Here at Met Radio, we’re closing out 2025 with a new round of year-end favourites! To cap off the year, our volunteers and staff are sharing their personal top-ten lists, highlighting the music, media, and gems that defined the past twelve months. New lists to explore and enjoy will be dropping on the Met Radio website every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday this December!
Hi I’m Eunice, the host of the Met Radio music show freaks and geeks. I also DJ under the name Canyonhead and will be dropping mixes on Busy Signal in the new year, so stay tuned! As a music fan, I’m going to do one of my favourite things: yap about the albums I loved this year and attempt to rank them. This is by no means a definitive list since it’s hard to pick just 10 albums as someone who listens to so much. But it’s a solid start.
1. This Is Music by klark sound
I have a deep fondness for 70s singer-songwriter folk music and coming across this album felt like striking (mellow) gold. That classic sound–stripped down yet filled to the brim with emotion and introspection–is delivered by a fellow music obsessed twenty-something year old who I can actually catch on tour in this current era. (I did, and he’s very nice!) klark sound is a great artist for anyone who loves classic rock that dabbles in jazz, prog and funk.
Favourite Track: Stocking Up
2. Headlights by Alex G
Ever since I became a fan in 2018, I’ve always had a good year whenever Alex G drops a new album. I’ve spent more time with his recent releases and I like that his sound is brighter and more uplifting. But Headlights has all my favourite elements of his distinct sound: folk, creepy vibes, a little jazz.
Favourite Track: Real Thing
3. All Cylinders (Deluxe) by Yves Jarvis
This is an album that I could tell early on was going to be a banger solely on the singles rolled out. All Cylinders has been in my top 3 for most of the year, but I’m putting the deluxe version here specifically because the additional songs were just as great. Similar to klark sound, Yves Jarvis takes all the sounds of my favourite music from the past and puts it on one album. Specifically, 70s-era R&B, soul, funk and country-folk. All Cylinders also won this year’s Polaris Music Prize!
Favourite Tracks: Warp And Woof, Chalk It Up
4. Lux by ROSALÍA
A vigorously spirited and compelling album. I haven’t listened to a lot of classical music aside from film scores and some opera, so encountering it on a new release is a treat. I love the dramatic strings and the different tempos at play across the tracks, as well as the fusion of pop, flamenco, and experimental.
Favourite Track: La Perla
5. The Breeze Grew a Fire by Mereba
Gentle, elevating R&B with elements of Afrobeats and pop. Maintains a real nice mellow vibe throughout that’s great for evening wind-down listening or a drive home at dusk. The final song “Sanctuary” transports me to somewhere in the Southwest where the evening air is warm and I’m looking out over a great big orange sun-soaked canyon where birds are flying high across the vast landscape. And, briefly, it feels like everything will be okay. Very nice.
Favourite Track: Starlight (my baby)
6. Woman of Faces by Celeste
Celeste hones the vibe of a chanteuse in a dark smoky jazz club that leaves you silently captivated by her beautiful voice and melancholy lyrics. And anyone in the audience who recently had to say goodbye to someone they loved deeply or who feels lost and in the midst of a great change will probably be moved to tears. A beautiful album. Please listen to the French version of “Woman of Faces” (“La Femme aux mille visages”) for a soft slow burn that drifts celestially to a powerfully emotional finale.
Favourite Track: Time Will Tell
7. Equus Asinus by Men I Trust
An album I enjoyed from beginning to end. Mellow, euphonious, smooth. Subtly funky and, at other times, gentle like a Catholic hymn.
Favourite Track: Heavenly Flow
8. Welcome to My Blue Sky by Momma
Momma takes all the best sounds of 90s and 2000s alternative rock and runs with it. I love that I’m hearing the music I grew up listening to being made by people my age–right now. It feels like we’re all brought together by our love for that music. Momma touring with Wishy was an absolute dream come true as someone who was obsessed with both last year. Momma’s also great if you’re seeking music that’s explicitly sapphic.
Favourite Track: Rodeo
9. 9Million by 9Million
If the Momma and Wishy tour announcement also had you psyched and you’re looking for more alternative rock on that wavelength, Toronto’s 9Million is a perfect fit. 9Million’s self-titled album is an impressive collection of songs that drift from loud to soft. They’ve got great hooks and melodies, rippin’ guitar riffs and delirious distortion. I saw them live back in January at an Exclaim! Class of 2025 showcase and they’re loud as hell. Also, shoutout to bands with three guitars.
Favourite Track: Shine On
10. Spinning // Falling by Blaize Jenkins
Attention all gloomy bedroom dwelling Elliott Smith and Alex G fans!!! I cannot express how perfect this album is for you, specifically. Hopefully those gloomy feelings go away, but if you’re in the thick of it I recommend this album. Real turn-off-the-lights-and-hide-under-the-covers music. Even better if it’s raining outside.
Favourite Track: Constant Battle
Honourable Mention: I’LL BE AROUND by Hataałii
Hataałii was in my orbit for a while, then I saw him on the Instagram story of Watheca Records (an Indigenous music archival project) and finally gave him a listen. Love that cosmic desert country sound. There was a brief period years ago when I was into Richard Hawley and hearing this brought me back. Hataałii recently moved to New York, so I’m hoping he comes across the border for a show!
Favourite Track: Let It Roll
Link: Eunice’s Top 10 Albums of 2025 List (via Buy Music Club)