Sun Dec 28 03:40:00 UTC 2025: Engadget Staff Reveal Top Audio Picks of 2025
NEW YORK, NY – As 2025 draws to a close, streaming services’ year-end reviews confirm what many already suspected: audio consumption is booming. The Engadget team has shared their favorite audio finds of the year, spanning genres and formats, offering a diverse playlist for listeners looking to expand their horizons.
Deputy Editor Billy Steele highlights the metal band Spiritbox, particularly their album “Tsunami Sea,” praising vocalist Courtney LaPlante’s dynamic range and guitarist Mike Stringer’s unique sound. Steele suggests fans of Sleep Token should give Spiritbox a listen.
Bandsplain, hosted by Yasi Salek, was the podcast of the year for one Engadget editor. The show dives deep into the catalogs of “cult bands and iconic artists.” The back catalog holds up and Salek is sure to divulge parts of stories you weren’t aware of.
Senior Reporter Amy Skorheim was impressed by Lucy Dacus, discovering her music at the Blossom & Bones music festival. Also at the same festival she encountered the band Blanco White. The combination of violin, guitars, and hand-beat drum created a soundscape rooted in the harsh beauty of the desert.
Senior Writer Sam Chapman recommends Mike Duncan’s Revolutions podcast, specifically the recent “Martian Revolution” series. This sci-fi story is interwoven with the show’s trademark historical analysis.
Contributing Reporter Lawrence Bonk suggests Ron Gallo’s “Checkmate,” praising the artist’s lyrical prowess and the album’s stripped-down acoustic sound. Bonk also celebrates De La Soul’s “Cabin in the Sky,” a poignant album featuring the late Trugoy the Dove.
Weekend Editor Cheyenne MacDonald championed FKA twigs’ “Eusexua,” an album suitable for any mood, and Faetooth’s “Labyrinthine,” describing it as “face-melting, melancholic perfection.” She also recommends Orville Peck’s “Show Pony” EP.
Managing Editor Cherlynn Low recommends the audio series “Case 63,” starring Julianne Moore and Oscar Isaac, for its gripping storytelling and A-list voice acting. She also suggests “The Secure Love Podcast,” hosted by Julie Menanno, for insights into attachment styles and relationships. Menanno works with one couple through their negative cycles, using somatic practices to help each partner understand their emotions, triggers and reactions.
The Engadget team’s diverse recommendations offer a glimpse into the vibrant world of audio entertainment in 2025, promising something for every listener.
First Piper 