Dr. Oz E’s Favorite Albums of 2025
2025 was a great year for singer/songwriters and folk rock and Americana music (if unfamiliar with that term, see below) in general. Another interesting note for music this year was stellar production of those songs in albums and EP’s. I will give you my take on my favorite albums of the year, albums I favored, and those that should get honorable mention. If you want to skip the commentary and see the list, scroll down for the short version.
Dr. Oz E in studio by Sydney Robinson
My Faves
Jesse Welles – Pilgrim and Middle along with the three other albums he released this year, Devil’s Den, Under the Powerlines II and With the Devil. And an EP – No Kings
Welles, from Ozark, Arkansas, arrived on the scene fully loaded with songs that capture the current environment in music and politics. His voice is gravelly and, for some, an acquired taste, ala Dylan, and his songs in the vein of Springsteen and Isbell. Yeah, this is high praise and well deserved. The production from Nashville engineer/producer Eddie Spear is nothing short of wonderful adding musical elements that make Jesse’s songs more compelling. Welles has been all over Instagram and TikTok with songs of the moment like the “No Kings” EP and “Venezuela.” He seems to be not just prolific but full of energy and wit.
Kris Delmhorst – Ghosts In The Garden
Folk rock at its finest. Last year, Delmhorst helped husband Jeffrey Foucault develop a tribute album to drummer Billy Conway who played in both JF’s and KD’s band and for Chris Smither. That album, Further On: The Songs of Billy Conway was on many top-of-the-year lists. Her voice has mellowed in her 25 year career, but her powerful songwriting has kept that voice relevant and worth multiple listenings. Friend of Cook County, Erik Koskinen produced the album and plays inspired guitar. Backing and featured vocals from Anais Mitchell, Ana Egge, Racheal Baiman and others add depth and harmonies that illuminate the songs’ lyrics. Having her play live up here for Unplugged at North House adds to a real connection to the North Shore and WTIP.
Mavis Staples – Sad and Beautiful World
When a legend releases an album, it may not seem that yet another album is remarkable (see Neil, Willie, and a whole bunch more – see the list below of artists that I always enjoy their latest release), but when it is…it is something like this wonderful set from the 86 year-old Mavis. Along with the recurring theme for this year, the production from Brad Cook (brother of Phil Cook and best bud of Justin Vernon) is stellar. And the players(!): Sam Beam, Phil C., Buddy Guy, Derek Trucks, Nathaniel Rateliff, Tre Burt, MJ Lenderman, Amy Ray, Katie Crutchfield Jeff Tweedy among other luminaries. And the songwriters (!): Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, Kevin Morby, Eddie Hinton, Tom Waits and Kathleen Brennan, Curtis Mayfield, and Leonard Cohen – what great choices. Love it.
West Texas Exiles – 8000 Days
I’ve been playing WTE’s singles for the past couple of years and, finally, they released their latest album this summer. The Austin’s band plays a country influenced folk rock that seems innocent and mature at the same time, similar to one of 2024’s favorites, Fruition’s How To Make Mistakes. There are great country harmonies and fun tunes that invite you to listen and smile, not an easy task this year. “The Wind’s Gonna Blow” and “Cards” are highlights.
Kathleen Edwards – Billionaire and Covers
Great songwriting and, again, wonderful production and electric guitar par excellante from Jason Isbell, make indie rocker Edwards two releases in 2025 hum. Coming from a Toronto viewpoint, she comes at politics and relationships in a way keeps your ears perked up and wanting to hear repeatedly. Isbell plays a large part in the songs with blistering guitar solos, especially on Billionaire. Kathleen shows her musical curating chops with great picks for her Covers EP with Tom Petty’s “Crawling Back To You,” Isbell’s “Traveling Alone,” and Paul Westerberg’s “Only Lie Worth Telling” as highlights. My prejudice for Canadian singer songerwriters and bands is showing like my beer gut in a tight shirt.
Matt Andersen – The Hammer And The Rose
Speaking of Canadian singer songwriters, PEI native Andersen released his 11th (!) album of soulful folk, with a big nod to rhythm and blues, that reminds me of Dobie Gray’s country soul album of 1973 “Drift Away.” Great tunes for any time of the day, but especially while I’m cooking dinner. Highlights are the title tune, “Wayaheadaya,” “Tonight Belongs To You” and a cover of JJ Cale’s “Magnolia.” Matt’s a warm voice on a cool evening.
Heather Maloney – Exploding Star
This album came out in the early part of the year and I played it a great deal. It’s been great to come back to and hear her grief and joy in her careful song writing. This is her fifth album and she has linked up with producer and musician Don Mitchell of Darlingside (check them out, too!) and the partnership pays off with dramatic results. Great folk, alternative folk, folk rock – whatever you want to call it.
Leslie Jordan – The Agonist
A debut album of songs inspired by the life and poems of her beatnik-inspired grandfather. A variety of folk styles are featured with the story shining through. Again, inspired production from Kenneth Pattengale of the Milk Carton Kids and Jordan. The songs “The Flight” and “Truth or Consequence” are my favorites.
Dominique Adams – To Keep
A wonderful full-lengthed debut from the young Winnipeg singer songwriter. Adams sings literate and enjoyable tunes. Natural comparisons are to Joni Mitchell and Neil Young, both geographically and expressively. “Part Time” and “If I Were You” are highlights. Again with my prejudice for Canadians – I think we will hear more from Dominique.
