CRSTL.FM DJs pick their favs of 2025

This week we take a look back at the year that was 2025, with over a dozen top 10 (or more) lists from former KDHX DJs (and future Community Radio STL DJs) and volunteers of LOVE. It’s been a hard year in so many ways, but the music always soothes and lifts our spirits — and 2025 was a wonderful year for that!

What were your favorite musical (and more) moments of 2025? Leave a comment and let us know!

Curt Faigle - Music at Work

Favorite Albums of 2025

Willow Avalon – Southern Belle Raisin’ Hell (Atlantic)The Delines – Mr. Luck & Ms. Doom (El Cortez)Kathleen Edwards – Billionaire (Dualtone)GoGo Penguin – Necessary Fictions (XXIM)Midlake – A Bridge To Far (self)Royel Otis – hickey (Capitol)Silverada – Texas 42 (Prairie Rose)Stereolab – Instant Holograms on Metal Film (Warp)Tortoise – Touch (Nonesuch)Wet Leg – Moisturizer (Domino)

Lee Howland - (formerly of Rhythm Highways on KDHX; new show coming to Community Radio St. Louis soon!)

Favorite Albums of 2025

Andrew Duncanson - California Trap (Rib Records)Kirk Fletcher - Keep On Pushing (VizzTone Label Group)D.K. Harrel - Talkin’ Heavy (Alligator Records)Johnnie Johnson - I’m Just Johnnie (Missouri Morning Records)Matt ‘The Rattlesnake’ Lesch - Blues Cut Like Glass (Blue Lotus Productions)Doug MacLeod - Between Somewhere And Goodbye (Reference Recordings/Fresh!)Larry McCray - Heartbreak City (KTBA (Keeping The Blues Alive) Records)Pierre Lacocque’s Mississippi Heat - Don’t Look Back (Delmark Records)Maria Muldaur - One Hour Mama - The Blues of Victoria Spivey (Nola Blue Records)Anthony ‘Big A’ Sherrod - Torchbearer of the Clarksdale Sound (Music Maker Foundation)

Caron House - Wax Lyrical

Favorite Songs of 2025

“Time Waited” by My Morning Jacket“Had To” by Ester Rose“London May” by Bonnie “Prince” Billy“Trouble” by Sharon van Etten“Half Real” by Geese“Little Things” by Bella White“Back at the Start” by Patty Griffin“Cherry Plum” by Samantha Crain & Wilderado“Piece of Heaven” by Tame Impala“Wreck” by Neko Case“Nettles” Ethel Cain“Relationships” by HAIM“Double Infinity” by Big Thief“It’s a Mirror” by Perfume Genius“Dancing in the Club” by This Is Lorelei (f. MJ Lenderman)“Elderberry Wine” by Wednesday“New Threats from the Soul” by Ryan Davis & the Roadhouse Band“Ancient Light” by I’m With Her“Afterlife” by Alex G“My Full Name” Madison Cunningham

Steve St. Cyr - Songwriters Showcase

Favorite Albums and Songs of 2025

Dana Michael Anderson - “Dirty Kitchen Window” (song)Kip Loui - “Can’t Wait Around” (song)Will Kimbrough - “Gratitude & Grief (for Todd)” (song)Jesse Welles - “Middle” (album and song)Hayes Carll - “We’re Only Human” (album and song)Jesse Welles - “Siddhartha” (song)Aubory Bugg - “I’ve Come to Realize” (song)Jesse Welles - “Wild Onions - Live at the Fillmore” (song)Tom Russell - “Mt Olive” (song)

Rob Levy - Juxtaposition

Favorite Albums of 2025

The Cords – The CordsJeanines – How Long Can It LastLambrini Girls – Who Let The Dogs OutPulp – MoreThe Reds, Pinks, and Purples – The Past Is A Garden I Never FedShepparton Airplane – ForecastStereolab - Instant Holograms on Metal FilmSuede – AntidepressantsTremours – FragmentsSharon Van Etten & the Attachment Theory - Sharon Van Etten & the Attachment Theory

X24 - Next Exit

2025 Favorite Releases

(In alphabetical order)

