Happy 2025! Hope you’ve enjoyed a January that has somehow broken the space-time continuum. If this month is any indication of how great music will be this year, I have excellent news. When the world falling to pieces, music is at its clinical best. I don’t make the rules!
ICYMI, last year I listened to approximately 400 albums, and this will now be my third year doing daily listens and rankings, as well as the fifth (!) year of Noots Letter overall. I wanted to add some addendums to December’s EOY note, as I forgot to include some stuff since I was, idk, out living my life? Firstly, I need to shout out my primary new music source: this 2025 New Albums of the Week (updated weekly) playlist on Spotify by Gangplans. We don’t know each other, Gangplans, but I would kiss you on the mouth for how much time you have saved me in finding new alternative music.
Secondly, playlists! In the first two years, Noots Letter was all about playlists. Are you guys still into that? DIY playlists are all we have going for us as robots take over the Spotify algorithm rip 🤖
Best of 2024 - some favorite singles and one song from (almost) every new album I listened to last year
Top 50 of 2024 - top 50 selections from above
Best of 2025 - new new new new new!
First, for some I missed last year…
Foushée, Pointy Heights (2024) / English Teacher, This Could Be Texas (2024) thanks to Christian Archer / Emily D'Angelo, freezing (2024) who invented a new genre with folk opera vocals?
If you wanna be scared…
Ethel Cain, Perverts (2025). Um! This one is spooky.
Really excellent starts to the year…
Maddie Jay, I Can Change Your Mind (2025)--loved! Ironically enough, I listened to Victoria Canal’s Slowly, It Dawns (2025) and then heard one of her songs on Love Island All Stars later that evening. Thrilled for her, hope she’s getting good money for that! Also are you guys watching Love Island All Stars? It is the only good thing this month has going for it.
If you’re feeling introspective…
Anna B Savage, You & i are Earth (2025) if you fantasize about being a lighthouse keeper. The Weather Station, Humanhood (2025) for those cold, cloudy days.
If you wish the English language included more àċçéñțš…
Music from different countries is so fun because 1) they’re doing it better over there and 2) you don’t get distracted by lyrics because you don’t know what they’re saying! A new favorite this month was Pellegrino & Zodyaco, Koinè (2025) if you want to be at a disco on a Mediterranean yacht. Also Laura Cahen, De l'autre côté (2025) if you want to be transported to me in junior year of high school when I made French my whole personality.
More summer party vibes…
Noir Disco, The Last Dance (2025). Prepare to be transported, in a good way.
If you’re really into World War I history…
Franz Ferdinand, The Human Fear (2025). Okay I’ve misled you, this is the band Franz Ferdinand—famous for their timeless 2004 hit “Take Me Out”—not the Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria whose assassination in Sarajevo led to four years of battle. Anyways, these guys
Are you a Hot Person?
Then boy, is FKA Twigs Eusexua for you! Awooga.
For getting work done…
SAULT, Acts of Faith (2025) and Ciao Ciao Marigold, satsuma (2025). They’re 1) instrumental and 2) I did the field work to prove this (worked in a library while listening).
If you loved 2010s Tumblr (rip 2010s Tumblr) and tbh 2020 TikTok (rip 2020 TikTok)…
Børns, Honeybee (2025). Great news if you, like me, had your DNA permanently altered after listening to Dopamine (2015). We’re sooooo back baby!
More vintage vibes…
C Duncan, It's Only A Love Song (2025). Wow, loved this little winter evening album. I’ve been thinking about Todd Rundgren a lot recently (a.k.a. watching And Just Like That). And this is like the modern sequel. Kind of like how And Just Like That is also a modern sequel. Hm.
If you judge books by their covers…
I think that “don’t judge a book by its cover” is the most incorrect phrase. I absolutely judge books by their covers, as well as albums. That is an integral part of me, Noots, finding new music! That’s what I did with Flora Hibberd, Swirl (2025), and it was not what I expected but I was pleased!
If you’re thinking about the ghosts of Super Bowl Halftime Performances past…
Apparently this is happening soon and the only reason I know that is because anyone who has ever stepped foot in Philadelphia won’t stop posting about the Eagles. While many gear up for Kendrick’s big night (and SZA’s), I’m still thinking about the memes from 2021. Appropriately, The Weeknd released Hurry Up Tomorrow (2025) just in time for the 4-year anniversary of this moment.
If you appreciate a good compilation album…
Angel Olsen, Cosmic Waves Volume 1 (2025). I am partial to just her songs over the others, but nonetheless. Also the existence of Volume 1 insinuates a forthcoming Volume 2? 3?? 4???
If you are keeping LA in mind…
There are a number of compilations on Bandcamp with proceeds going to LA wildfire relief. In particular, Super Bloom: A Benefit for Fire Relief in Los Angeles (2025) has various names I love. Also I guess you could stream all 68 minutes of Heidi Montag’s Superficial 2: Heidiwood Edition (2025), which I did spend one morning of my wild and precious life doing.
This year, I’m trying something different. I’m not afraid of Spotify Wrapped anymore, considering they’ve already botched it all and do not know me. Therefore, I am embracing the one genre I’ve so ardently tried to avoid: Broadway. Musicals are becoming cool now that Wicked just got a bunch . I swear it’s cool all the cool kids are doing it. Here are the musicals I listened to this month…
HMS Pinafore, HMS Pinafore (1959): because I was like what if we remade this but it was on a cruise ship?? Copyrighting it.
Original Off-Broadway Cast, Spitfire Grill (2002): people have told me to listen to this for years and I finally did and GOOD GOD. What a beautiful little score.
Original Broadway Cast, The Last Ship (2014): did you know Sting wrote a musical? It’s excessively Irish.
New York City Center Cast, A New Brain (2015): great if you’re into pondering your own mortality and need a reason to stop procrastinating.
World Premiere Cast, Ride the Cyclone (2021): what an absolutely thrilling score. Would love to see this live!
Original West End Cast, Starlight Express (1984): GUYS WE’RE SLEEPING ON THIS. IT’S AN ‘80S SYNTH MUSICAL ABOUT TRAINS. AND THE CAST IS ON ROLLER SKATES. SHUT UP.
Original Off-Broadway Cast, Floyd Collins (1997): returning soon to the big stage! Featuring Jeremy Jordan (if you know Broadway Heartthrobs) and Lizzy McAlpine (if you know Sad Women).
JANUARY TOTAL LISTENS: 37 (27 new, 10 previous year)
Stygi, głęboko wierzę, że to będzie mimo wszystko (a nawet nade wszystko) fantastyczny, nie tylko muzycznie, rok! Przytulam słuchając Twoich polecajek🧡
YES to embracing musical theatre againnnnn. Lace up those skates bby!