What is the soundtrack to the end of the world? For many, this author included, 2025 has been chaotic, ugly, and uncertain. But along with the darkness, there was quite a lot of light shed. There was a stubborn, realistic, optimism that permeated the music of those who are listed here. Just under the radar from the endless doom-scrolling and propaganda, there is music and art being made with real authenticity.
The aesthetic through-line of all of the artists in this list is the ability to take a long, unflinching, look at the shadows around them. They acknowledge and reflect this darkness in their sound, but still leave the listener feeling a since of hope. It’s a delicate balancing act, but to quote Boethius, vis-à-vis 24 Hour Party People , “The worst of times, like the best, are always passing away.”
Here is the official Architects & Heroes top 20 for 2025, in alphabetical order:
The Black Dog – Loud Ambient – Dust Science This record was on our radar back in November as one of the best “IDM” records in recent memory. This release being even more poignant with the recent passing of founding member Ken Downie. Do a deep dive on the Rothko-inspired record here >>.
Chicago Underground – Hyperglyph – (International Anthem, 2025)
Rob Mazurek and Chad Taylor, the avant-garde jazz virtuosos, return after an extended hiatus to deliver a deep and genre-defying group of songs that continue to forge new sonic paths. Read more here >>.
DF Tram – Bittersweet Afternoon – Orbscure Recordings / Cooking Vinyl Limited
If there is one artists who’s taken up the mantle of championing the deep and dub-soaked strain of ambient music that was ignited by the Orb, it’s DF Tram. Released on Alex Patterson’s “Obsure” imprint, this record pushes boundaries, while staying “chill.” Tap-in to find out more >>.
DJ Haram – Beside Myself – Hyperdub
Zubeyda Muzeyyen, aka DJ Haram, blasted onto the scene in 2022 with Nothing to Declare, a collaboration with Moor Mother billed as “700 Bliss.” In this solo outing out on Hyperdub, she provides on onslaught of original ideas that weave together club music, southern hip-hop, and Middle Eastern sounds. Dig into the record here >>.
Deeper Than Space – Animal Ghosts – Silent Records
Adam Douglas is a sonic chameleon, DJ, and music journalist. His musical aliases are as varied as the various genres of electronic music that he has seemingly mastered. 303 Terrorists, Gundam, Kemek The Dope Computer, and Deeper Than Space all have Adam’s fingerprints all over it. Find out more about this superb record here >>.
Dan Curtin – The 4 Lights– De:tuned
De: tuned welcomes the ‘Purveyor of Fine Funk’, Midwest house and techno originator Dan Curtin, to the label with his first new album in 15 years entitled ‘The 4 Lights’. The now Berlin-based DJ and producer channels his inner DC and opens up his soul on this exceptional eight-track LP. More here >>.
Dave Aju & Rodney – We Still Dancin – Elbow Grease
Elbow Grease continues it’s deep-end sound exploration with a back-to-basics, floor-filler that pairs the veteran DJ/Producer Dave Aju, with a debut co-production by Rodney.
Flying Lotus – Spirit Box – Warp Records
LA Beat Scene kingpin Flying Lotus returns with Spirit Box, which bridges nostalgia and science fiction.
KAMM – Let in the light -Elbow Grease
Dave Aju, and the Elbow Grease family, pop-out, continuing their top-ranking at A+H HQ. This is a heart-felt tribute to Alland Byallo, the multi-hyphenate creative, and KAMM member, who passed in 2023.
Max Watts – Black Elements EP – Limited Network
Max Watts, the Detroit Techno 4th wave wizard, drops an EP stacked with full-tilt electro. Watts delivers a power-house record that can connect you with the mothership. Beam up here >>.
Oli XL – Lick the Lens – Warp
Warp continues to maintain it’s mission by championing the newer, left-of-center, electronic music. Oli XL is the next generation of Warp’s continuing to find, foster, and platform forward-thinking producers.
Oneohtrix Point Never – Tranquilizer – Warp Records
Between stints as producer and Superbowl Music Director for the Weeknd, and soundtrack producer for the much-hyped Marty Supreme, the unintentional emperor of vaporwave, Daniel Lopatin, returns to his avantgarde roots by creating a mesmerizing record that’s sourced from the archive of 1990s sample libraries. The result is something much greater than the sum of it’a parts.
The Orb – Buddhist Hipsters – Orbscure Recordings / Cooking Vinyl Limited
The elder statesmen of ambient dub have created one of their finest works to date, folding multiple genres into their hypnotic signature sound to the most incredible of results. Jump in the deep in here. >>
Panda Bear – Sinister Grift – Domino Recording Company
Animal Collective cofounder Noah Lennox, under his Panda Bear moniker, creates a surprisingly accessible, layered psychedelic pop record that’s been in high rotation at A+H HQ. Read more here >>.
Patricia Wolf – Hrafnamynd – Balmat, the Spanish label run by Albert Salinas, and acclaimed music journalist Philip Sherburne (who in my estimation is closest thing we have to a Lester Bangs in electronic music), released Patricia Wolf’s lush and beautiful soundtrack to Hrafnamynd, a documentary by Portland filmmaker Edward Pack Davee. The result is not only an audio companion to the film, but stands alone in it’s sonic exploration of place, folklore, and landscape. Drop-in for more. >>
SML – How you been – International Anthem
SML is a “supergroup” consisting of bassist Anna Butterss, synthesist Jeremiah Chiu, saxophonist Josh Johnson, percussionist Booker Stardrum, and guitarist Gregory Uhlmann. The entire album is made-up of improvised recordings from their shows, and the result of these experiments have yielded something that feels like a new language. Read more here.>>
Sam Prekop – Open Close – Thrill Jockey
Chicago post-rock staple Sam Prekop continues his journey into modular synthesis and left-of-center sonic exploration, while forging new ground.
Stereolab – Instant Holograms On Metal Film – Duophonic UHF / Warp Records
With their first album in 15 years, Stereolab’s return marks a radical persistence, focus, and discipline to conveying revolution through the sonic architecture of space pop.
Sudan Archives – BPM – Stones Throw
Brittney Denise Parks, aka Sudan Archives, the renown violinist and multi-instrumentalist, incorporates club sounds into her unmistakable sound, all while exploring themes such as mental illness, self-love, technology, romance and heartbreak. Explore the psychological dance floor here>>.
Tortoise – Touch – International Anthem
There’s not much about Tortoise, the band that literally created their own genre, that hasn’t been written about them. Here, Tortoise delivers a masterclass in atmospheric composition. After almost 35 years, and too many splinter groups and projects to list here, it’s clear that the group has a lot more sonic exploration to do. Get your masterclass here >>.
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