P. Thomas Anderson - One Battle After Another (movie)Fox Warren - 2 (LP)Geese - Getting Killed (LP)Horsegirl - Phonetics On and On (LP)Jason Isbell - Foxes in the Snow (LP)Papa Ray’s Vintage Vinyl Roadshow (TV)Rubel - Beleza. Agora a gente faz of que com isso? (LP)Severed (TV)Stereolab - Instant Holograms On Metal Film (LP)Youth Lagoon - Rarely Do I Dream (LP)

Ital K- Ital Rhythms

2025 Reggae Honourable mentions.....in no order

Kuzikk - Legalize [single, label-self]......the call for legalization continuesSister Nancy - Armageddon [album, label-Ariwa].....an album of reality vibes, conscious lyrics, and Mad Professor groovesShasha Marley - Africa Rise [album, label-self]....16 tracks of inspiring Reggae from Ghana, West Africa. Included is a personal recognition on one of the tracks!Howard Perry - Cool n Conscious [single, label- P&N]...cool and easy melody to accompany you through your dayVarious Artists - Real Riddim [album, label-Stingray]...11 classic versions over a steady rhythm track showcasing the versatility of the UK Reggae artistsJoseph Lalibela meets the Vibronics and Mafia & Fluxy - Ancient Breeze [album, label-Scoops]...10 track vocal & dub roots blend that keep you focusedChronixx - Exile [album, label-Forever Living Originals]....long awaited. His stage presence is missed, but his album fills that void. He’s opened the doors again.....Clinton Fearon - Jah Is Love [album, label-Boogie Brown].....never disappoints. 10 new inspiring tracks that leaves you enlightenedMikey General - Hail Selassie I Liveth [single, label-Meridian] ....his works and messages inspireAleighcia Scott - Fade Away [single, label-Dubtafarian].....wise conscious lyrics, from a BBC radio presenter of Welsh & Jamaican parentageSoothsayers - Love Will Find A Way [single-Red Earth]...a positive message that resonates with inspiration

Moe Fuz

Top 10 Releases of 2025

PFR - FarmcoreThese Southeast Missouri punkers pair skatecore with classic rock in a driving 12 minutes that just begs to be put on constant replay.Fight Back Mountain - Death and the MiserLocal Metal Punk Rockers who belt it out and make you feel it with their bombastic sound.

Daemon - EuphonicStarting with the joyous release of “Megalodon”, this hip hop album shows the St. Louis Emcee at the top of his game.

Daemon x Trackstar the DJ - Kill JoyAs if his own album and his ROTN collab ls weren’t enough, Daemon also teamed with Trackstar for this amazing collection of deep dark tracks.

Sewer Urchin - Global UrinationSt. Louis hardcore jokers who blend political rage, horror, and humor into the best speedmetal in the city.

Paige Alyssa - The Soft Era EPModern and throwback at the same time, Paige Alyssa’s Soft Era EP brings a slick current sound with a foundation of 80’s pop R&B that’ll make you groove.

Bates - The Terrible Tales of Mother GooseBates cements her legendary status with this concept album that is so dense and has so many layers that you find something new on each listen. A tour de force from one of St. Louis’ most enduring hip hop forces.

Superfun Yeah Yeah Rocketship - Do You Like to Party? Do You Like Rock n Roll? singleCelebrating his 1,000th show this year, Superfun rode his 2024 “Honk it for me Daddy” album into 2025, and closed out the year with this little ditty that’ll have you shouting “Yeah I like to party, yeah I like rock n roll!”

Malena Smith - 27 in Maine EPIn a year of highs, Malena’s “27 in Maine” celebrates songs that came out of a time of lows and rebirth in her life. Her triumphant Jazz St. Louis shows honoring Norah Jones and Nina Simone, set the stage for her tender, grounded sound that pulls straight from her soul.

Brian and Thomas Owens - Duets with DadTheir wonderfully viral “Change is Gonna Come” in 2013 was followed by an amazing concert at UMSL’s Touhill celebrating “Duets With Dad” in 2023. 2025 brought us a family special on PBS and a full album. Classic soul from these St. Louis legends.

Non StL Bonus - Eradicator - You Can Hate The EradicatorSilly but serious punk inspired by the Kids In The Hall sketch. The only non-StL band on my list. Just too funny. Had to include them.

