IN REVIEW: 2025

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Holy fucking shit. This blog has sort of slipped out of my fingers this year... I promise I'll return in full swing soon. For now, here's this. Send music shit to [ fosterhildingmusic@gmail.com ] or DM me on Instagram.

These are MOUTHS MADE WORDLESS' top 10 albums/EPs of the year in order:


These rankings are based on almost nothing except what stuck with me the most this year. So many of these are transcendental, and I implore you to check them out. I linked the reviews to each release I was able to review this year, although their ratings had weight on the ranking of this list. I wish I could get around to reviewing all of these, but I'm a busy guy, so I've written some short pieces for my top 10:

1. Pt. 1 - Mildred.

    A perfect album that will most certainly stand the test of time. It captures a feeling of the overwhelmingly sublime like no other project in the past decade, let alone this year. It was an honor to work on this record and always an honor to call Mildred my friends. Set aside a couple hours and let it take over you--listen loud and now and you'll never regret it. 

2. Demo 2025 - My Friend, My Urn 10/10. Read the full review here.

    Another immaculate release whose imperfections make it all the better--that fuzzy production and quiet yearning like photographers on the sidelines of war... There is no band like My Friend, My Urn and I want it to stay that way. These riffs are more than music, they're moving and larger than you and I. Go see them, and keep watching.

3. Perverts - Ethel Cain 9.5/10. Read the full review here.

    I can't help but put this on at least twice a month and get lost in it. This is exactly the feeling the name, Ethel Cain, evokes. A surprisingly wonderful release that I hope drags more noise and ambient into the public eye.


    I know, everyone won't shut up about this album. BUT, it is that good. No other band sounds like YHWH Nailgun, and no one approaches their instruments in the same way. Bold, beautiful, and unique, I could put this on at any time in any mood.


    This one is just addicting. Fun, dark, sharp, and rough around the edges despite its pristine production, its just a great listen that I could never get enough of.


    Where do I even begin? I was late to the party on this release and, to be honest, my point of you in general. When I did listen, though, I fell in love immediately. my point of you takes the aesthetics and soulful love of second wave emo and revitalizes it with twanging, poppy riffs, gorgeous and pitch-perfect melodies, and snappy songwriting. Easily one of the most exciting bands right now.


    My dear antlers... this was the quickest turnaround on a release I've ever seen, maybe a month after their first show they broke the internet with a wrenching, wholesome, beautiful rendition of emo that was thought to be long gone. Good people, good music, good times, catch them while you can.

8. 3 Song Demo - journal 9/10. Read the full review here.

    The unintentional final release from journal (whose track, My Feathers, gave us a taste of what was to come for Jack [see the above listing]) also came as a surprise. A short, jagged, punching, and beautiful little EP that left nothing to be desired except for more of the same. journal had a way with their instruments, an approach that combined the intensity of screamo with the dread of black metal and soul of their purest members. My Feathers will always be a favorite.


    Bringing back EMO! in the realest way, made by the realest people. I had the pleasure of seeing stella's last performance before their hiatus and it was beautiful. These people all inspire me every day.


    A supergroup of unimaginable proportions including members of Blouse, Wiring, tokillafly, and more, their musical prowess shows in this daring debut. These songs are tight, yet never cease to satisfy, giving each riff and moment their time at the forefront. A worship of post-hardcore and all its lovely disgust, these are genuinely among the most talented musicians I've ever met.



Here is the rest of my top 50 in order. Every single one of these is worth obsessing over:


20. a separation from vanity - Clay Birds 10/10. Read the full review here.
21. Cherish - Crochet 9.5/10. Read the full review here.
24. Untitled - punxsutawney 8.5/10. Read the full review here.
29. House In A Sack - Partyteeth 10/10. Read the full review here.
31. Alyvia - Alyvia.
36. Elm - Elm.
37. Birthing - Swans.
41. Texas, Hold Me - my point of you & at first, at first.



Thanks for reading, see you soon. 

-Foster



Also, I put together this fest happening literally this weekend, go check it out:


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