Don't let the year slip by without grabbing a listen of some of the most exciting music titles of 2025.
Title: Otis Taylor and the Electrics (Octave Records)
You might like if you enjoy: The Doors, Otis Taylor
Tell me more: Otis Taylor is one of the most unique and authentic voices recording blues and roots music today. The winner of five DownBeat awards, Living Blues, W.C. Handy and other honors, the prolific Colorado-based singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist has just released the outstanding Otis Taylor and the Electrics. Taylor — who sings and plays guitar, acoustic and electric banjo and harmonica on the 8-track disc — is known for his signature trance blues style that extends far beyond 12-bar blues patterns to masterfully blend blues, rock, African rhythms, improvisation and daring lyrics; those far-flung elements reach their zenith on his new album. Compelling stories and unsettling subjects are addressed across the track listing, with the musical moodscapes enhancing the power of each song. Among my favorite tracks on the album are the blues rocker "Three Stripes on a Cadillac," banjo and mandolin-fueled "Ran So Hard the Sun Went Down," the harmonica-anchored "They Don't Want Me" and "Twelve String Mile," the latter a hypnotic original about a black man getting ready to be lynched.
The album was produced by Taylor, with Joe Kessler as associate producer and Jessica Carson serving as executive producer. It was recorded and mixed by Paul McGowan and mastered by David Glasser. The album was recorded using Octave Records' state-of-the-art Pyramid Pure DSD system. Otis Taylor and the Electrics features Octave’s premium gold disc formulation, and the disc is playable on any SACD, CD, DVD, or Blu-ray player. It also has a high-resolution DSD layer that is accessible by using any SACD player or a PS Audio SACD transport. In addition, the master DSD and PCM files are available for purchase and download, including DSD 512, DSD 256, DSD 128, DSD 64, and DSDDirect Mastered 352.8 kHz/24-bit, 176.2 kHz/24-bit, 88.2 kHz/24-bit, and 44.1 kHz/24-bit PCM. (SRP: $29.) Information: otistaylor.com.
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Title: Oates (TBA)
You might like if you enjoy: Hall & Oates, Al Green, Lawrence, Devon Gilfillian
Tell me more: John Oates returned in 2025 with Oates, an extraordinary new album that marked his return to the soulful R&B-meets-pop sounds that helped rocket the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame duo Daryl Hall and John Oates to fame in the 1970s and '80s. Make no mistake; the tracks on Oates are every bit as expertly crafted and memorable as Hall & Oates' most beloved material. Among the stellar cuts on the 13-track disc are the breezy opener "Enough Is Enough" (featuring guest vocalists Clyde and Gracie Lawrence of the New York soul pop band Lawrence), the old school smooth soul gem "Real Thing Going On," the heartfelt "Mending" where he shares songwriting credit and lead vocals with soul singer Devon Gilfillian, Hall & Oates-flavored "A Ways Away," the intoxicating soul track "Pushin' a Rock," and an uptempo dance-minded run through Marc Cohn's 1991 hit "Walking In Memphis." Information: johnoates.com.
Title: Mood Elevator (Big Stir Records)
You might like if you enjoy: The Cars, The Byrds, The Kinks, Psychic Rain
Tell me more: Tapping into top-tier classic rock and power pop stylings, the Gold Needles' newly-issued Mood Elevator is definitely worth adding to your music library. The members of the gifted English quintet (Simon Dowson, lead vocals, guitar; Dave Burbage, lead guitar; Mark English, keyboards; Carl Slaughter, bass; Will Jones, drums) have found a commanding way to take their influences and make them into their own across a terrific 10-track disc. Among the absolutely great cuts on the album are the swirling rocker "Eleven Eleven," 1960s-mining ear candy "Pale Blue Silver Eyes," tuneful "Keep On Telling Me Why," power pop juggernaut "I'll Take My Chances," aptly-titled "Turns To Gold," evocative "Crescent Moon" and propulsive genre-blending album closer "Mood Elevator." Information: bigstirrecords.com.
Artists: Bad Company, HARDY, The Pretty Reckless, Slash, more
Title: Can't Get Enough: A Tribute to Bad Company (Bad Company Tribute)
You might like if you enjoy: Bad Company, Free, Def Leppard, Paul Rodgers
Tell me more: Bad Company's induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on Nov. 8, 2025 was wonderful for sure, but adding excitement to that occasion was the release of Can't Get Enough: A Tribute to Bad Company. The 10-track audio collection marks the first-ever tribute album to Bad Company; the title features contemporary and legendary artists from rock, country and Americana genres joining forces on original interpretations of the British rock supergroup's most beloved songs. An added bonus is how both Bad Company frontman Paul Rodgers and drummer Simon Kirke appear on several of the fresh cuts. The tribute features early standouts including HARDY's winning post-grunge take on "Ready For Love," Hailstorm's hard rocking "Shooting Star" featuring Rodgers, a terrific take on "Feel Like Makin' Love" courtesy of guitar great Slash along with Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators, a delightfully haunting "Run With The Pack" featuring Blackberry Smoke, Rodgers and drummer Brann Dailor. The diversity and ambition of the title continues across its last half via acclaimed country & soul artist Charley Crockett's soulful take on "Bad Company," Los Angeles outfit Dirty Honey's blues-rock treatment of "Rock Steady," and a terrific collaboration between Def Leppard members Joe Elliott (lead vocals) and Phil Collen (lead guitar) with Rodgers and Kirke on the poignant "Seagull." The collection closes out powerfully with The Pretty Reckless' fiery blues-rock drenched version of "All Right Now," a song originally recorded by Rodgers' early band Free in 1970. Information: BadCompany.com.
Robert Kinsler
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