Brian Lock - Universal Default

Favorite Albums of 2025

Orcutt Shelley Miller- S/T (Silver Current)Water Damage- Instruments (12XU)West Virginia Snake Handler Revival- They Shall Take Up Serpents (Sublime Frequencies)Slomo- The Creep (20th anniversary reissue) (Idelogical Organ)Battle Elf- 10 (Birdman)Charlemagne Palestine- 415 steppsss to DingggDonggg Paradise (Grambacht)Population II, Yoo Doo Right, Nolan Potter- Yoo II avec Nolan Potter (Mothland)Barry Walker Unit- At the 13th Moon Gravity Well (Jean Sandwich)Troupe Asnimer & JH Burch- S/T (Black Sweat Records)Jon Collin- Scart Lead / The Sun Rises on the Screen (World of Echo)

Rich Mueller - Open the Door, Richard

Favorite Albums of 2025

1) Ringo Starr - Look Up2) Masters Of Reality - The Archer3) Echolyn - Time Silent Radio II & VII (yes, two separate releases!)4) Stereolab - Instant Holograms On Metal Film5) Sparks - Mad!6) Jon Anderson & The Band Geeks - True7) Sloan - Based On The Best Seller8) Discipline - Bread Crumbs9) Tortoise - Touch9 1/2) Avett Brothers/Mike Patton - AVTT/PTTN10) Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives - Space Junk

Reissues Worth Mentioning

The Wondermints - The Wondermints (Remasterd, 1st time on vinyl!)Dada - Puzzle (remastered, 1st time on vinyl in the US)

Jackie T. - Full Circle

In no particular order, here are my favorite albums of 2025 with a little description and in Full Circle style paired with the classics that have the same feel.

1. Horsebath - “Another Farewell”Cosmic Country with a dash of Garage RockIYL: Sir Douglas Quintet, The Band, The Rolling Stones, Neil Young, and the gamut of Gram Parsons’ projects.

2. Patrick Sweany - “Baby, It’s Late”Modern, emotional and energetic Soul BluesIYL: Bobby Blue Bland, Hound Dog Taylor, Magic Sam, Junior Kimbrough, and Eddie Hinton

3. Curtis Harding - “Departures & Arrivals: Adventures of Captain Curt”Cinematic Funky SoulIYL: Curtis Mayfeild, Bobby Womack, and “What’s Going On” era Marvin Gaye

4. Julianna Riolino - “Echo in the Dust”Retro Indie Dream Pop with a slight twangIYL: Stone Poneys, The Mama’s and the Papa’s, and the Roches

5. Ewan Currie - “Strange Vacation”70s inspired soulful Rock; Solo project from the main singer of the SheepdogsIYL: CSNY, The Guess Who, CCR, and early Steely Dan

6. je’Texas - “Suit Yourself (Side A and B)”Vintage sounding Psychedelic Garage Rock out of AustinIYL: The Yardbirds, Cream, The Standells, and Paul Revere and the Raiders

7. Mavis Staples - “Sad and Beautiful World”Mavis’ signature Gospel-Soul take on songs by Tom Waits, Gillian Welch, Eddie Hinton, Kevin Morby, and moreIYL: Classic Mavis and the Staples Singers... It’s Mavis, she’s a Legend!

8. Robert Finley - “Hallelujah! Don’t Let the Devil Fool Ya”Funky modern Gospel-Soul/Blues coming out of Easy Eye Sound- produced by Dan AuerbachIYL: O.V. Wright, Darondo, and R.L. Burnside

9. Scott Ballew - “Paradiso”70s inspired Folk Rock backed by an allstar cast of members of the Deslondes, Twain, Cotton Jones, and Kevin Morby’s bandIYL: Neil Young with Crazy Horse mostly, with hints of Terry Allen, Townes Van Zandt, and Guy Clark

