Another year is almost in the books, and there’s been no shortage of great Canadian album releases. While I did not devote as much time to album coverage here at GDW this year (so busy), there were plenty that landed on my radar – so many streamed, and plenty bought at the record stores. In previous years I have added a playlist from a streaming platform, but this time around, I’m simply recommending an album track with each recap below.
Whittling a list of 20 memorable albums from the hundreds out there is no easy task and has been finalized using personal intuition over some convoluted and empirical scientific formula. I accept that there may be some obvious omissions (sorry Jerry L., Stephen F., Terra L.) – I failed to keep an updated scorecard along the way – but this final draft represents the subjective nature of my own personal tastes and listening pleasures from 2025.
As always, albums released after mid-November are too late for consideration, and these albums are not ranked in any order but are listed alphabetically by artist/band first name. The challenge now is to select my favorite four from this list, and announce my choice for GDW Album of the Year very soon… No sweat…I’ve got this (perspiration bubbles forming)!!!
Ada Lea: “when i paint my masterpiece” (August)
A GDW Album of the Year runner up in 2021, Montréal’s Alexandra Levy delivers another lo-fi indie-pop stunner. Where her previous album focused on her home city, this latest is more a kaleidoscopic exploration of how life can be suspended in a song. (Singled Out: “bob dylan’s 115th haircut”)
AHI: “The Light Behind The Sun” (February)
Back in 2021, I committed a crime! It was a phenomenal year for album releases, but I completely overlooked “Prospect” from Brampton, ON artist AHI. Dropping off the radar for a while, AHI returned with this amazing album earlier this year with little to no fanfare. (Singled Out: “My People”)
Benjamin Dakota Rogers: “This Ol’ Way” (July)
It’s funny, friends have been telling me for years that Benjamin Dakota Rogers should be on my radar – and I largely brushed the recommendations aside. This past summer I decided to give “This Ol’ Way” a whirl – and kick myself each and every day for not heeding the advice sooner. (Singled Out: “Cavalry”)
Emma Elena Grace: “Whole Years” (February)
Just hearing a random cool Americana tune on the radio led to the discovery of this Hamilton, ON artist, and finding the record at one of our fave stores in her hometown sealed the deal – brought this one home, and believe me, it’s one of the finest album purchases of 2025. (Singled Out: “The Sound”)
Great Lake Swimmers: “Caught Light” (October)
ON folk rocker Tony Dekker has released many Great Lake Swimmers albums, always pushing boundaries and his own innovative processes of where to record new music – meaning no two albums sound the same. The retro 70s folk vibes here are simply outstanding. (Singled Out: “A Distant Star”)
HORSEBATH: “Another Farewell” (February)
Those who utter “they don’t make music like they used to” are talking baloney!!! And Nova Scotian band HORSEBATH are just the fellas to debunk that statement. This stunning retro-laced musical journey transverses Americana, soul, folk, rock, blues, and much more. (Singled Out: “Another Farewell”)
James Correa: “Bonny Park” (September)
Ever grateful to this artist’s publicist for dropping news of this album into my email, Montréal soul/roots artist James Correa was completely unknown to me – but give this one a spin and you very quickly learn of an outstanding singer-songwriter hiding beneath your radar. (Singled Out: “Another Mixtape”)
Jory Nash: “The Light Still Shines On The Main” (October)
Having almost called it quits on his music career going into the pandemic, then dealing with some life-changing realities on the home front, Cobourg, ON singer-songwriter Jory Nash channeled these experiences into this absolutely gorgeous collection of tunes. (Singled Out: “Bombs Away”)
JF Pauzé: “Les amours de seconde main” (October)
This late-year release from the Les Cowboys Fringants lyricist and guitarist was a much-appreciated surprise. Karl Tremblay is best known for bringing Pauzé’s socially influenced tunes to life, but the songwriter demonstrates some passionate singing chops of his own. (Singled Out: “Puisqui’il faut”)
