2025 Rockin’ Year-End Roundup
My Personal Video Jukebox Playlist
by Christopher Long
Listen, friends. I ain’t no Mr. Smarty Pants. I’m no more “in tune” than the next kid on the block. However, I do spend each year consumed by the pedal-to-the-metal pursuit and subsequent consumption of tasty new tunes. And as this year ramps down, I just want to pause, reflect, and share the artists’ work that pummeled me the most severely in 2025. These aural and visual faves are in no particular order. This is merely a random video jukebox shuffle of the music that I couldn’t take my eyes or ears off over the last 12 months.
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The Last Dinner Party, “Count the Ways”
Any band that plays the Lee Hazlewood card in the first line of the first song on their album is a band that’s gonna get my attention. With their 2025 sophomore set, From The Pyre, Brit sensation The Last Dinner Party created an epic that felt like it could have a been a Roy Thomas Baker-produced collab between Kate Bush and Fiona Apple. “Count the Ways” is a Pink Star diamond in a record crammed with priceless gemstones.
Daisychain, “Rivers”
The Chicago-based brigade Daisychain released their latest, All In A Name, earlier this year. Of the record’s ten tracks, “Rivers” is pure psychedelic fire. And it lit me up, lickety split.
The Midnight Cowgirls, “Born Ready”
Every once in a while, when the planets align just right, a new band pops onto the scene that’s so fresh and so fun, it demands attention. The sparkly and spangly, country-fried, Americana combo The Midnight Cowgirls is one of those bands. Of their three 2025 video singles, their latest, “Born Ready” is a true blue barn burner. Read my Ink 19 interview with Cowgirls vocalist / guitarist, Blaise Dahl, HERE.
Katie Schecter, “Pay It No Mind”
Within the first 10 seconds of the “Pay It No Mind” video, I was ALL IN. Truth be told, NYC native Katie Schecter is the most fascinating music artist to find me in 2025. And her latest record, Empress, is an irresistible seduction.
Bella Perron, “Enlighten”
Celebrated guitar slayer Bella Perron released her first two must-see solo video singles in 2025. Soaring with immeasurable rock star swagger, her debut video, “Enlighten,” shreds from start to finish. Read my full Ink 19 feature HERE.
Erika Sherger, “Parkway Queen”
One of the best and brightest records to come my way this year was Wrap Me Up In Colored Feathers, the third studio offering from New Jersey-based singer-songwriter, guitarist, and master storyteller, Erika Sherger. The leadoff video / single, “Parkway Queen,” is particularly alluring. Read my full Ink 19 album review HERE.
Judy Blank, “Toy Heart”
Netherlands-born singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Judy Blank dropped a doozie of a record this year with Big Mood — a delicious delight that packs all the super-sweet punch of a basketful of cotton candy heisted from the Wonka factory following a weekly therapy session. “Toy Heart” is one of the best of the batch. Read my full Ink 19 album review HERE.
Cheap Trick, “The Riff That Won’t Quit”
Their 21st LP All Washed Up shows Cheap Trick’s continued commitment to the polished popsmith style of their new millennium releases, while remaining faithful to their iconic, artistic legacy. A bona fide bruiser, the raucous “The Riff That Won’t Quit” boasts plenty of signature style angsty guitar clatter. Read my full Ink 19 album review HERE.
Mewtone, “See You Tonight”
Stylistically, So-Cal pop-rock export Mewtone blends wide-eyed ’80s innocence with fuzzy-buzzy ’90s riffs, dripping with the fresh-squeezed appeal of artists who came of age during the new millennium. I was incapacitated immediately by their irresistible debut video / single, “See You Tonight.” Read my full Ink 19 feature HERE.
Natalie Bergman “Gunslinger”
One of the sunniest 2025 summertime surprises was My Home Is Not In This World, the dreamy-feeling, steamy-sounding set from singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and one-time Wild Belle co-conspirator, Natalie Bergman. The track, “Gunslinger,” is a real “straight shooter.”
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There ya go, friends! I hope you discovered something new and wonderful here. Now, bring on the new year! ◼
The Last Dinner Party • Daisychain • The Midnight Cowgirls • Katie Schecter • Bella Perron • Erika Sherger • Judy Blank • Cheap Trick • Mewtone • Natalie Bergman
