Year-end lists condition people like me to think that there must be One Best Album to rule over all others. This is simply not true. My favorite 2025 music was made by several diverse artists that I love equally: ambient instrumentalist Walt McClements, New York City band Geese, local improvisation al duo Wren Cove — more than I could highlight here. But that’s a champagne problem. With so much great music made from across the geographic and musical spectrum, it’s a fool’s errand to declare supremacy. Instead, CITY has compiled the Rochester/Finger Lakes music from 2025 that we loved, in addition to what moved us, what mattered and what remains, even into the new year. —PATRICK HOSKEN “Warsaw,” by Wren CoveIn Wren Cove’s improvised musical world, the cello takes on the role of a lead vocalist. Melissa Davies’ string melodies fill in the space around Andrew Cloninger’s guitar and tape loops, leading to compositions that feel lush and considered, even as they came to life ad hoc in producer Ben Morey’s studio. On “Warsaw,” a sparse and lovely standout from the group’s “Movement” album, a shuffling drum beat and ambient electronics wrap the song in a decorative bow as Davies’ cello performs an unforgettable aria. —PATRICK HOSKEN Movement by Wren Cove “Valve,” by MiloThe first release from Rochester band Milo pulls off a delicate balancing act. As much as propulsive rocker “Valve” traffics in tried-and-true indie-rock traditions, it stands on its own merits. Beginning with a single snare hit and concluding with a shouted refrain, the song follows a journey of binaries: two vocalists and alternately loud and quiet guitars. Plus, it rocks. And the emo-tinged lyrics of nights in October and November hit even harder when the sun sets at 4:30 p.m. —PATRICK HOSKEN Valve/Whatever by Milo “Sparrows,” by Luxury SuiteAs far as three-minute gems songs go, Luxury Suite is proving hard to beat. The quartet, featuring members of former local bands Sports and Pleistocene, released its first two songs in late 2025, including “Sparrows,” an undeniable entry into the canon of pastel post-punk. With reverb for miles and sprinkles of New Wave in the guitar leads, the tune scratches the itch for ‘80s-inspired indie-pop that simply moves. Will subsequent releases capture the same relentless spirit? The smart money is on yes. —PATRICK HOSKEN Sparrows by Luxury Suite “Dance,” by Mountain River TravelerTake Chinese folk music, add in hard rock and then make it dance — and you at least start to unpack what makes this exciting new band one of the most joyful experiences to hit the scene in 2025. In recorded form, we just have this one single, but good news everyone: they’ve been in the studio recording a full album, so we’ve got some more awesomeness to look forward to in 2026. —MONA SEGHATOLESLAMI The Avant Garde a Clue Companion by Mountain · River · Traveler “Flight Manifest” by Einstein’s DreamsI experienced some of the most transcendent musical moments of the past year sitting on the floor of the Bop Shop, surrounded by fellow listeners/dreamers caught up in the spell of a live performance of this album. (This classical song cycle? Jazz, folk, indie-what?) Whatever you call it, there’s beauty here to make your heart ache in the best way as you listen to this all-star cast drawn together by Eric Heveron-Smith. —MONA SEGHATOLESLAMI Flight Manifest by Einstein's Dreams “Walk with Me, My Joy” by Daniel PescaThere has been SO MUCH good music coming out from the Rochester area this year in all genres, especially new classical music. One nexus of this creative flourishing is composer-pianist Daniel Pesca. He has returned to Rochester as a professor at the Eastman School of Music, and he’s been writing new works for groups including the Irondequoit Community Orchestra and some of his Eastman colleagues. His intelligent, open-hearted chamber music continues to capture my imagination on repeated listens. —MONA SEGHATOLESLAMI Walk with me, my joy by Daniel Pesca “Muscle Memory” by Mostly GhostsLocal band Mostly Ghosts is, in fact, mostly ghosts nowadays, having broken up shortly after the release of their EP, “Muscle Memory,” back in July. Regardless of the split, the quartet has left us with something unforgettable in the EP’s title track “Muscle Memory,” a powerful, emotional song for those who either feel nostalgic for old school emo or love the post-hardcore genre. The sweet vocals of Laura Wolanin guide listeners through the heavy and soulful instrumentals, her desperate-yet-gentle melody amidst the passion creating an earworm, in the best way. —LEAH JOY Muscle Memory by Mostly Ghosts “Made Up My Mind” by Coral Moons2025 has been one of the best years I have seen in Rochester for local up-and-coming bands. Indie, rock, country and everything in between has flourished this year in a scene with great musicians and people who support us all — local band Coral Moons is no exception. Carly Kraft’s beautiful songwriting and indie pop styles make the songs catchy and unforgettable, and I think “Made Up My Mind” has only just begun its journey climbing the charts. I’m looking forward to seeing more from Coral Moons (and from all of our amazing local bands) in 2026. —HANNAH MAIER Made Up My Mind by Coral Moons “Solstice” by Luminous Shade Harness the AbyssAs someone who, by nature, spends a lot of time moving, thinking, worrying, etc., I’ve had to find specific, intentional ways to slow my life down and be still. Ambient music is an incomparable salve without which I would no doubt go nuts. I find massive value in music that doesn’t demand my undivided attention (that’s part of the thesis statement of the relatively young ambient genre), and I’ll often reach for long compositions like Luminous Shade’s “Solstice,” released as a full-length ambient album but handily compiled into a 53-minute “song” at the end of the tracklist. This textural ambient composition is synthesizer-forward, featuring no shortage of soaring vocal moments and swells that conjure — in a good way — new age muzak and many trademark sounds of 20th century yoga culture that would later be mined to create vaporwave. —JACOB WALSH Solstice by Luminous Shade “Real Estate Agent” by KitchenScreeching feedback introducing a perfect riff — that is what I’m looking for. Kitchen, fronted by James Keegan, has been around for a long-ass time and has no shortage of songs that tell you exactly who they are. You can trace the evolution from their earlier “lo-fi indie” music recorded directly to a cassette tape to a more balanced abnd produced sound on their most recent release “Blue Heeler in Ugly Snowlight, Grey on Gray on Gray on White,” which was hard to choose a favorite track from. Listen to the whole thing from beginning to end, but remember that Jake sent you to “Real Estate Agent,” a bona fide ripper from one of our city’s best songwriters. —JACOB WALSH Blue heeler in ugly snowlight, grey on gray on gray on white. by kitchen The post CITY’s year in (music) review 2025 appeared first on CITY Magazine. Arts. Music. Culture.. ...read more read less