Julianna Riolino: “Echo In The Dust” (October)
With her “In Blue” album release in 2020, Riolino burst many doors open to announce her arrival on the alt-country scene. Five years later, the Welland, ON artist dropped her sophomore full-length album and left many jaws hitting floors with a whimsical tour across the genres. (Singled Out: “Like A Rembrandt”)
Lou-Adriane Cassidy: “Journal d’un Loup-Garou” (January)
Given my passion for all things Le Roy, la Rose et Lou[p], you had to know that the first studio album to be released this year from one of the trio would earn my full attention. The wolf, Lou-Adriane Cassidy, shared new tunes first – and raised her game significantly here. (Singled Out: “Je pars en vacances”)
Matt Andersen: “The Hammer & The Rose” (April)
Don’t let the inclusion here of a time-tested GDW fave fool you into thinking that this was a gimme for the Halifax-based blues artist. Matt’s latest album scales things back down to the bare minimum, making this a beautiful contemplative album that simply must be heard. (Singled Out: “Countin’ Quarters”)
Shawnee Kish: “Chapter 1” (July)
You know, I just can’t help myself – when you stumble across a country music album of this caliber, it is a lock for my list. Shawnee Kish straddles a fine line here, creating the kind of country music that us old souls love and cherish, yet appeals to the mainstream crowd. (Singled Out: “Take Me Home”)
Sister Ray: “Believer” (April)
An artist we discovered last year care of SiriusXM Radio, we found Ella Coyes’ debut “Communion” album in a local record store. Picking this latest album up earlier this year (and catching some tunes from the artist at a festival), Ella stamps their name on the Americana genre. (Singled Out: “Magic”)
Suzie Ungerleider: “Among the Evergreens” (June)
When BC artist Suzie Ungerleider releases new music, EVERYBODY should pay attention! One of Canada’s finest lyricists, this stunner of an album is about childhood, adulthood, motherhood and love (Douglas McLean). Don’t sit on this one – spin it now, we insist! (Singled Out: “The Wilds”)
Tami Neilson: “Neon Cowgirl” (July)
Tami’s previous release, “Kingmaker,” earned her the undisputed GDW Album of the Year honors in 2022 with its strong theme of empowerment – setting a high bar to follow. “Neon Cowgirl” reads like a love letter to Music City’s golden years of country music. (Singled Out: “You’re Gonna Fall”)
The Donzerly Lights: “Purgatouring” (July)
How could you not be intrigued by this new outfit based out of Los Angeles … yeah, ok, nice attempt to ‘punk ya’ – but this solo side project from Elliott BROOD’s Casey Laforet is a fun alt-rock, retro-riffs filled journey; one that sounds familiar, but not quite. (Singled Out: “Ballad Of The Hockey Enforcer”)
The Lifers: “Honesty” (September)
You need to scroll back to 2018 if you are looking for the last time that Ontario sisters Liv and Anita Cazzola last released an album together. Their return to the spotlight this year was long overdue, with an album that addresses plenty of tough and personal subject matter. (Singled Out: “Don’t Touch Me”).
Various Artists: “Songs From The Gang – A Celebration Of Joel Plaskett” (April)
Joel Plaskett turned 50 in 2025, begging the question, how do you immortalize the moment? Easy – you sneak artists into HIS studio across MANY months WITHOUT his knowledge – and record an album of JOEL covers! Then you unleash it AS a birthday surprise! (Singled Out: “Happen Now” – David Myles)
Vincent Vallières: “Au travers de la route” (March)
“Les saisons, les secondes,” the latest album from this QC folk-rocker just missed the cutoff for possible inclusion (mid-November release) – but fear not, this spring compilation of material spanning Vincent’s first 25 years made for essential listening. And on vinyl too! (Singled Out: “On va s’aimer encore”)
The British guy that crossed the ocean and crash landed in central Pennsylvania (to quote Greg Keelor, “And I wonder what am I doing here?”). As the youngest of four siblings, exposure to music from a very early age nurtured my passion and appreciation for many musical genres. Continuing to discover some amazingly diverse and talented musicians based in Canada, I gravitate to live music experiences and remain devoted to spreading the word about such a vibrant music scene.
