At the end of each year the contributors here at Twangville vote on our favorite 25 releases and tally up the results on a magic spreadsheet. Everyone’s vote counts the same, although Mayer’s should probably count double since he consumes more music than anyone I know. On the other hand, my taste is better. I kid, I kid. It’s always fun to see everyone’s picks, and among my 25 this year there are 2 releases that Mayer himself turned me on to. (kirby baby, Brian Dunne.) I’m pretty sure no one else in the group had my top 2 albums this year but those are the ones I listened to/dug the most in 2025. That doesn’t necesarily mean they’ll stand the test of time, as I’ve found over the years my musical taste runs in spells, but it does mean they got a lot of my ear attention this year.
Fust pretty much captured the top spot after 2 amazing performances that I was fortunate enough to catch at Americanafest. In at number 3, Mr. Carll also solidified a top spot by an Americanafest performace focusing almost entirely on all new material from his 2025 effort. The Bones of Jr Jones just came out of left field with a very polished sound for him which I fell in love with single after single until the album finally hit. So, here’s my list for the year with a link to stream a few songs below.
On a personal note, the album that I had the pleasure to co-produce/mix this year that was my favorite goes to the Runout. If you haven’t heard them, go check them out. And may the universe bless Todd Snider’s soul.
- Fust – Big Ugly
- The Bones of JR Jones – Radio Waves
- Hayes Carll – We’re Only Human
- Colter Wall – Memories and Empties
- James McMurtry – The Black Dog and the Wandering Boy
- Jake Xerxes Fussell/James Elkington – Rebuilding (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
- Ken Pomeroy – Stranger
- Jeff Tweedy – Twilight Override
- Paul Thorn – Life Is Just A Vapor
- Todd Snider – High, Lonesome and Then Some
- Turnpike Troubadours – Just Like Old Times
- David Ramirez – All the Not So Gentle Reminders
- Robbie Fulks – Now Then
- Madi Diaz – Fatal Optimist
- kirby baby – inside man
- Charlie Crockett – Lonesome Drifter
- James Felice – The Little Ones
- My Morning Jacket – is
- Jon Batiste – The New Americana Collection
- Silverada – Texas 42
- Thelma & James – Starting Over
- Brian Dunne – Clams Casino
- Joelton Mayfield – Crowd Pleaser
- Watchhouse – Rituals
- Jason Isbell – Foxes in the Snow
About the author: Producer, Engineer, Musician and all around music enthusiast.