Max Gomez – Memory Mountain
The Taos based New Mexican folk singer already has just two albums out but he is clearly influenced by Guy Clark, John Prine and Townes Van Zandt. I like his wit and his attention to the sounds and voices of the Southwest. Worth listening to on repeat.
Otis Gibbs – The Trust of Crows
I often feel like I’ve come late to the game. There are artists out there, especially those independent of record labels, who have produced a bucket load of great music and I have finally found them. Otis Gibbs is one of them (Carl Solander knows his music…duh!). His latest album has his world weary voice “delivering the goods” with an eye to human nature and the current times. He recently told the story that he moved into a new place with a wild back yard and lots of birds at his feeders. Otis noticed, though, that the crows hung back, watching what was a show of trust from other birds and began to cogitate on what the trust of crows must be like. If that’s intriguing to you, check out his music. His previous album, Hoosier National, has a great tune about his father building a chopper.
Joan Shelley – Real Warmth
Steven Thompson of NPR’s All Songs Considered turned me on to Shelley. I thought her album of 2022, The Spur, was one of the best that year. This album sounds like she wrote and recorded it in Ireland. It is warm. It is folk. The production, supplied by Ben Whiteley of Canada’s The Weather Station, is lush and fitting. I call it Sunday Morning Music. Like Max Gomez’s album, it’s worth putting on repeat.
Molly Dean – Interwoven
When you know the artist and you’ve heard them repeatedly, it’s a wonderful treat to hear something unexpected. Such is the co-star of Dusty Heart’s solo effort of this year. Molly plays the lead and puts us in a place that is both ethereal and grounded, if that’s possible. Partnering with Sean Carey of Bon Iver as producer, the album is a joy. Period.
HIGHLY Enjoyable – Favored Albums
Joe Ely – Love and Freedom
Originals and covers of note from a Texas legend.
Seth Walker – Why the Worry?
Another artist I’m just learning about and I love his New Orleans spirit and Bobby Charles and Bill Withers covers.
Jason Isbell – Foxes in the Snow
His album about his love and loss in divorce. Masterful.
Sam Moss – Swimming
Talented singer songwriter with another album worth putting on repeat.
Tomar and the FC’s – Soul Searching
Austin’s great soul group and one of my top R&B albums of the year.
Van Morrison – Remembering Now
The first part of the album is vintage Van the Man. I still love the rest of it.
Mike Ferris – The Sound of Muscle Shoals
A veteran blues and gospel singer put himself in an iconic source for inspiration.
The Wood Brothers – Puff of Smoke
Alternative folk rock with voices that only a mother could love (not really, but they are an acquired taste).
Hayes Carll – We’re Only Human
The funniest and most astute chronicler in today’s country rock. Always a hoot.
Autumn Defense – Here and Tomorrow
Great folk-rock and pop from two Wilco sidemen.
Rhett Miller – A lifetime of riding by night
The Old 97’s front man says he sang in pain as he awaited throat surgery and the songs are some of his best.
Bros. Landreth – Dog Ear
Quality rock and roll with the always wonderful Bonnie Raitt pitching in
Marcus King – Darling Blue
Honeydogs – Algebra for Broken Hearts
Devon Allman – The Blues Summit
Dar Williams – Hummingbird Highway
Wildwoods – Dear Meadowlark
Rodney Crowell – Airline Highway
Watchhouse – Rituals
Mumford and Sons – Rushmere
Paul Thorn – Life is Just a Vapor
The Pairs – The Pairs
Sabine McCalla – Don’t Call Me Baby
St. Paul and the Broken Bones – St. Paul and the Broken Bones
Nicki Bluhm – Rancho Deluxe
I ALWAYS Love Their Albums – Honorable Mention
James McMurtry – The Black Dog and the Wandering Boy
Maia Sharp – Tomboy
Andrew Duhon – The Parish Record
Taj Mo – Room On The Porch
I’m With Her – Wild and Clear and Blue
Jon Cleary – The Bywater Sessions
Jay Farrar and Shannon McNally – Don’t Ya Take It Too Bad
Caitlin Canty – Night Owl Envies the Mourning Dove
Bon Iver – Stable Fable
John Calvin Abney – Transparent Towns
Shinyribs – Leaving Time
Brandy Carlisle – Returning to Myself
Barr Brothers – Let It Hiss
Neko Case – Neon Gray
Top 13 – Again
Jesse Welles – Pilgrim and Middle along with the three other albums he released this year, Devil’s Den, Under the Powerlines II and With the Devil. And an EP – No Kingsl
Kris Delmhorst – Ghosts In The Garden
Mavis Staples – Sad and Beautiful World
West Texas Exiles – 8000 Days
Kathleen Edwards – Billionaire and Covers
Matt Andersen – The Hammer And The Rose
Heather Maloney – Exploding Star
Leslie Jordan – The Agonist
Dominique Adams – To Keep
Max Gomez – Memory Mountain
Otis Gibbs – The Trust of Crows
Joan Shelley – Real Warmth
Molly Dean – Interwoven
What is Americana?
Americana music is really a melting pot or a mosaic of musical genres. It’s a stew with rock, country, folk, blues, soul/rhythm and blues, funk, bluegrass and even some jazz (see Bela Fleck) in the mix. Dylan is Americana but so are artists from across the globe. Some pop would be considered Americana, like Norah Jones. Some alternative forms of rock, folk and country are considered Americana. It’s a fusion of genres; it’s a stew of influences. Okay, I’ll stop because this can get carried too far.
WTIP Staff December 19, 2025
