2025 was a year of personal growth of exploring different horizons, creating new relationships, and enjoying whatever life brings my way. After experiencing loss, it was time to find comfort in something I loved the most, music.
My goal was to explore various genres of music outside of what I was familiar with, indulging in bands or artists I was vaguely familiar with. Sometimes, the thrill of something new is enough to take you where you need to be in life. I found that to be true as I explored my top five artists for 2025, who made my journey feel complete.
Though there are plenty of artists I wish I could include, this top five list is composed of the artists who gave me the most change in the best way possible. From the feeling of wanting to dance, shed a tear, or reminisce about the past. These artists did it all for me, and just maybe, they could do it for you, too.
1. The Allman Brothers Band
Perhaps one of the greatest bands of their era, the Allman Brothers genuinely have impacted me the most. In the beginning of 2025, I began to expand my rock genre outside of psychedelic sound and moved down to the south to bands that had more of a taste for the blues.
The Allman brothers were one of them. Possibly changing my life for the better, I grew an obsession for their albums Eat a Peach (1972), Idlewild South (1970), and At Fillmore East (1971). These three albums felt like music came to life.
I felt their passion, joy, and understanding of life more than any group did for me. Allman Brothers grew to be very sentimental in all areas of my life as they gave me the purpose of joy and understanding of what life can bring you in just a day.
Back when I hosted a radio show for 88.3FM WXAV in Chicago, I interviewed a band called Satin Banshee. They brought some of the vinyl records for a spin as we broadcast, and one of them brought Idilewild South (1971) during the show back in 2023. It was safe to say I was naturally hooked as soon as I heard the instrumental piece, "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed."
It's safe to say this band was dripping with the blues, I felt it in every part of my body. The undeniable passion of their creation and love for music radiated so heavy, I knew I needed more of them after that. Though the first listening of such a masterpiece was in 2023, I found my way back to them in the beginning of 2025. As I was trying to venture off, I always felt a magnetic pull towards their music.
Eventually, I gave in to the pull and discovered my love for yet another outstanding band whose sound will never expire its time on Earth. Though I may never get the chance to see them live, At Fillmore East (1971) is enough to take me there, wishing I could feel the love of the audience when they hear the song "Whipping Post."
If there is one thing I wish to say to The Allman Brothers, it is a simple thank you for creating your music!
2. Muddy Waters
It wouldn't be too long before the train of blues took me from Allman Brothers, to the king of blues himself, Muddy Waters.
Though my exposure to Waters was always present, my exploration of the music is what got me further into his beautiful discography. As I grew an inclination for the music generated from the south, I always knew Muddy Waters was the king of the blues as well as how many artists attribute their sound and inspiration to Waters.
Possibly one of music's best artists to ever live, Muddy Waters surely changed my world forever, as my blues exposure was very minimal. If I could say thank you to Muddy, I would. The aura of his music almost makes me levitate off my chair, wishing I could turn the volume up just a bit more. I truly don't think the volume is ever high enough to feel the love and soul in his music.
His song "Got My Mojo Working" forever plays in a loop in my head, especially as I traveled to Mississippi and saw all the historical landmarks and statues made in his honor. His contributions to the blues movement are everlasting, and his tunes will carry on until the end of time.
Any time I hear his music, I cannot help but dance around, tap my feet, or wish I had a harmonica to match what plays in his songs. His performances are electrifying to your mind due to his outstanding stage presence.
Muddy Waters gets an infinite round of applause for his electric guitar innovation, pioneering the sound of the blues, and being one of a kind which is too bad for us. Most importantly, he exposed my mind to sounds and lyrics that tells a story of places I've never been and instruments I wish I could play.
3. Gordon Lightfoot
As I took this year to expand my taste of the blues, I also turned down a more acoustic route and played more folk music. Something I usually steered away from, possibly for not knowing who else to listen to besides Jim Croce, who is also legendary, nonetheless.
