Great to see CMAT's Euro-Country at #2. Would love to hear your thoughts on the album and her growing phenomenon. Seeing her live this weekend, and Springsteen in two weeks, both in DC, and expecting antifascist fireworks at both shows.
FWIW, other than the Anderson, came up w/the same list for CGs published Dec or earlier. Seems like there's more than a few '25 titles among the '26 CGs-to-date, but that gets messy. So, 20+ A/A- '25 titles left in unranked Dean's List limbo...
You’re correct. The Anderson should not be on this list as it was reviewed in 2026 and will appear in his 2026 list. Fixed my list above. There are 23 MIAs.
Hah! Was starting to think my paid subscription was more along the lines of a charitable pension check for past labors (not that I regret a cent), but here I am, paid back in full by the unstoppable guy who has reliably cured me of the I-can’t-keep-up-anymore blues year after year.
From memory, Skrillex. Stampfel, Corook, Delines, Hood, Mahotella Queens, Lenker, Finn, Shires, Childers, Brown, Allen, Jax were all A albums. Look to all be downgraded. A dude can change his mind. Just don’t remember it ever being that many.
My year was completely the opposite. No wonder I came close to swearing off Substack and everyone on it, especially since my physical reading got more exciting than usual. I had a calcinated heart all year, partly for reasons someone could “grok” from an unlucky name, and I couldn’t bear hearing anyone spit rhetoric or sincerity into my ears. I just couldn’t care. I wished they would all sing sha-la-la or recite a restaurant menu for some actual use, which is why Ingozi Emnyama felt so reassuring--almost caring--with its careful build-ups and resolutions. But I did listen to Expired Candy in 2025, just as I had the two years before. I love those girls! On another note, I am fascinated--untouched however--by how your writing continues to challenge me. This is a really good piece, although very similar in content to the previous year’s Dean’s List.
Every year, I complain about these lists popping up online in early November. Good for you taking your time! As I recall, the vintage Pazz & Jop Poll didn't get published until February.
I only purchased two of your top 61 (The Mekons and Public Enemy), but really appreciate your critique of Geese. To your description "Bellowed, fatalistic, expressionistic moan", add "willfully awkward for the sake of appearing arty and deep".
I dunno about Margaret Glaspy, but I'll absolutely concur on CMAT at rank 2! There's an artful song album for ya. It struck me the first time I heard it as immediately strangely familiar, the way music only feels if it speaks to something perennial within the psyche. Relistened to it some time later, thought it had only gotten better. Definitely a highlight for me of not only last year, but this decade.
That Marshall Allen album wasn't talked about enough, but I loved it and am so glad to see it included here!
Great to see CMAT's Euro-Country at #2. Would love to hear your thoughts on the album and her growing phenomenon. Seeing her live this weekend, and Springsteen in two weeks, both in DC, and expecting antifascist fireworks at both shows.
I’ve seen CMAT twice: you’re in for a treat.
That Margaret Glaspy album is so wonderful, really happy to see it at #1
There were many other records A-listed last year that seem to have been overlooked:
Nakibembe Embaire Group: Nakibembe Embaire Group (Nyege Nyege Tapes ‘23) A
Champeta w/Edna Martinez: Diblo Dibala Special (NTS download). A
Charley Bliss: Forever (Lucky Number ‘24). A
Schoolboy Q: Blue Lips (Interscope ‘24). A-
Sabrina Carpenter: Short N Sweet (Island ‘24) A-
Edna Martinez Presents Pico! (Strut) A-
Hurray For the Ridf Raff: The Past Is Still alive (Nonesuch ‘24) A-
Nobro: Set Your Pussy Free (Dine Alone ‘23) A-
Towa Bird: American Hero (Interscope ‘24) A-
Mdou Moctar: Funeral for Justice (Matador ‘24) A-
Julien Baker & Torres: Send a Prayer My Way (Matador) A-
Eli “Paperboy” Reed: Sings Walk-in and Talkin (Yep ROC) A-
Aesop Rock: Black Hole Superette (Rhymesayers) A-
Rory Block: Heavy on the Blues (MC) A-
Lorde: Virgin (Universal New Zealand) A-
From the Dirt: Colored Edge of Memory (Partial Lyrics) A-
Joseph Kamaru: Heavy Combination 1996-2007 (Disciples) A-
Gurf Morlix: Bristlecone (Rootball) A-
Alick Nkhata: Radio Lusaka (Mississippi) A-
Saint Pierre: Luck and Gravity (Mutchcrud) A-
Luke Bell: The King Is Back (Thirty Tigers) A-
Hammel on Trial: Dirty Xmas (Saustex) A-
Nakibembe Embaire Group & Naoyuki Uchida: Phantom Keys (Nyege Nyege Tapes) A-
FWIW, other than the Anderson, came up w/the same list for CGs published Dec or earlier. Seems like there's more than a few '25 titles among the '26 CGs-to-date, but that gets messy. So, 20+ A/A- '25 titles left in unranked Dean's List limbo...
You’re correct. The Anderson should not be on this list as it was reviewed in 2026 and will appear in his 2026 list. Fixed my list above. There are 23 MIAs.
Where’s Wussy??
Cincinnati Ohio was 2024.
Would you trust your grandfather with the keys to the kingdom?
Probably not, eh!
Hah! Was starting to think my paid subscription was more along the lines of a charitable pension check for past labors (not that I regret a cent), but here I am, paid back in full by the unstoppable guy who has reliably cured me of the I-can’t-keep-up-anymore blues year after year.
Seems like a LOT of climbers from A- and sinkers from A on this list. I feel so disoriented.
At least 7 upgrades and 7 downgrades.
From memory, Skrillex. Stampfel, Corook, Delines, Hood, Mahotella Queens, Lenker, Finn, Shires, Childers, Brown, Allen, Jax were all A albums. Look to all be downgraded. A dude can change his mind. Just don’t remember it ever being that many.
Big yay for my brother from another mother Jeff Evans! An Atlanta (and national) treasure, no doubt.
If I may suggest a few African artists that you might like.
Paulo Flores Angola
Tito Paris Cape Verde
Filipe Mukenga Angola
Cesaria Evora Cape Verde
My year was completely the opposite. No wonder I came close to swearing off Substack and everyone on it, especially since my physical reading got more exciting than usual. I had a calcinated heart all year, partly for reasons someone could “grok” from an unlucky name, and I couldn’t bear hearing anyone spit rhetoric or sincerity into my ears. I just couldn’t care. I wished they would all sing sha-la-la or recite a restaurant menu for some actual use, which is why Ingozi Emnyama felt so reassuring--almost caring--with its careful build-ups and resolutions. But I did listen to Expired Candy in 2025, just as I had the two years before. I love those girls! On another note, I am fascinated--untouched however--by how your writing continues to challenge me. This is a really good piece, although very similar in content to the previous year’s Dean’s List.
Every year, I complain about these lists popping up online in early November. Good for you taking your time! As I recall, the vintage Pazz & Jop Poll didn't get published until February.
apologies for self promotion! my music is also song loving: bandcamp jeff herd elderflower 26 ❤️
I only purchased two of your top 61 (The Mekons and Public Enemy), but really appreciate your critique of Geese. To your description "Bellowed, fatalistic, expressionistic moan", add "willfully awkward for the sake of appearing arty and deep".
I dunno about Margaret Glaspy, but I'll absolutely concur on CMAT at rank 2! There's an artful song album for ya. It struck me the first time I heard it as immediately strangely familiar, the way music only feels if it speaks to something perennial within the psyche. Relistened to it some time later, thought it had only gotten better. Definitely a highlight for me of not only last year, but this decade.