10. Don West - “Give Me All Your Love”Throwback smooth soulIYL: Marvin Gaye, Tyrone Davis, and the Delfonics

Roy Kasten - Feel Like Going Home

Ten Favorite Albums of 2025

Mulatu Astatke - Mulatu Plays MulatuThe Beths - Straight Line Was a LieRyan Davis & The Roadhouse Band - New Threats From the SoulThe Delines - Mr. Luck and Ms. DoomCraig Finn - Always BeenCass McCombs - Interior Live OakMidlake - A Bridge To FarVan Morrison - Remembering NowMavis Staples - Sad and Beautiful WorldKelsey Waldon - Every Ghost

John Wendland - Memphis to Manchester

Favorites of 2025

With the usual caveat that I only hear/see a small fraction of the onslaught of releases each year, these are things that really stood out to me. 2025 was a strong year for music. I could have added considerably more titles plus I’m sure I’ll remember others soon after this gets posted.

Two songs that stuck with me more than any others:

S.G. Goodman - Heaven SongRyan Davis & the Roadhouse Band - New Threats From the Soul

Albums:

Planting Seeds - S.G. GoodmanSad and Beautiful World - Mavis StaplesLUX - RosaliaThe Purple Bird - Bonnie “Prince” BillyMr. Luck & Ms. Doom - The DelinesOwls, Omens, and Oracles - Valerie JuneNew Threats From the Soul - Ryan Davis & the Roadhouse BandSnocaps - SnocapsReal Warmth - Joan ShelleyLindsey Buck - The Laundry & The EcstasyVan Morrison - Remembering NowCraig Finn - Always Been

Best Christmas Album (by a country mile):A Very Carper Christmas - Melissa Carper

TV Series:

The PittPluribusBlue LightsTaskDeath by LightningSlow HorsesThe Bear

Movies (from a very limited sample):

One Battle After AnotherWeaponsBallad of Wallis Island

Nick Cowan - Train of Thought

These are my favorite albums of the year, no particular order.

Seashine - Seashine. I’ve been looking forward to an official release for a long time. Local :)

Vultpeck - Clarity Of Cal. Easy for me to love this band. Everyone player is a bad ass on their own, and do great things when they come together. The song “This Is Not The Song I Wrote” is my favorite of the year.

The Beths - The Straight Line Was A Lie. The first single (a song called ‘Metal’) was catchy, clever lyrics, and perfectly recorded and performed. To my extreme satisfaction, that’s the whole album. If they tour here in the States maybe I can ask them by our new space for a few songs….

Jason Isbell - Foxes In The Snow. Jason Isbell is one of the songwriters where I listen to everything he puts out. It occurred to me that eventually I’ll move on if the songwriting didn’t evolve. Man, with this album he leapt forward. Solo acoustic and heart wrenching.

Air, Vegyn - Blue Moon Safari. This sounded great all summer when I put this on, grabbed a book, a bourbon, and sat by in a chair outside late at night. Spacious and chill, lots of simple melody to sit with.

Jesse Wells - Just listen to everything. I mean it. A friend said, “This guy is like Dylan.” Yeah. We’ve all heard that one. It’s never right, but this guy gets into the ballpark. Simple arrangements, mind blowing political lyrics, and, well gotta say a Dylan-esque delivery.

Johnny Socko - Oh, I Do Hope It’s Roast Beef (reissue). Ska still makes me happy. This record was not only huge for me (and my friends) but I still love it. No nostalgia, just a great record. It hit the hey-let’s-do-a-huge-reissue anniversary and they damn delivered a gem. The album was remixed from the rescued master tapes, resequenced, 2 new songs added. You probably aren’t wondering who remixed it but I’m gonna tell you. Steve Albini. One of the last projects he did.

The Cure - Songs Of A Lost World. I can’t add more than what so many other folks have said. Just google “How good is the latest The Cure album”. Well, do that after you listen to it.

We Are Root Mod - This That. N’ The Third. Another local band that I was happily waiting to hear a full album from. Saw them at a So Far Sounds gig and got stoked. Wonderful musicians, songs. They even made me like that Coldplay song ‘Yellow’. Already hoping for the next record.

Other media.

TV: Sandman - Season 2. The Sandman comics were massive influence on me in my 20’s, a series I revisit often because of the depth of storytelling. Here, in the second season, they go through almost the whole series in a very smart way. Easter eggs for people like me, and still enjoyable for people that haven’t ever read it.

