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?
Taylor Acorn’s 2025 was a blur of loud rooms, big feelings and moments that stuck long after the lights came up. Whether it was music that soundtracked the chaos or experiences that hit at exactly the right time, this year felt like one long emotional exhale and a deep breath all at once. Her picks reflect an artist constantly absorbing the world around her, pulling inspiration from everywhere and turning it into fuel. There’s a balance here between joy and heaviness, reflection and forward motion. These are the songs and moments that helped shape her year and kept everything moving when things got overwhelming.
1. August And Everything After – Counting Crows (not new but it’s been getting me through)
2. Tales Told By Dead Friends – Mayday Parade (also not new but gets me through this is a theme of mine)
3. Brand New Eyes– Paramore ( a staple)
4. Dizzy Up The Girl – Goo Goo Dolls
6. Sims 4 ranch + all expansion packs (iykyk hehe)
7. The Wild Robot (this movie is so good)
8. You Shouldn’t Have Come Here by Jeneva Rose (it’s so good if you like a thriller!)
9. The Perfect Marriage- also a very good book if you love a thriller
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/