Vehlinggo has a special year-end list, courtesy of two musicians who released one of this site’s favorite albums of the year: Tim McEwan and Tyler Lyle of The Midnight share their favorite songs from this wild and crazy 2025. They each came up with five releases that encompass the exciting depth and breadth of the music of the year, in addition to the scope and character of their own musical tastes.
McEwan and Lyle shared Spotify playlists featuring their picks, and they even wrote a little bit about each song. All in all, it’s another damn fine offering from that little space where The Midnight and Vehlinggo often meet. (But yeah, if you haven’t yet, do check out Syndicate, the album they released in October, and also snag some concert tix for 2026. )
Tyler Lyle
Pino Palladino & Blake Mills — “Taka”
This track is perfect for a summer day BBQ: equal part brains and brawn. Music nerds who groove hard. This record is superb, but this is my favorite track.
Midlake — “Days Gone By”
Midlake’s 2006 album The Trials of Van Occupanther was like seeing in color for the first time. Part CSNY, part Fleetwood Mac, part postmodern weirdo indie folk. Their most recent album is a return to form: modal, pastoral, and if you’re half listening, you’ll half get it; which is the sweet spot for deep listening AND dinner party listening.
Dorian Concept — “Decaying Duet”
I love this album. Elevated, abbreviated compositions by a master of the form. Distilled, transparent, minimal. This has been my go-to on planes this year. Surprisingly easy to listen from top to bottom.
Big Thief – “Los Angeles”
I can’t say enough good things about Big Thief. There’s a little Indigo Girls, a little Elliot Smith, a little Damien Rice, but it’s all heart from Adrianne Lenker. Lyrics like a box of photographs fading in time and cigarette smoke, sung from the gut. Meant to be played on cassette blasting from an old pickup truck’s broken speakers.
Tommy Genesis, Marlon Hoffstadt, DJ Daddy Trance — “Number One”
Technically a 2024 release, but juuuust barely. This one is all body high. Driving, aggressive, fearless. I started using a cold plunge this year, and I play this to psych myself up to get in. Honorable mention to Yousuke Yukatsu and Fred Again for making me want to dance again this year, but Tommy makes me want to fight giants.
Tim McEwan
Guldimund and Saveus — “Vil du noget?”
My buddy from Denmark played me this and I immediately loved it. There’s a very Nordic, almost Celtic feel to melodies and chord structures but updated to 2025. It speaks to my soul.
Ethel Cain — “Fuck Me Eyes”
This was sent to me by another Danish musician friend. I love how it blends ’80s synths with contemporary indie pop.
Rod Wave — “Sinners”
I watched Sinners earlier this year and this played during the credits. I’ll always be a sucker for that flowy, syncopated, melodic rap style. Pair that with melancholic and wistful chords and I’m a goner.
Genesis Stephenson — “Soft Places”
>My brother played me this a few months ago. This is a piece you can just leave on a loop for two hours while pottering around the house or going on a long walk. Very introspective and deeply emotional to me.
Justin Bieber — “405”
I love songs that don’t really care about having a massive chorus. It’s not about that. It’s about that mood and living in it for a while. This is both sad, romantic, emotional and hopeful. Inject it into my veins.
There you go. I hope you go on their musical journey with them. Oh, and you didn’t click on the Syndicate link above? Here’s an embed for you. (They released a version that includes both the original album and an instrumental version. I’ve used that one.)