Book: Neal Peart - Ghostrider. This year I committed to reading more new books. I have a list of them I pull up if I can’t sleep, but wanted to dive into new territory. Ghostrider was recommended to me for a long time and has helped my perspective on what’s been a rough couple of years. Short description is that Peart lost his wife and daughter in pretty quick succession. He goes on an epic motor cycle trip in the first half of the book, and is home for the second half. There, he confronts and experiences his grief and how to live with it. I read it in January, and rereading it now to see how my thoughts and feelings have shifted.

Rich Reese (Pop! The Beat Bubble Burst) and Ginger Reese

Favorite Christmas Songs and Albums

These are not from 2025 - not a one of them, but right now in 2025 these are our top 10s. It was probably different last year and might change next year. Happy Holidays, All!

Songs (alphabetically):

“Christmas In The Trenches - John McCutcheon (Rich)

“The Christmas Song” - Nat “King” Cole (Ginger)

“Jingle Bells” - Frank Sinatra (Ginger)

“Joseph, Who Understood - The New Pornographers (Ginger and Rich)

“Joy” - Tracey Thorn (Ginger and Rich)

“Just Because It Was Christmas” - Rough Shop (Ginger and Rich)

“Just Like Christmas” - Low (Ginger)

“Kids Come Back Again At Christmas” - Sloan (Rich)

“Skating” - Vince Guaraldi (Ginger)

“Silent Night” - Annika Norlin (Ginger and Rich)

“Slow Falling Snow” - Amanda Shires (Ginger)

“Socks” (Ginger), “Bad Kid” (Rich) - JD McPherson

“Talking Christmas Goodwill Blues - John Wesley Harding (Rich)

“This Christmas” - Shoes (Rich)

Albums (alphabetically):

The Beach Boys’ Christmas Album - The Beach Boys (Ginger)

A Charlie Brown Christmas - Vince Guaraldi (Ginger and Rich)

A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector - Phil Spector (Rich)

The Christmas Song - Nat “King” Cole (Ginger)

A Ding Dong Dandy Christmas - The Three Suns (Rich)

Have Yourself A Soulful Little Christmas - Kenny Burrell (Rich)

Lit Up Like a Christmas Tree - Rough Shop (Ginger)

The Magic Of Christmas - The Soulful Strings (Rich)

Merry Christmas. Ho! Ho! Ho! - Lou Rawls (Ginger and Rich)

The More The Merrier - Hi-Fi Christmas Guitar Vol. 2 - Joel Paterson (Rich)

One More Drifter In The Snow - Aimee Mann (Ginger)

Quality Street (A Seasonal Selection For All The Family) - Nick Lowe (Ginger and Rich)

Rudolph, Frosty and Friends Favorite Christmas Songs - Various Artists (Ginger)

“Socks” - JD McPherson (Ginger and Rich)

Tinsel And Lights - Tracey Thorn (Ginger)

The Ventures’ Christmas Album - The Ventures (Rich)

Courtney Dowdall (host of a new show on Community Radio St. Louis)

Top 10 Albums Released in 2025

1. Towa Tei - AH!! (Machbeat)

The creative genius who mixed DEEE-LITE’s uniquely groovy sound has steadily released solo albums every couple years since the late 90s. This most recent production is a gem. Longtime fans can trace some of repurposed signature samples from all the way back in World Clique and Future Listening! Days. It’s bouncy and fun, and tracks like “TYPICAL!” and “Happyend” just make me smile.

2. Deerhoof - Noble and Godlike in Ruin (Joyful Noise Recordings)

What the world needs now is more Deerhoof. Ever reminding us of our better nature via intricate, harmonious fretwork and liberated drums, this album is exactly what I needed this year. Satomi Matsuzaki plainly lays out the moral dilemmas of current events and compels us to avoid the complacency trap. The album closer, “Immigrant Songs,” was released as a single in the springtime of our ICE raids, telling a story of interdependence and humanity, pushing us beyond rhetoric to see the people behind the headlines.

3. Ty Segall - Possession (Drag City)

Ty has a lot of voices. In this particular iteration, he shows up on the rock and roll side of things, with a blend of acoustic and electric guitar and some solid 70s burnout vibes. It’s mellow compared to the heavy rippers of Fuzz and buzzier than his jangly Freedom Band work. It feels like grilling in evening daylight at a summertime campsite or hitting cruise control on a road trip. Crank the heat and point a fan at your face with “Alive” to cure the winter blues.

