By Bob Makin
originally published: 12/21/2025
The top 10 songs of 2025 by New Jersey-based indie artists, according to Makin Waves:
“My Best,” The Well Wish — Parenting is the most joyous part of life, but it also can be very tough. It’s even tougher when you have to balance being a working musician. The Makin Waves Song of the Year, “My Best,” is an ode to parents from the Jersey Shore husband-and-wife (and mom-and-dad) team of vocalist Anya Angeloni and guitarist Patrick J. Angeloni.
“Golden Cage,” Cranston Dean — Imagine a world where the immigrant is the hero rather than the villain. Highlands singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Cranston Dean wrote this song while working on a construction job for a trustworthy immigrant contractor and friend. “Golden Cage” is in reaction to the prejudice his friend faced from a crew that did more yapping than working. The anti-MAGA sentiment is a subtle but powerful theme to a revolution.
“Wonderland,” Renee Maskin — All things must pass, the great George Harrison said, but, man, that really sucks when it’s one of your favorite childhood past times. Having come to prominence in Asbury Park, singer-songwriter Renee Maskin is no stranger to gentrification, but when she shares the nostalgia of Ocean City’s Wonderland Pier amusements as it falls to the wrecking ball of a luxury hotel, eloquence and charm balance on a fence of bitterness in a way that continues to showcase as her as one of Jersey’s best and brightest talents.
“Tethered,” Brielle Brown — The gospel-tinged quasi-title track of Jersey Shore singer-songwriter’s brilliant LP “In Art & Soil the Same” chillingly examines how time is running out for humanity due to a lack of forgiveness for each other and a lack of love for the Earth Mother.
“Diaspora,” Arlan Feiles — The title track to 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.
“Psychic,” Surfing for Daisy — I do not know if the psychic in this song is the Asbury Park Boardwalk’s legendary Madame Marie, but I do know that the artist protagonist of this absorbing, atmospheric tale is cut from the same cloth as the young gypsy minstrel who made her a legend.
“Mother,” Nefesh Mountain — Motherhood seems to be the underlying theme of this list. The three kids of Nefesh Mountain’s Doni Zasloff inspired this ringing endorsement of a life choice that is not for wimps.
“Thomas Duncan, Pt. 3,” Dogs in a Pile — A tasty jam ‘n’ groove that oozes Steely Dan and Pink Floyd into the Rock ‘n’ Blender, this third installment of the epic trilogy “Thomas Duncan” is as great a listen as it is a mystery as to why — having included “Pt. 2” on their 2021 debut studio LP, “Not Your Average Beagle” — Dogs in a Pile never released “Pt. 1.”
“Down,” Flycatcher — Nirvana-like ear candy meets soul dropkick from an impressive third full-length that paves the way for more great things ahead for this veteran Asbury indie band.
“Case Road,” Dan Haase — Nostalgic Steve Earle-like anthem for broke musicians whose deep, deep passion for music keeps them from being broken, courtesy of the singer-songwriter solo endeavors of one of the Jersey Shore’s best sidemen.
Bob Makin has produced Makin Waves since 1988. Follow Makin Waves on Facebook and Instagram and contact Bob at [email protected].
About the author:
New Jersey Stage is proud to be the home of Bob Makin's Makin Waves column since 2017. His Song of the Week column comes out every Friday. He also writes an Album of the Month and Interview of the Month as well.
EVENT PREVIEWS
Hunterdon Hills Playhouse presents Vegas Country Show
(HAMPTON, NJ) -- Hunterdon Hills Playhouse presents Vegas Country Show August 21-23, 2026. Get ready for a night of country hits, high energy, and pure star power as Vegas Country brings the music of Shania Twain and Tim McGraw to life.
WBJB's Songwriters on the Beach series presents Nicole Atkins on August 27th
(BRADLEY BEACH, NJ) -- WBJB's Songwriters on the Beach presents Nicole Atkins on Thursday, August 27, 2026 at 7:00pm. Cory Blair will open the night. The free outdoor concert takes place at the Newark Avenue Beach in Bradley Beach. ** The show was rescheduled from July 16th due to the Air Quality Alert issued across New Jersey.
51st Annual New Jersey Folk Festival to Take Place August 29th
(SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- The New Jersey Folk Festival (NJFF) is back for the 51st year on Saturday, August 29, 2026 at Davidson's Mill Pond Park in South Brunswick. The event is free and open to the public. It runs from 11:00am to 5:00pm.
The Strand presents Matt Stone as Elvis on August 29th
(LAKEWOOD, NJ) -- Most 22-year-olds are chasing the next trend, scrolling through TikTok, and binging Love Island. Matt Stone has spent the last decade looking in the opposite direction.
McCarter Theatre Center presents Mei Semones on September 4th
(PRINCETON, NJ) -- McCarter Theatre Center presents Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Mei Semones in the Berlind Theatre on Friday, September 4, 2026 at 7:30pm. Drawing on her background in jazz guitar and her Japanese heritage, she blends inventive harmonies, intricate rhythms, and bilingual lyricism into a sound that is both intimate and exploratory.
51st NJ Clearwater Festival to Take Place Labor Day Weekend in Asbury Park
(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Friends of Clearwater invites everyone to start their Labor Day Weekend at its free 51st Annual Clearwater Festival Saturday September 5, 2026, a late summer, family-friendly celebration of great live music, Mother Earth and more in Sunset Park near the ocean in Asbury Park.
The Machine performs Pink Floyd at The Newton Theatre on September 5th
(NEWTON, NJ) -- The Machine Performs Pink Floyd on Saturday, September 5, 2026 at the Newton Theatre. The band has forged a nearly 40 year reputation of extending the musical legacy of Pink Floyd. Showtime is 8:00pm.
MPAC presents Melissa Etheridge: Rise Tour on September 9th
(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) presents Melissa Etheridge: Rise Tour on Wednesday, September 9, 2026 at 7:30pm. Known for her confessional lyrics and raspy, smoky vocals, Etheridge has remained one of America's favorite female singers for more than two decades.
Prudential Center presents Ella Langley on September 10th
(NEWARK, NJ) -- It's been a landmark year for Ella Langley. Fresh off a sweep at the ACM Awards where she won all seven awards she was nominated for, two recent American Music Award wins, and being the soundtrack of the summer for a trio of German fans on Twitter traveling through America during the World Cup. Ella continues one of the most dominant runs in music. She brings The Dandelion Tour to the Prudential Center in Newark on September 10, 2026 at 7:00pm. Special guests ERNEST and Gabriella Rose will open the night.
The Soundtrack of Resilience: Explore Music's Role in Post-9/11 America at the Lacey Library
(FORKED RIVER, NJ) -- In honor of Patriot Day, the Lacey Branch of the Ocean County Library will host "The Soundtrack of Resilience: Music and 9/11" on Thursday, September 10, 2026. The event begins at 2:00pm.
FEATURED EVENTS
