It’s the 9th annual Tunes & Oats Best Albums of the Year!
Check out my top picks of the year👇🏽
Also, FREE PALESTINE FOREVER 🇵🇸
& ABOLISH ICE
It’s been another eventful year. I started live DJing and I am ending a near 3 year run as a radio DJ. Thank you to all the artists for your dope music and to the listeners who tuned in Sunday nights! You can find my last show which is the best songs of 2025 that I aired this year here: LOTD BOY 2025.
Here’s my Spotify Wrapped and Apple Music replay stats which could help you understand what my taste was like this year:
I think in 2026 we should look into other streaming platforms like Nina, where artists receive 100% of revenue from sales. There are also other ways to support our favorite artists like going to shows, buying merch, and sharing their posts.
I based my Best Albums of the Year list off of how the album made me feel during and after I listened to each one. I also considered if I appreciated most or just some of the songs on the album. Not all of my favorite albums made the list. Also friendly reminder that these are just my opinions. Here we go!
20. Pearly Drops – The Voices are a Coming Back
It feels like every time I was in LA this year, I saw a Pearly Drops poster. They deserve all the hype. This indie electronic group from Finland also collabed with Australian indie pop band Cub Sport which I hella approved.
19. The Hellp – Riviera
The Hellp is one of the biggest indie sleaze revival bands out there right now. I think Riviera was underappreciated in 2025 but it will stand the test of time. They’re just a couple of guys being experimental and doing their own thing. I am impressed by how their clash of sounds can sound so melodic.
18. meat computer – new world disorder
If you know anything about Meat Computer, you would know that he is always on some bulls*. JK? I just learned that his real name is Nathaniel Ireland haha. What an interesting Canadian who stays for long periods of time in Mexico. NWD came late in the year after almost a year of staying off the grid. It’s nearly an hour long album so he is forgiven for being MIA for so long.
17. lor2mg – ROSA NERA
You should definitely know lor2mg. She is one of my favorite artists out there. Her ability to write music in different genres is unmatched. I love ROSA NERA and its darkwaveness. She also dropped LOR4LIFE 2 : REBIRTH which I would describe as trap sleaze.
16. PUPPET – I.S.Y.I.M.D.
Gio, who fronts PUPPET, continues to define Fresno darkwave. I was fortunate to interview him earlier in the year. What a genuine and talented guy. They also have the doppest merch out there. I played “hoof” at the club the other day and literally the whole dance floor was jumping up and down. GO PUPPET GO.
15. Brothel in Belize – War
No, I do not think they are a ripoff of a certain band. I’m sure you can figure out who I’m talking about if you haven’t already seen the niche tik toks about them. I think Brothel in Belize is one of the best electroclash artists out there. They are so underrated. Check them out before everyone else does. Their sonic sounds at certain points on this album actually give me M83 vibes.
14a. Puzzle – Damage Collection
I appreciate how pretty consistent Fletcher’s sound has been as Puzzle. It seems like almost everything new that Puzzle has come out with has sounded very similar to his 2020 EP Places We Choose Not to Look. This was one of my favorite Vada Vada projects ever so I’m glad he’s riding this wave. Still, there are dope tracks on this full-length album that sound unique and inspiring.
14b. Enjoy – The Sound of Deceit
So sorry to group the twins into the #14 spot. Wyatt’s sound as Enjoy is quite distinct from Puzzle. The Sound of Deceit is punkrock that still showcases Wyatt’s surf rock indie roots.
13. R. Missing – Like the Sound of Injured Lov
I consider myself to be one of the biggest R. Missing fans out there. She was probably the most featured artist that I spotlighted on my radio show. Her music is fire. Her vibe is unmatched. It’s indie electronica at its finest which is rare to find in the 2020s.
12. PinkPantheress – Fancy That
I was there from the beginning and I love how Victoria is staying true to herself. I believe she still produces most of her own music which not many big name artists could do. She has also been very public about her support for Palestinians having participated in the Together for Palestine event this year.
11. Nation – Nation 2
This was probably my girlfriend’s favorite album of the year. It’s a good one. They also collabed with Ecco2K. If you haven’t checked out Nation, they are very draingang coded and produce club bangers. Nation 2 feels motivational and can make your days a lot better.
10. Marjorie -W.C. Sinclair – Beimax Chessclub
The Evanora universe is just one dude and Marjorie is like his yay area rap counterpart. This album is a straight banger and I was fortunate to meet him in LA a few months ago. He actually helped me with my Russian Duolingo. Orion/Marjorie/Evanora is quite multifaceted and a nice guy.
9. Pictureplane – Sex Distortion
Pictureplane should not be left out of any darkwave conversations. He released one of the dopest postpunk albums in 2025. It’s ethereal and perfect for goth nights. I was lucky to connect with him this year. Enough said. Check out Sex Distortion.
8. FKA Twigs – EUSEXUA Afterglow
Where do I begin. I think OG Twigs fans would agree that we were pleasantly surprised with Afterglow. I kept up with Twigs through it all and I’m so happy that she is making music again like she did pre-COVID. No disrespect at all to her art. She is one of the biggest icons from the 2010s who is still out there creating. I was just so happy to hear sounds that she used to sample all the time. I also believe that this album has something for everyone. I am officially on the Eusexua train.
