This was a fantastic year for music. I find new music by new artists, which always excites me, as well as happily getting new music from bands and musicians I have been listening to for a long time. Below is a list that is in no particular order. But I will shout out Dave Hause, Tyler Childers, and Bryan Lee (The Jacknives), who are all sober musicians who made this list.
There was, from my perspective, a ridiculous conversation this year about what punk and hardcore music are. This, to me, was really a form of narrow-minded gatekeeping. And a form of I’m cooler than you. At a time when we need to pull more people together—especially folks who see the world through a punk rock lens grounded in a subculture of resistance—it created division. Do I really care if Turnstile is a hardcore band? Does it even matter? I really don’t think it does. What matters is the music and the message. That said, there were several great, what I’ll call punk adjacent, albums that came out this year.
Turnstile – Never Enough
First, the Turnstile above released Never Enough, a blazing and beautiful record about longing, community, stillness, and rage. In many ways, it is a sequel to Glow On, which helped the band gain a much wider audience and stretched their sound beyond their previous work. It is also the band’s first record with Meg Mills, who replaced founding guitarist Brady Ebert. Bonus prize for Turnstile playing an amazing Tiny Desk Concert, where they re-imagined some of their songs with a horn section. It was also the first Tiny Desk Concert ever to feature stage diving and crowd surfing.
The Jacknives – Into The Night
Next up in the punk arena is The Jack Knives. They released their excellent new record, Into The Night, in May, and it has been in regular rotation for me ever since. They are a self-described working-class punk band, with all its members having other jobs to keep making music. And make music they do. With lyrics that tell stories of struggle and hope, matched with an infectious punk rock groove, The Jacks Knives are the band I needed to get through a year when the weight of the world felt super heavy. I put on Into the Night, turned it up, and let it carry me away. Without a doubt, this band deserves to be huge. And you can learn more about the band by listening to my interview with bass player Bryan Lee.
Maruja – Pain To Power
Then there’s Maruja and her album Pain To Power, which is somewhat hard to categorize or describe. But really, while punk is the best way I can describe it, the record is also a genre mashup of beautiful words that are largely spoken, a pulsating rhythm section, and a jazz-influenced saxophone. This album has one of my favorite lyrics of the year on the song Look Down On Us.
“Love is my God, I don’t care what you say
All the hate in our hearts, it takes us further away.”
Dave Hause – …And The Mermaid
In the punk-adjacent realm, we can’t forget Dave Hause and his latest, …And The Mermaid. You can read my full review here. Just a reminder: this guy’s a sober musician and dad, making waves (pun intended) in the music scene. He also appeared in episode 5 of the Sober Dad Crew podcast.
Rosalía – Lux
Rosalía released Lux at the beginning of November. This album, which I’m listening to as I write this, is a reminder that only love can get you closer to the divine than music. Divided into four movements and sung in 13 languages, Lux is impossible to put into any category. While it was recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra, it isn’t exactly classical music. Some of the singing is operatic, but this isn’t an opera. Rosalia has spoken frequently about her faith, and it is present here. In the same way John Coltrane expressed his faith in God with A Love Supreme, Rosalía has done that on Lux. And while it is beyond categorization, it is, more importantly, a beautiful, moving, and ultimately transcendent work.
Babatunde Adebimpe – Thee Black Boltz
Babatunde Adebimpe’s solo project, Thee Black Boltz, showcases his unmistakable voice, which we know from TV On The Radio, a greatly beloved indie band that last released a record in 2014. Being connected to such a popular and impactful band can create a challenge for an artist recording a solo project. With Thee Black Boltz, Babatunde Adebimpe builds on the power of his voice to record an album of songs that can best be described as transformative, crafting them wholly in his image. And the track ILY gets my vote for the most beautiful love song of the year.
Poliça – Dreams Go
I’ve been a fan of Poliça since the band released its debut, Give You the Ghost, in 2012. The band’s bass and dual drums combined with an electrically processed voice made for music that was both intimate and expansive. The release of Dreams Go this fall is a return of sorts after the band stopped playing due to bass player Chris Bierden losing his ability to play due to brain cancer. Before this terrible event, the band had written new songs in 2022. But they didn’t release the songs or tour. In fact, as singer Channy Leaneagh pointed out on Instagram, the band’s members all got jobs and tried to move on. But the longing to create together again called them back, and they used those recordings made with Chris to create one of the most beautiful releases in its catalog.
