Top 50 of 2025: #15-11: Romantic Country, Some Pins and Love

It’s almost here. One last block before the top 10. Can you feel it? Music magic is in the air. There are some artists on the rise in the block, as well as some new visitors to the top 20. The top 20 was fairly close this year. The top 5 was pretty set for the last few weeks, but the top 15 kept shifting and moving. There are a couple heavy hitters in the top 5, but this is not like the last few years that had some mammoth releases. There were a couple highly anticipated records, but not as many as the last few years. Having said that, there were some big surprises this year and a very consistent and strong top 20 top to bottom. So, let’s get into it.

15. Matt Berninger: Bonnet of Pins

I love Matt Berninger’s solo work, because it gives him some space to experiment outside the National’s heavy percussion and texturally rich structure. Even though some National always sneaks in, these records are pretty fresh. This finds Matt in a familiar place of complicated love and expansive storytelling. However, this indie Smith’s sounding duet has the heavy National lyrics with some light guitar driven musicality. This is a perfect match and the horns really put it over the top.

14. David Byrne: Everybody Laughs

When I heard there was a new David Byrne record coming out…I didn’t know what to expect. Was this going to be an Eno-esque record? Something complex and experimental like his project with St. Vincent? Instead, we got the world music/brass energy of the late 80s/early 90s…Dirty old Town era tracks. In Everybody Laughs Byrne explores both what we are losing in modern life, but also the commonalities we all share that make us human. It is the positive energy and wall of sound produced by the Ghost Train Orchestra that brings the track an elevated level of joy. I love this track and it is Byrne back to his fun and quirky best.

13. Dax Riggs: Deceiver

Buried under 146 layers of dense elctro guitar fuzz, like some elaborate bass croissant, is a mix of Alice In Chains and Neutral Milk Hotel that really hooked me. Dax Riggs is new to the top 50 and there is magic in that thick fuzzy guitar. The track itself is somewhere between a dirge and a hymn that explores religious themes, being lied to and exploited, as well as questioning what to trust. The track ends in an electric guitar explosion and we are left wondering if we have put our faith in a false prophet. If you love late 90s metal, you will love this track.

12. Orville Peck: Drift Away

Peck is one of the most romantic country singers out there. He harkens back to a time in country during the late 50s/early 60s with lush strings, slide guitar and romantic songs about the west. You can almost see the sunset in his voice. Drift Away is Peck’s modern version of Springsteen’s Born to Run where the young feel a need to leave town for something better, somethign exciting, before they are trapped. Peck explores this and ultimately, like Springsteen, sings about leaving town for a brighter future as there is nothing left for him in his old life. This is a song about freedom, independence and living your truth no matter the cost…and it is beautiful.

11. Sam Smith: Love is a Stillness

I think Smith made their first top 50 with the world conquering single Unholy. Well, they’re back with almost the exact opposite track. Love is a Stillness is a beautifully stripped back track about the power of love…emotionally and spiritually. This track is basically Smith’s vocal and a piano. The way they sing about the power of love’s forgiveness, the strength love has to support you and the transporting power of love is spiritual. Smith’s vocal is the best its been in the past 5 years and the track is moving in its power. The way Smith can take such a simple song and give it such grand expanse is other worldly.

We are there…the top 10. Let’s see if you agree……