I knew I wanted to find other folk artists so what does a person do in 2025? I went to my Spotify and alas my long-lost hero, Gordon Lightfoot was before my eyes an ears.
The inclination was far beyond my understanding, and it almost came over me that I knew he was going to be the reason behind my admiration for the folk genre. I could tell by his aura that he was something special. I just had to see it for myself.
Alas, I pressed shuffle on a Spotify-generated playlist dedicated to Gordon, and when I say my ears were blessed in a way they haven't been before, I mean that wholeheartedly. As I listened to "Sundown" for the first time, I automatically saved his entire discography on the spot.
After I spent all night listening to Gordon Lightfoot, I saw comments on his videos of people saying, "the older you get, the more his songs make sense." To which I must agree with open arms. I never thought songs could just be that relatable until I found Gordon.
His lyrics are so simple, yet so raw to the heart, you almost feel as if your wise relatives came through to you in music form. To me, his music found me at the perfect time as I was trying to re-ground myself in stability and comfort.
Gordon Lightfoot, for a while, became a comfort zone to know that someone took your emotions into a song without even realizing it. It's enchanting, really, knowing he was so simple in the way he presented himself; it just felt more real in a sense where I felt like he was a friend more than just a musician. He's like the one friend who always knows what to say to you at the right time.
4. Frank Zappa
With many musicians in this world comes the lovely Frank Zappa. Though I was always into his music, my admiration for him came this year when I noticed just how much a good sense of humor can carry you.
In my life, I always enjoyed a good giggle as it brings joy to the heart and relief from your stress. Something about infectious laughter and smiles can do so much good for the world, especially as you overcome struggle.
Frank Zappa was one of those artists who brought relief to my music world as he was someone who always pushed boundaries of what had not been done prior, while also using abnormal lyrics, but kept it worthwhile.
Though I could list off countless songs of his that changed 2025 for the better, the gold medal must go to "Inca Roads" due to the improvision of sound, lyrics that make no sense, and an insanely well-constructed guitar solo that you keep rewinding because it was done almost too good.
More so, hearing this live as his son, Dweezil, toured to Chicago back in May, I was simply obsessed. When I heard "Inca Roads" start, I was pure endgame of love and happiness. Zappa was a reminder it was okay to have fun and to always be you in the process.
To me, deepining that understanding of Frank Zappa in 2025 was all about self-expression and exploring the genres of music that felt like it was out of reach. He was my reminder of what music was all about and how meaningful it can be even if the lyrics isn't about anything at all.
His lyrics may not have emotional meaning, but it was so much deeper than that. It was about finding your pieces within yourself and solving your own puzzle. Since what works for you, may not work for someone else.
5. The Doobie Brothers
When I think of one of those bands that is genuinely happy to be here, it is definitely the Doobie Brothers. They were one of those groups that made you feel happiness that felt like forever. For me, I found happiness in every album they made, and there isn't a single bad song they ever made.
Despite the first song I heard from them being the most popular, "Listen to the Music," it was a gentle reminder to just listen to the sounds that I loved the most. Basic, yet meaning that goes beyond one's. As music is one of the biggest parts that surround my life, sometimes all you have to do is just listen to the music.
I never would've thought the most popular song they ever made was the one that started my journey of expanding music beyond what I was comfortable with. Due to them, I downloaded every album they ever put out and got their tickets as soon as their tour was announced in April.
Just seeing them on Wednesday Sept. 10th was reassurance that I found myself once again. Getting up and singing their songs made me realize just how far I have gotten in 2025 no matter what came my way. Seeing them all on stage felt like a self-healing journey was complete and my heart was full for the first time in awhile.
Finding joy in the hobby I love most, which is music, just one song titled "Listen to the Music" was the simplest reminder someone could get.
As 2025 is almost closed, I realize just how much new music I was exposed to and how amazing it feels to know myself a little bit better than I did before. New music doesn't always mean what comes out in 2025; it could also be songs from the 1970s and beyond that can change and understand you. It also means you wish you could time-travel to see bands in their prime!