Top New Releases of 2025 by Trans/Nonbinary Artists

In just MY opinion only, which is inconsequential and doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of music writing and journalism. Please don’t be offended if we’re friends IRL and I didn’t mention your band. I’ve not been keeping a running list all year and this is just stuff that came up at the top of my head. All music is good and worth putting out, and is not defined by “Year End” lists, and wraps, and whatever else. I actually think these lists are bullsh*t, but here I am writing one any way. Keep creating and releasing your art in to the world! In these dark times, we need more music by queer/trans artists in the world. Remember that joy IS resistance.

top 10 Full Length Albums

10- Joy Burklund and Her Band - Songbouquet

Joy Burklund is a light to have in the Philadelphia music scene. She can always be found at a show big or small supporting artists. Her new album “Songbouquet” is great, and deserves that same level of support right back.

Favorite track: Emotion (featuring Sam Rise)

9- Greet death - Die in love

Greet Death has been one of my favorite bands for years, ever since we first played some small shows to no one together at SXSW back in 2018/2019. Watching their rise to the top has been awesome for me, and I am excited every time I see them announce another tour. Their new album “Die In Love” is a great display of the bands’ growth over the years, and they’ve come a long way. One thing that’s remained the same though is their excellent tone.

Favorite track: Die In Love

8- Hammydown - former you

Vermont’s own powerhouse Abbie Morin, who goes by the moniker Hammydown, released what was easily a highly anticipated album this year titled “Former You.” The album seems to be an homage to Morin’s late father who they say was their biggest supporter. You can also hear long time friend and collaborator Caroline Rose featured on the title track, and second on the track list.

Favorite track: Sideline

7- Ethel Cain - willoughby tucker, i will always love you

A term that I’d like to officially coin right here, right now is, “Miserable in a beautiful way.” Which is the best way I can describe this album by Ethel Cain. When I first heard it, I was going through the ending of a “situationship,” and sobbed to this in the back of the van staring out the window pretending to be the main character of a movie. Which is the exact experience I think this record was intended for only.

Favorite track: Waco, Texas

6- Home is where - hunting season

Home Is Where to me is one of those emo bands that sort of like.. came out of nowhere, but I am so glad they did. I wasn’t positive they’d really be able to top their last two records “the whaler” and “I Became Birds,” but immediately proved me wrong when “Hunting Season” came out. I had the pleasure of playing music alongside guitarist Tilley Komorny when she filled in for my band in 2023, and can confirm that she is such a delight to be around, and not to mention, unbelievably talented. As the kids say, “Home is Where Forever.”

Favorite track: migration patterns

5- Mal Blum - the villain

Grammy nominated album “The Villain” by Mal Blum was definitely one of those albums that I couldn’t wait to see be released the minute the first single, “I’m So Bored” came out. Another example of an album displaying an artist’s personal growth over the years. Not only can you clearly hear Blum’s literal growth in their voice, sonically they’ve put their whole heart into this one. Produced by Jessica Boudreaux of Summer Cannibals, these two are the songwriting Dream Team.

Favorite track: Killer

4- Great Grandpa - patience, moonbeam

Great Grandpa has been one of my favorite bands for years. Everything they’ve ever released has been flawless, and in my opinion, Four of Arrows is a Perfect Ten. The band sort of quietly stepped back after the pandemic, and no one really heard much from them since. To come back around with this new album, was a perfect way to reinvent themselves as a band.

Favorite track: Junior

3- Avery tucker - paw

This album HAS to at least be in everyone’s top 3 when making their year end lists because it is just so good. I read in an old interview that Tucker really used to not want to be associated with their former project Girlpool, and you can kind of hear the drastic genre difference in this solo project. The lyrics on this album make me feel so seen in a way I didn’t know I was looking for.

Favorite track: Like I’m Young

2- Adult mom - natural causes

I was counting down the days for this record to come out once I heard front person Stevie Knipe perform some songs off of it solo in a living room in West Philly. Another example of an album I find “miserable in a beautiful way.” The raw vulnerability in the lyrics on this album easily make it one of my favorite of all time. Knipe has always had a knack for thought provoking story-telling, and truly painting a picture of a scene in your head. I’ve been lucky to see them live dozens of times over the years, and Stevie is one of those people I look up to and think how truly, purely talented they are.

Favorite track: How About Now

1- Pretty Bitter - Pleaser

I can go on all day long about how perfect this album is. From the production, to the lyrics, to the songwriting, to the album art. It is a sonic adventure from top to bottom. Being friends with them definitely makes me a little biased, but even if you take that previously existent relationship out of the equation, it is such an amazing album. I also love the fact that it was co-produced by my longtime acquaintance Simon Small, and one of my longtime favorite musicians Evan Weiss. It’s been so fun watching this band on the rise. I am so excited to see them take over the world.

Favorite track: Outer Heaven Dude Ranch

honorable mentions

Bussy Kween Power Trip

Coming With The Strap

TOP EP’s of 2025

TOP SINGLES OF 2025

Kat and The Hurricane (ft. Line) - *Life Of The Party*

No More DysphoriaNovember 23, 2025aoty, year end, year end list, top trans albums, 2025