Tom Dunne: My six favourite albums of 2025 so far
Glastonbury is but days away and if Glastonbury is in the air it means its late June, and if it's late June, then it's time for preliminary 'the year so far' lists.
You can set your watch by it. BBC's epic coverage on TV, list making on the couch.
You'll be buying schoolbooks next, laying in wool. As new music is my stock in trade I will of course argue that it's been a 'great year for music' so far. And it has, honestly, so let's do this.
Stereolab, Instant Holograms on Metal Film
The Anglo-French, avant-pop musings of Tim Gane and Laetitia Sadier were the first things I thought of when the UK voted for Brexit. 'Oh, please don't let their pop/krautrock/surrealist/philosophical musings be an early casualty of UKIP' I cried.
I needn't have worried. Classic music has survived short-sighted foolishness before, and it will again. I think part of the reason Stereolab albums age so well is that they always sound as if they are from the future.
Bren Berry, In Hope our Stars Align
A debut solo album at 61 is the kind of uplifting story we need in these times. To not only find your voice as a singer but to then write 12 songs of such charm, grace and style is truly inspirational. A celebration of life, love, family, Dublin and music itself.
The first nervous, tentative steps have been made into the world of performance and you will be able to see Bren at the All Together Now festival over the August Bank Holiday Weekend.
Bon Iver, Sable Fable
The first Bon Iver album that has genuinely blown me away and the first 'happy' Bon Iver album too, coincidence? I think not! As per Stereolab, Justin Vernon has an incredibly distinctive voice and sound, and it lends itself beautifully to uplifting music.
The standout is probably Everything is Peaceful, Love, but If Only I Could Wait, a duet with Danielle Haim is stunning too. The entire sound of the album reminds me of the theme to Hill Street Blues, but I find that a very, very good thing.
'I want to feel good and feel happy,' he has said in interviews, to which I can only say you and me both, Vernon, you and me both.
Waterboys, Life, Death and Dennis Hopper
What a blast, what an idea. An entire album inspired by the life and wild times of Denis Hopper, friend of James Dean, Elvis, and Andy Warhol, a star of era defining films, one of which Easy Rider (1968) made him the ultimate symbol of disillusionment with the American Dream.
Around this tale, his foibles, his dreams and the wild times he lived in Mike Scott weaves a magic web of sixties innocence and optimism, melancholy and regret. Wonderful stuff, altogether.
Elton John / Brandi Carlile, Who Believes in Angels
You can make a strong case that this is more a Brandi album than an Elton one but even that is just a tribute to his lack of ego in dealing with other people's talents and the time he spent as a session musician leaning to step aside and let others bloom.
That said when Elton is Elton (The Rose of Laura Nyro, Never Too Late) it is classic Elton, and when Brandi shines – Swing for the Fences, The River Man - you can see why Elton is such a fan. Beautiful, beautiful album.
Deep Sea Diver, Billboard Heart
This Seattle band has been making music since 2009 but this is their first album for Sub Pop Records, a deal concluded after their last breakout album which saw them also tour with Pearl Jam.
Singer Jessica Dobson is a gifted guitarist and has toured as such with The Shins and Beck. In interviews she has talked about this being a difficult album to make and how at one point she had to trust her gut and ditch the early recordings. Bloody good move.
She has a great voice and the choruses are god like. If you like Alvvays or early Radiohead this is one for you. Surprised they aren't bigger here yet.
And still to come:
CMAT, the Seven Albums of Bruce, Lana del Rey, Barbra's Duets, Margo Price, Big Thief, Divine Comedy, The Lemonheads, Suede, Josh Ritter, Wet Leg, St. Etienne, Paul Weller and more.
Some names, and this is the best bit, that we haven't even heard of yet!
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