Big Thief – Double Infinity
When Big Thief went into the studio to record Double Infinity, they did so without the bass player who had been with them since 2015. They used session musicians in the studio, including bass player Joshua Crumbly, who is now touring with the band. Double Infinity is the sound of a band in transition, not only embracing the opportunity but creating a work of art that is both true to where it came from and open to its future. The track All Night All Day might be the sexiest song of 2025.
Tyler Childers – Snipe Hunter
Shoutout to my oldest son for introducing me to Tyler Childers, who released Snipe Hunter this year. For the record, he is a sober dad—and a super stylish one at that. All that said, and if you’re unfamiliar with him, he’s a country singer in the vein of Johnny Cash. He’s also a musician who works in the tradition of Bruce Springsteen—telling stories that are both personal and universal. The songs and musical sounds are also deeply rooted in Appalachian folk music and culture. This is best represented by the song, “Nose To The Grindstone,” which is the story of a father explaining to his son how to get out of their dead-end town.
Linda May Han Oh – Strange Heavens
Last but certainly not least, bassist Linda May Han Oh released the stunning Strange Heavens. This powerhouse jazz trio, also comprised of Ambrose Akinmusire on trumpet and drummer Tyshawn Sorey, is no joke. Tyshawn Sorey has won both a Pulitzer Prize and a MacArthur Genius Award. Linda May Hahn Oh is an Associate Professor at the Berklee College of Music and part of the Institute for Jazz and Gender Justice. Ambrose Akinmusire is a past winner of the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition. So separately, they are incredible. And together they somehow manage to make the whole better than the sum of its formidable parts. Strange Heavens represents what improvisational music should be: spiritually probing, intellectually challenging, and, above all, beautiful and moving.
Long List: Other Albums I Loved This Year
- Sunday (1994), Devotion
- Jeff Tweedy, Twilight Override
- Japanese Breakfast, For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women)
- Julien Baker and TORRES, Send A Prayer My Way
- Sharon Van Etten, Sharon Van Etten & the Attachment Theory
- Bon Iver, Sable Fable
- Sprints, All That Is Over
- Scowl, Are We All Angels
So there you have it! A year packed with musical delights and heartfelt lyrics. Whether you seek solace, reflection, or simply a head-bobbing beat, there’s something for everyone. Cheers to another year of great tunes and unforgettable performances!
Listen to the Sober Dad Crew Playlist on Spotify
PLAY IT AGAIN is The Sober Curator’s curated playlist of sobriety anthems—songs that capture the essence of recovery journeys and lift the spirit. From timeless classics to modern hits, these tracks inspire, heal, and motivate, no matter what genre of choice. Each song is handpicked for its power to transport you to another state of mind and remind you why living alcohol-free rocks.
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My guest this episode is Ruben Salazar, a recording artist and place maker. He shares his journey as a musician and a community leader in Santa Ana, California. He discusses the importance of music in his life, the challenges of substance use, and his path to sobriety. Ruben emphasizes the significance of community and activism, especially in the context of current societal issues.
Takeaways
- Ruben's journey in music began in his childhood, influenced by his parents' love for various genres.
- The Blue Lot was created as a community space to showcase local talent and art.
- Ruben's love for reggae music shaped his desire to serve the community.
- Substance use became prevalent in Ruben's life during his teenage years, intertwined with his music career.
- Meeting his girlfriend marked a turning point in Ruben's journey towards sobriety.
- Ruben emphasizes the importance of community activism, especially in a sanctuary city like Santa Ana.
- He believes that sobriety has brought him clarity and a deeper understanding of his life and music.
- Ruben's experiences reflect the struggles of many artists balancing creativity and substance use.
- He advocates for finding personal paths to sobriety, whether through programs or self-discipline.
- Ruben continues to engage with his community through events and music, focusing on family and personal growth.
Be sure to subscribe, leave a rating, and share Sober Dad Crew with folks.
Sober Dad Crew is an independent, DIY production created by Stephen Kimball, who writes, records, and produces the podcast. To learn more, please visit soberdadcrew.com. Copyright 2025.
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