As this strange year nears its end, I must admit, I have been far too quiet on Great Dark Wonder. There wasn’t nearly enough time devoted to deep listening to new albums. I’ve been more of a reader than a writer. That will change again come 2026! A threat and a promise!
When I found time for focused listening, there were still many songs and albums which worked their way into my heart. In no particular order, here are the albums I added to my vinyl collection (unless otherwise noted). Though the links take you to one of my favorite tracks from the records, I whole-heartedly recommend each and every one, in full. My apologies for such a cursory list.
PS. Stay safe everyone. Be kind to each other and yourselves. Happy listening and I’ll see you in the new year!
~ Steve
Steve’s Favorite Albums of 2025:
Fortunato Durutti Marinetti, “Bitter Sweet, Sweet Bitter” (released July 25, 2025)
It’s jazzy-mellow-moody-singer-songwriter-rock. For fans of Van Morrisson, Lou Reed, Leonard Cohen
Destroyer, “Dan’s Boogie” (released March 28, 2025)
Also jazzy-mellow-moody-singer-songwriter but more on the dreamscape-synthy side of rock. For fans of Deerhunter, David Bowie, Kraftwerk
The Burning Hell, “Ghost Palace” (released March 7, 2025)
Quirky and fun rock with deadpan delivery. For fans of Magnetic Fields, Daniel Johnston
Sloan, “Based on the Best Seller” (released September 26, 2025)
Glossy power-pop-rock-n-roll. For fans of Sloan
Taylor Holden, “Cherry Bomb” (released July 21, 2025)
Power-pop punk. For fans of Joan Jett, The Beaches
Two Hours Traffic, “I Never See You Any More” (released May 23, 2025 – cd)
Toe-tapping indie rock. For fans of Joel Plaskett/Thrush Hermit, The Weakerthans, Big Star, Two Minute Miracles
And last but, not least, these wonderful albums are still on my want list and highly recommended:
The Dears, “Life is Beautiful! Life is Beautiful! Life is Beautiful!” (released November 7, 2025)
Julianna Riolino, “Echo in the Dust” (released October 24, 2025)
The Weather Station, “Humanhood” (released January 17, 2025)
Foxwarren, “2” (released May 30, 2025)
Rheostatics, “The Great Lakes Suite” (released November 21, 2025)
Steve Murphy is a singer-songwriter, author, and journalist based out of London, Ontario. An avid vinyl collector and audiophile, his personal collection of albums is wide ranging and in the thousands, including his two solo albums and six with his band Westminster Park.
