The whole crew is back for our 2025 Mid-Year Review! We’re running down our top-reviewed albums so far this year, shouting out some personal favs that didn’t make it onto the pod, and spilling which upcoming releases we can’t wait to hear in the back half of 2025.

Whether you’re looking for recs, hot takes, or your next musical obsession, we’ve got you covered.

Drop your own best-of-2025 picks in the comments, and tell us which albums you’re hyped for!

00:00: Introduction

02:16: Our Top Albums as a Collective

01:03:45: Our Actual Individual Top Ten Albums

01:35:02: Albums We're Looking Forward To

This week, Brandito’s out, so Mel, Incredibob, and AppalachianRose dive into a batch of singles that feel like a group chat full of exes, chaos, and drive-thru therapy. From Megan Moroney’s “6 Months Later” heartbreak blues to CMAT’s “Jamie Oliver Petrol Station” fever dream, we’re unpacking relationship delusions (“we never dated”), legal limbo (“The Contract”), emotional yelling (“HOW DOES IT FEEL?”), and whatever turf war Cardi B’s waging in “Outside.”

It’s giving:💔 situationships,📜 binding documents,⛽️ snacks that may or may not be metaphors.

If you’ve ever cried at a gas station or drafted a breakup text in Notes, this episode’s for you.

00:00 Introduction

08:52 6 Months Later - Megan Moroney

016:19 The Jamie Oliver Petrol Station - CMAT

26:23 we never dated - sombr

34:55 The Contract - Twenty One Pilots

48:02 HOW DOES IT FEEL? - The Kid LAROI

54:33 Outside - Cardi B

This week, Brandito taps out—but fear not, Incredibob, Mel, and AppalachianRose are stepping in with opinions as sharp as a pine needle! We dive deep into HAIM’s dramatic farewell energy on I Quit, wander through Neil Young’s earthy reflections on Talkin’ to the Trees, and try not to cry while decoding the patriotic balladry of Benson Boone’s American Heart. From heartbreak to heritage, this episode has all the feels—plus a few laughs in between.

🎧 Tune in for our takes, tears, and tree talk.

00:00 Introduction

06:17 I Quit - HAIM

1:25:52 Talkin to the Trees - Neil Young

2:16:19 American Heart - Benson Boone

In this week’s Track Attack, Brandito, Mel, and Incredibob review six of the biggest new music releases: “Nettles” by Ethel Cain, “Type Dangerous” by Mariah Carey, “Manchild” by Sabrina Carpenter, “OWA OWA” by Lil Tecca, “Hemingway” by girl in red, and “And a Big Load” by Hot Mulligan.

They dive into everything from dreamy ballads to chaotic pop bangers—breaking down the lyrics, production, and drama behind the tracks. Whether you’re a Mariah superfan or a Hot Mulligan skeptic, you’ll find something to love or rage about.

In this episode, Brandito, Mel, and Incredibob review three of the week’s biggest releases: MARINA’s bold comeback with PRINCESS OF POWER, Lil Wayne’s long-awaited Tha Carter VI, and Miley Cyrus’s reflective pop album Something Beautiful. Who’s still got it, who’s lost the plot, and who left us speechless? Whether you're a diehard fan or just curious about the hype, we've got hot takes, honest reactions, and plenty of laughs.In this episode:

00:00 Introduction

09:25 PRINCESS OF POWER - MARINA

01:03:33 Tha Carter VI - Lil Wayne

02:12:10 Something Beautiful - Miley Cyrus

This week, Brandito and Mel are joined by the insightful and unapologetic AppalachianRose as they dive into a fresh batch of singles. From the long-awaited return of Rihanna with "Friend Of Mine", to GIVĒON’s soulful "RATHER BE", Lola Young’s raw "One Thing", and Reneé Rapp’s emotional gut-punch "Leave Me Alone", no track is safe from the trio’s sharp ears. MGK surprises with "cliche", and Turnstile flips expectations with "LOOK OUT FOR ME". Tune in for debates, delight, and maybe even a few disagreements. You know how it gets.

This week, Brandito and Mel are joined by professional musician and Twitch streamer AppalachianRose for a sonic showdown featuring Stereolab’s Instant Holograms On Metal Film and Dan Mangan’s Natural Light. According to Brandito, Mel's wrong again, and Rose keeps it all from falling apart with actual musical knowledge. We were supposed to review Lana Del Rey’s new album too, but she ghosted us. Maybe next time, Lana.

Our links: https://linktr.ee/onBEAToffSCRIPT

Follow our girl AppalachianRose here: www.twitch.tv/appalachianrose

In this episode:

(00:00) Introduction

(09:55) Instant Holograms on Metal Film

(01:26:41) Natural Light

This week, Brandito, Incredibob, and Mel dive headfirst into the glorious mess that is the latest batch of new music releases—and nothing is safe.

We’re unpacking the emotional voicemails of Ed Sheeran’s “Old Phone,” getting blissfully weird with “Ain’t It Kinda Funny” from Tash Sultana & City and Colour, and floating into a dream-pop haze with “I Like It I Like It” by Moses Sumney & Hayley Williams.

Also on deck: “Priceless” from Maroon 5 and LISA (is it actually priceless or just streaming bait?), “Men2Be” by Lavender Bride (wedding vibes with a twist), and the return of teen angst via “Young & Dumb” from Avril Lavigne & Simple Plan.

It’s a mix of tears, riffs, and musical confusion—and we’re here for all of it. Hit play for spicy takes, unexpected favorites, and at least one existential crisis.

In this episode:

(00:00) Introduction

(02:18) What we've been listening to

(10:56) Ain't It Kinda Funny - Tash Sultana, City and Colour

(21:28) Men2Be - Lavender Bride

(30:36) I Like It I Like It - Moses Sumney, Hayley Williams

(40:04) Old Phone - Ed Sheeran

(50:03) Priceless - Maroon 5, LISA

(57:15) Young & Dumb - Avril Lavigne, Simple Plan