered David Benedict on YouTube a couple of years ago. But it was only late in 2025 that I started listening to David’s original music with his wife, Tabitha. I’m sorry that I waited this long, as these are excellent, faith-filled, modern bluegrass tunes that are inescapably catchy and expertly executed. I’m looking forward to their impending full-length release in 2026!
What have you been listening to this year? Feel free to drop me a note, and I’ll be back tomorrow with books!
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