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?
Ryan Barber has quietly become one of the most important ears behind the scenes in modern punk and emo, shaping records out of The Barber Shop Studios on Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey that feel both immediate and timeless. In 2025 alone, a steady run of standout releases came through his studio, including records from Hot Mulligan, Sunday Morning, Anxious and Heart Attack Man, further cementing The Barber Shop as a creative hub worth paying attention to. His studio sits at the intersection of precision and chaos, where big hooks still hit hard and small details matter. This best of reflects a year surrounded by great songs, great bands and the kind of creative energy you can’t fake.
When TGEFM reached out and said that there were no rules I was stoked because I haven’t been this scatter-brained about an AOTY list in awhile. There were some absolute bangers this year and I feel like I am still overlooking records that were incredible. I am super fortunate to have been a small part of some massive records this year that top not only my list, but so many others in the alternative/emo/midwest emo/pop punk/hardcore, whatever the hell you want to call it, scene.
Let’s start with my favorite albums that were done over at The Barber Shop then we can move on to other stand outs that encompassed my airwaves this year as well as some shows and other opinionated takes I have about the year.
Hot Mulligan – The Sound A Body Makes When Its Still
The boys did it again. They deserve all the success in the world and I couldn’t be more proud to watch it happen in real time. The amount of airport trips that had to be done between Newark and the studio because they physically don’t stop touring and recording, shows just how much they want it. I said I couldn’t pick an album of the year, but if I could, this is it. The #1 Hot New Band has become the #1 Hot Band. Fight me, I stand by what I say.
Anxious – Bambi
I was lucky to catch Anxious twice last month, once when they headlined Crossroads in Garwood, NJ and then the next day in Brooklyn opening for Hot Mulligan with Arms Length and Drug Church. Doesn’t matter the stage, Anxious performs. So tight. So much energy. Bambi sounds like a timeless record and is going to age incredibly well.
Heart Attack Man – Joyride The Pale Horse
Eric and company cannot be stopped. They will take over the world and there’s (probably) nothing you can do about it. Joyride The Pale Horse hits and it hits hard.
Charmer – Downpour
Like the three previous records I listed, Brett “The Ratt” Romnes does not miss when it comes to bringing the best out in bands. Charmer’s Downpour is no different. I love every single song on this record and is easily up there on my end of year list.
Pinkshift – Earth Keeper
Earth Keeper is way heavier than I could have ever anticipated and I couldn’t be more excited. Love this record and can’t wait to catch their set next time they are in town.
Pollyanna – Weirdo
Produced by Brett Romnes and Rob Chirappa, Weirdo takes that next step in maturity while still remaining true to their sound.
Sunday Morning – Eternal Grief
Produced by Rob Chiarappa. Phantom Host is one of my favorite album openers of the year. Look forward to seeing this band get more recognition.
Shayfer James – Summoning
Produced, Engineered, and Mixed by Mike Feretti. Drums, Bass, Piano and B3 were tracked over at Barber Shop. “One Foot In The Grave” has been at the top of my playlist for awhile. Super vibey record that sounds incredible.
Now onto records that wern’t recorded at Barber Shop that I just think fucking rip.
Turnstile – Never Enough
Never Enough. Turnstile. Haven’t stopped spinning this one.
Ben Quad – Wisher
Produced by Jon Markson. Been a fan of Ben Quad for a while and with Jon at the helm you can really feel that they took that next step with this record and I am excited to see how they continue to grow. Top Tier Screamo.
Arms Length – There’s A Whole World Out There
If your band already released a masterpiece of an album in Never Before Seen, Never Again Found, how do you follow that up? Simple, get back in the studio and do it again. That’s what Arms Length did with There’s A Whole World Out There.
The Starting Line – Eternal Youth
The Starting Line are so fucking back and it’s like they didnt miss a beat. Was fortunate enough to catch them play two days in a row at When We Were Young. Band is as tight as ever and were a high point of my weekend. But the high point of my weekend?… The Higher got back together and played at Stratosphere’s Casino, playing against Blink 182 the first night. I got to sit at a virtual blackjack machine while listening to one of my favorite bands play to probably 15 people. Easily the highlight of my weekend in sin city.
Saturdays At Your Place – These Things Happen
Not sure much needs to be said on this one. This record scratches something in me that I needed to be itched.
Grayscale – The Hart
I’ve been a fan of Grayscale since What We’re Missing was released. One of the coolest things about being in this world for as long as I have is watching a band hone in and perfect a sound they’ve been working towards.
Last but not least re-falling in love with Free Throw’s Those Days Are Gone with their 10 year anniversary release. Catching them to end the year in Brooklyn opening for Silverstein with The Movielife, Thursday, and Bloom. Show has to be the ultimate way to send off an amazing year for music.
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/