7. Ninajirachi – I Love My Computer
I hopped onto the Ninajirachi wave a little late but better late than never <3. She’s such a vibe and very for the times in the 2020s for being nostaligic of the early 2000s-2010s tech era. And this Australian does a great job at making hyperpop/indie sleaze bops that remind us of those b-boys who would blast Skrillex down the hallways circa 2010.
6. Bassvictim – Forever
If you don’t know who Bassvictim is, what have you been listening to this whole year? This album definitely grew on me. Don’t come into it expecting sounds like “Air on a G String.” This album is deeply more personal to Maria and I totally felt the vision. I’m looking forward to what else this Polish duo has to offer. I know they will not be going away any time soon. They are just getting started and their sets go NUTS.
5. E_DEATH – Czech Hunter
I have recently had some lively discussions about what is “electroclash.” Is it an era? A style? I’ll tell you what it is. It’s E_DEATH. I’m so excited to see her in SF at SOUNDS LIKE ’26. Just listen. Trust me.
4. Neggy Gemmy – She Comes from Nowhere
Neggy Gemmy outdid herself with She Comes From Nowhere. This album is great all the way through. If you like Magdalena Bay and ethereal pop, you’ll love Neggy Gemmy and SCFN. It also gave trip-hop and 90s twee/shoegaze. Don’t sleep on it!
3. Cowgirl Clue – Total Freedom
I really enjoy how much Cowgirl Clue has grown as an artist and how she continues to define hyperpop music. I’m also happy to have seen her in Fresno once again this year. Thank you, Ashley, for showing the Central Valley some love and for coming out with one of the most poppin albums of the year.
2. Bassvictim – Basspunk 2
Oh it’s Maria and Ike again! Truly one of the greatest duos in the scene right now. Fine, I’ll mention the chaos of their social media presence. It’s okay they’re just YOLO af.
1. 3L3D3P – General!
Once General! came out, I knew immediately that it would be my top album of the year. I am so impressed by Marina’s unique style. This album makes me want to dance and cry and play old video games. She also has the best music videos that you need to binge watch. I’m forever grateful that I got to interview her. I aired it on the radio but would anyone be interested in me posting it online? Thank you Marina for your incredible music.
EP Picks of 2025
Ryder Bach, Ganzfeld Blue – Mauve Topic (45 RPM)
I have been a fan of Ryder Bach for a few years now. His music is inspiring and Mauve Topic (45 RPM) is no different. It’s coming of age. It’s synthwave. It’s honest. It’s earwormy. Forever lucky to have found Ryder Bach and I’m looking forward to what else he has up his sleeve. Until then, I’m going to be playing the F out of my Mauve Topic CD.
Levi Ryan – southern comfort
Levi Ryan is one of my girlfriend’s and my favorite artists. I don’t even know how to fully describe his music. It’s like a smooth sonic punch of darkwave but also kinda numetal… Once you listen to a song, I’m sure you’ll find yourself checking out his whole discography. We need more, Levi. Thank you for southern comfort.
Future Nobodies – Unloveable
We can’t forget Future Nobodies. They’re one of my favorite indie post-punk bands right now. I finally got to see them this year along with Haunt Me and Obskuros in LA. I appreciate that we share a favorite band, The Drums, and I definitely hear them in FN. Future Nobodies is raw and vulnerable and genuinely make beautiful music. Check them out!
Nuovo Testamento – Trouble
One of the best synth projects of 2025, hands down. They also came to Fresno which was one of the coolest shows I attended this year. You would think that this band was actually from the 80s. It’s a perfect dance mini album.
Evanora Unlimited – Portraits from Memory
Evanora is once again on my list this year with his EP Portraits of a Memory. I love how he switches between English, Spanish, and Russian in this EP. He is so interesting and cannot be ignored. A true artist.
New York – Push
The girls COOKED with Push. I’m so proud of how much they have grown and Push is truly one of the best experimental electroclash projects of the year. Don’t sleep on London’s Coumba and Gretchen. Forever sad that we never got an explanation as to why they didn’t perform at and always forever festival in LA </3
Honorable Mentions
The xx – xx (Deluxe)
The xx dropping never before released tracks from their self-titled was not on my 2025 bingo card. Once it came out, I found myself listening to it over and over for days. Truly an honorable mention. Check the new songs out if you haven’t already. You’re gonna want to put your Toms and flannel back on.
meat computer – weird alone guy
Well well well if it isn’t our boy Mr. Meat Computer again. He came out with this album earlier in the year or maybe it was like right before 2025. It was on soundcloud first and now exists as a playlist on Spotify. I don’t understand his madness but I can tell you that he can make club bangers. I played some of weird alone guy at the club and people instantly were drawn to it. Don’t stop Meat Computer. Save us..
Thank you for the years of support and to discovering new cool music together!
– David 12/30/2025
From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be Free!
Tunes & Oats 