Here are the top 10 albums by New Jersey-based indie artists for 2025, according to Makin Waves.
“Diaspora,” Arlan Feiles — This heartbreaking journey through the horrors that the Jewish Diaspora has faced during and after the Holocaust is a plea for peace and cry for justice that the splintering world desperately needs.
”In Art & Soil the Same,” Brielle Brown — Written over the course of a 15-month long fellowship with The Witness Institute, which continues the work of Nobel laureate Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel. The Institute aims to activate and empower leaders to act with humility, reflection, and sensitivity, and, in turn, to influence their communities towards moral action. Three of the album’s songs were co-written by Brielle’s Grammy-winning husband and producer Marc Swersky. All are featured in a clever lyrical songbook on YouTube.
“Beacons,” Nefesh Mountain — Equal parts Allman Brothers Band and New Grass Revival, this rockin’ take on bluegrass also has a strong geo-political stance, calling for peace in a world that’s lost its will and way.
“Too Easy to Kill,” Emerson Woolf & the Wishbones — Right after Asbury Park’s Emerson Woolf & the Wishbones released this second EP in as many years — which sandwiched a 2024 full-length debut — they got signed by Cali indie Broke Records. The label now is promoting the five-song “Too Easy to Kill,” so it’s getting even more national airplay.
Self-titled, Surfing for Daisy — This nationally heralded full-length self-titled debut album helped develop Surfing for Daisy into Asbury Park’s buzz band of the year, which led to an appearance at Sea.Hear.Now and a sold-out headlining Stone Pony show.
“Wrench,” Flycatcher — If The Beatles had a gang fight with Nirvana and somehow enlisted Bruce Springsteen as referee, the results might sound like this rag-tag Paul Westerberg-like dichotomy of harmony and pain. Asbury Park understandably is extremely proud of these indie darlings’ third LP.
“Distroid,” Dogs in a Pile — “Go Set,” the opening track of this lushly funky album by Asbury’s internationally acclaimed jam ‘n’ groove band, features the line, “Like a chesire with a smile like Tillie.” I strongly suspect that upon hearing this entertaining exercise in virtuosic, you’ll smile like the Palace Amusements icon too. Besides the Pink Floyd-meets-Steely Dan standout “Thomas Duncan, Pt. 3,” I love that on Apple Music, the closing reprise of “Samba for Sam” auto played into the opening snort of Grateful Dead’s “Casey Jones.” To me, that says Dogs in a Pile have picked up the torch the Dead passed to Phish. May the Rock Gods bless ‘em!
“Here All Along,” The Well Wish — The Well Wish’s third EP in a decade continues their fantastic AAA music that deserves more success in the next decade based on the strength of some of the scene’s best vocals, guitar playing and bass playing.
“Is It Real,” Renee Maskin — Like Springsteen’s “Meeting Across the River,” Renee Maskin’s third solo LP since 2020 is filled with cinematic marvel. That she makes amazing videos with her BF, internationally acclaimed filmmaker John Decker, just adds to the splendor.
“Among the Deranged,” The Azures — If you like The Doors, you’ll love this female-fronted blast of psychedelic blues that also owes a nod to Hawkwind. On this sophomore LP, the Jersey Shore-based Azures prove they are the real deal.
Bob Makin has produced Makin Waves since 1988. Follow Makin Waves on Facebook and Instagram and contact Bob at [email protected].
