Scotch Sampler

[HecticArt]

Record broken!

Morgan Nagler – Cradle the Pain

It's OK. I wouldn't (haven't) changed the channel from or to it.

Deep Sea Diver – What Do I Know (official video)

I like it.

Deep Sea Diver – What Do I Know (live on KEXP)

I like the live version better.

I thought it was neat when they showed a glimpse of her foot board.

It's always fun to try to see what gear people are using.

Momma – I Want You (Fever)

I've heard that one on SXM a bit and like it.
It's got a good 90's Divine Hammer feel to it.
It's worth having on the list.

Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory – Afterlife

It's a bit somber for me.

 

[scotchandcigar]

Record broken!

It appears to be a tie.

 

[Madison]

Boys and girls, it's that time of year again! I'm posting my favorite songs of the year, based on the SiriusXMU top 41 of 2025 list. And while I do like some other music I've heard this year, such as Black Keys, Brandi Carlile, and Jack White, none of those were strong enough to break through this list of indie tunes. So here we go.

We'll start at the 41 spot, with a solo effort from Morgan Nagler. (Keep in mind that the rankings are from XMU; they're not my ranking) Here's some background about this artist:

Whispertown is an American indie music project from Los Angeles, California, fronted by singer-songwriter Morgan Nagler. Nagler worked as a child actor, appearing on the TV series Punky Brewster and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, as well as in the film American Pie 2 (2001) as the band camp friend of Michelle Flaherty (played by Alyson Hannigan).

And here's a slow-burn grunge tune from her

Morgan Nagler – Cradle the Pain



Deep Sea Diver is a Seattle band, whose stuff I've posted before. This is a new song from them, which got a lot of airplay, but it's not the song they picked for the top 41 (that one's called Billboard Heart at #34). I'm posting 2 videos; the official one is kind-of cute, while the live studio performance is so good, it deserves to be posted as well.

Deep Sea Diver – What Do I Know (official video)



Deep Sea Diver – What Do I Know (live on KEXP)



I thought it was neat when they showed a glimpse of her foot board.


Momma is one of my favorite bands from recent years, and here's this year's #29 pick.

Momma – I Want You (Fever)



Sharon Van Etten has been an indie staple for many years. This is a popular, well-crafted song with her current band. (A different song, Idiot Box, ranked #27)

Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory – Afterlife

I went into my room and watched the videos on the TV. Momma looks like a very young group

 

[Madison]

She's one of my favorite artists, and this is the awesomely groovy #24 lead single from her upcoming album.

Courtney Barnett – Stay in Your Lane

I would listen to XMU, and wonder why they kept playing a song from the old band Pulp; until I realized they got back together and put out a new album. This live performance of the #23 song is really strong.

Pulp – Spike Island (live on Later with Jools Holland)

Here's a rocking live performance of the #21 song from the British band Wunderhorse.

Wunderhorse – The Rope (live on Later with Jools Holland)

Chicago band Horsegirl has made my previous lists. Their #20 tune reminds me a little of REM's Stand.

Horsegirl – Switch Over

The song Crystals from Seattle artist Sea Lemon, featuring Ben Gibbard (from Death Cab for Cutie), made #16, but I posted the video last year. Here's another new Sea Lemon song featured this year.

Sea Lemon – Stay

I watched these song videos too including Crystals. You've put together quite a list so far. I've heard Horsegirl and Sea Lemon on The
Gorilla vs Bear Show before

 

[scotchandcigar]

I watched these song videos too including Crystals. You've put together quite a list so far. I've heard Horsegirl and Sea Lemon on The
Gorilla vs Bear Show before

Back when I was going into the office everyday, I'd catch those music blog shows all the time. Gorilla vs Bear, Aquarium Drunkard, the Carles show, Brooklyn Vegan. Interesting stuff.

 

[Madison]

Stereolab is a veteran French/English synth band. They put out a new album this year, and while Aerial Troubles made #14, this was the most played song. It has a cool, retro 60s vibe.

Stereolab – Transmuted Matter

Another strong song from breakout stars Fontaines D.C. This one reached #12.

Fontaines D.C. – It’s Amazing to be Young

A long-time favorite of mine, Spoon has a new album out, with this rockin' tune on it at #10.

Spoon – Chateau Blues

Asheville NC band Wednesday has been one of my favorites lately. It's one of several projects involving MJ Lenderman. While Elderberry Wine reached #6, this tune was also popular on XMU.

Wednesday – Townies

The annoyingly named Nation of Language is a cool Brooklyn synth band that has released a few albums. Their song Inept Apollo made #5, but this was their most played new track.

Nation of Language – I’m Not Ready for the Change

I made a little spaghetti for my wife and came back up to room to resume. I told her I was working on a special project. This is a blast listening to the videos with my colored lights on (not the disco bulb). But I think the Stereolab-Transmuted Matter is a summer afternoon weekend song driving along the countryside. I listened to a couple others Aerial Troubles, Jenny Ondioline which had a female lead.

Nation of Language got my attention because they had a sound that reminded me a little of OMD. So I checked out a couple of their other videos

 

[Madison]

Veteran indie band Tame Impala, which is basically Kevin Parker, put out this discotheque favorite this past summer. The 9-minute video also comes in a 7 minute version, which ranked at #3 on the list.

Tame Impala – End of Summer

TV on the Radio front-man Tunde Adebimpe has the #2 tune with Magnetic, which I posted at the end of last year.

And as predicted, #1 belongs to the wildly free-spirited, provocative British rockers Wet Leg. This was the song they picked for the top spot, but they had 3 or 4 tracks from their current album that got airplay.

I picked the "Live in the KEXP studio" version, because A) they're great live and B) the official video is quite stupid.

Wet Leg – catch these fists (live on KEXP)

I've heard the Wet Leg song many times on Alt Nation Madison show and XMU Jenny E. I checked out a couple other videos; they look like really nice gals.
I've also heard TV on the Radio before. As well as Tame Impala.
That was a really good video. It didn't feel like it was 9 minutes long. I just listened to the first 2026 Alt Nation 18 and Tame Impala Dracula at #2 was the only song I recognized. Actually, when I was working out the other day and heading downstairs from the workout room to the locker room Dracula was playing on my earplugs and an insect landed on the back of my neck and was ready to bite me, I pulled it off real fast.

 

[HecticArt]

It appears to be a tie.

This was only the first installment.
It'll take me a while to finish the list.