A look back at 2025's decent discography

With 2026 in full swing, I wanted to highlight some of the releases from last year that I personally enjoyed. The albums and songs I have mentioned are not in any specific order, but all of them are recommended by me. 

Jane Remover’s album “Revengeseekerz” dropped last year and it was definitely my most anticipated album coming into 2025. It excelled my expectations dramatically, to the point where I thought every song was a hit. I like to describe “Revengeseekerz” as being just the right amount of stimulating for my ears.  

The songs are all very layered and large sounding without being too overwhelming.

“Fadeoutz” is a great example of this, in my opinion. The song itself has a lot going on instrumentally, yet it’s easy to follow as a pop song. Someone could easily be able to find small details easier without losing track of the song.  

“Revengeseekerz” also shows Jane’s range as an artist up to this point. “Dancing with your eyes closed” and “TURN UP OR DIE” both flex her dance music chops, with the former being a great Speed House song that has a great hook and melody throughout.  

The aforementioned “Fadeoutz” as well as “Experimental Skin” are great pop songs in their own right, with Jane adding her signature flair to both. “JRJRJR” has Jane rapping as well, foreshadowing her future projects and teasing reinvention. All in all, “Revengeseekerz” is an amazing album and I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in listening to it. 

Khadija Al Hanafi’s album “!OK!” is a wonderfully energetic footwork album that I would recommend for anyone who is interested in electronic dance music in general. Footwork is a genre dependent heavily on having engaging beats and great samples, and Hanafi delivers on both fronts.  “Always Treat URiTE” is a great introduction for footwork as a genre in general, melding the intricate beats with the sampling and melody in a way that’s flawless and familiar to fans of different electronic music genres. Hanafi also has a knack for knowing exactly when to finish a song. Songs like “Krush It” are simple in scope and don’t ever overstay their welcome on the album. 

Tennis’ album “Face Down in the Garden” is a bittersweet farewell for the duo. Despite being their briefest album (tied with their debut), it is a great example of how they have progressed in sound in the latter part of their career. The lush and dreamy aspects echo their albums “Swimmer” and “Pollen” while simultaneously keeping a cool sound throughout. “At the Wedding” is a contender for being one of their best songs ever. Each aspect of the instrumental combines beautifully to create an environment that both highlights Alaina Moore’s voice and shines in its own right. I especially love how the piano is used here, with it blending with the bass to make an effortlessly crisp and blue sound. 

Lael Neale’s song “Tell Me How to Be Here” is a unique folk song from last year to promote her album “Altogether Stranger.” “Tell Me How to Be Here” is interesting in the fact that she beautifully combines the static tape-hiss-sounding background with some touches of synth to make an interesting and slightly eerie experience when listening. Neale’s vocals are also gorgeous on the song, complementing the instrumental beautifully. 

With that all being said, 2025 was a decent year for music, and I hope 2026 will be just as decent. Happy new year and new semester!