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Here are my fave songs released last year. And yeah, if you know me, Jason Isbell’s latest solo effort dominates it. I can take the heat.

1. Enough, Jeff Tweedy — I saw Tweedy at Union Transfer touring behind his triple album, Twilight Override, and — I’ll be honest — I was very, very bored. His family-style band is seriously snooze-worthy. The opener was the bassist. She’s lovely. She is not interesting. And … the album has some absolute adult earworms, and this is the best of them. Did it need to be three albums? No, it did not. I need to check in with my friend Eric Spitznagel, and Tweedy friend, about if the guy is an unconstrained maniac. Which might be true, but he’s a great musician.
2. Crimson and Clay, Jason Isbell — Isbell’s latest album is just him and his guitar, as he reckons with the end of his marriage to Amanda Shires and the start of the rest of his life (including a new special someone). There are some tough listens (talking ’bout you, “Open and Close”) in the first half, then it turns a corner with this song, about his growing up. As a former colleague and fellow fan said, it was the first song on the album that sounded like the guy that got me into Isbell’s music. That “cross in the locker,” takes a second to get his point, but it stays with you.
3. Save Your Soul, Kathleen Edwards — I would love to be Kathleen Edwards’ good friend. Have loved her since Failer. I’ve listened to this on repeat, and been very happy.
4. She’s Leaving You, MJ Lenderman — Believe this album came out in 2024, but it got most of its plays in 2025. I love his slouchy, grungy, guitar-for-hire persona and Katie Crutchfield of Waxahatchee is one of my faves, so this is right up my alley. I saw him at Isbell’s Shoalsfest, and the youngins showed up to bob their heads. He has a lot to learn, but I’m very curious to see what he does next.
5. Empty Trainload of Sky, Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings — I’ve had a serious musical crush on Gillian since Revelator, and Dave Rawlings is an awesome guitarist. I heard this song and was transfixed. Was hoping to see them opening at Red Rocks for Isbell in May, but my granddaughter’s first communion has gotten in the way. I REALLY, REALLY want to catch them live soon.
6. True Believer, Jason Isbell — “Take your hand off my knee, take your foot off my neck //
   Why are y’all examining me like I’m a murder suspect?” I loved Jason’s exchange with “Fresh Air” interviewer extraordinaire Terry Gross about this song. It was like swordplay, with words. And let’s just say it — you’re kind of a relationship murderer. And yet. Isbell’s album documents the end of one relationship and the beginning of the next without anything bitter or damning as either of his exes’ last two albums. Isbell faces all the smoke alone, with only his guitar, and it’s full of great stuff. This — the angriest song in the bunch — has stayed with me. I could imagine Bruce Springsteen doing it, and looking very, very satisfied.
7. Wristwatch, MJ Lenderman — Just a great rock song in a world that doesn’t create a lot of great rock songs.
8. Bitin’ List, Tyler Childers — I enjoy Childers, and this song made me laugh and play it over and over. And yes, I have a list …
9. Elderberry Wine, Wednesday — Lenderman plays guitar in this band, and this is a little Americana earworm.
10. Gravelweed, Jason Isbell.
11. Arizona, Palmyra
12. Fire Sign, S.G. Goodman — I LOVED S.G.’s debut album. This isn’t quite that, but it’s very, very good.
13. Wind Behind the Rain, Jason — Written for his younger brother’s wedding, it’s what any awesome songwriter should do for his bro.
14. Good While It Lasted, Jason Isbell — My favorite off Foxes in the Snow initially. I feared it was the farewell to the old flame, but it was the hello to the new, which was much better. “And all that I needed was all that I had // And it was good while it lasted.” Indeed.
15.  She Cleans Up and Time Makes Fools of Us All, Father John Misty — Love Josh Tillman and love both of these.