Curious what notable personalities in the scene think was great this year? So is TGEFM! So we reached out to some of our favorite luminaries ranging from musicians, label personnel, and more for their “Best of 2025” lists. Now, listen: TGEFM is not a taskmistress. Contributors can write these out however they want. So if it doesn’t actually look or read like a list… and sometimes it really is just a list with no other observations! Who cares?
Susie Ulrey of Pohgoh’s Best of 2025 pulls together sharp indie pop, emotional clarity and a healthy dose of grit, moving effortlessly between melody-driven songwriting and louder, more confrontational moments. From longtime scene staples to vital newer voices, her selections reflect an ear tuned to honesty, immediacy and songs that don’t waste a second. It’s a concise but telling snapshot of the sounds that cut through and stuck with her this year.
“Here are my top 10 2025 ear worms, in alphabetical order by artist. I’m sure there are more, but my brain is brimming with content at the moment.”
– Susie Ulrey; Pohgoh
THE BETHS – “Roundabout”
CORAL GRIEF – “Paint By Number”
DOECHI – “Denial Is A River”
LUCY DACUS – “Modigliani”
LAMBRINI GIRLS – “Cuntology 101”
STOREY LITTLETON – “At A Diner”
SAMUEL S.C. – “A Serious Sound”
SHINER – “Asleep In The Trunk”
SUPERCHUNK – “No Hope”
DENISON WITMER – “Making Love”
Bad Dad (occasionally called Ed) has been on the periphery of the punk and punk-adjacent scene for over twenty years. While many contributors to this site have musical experience and talent, Ed’s musical claim to fame comes from his time in arguably the most punk rock Blockbuster Video district in NJ where he worked alongside members of Blanks 77, Best Hit TV and Brian Fallon. He is more than just an awful father to his 2 daughters, he is also a dreadful husband, a subpar writer, a terrible dresser and has a severe deficiency in all things talent… but hey, at least he’s self-aware, amirite?
Check out the pathetic attempts at photography on his insta at https://www.instagram.com/bad_dad_photography/