4. Little Simz - Lotus (Little Simz)

This is the sound of a person who has been through some stuff and grown wiser for it. Lotus is a little bitter with the timeless story of being overworked, betrayed, ripped off, and lonesome in success, coming out on the other side with a consolation prize of self-confidence and power. It presents these jaded and guarded feelings from unique perspectives, with a beautiful range of voices, including appearances from Yukimi (Little Dragon), Michael Kiwanuka, and Nigerian singer Obongjayar. Of course, the rhymes are slick fire. Spin “Lion” when you need a pep talk.

5. Lukas Nelson - American Romance (Ace Records)

In his first album since Promise of the Real went on hiatus, Lukas Nelson has some real-talk life lessons to share. It’s an early midlife reckoning on relationships and careers, where the “wisdom” of elders starts to show its cracks and Nelson now has some of his own to impart. It’s catchy as all get out - “Ain’t Done” is one earworm among many. It’s a tinge saccharine at times, but the clarity of his voice on those perfectly-crafted melodies is undeniably endearing. “All God Did” encompasses all this with the furrowed brow of outlaw country he inherited from his father.

6. Osees - ABOMINATION REVEALED AT LAST (Deathgod Corp Records)

John Dwyer barks and I listen. The pounding drums and screeching strings power on in the current configuration with two drummers and a keyboardist. The whole sound is an impeccably timed, frenetic mess of crunchy guitar and crisp cymbals. “FIGHT SIMULATOR” brings all the elements together - Dwyer’s “signing” and froggy croaking voices, drums ticking off like a crazed metronome, and some smashing keyboard discord.

7. El Michels Affair - 24 Hour Sports (Big Crown Records)

You can count on Leon Michels to spin a compelling groove and draw in the coolest collaborators. This album delivers on both counts. “Say Goodbye” is the song you need to steel yourself against the haters. The appearance of Shintaro Sakamoto on “Indifference” got a squeal of pleasant surprise on my first listen. Clairo and Norah Jones also found a home here in Michels’ drowsy, laid-back style.

8. Sudan Archives - The BPM (Stones Throw Records)

This album is a party, and as the title suggests, it’s all about the beats - beats to make you move. It’s got a touch of strings, nodding to Britney Parks’ roots as a violinist. It’s got old school drum & bass. It’s got house lounge grooves. It’s got 90s dance rhythms with background vocals. “MS. PAC MAN” is a blast to sing along with (but NSFW fyi). Everytime I listen, I get “MY TYPE” stuck on replay in my head for the rest of the day. This album is addictive.

9. Bonginator - Retrodeath (Testimony Records)

A little levity, a little social commentary, and few well-placed weed references are tied together with action movie nostalgia in this treat of synth-metal unity. Dialogue excerpts from classic films such as Robocop and the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film provide delightful introductions to songs like “All Cops are Biomechs” and “Pizza Time,” featuring the foremost pizza thrash band, Belushi Speed Ball. I cannot get enough of the synthwave-into-double-bass combos.

10. Juana Molina - DOGA (Sonamos)

We waited eight years for a new album - an eternity by today’s standards. Well worth it. Molina’s collage style applies to her album artwork as well as her sound - overlays of vocal mumblings and musings, strings fading in here and there, odd beeps and bloops. While the lyrical gymnastics will escape a non-Spanish speaker (“siestas ahí” is a play on words) the sound is enough to let us feel her thought process unfold, like overhearing someone talking to themselves. The resulting delicate and contemplative mood is perfect to get lost in when feeling creative.

11. Honorable Mention: Neko Case - Neon Grey Midnight Green

I know Neko Case is going to be on a lot of Top 10 lists this year, with good reason. I have to include it here, too, because this album is exquisite. Case is a poet and composer, painting a scenery of feelings in ways you had never considered but immediately understand. Her prose is haunting, and her harmonies are surprising. I can’t decide which I love more, “Winchester Mansion of Sound” or “Louise.” The whole album is gorgeous.