Sharp Pins Show No Signs of Imposter Syndrome
Sharp Pins’ catchy new album should be celebrated for its authentic 1960s pop-rock representation, even if it’s unclear what exactly makes the band unique.
Patrick Gill
Patrick Gill is an Ohio native, where he lives with his wife and children. He has a passion for music and previously wrote for the online publication Lost at Sea. He works for a local non-profit focused on making higher education more accessible and actively volunteers in the community.
The Best Music of 2025/Feature Sub Head/Featured: Top of Home Page/Features/Lists/Music/Music Features/PopMatters Picks
The 30 Best Rock Albums of 2025
This was another noteworthy year for the best rock music. Some artists followed a debut with a stunning second LP and mainstays showed a return to form or evolved.
Bill Callahan Gets Busy Living on “The Man I’m Supposed to Be”
Bill Callahan’s “The Man I’m Supposed to Be” is a call to action, a carpe diem for the advanced middle-age malaise that will eventually come to us all.
The Mountain Goats Create Their First Proper Musical
Derived from a dream, the Mountain Goats’ new musical tells the intimate and vivid tale of the lone survivors from a shipwrecked crew.
Pavement’s ‘Hecklers Choice’ Is Neither Definitive Nor Exhaustive
Pavement’s new best-of compilation offers a more concise and moderately updated, although non-essential, retrospective of the beloved band.
The Dears Celebrate the Beauty Surrounding Them
With their new album, the Dears add some complex sounds to expand their universe, even if their consistency was never in question.
Wolf Parade’s 2005 Debut Is Still a Revelation
Montreal band Wolf Parade’s haphazard formation and instant momentum yielded their most captivating work, including what would become their defining anthem.
The Charlatans Come Out on Fire with ‘We Are Love’
On their 14th studio album, We Are Love, the Charlatans sound invigorated and have made some of their most important music to date.
Richard Ashcroft Loses His Poetic Charm
On Lovin’ You, Richard Ashcroft still seems too caught up in love, amidst attempts to try something new, and rarely taps into what made him such a songwriting force.
Madi Diaz Leans Into the Anguish on ‘Fatal Optimist’
On her confessional new album Fatal Optimist, Madi Diaz lays everything bare and achieves a certain wisdom through the heartbreak.
Jeff Tweedy Fends Off the Darkness on ‘Twilight Override’
Jeff Tweedy’s courageous triple LP, played with a consistent set of musicians, serves as a meditation on his current mood and the state of the world.
Fruit Bats’ Sketchbook Album Feels a Bit Too Even
On Baby Man, Fruit Bats’ minimalist-maximalist approach showcases his vocal capacity, but it will only be relished when the mood hits just right.