STACK #254 December 2025

MUSIC FEATURE

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1. CHARLIE COLLINS NIGHTWRITER When Neil Finn heard Charlie Collins’ songs, he said: “I feel like I’m reading your diary and at times I shouldn’t be.” Charlie’s third solo album is confronting but compel ling. A ripping record of recovery and redemption. 2. THE LIVING END I ONLY TRUST ROCK N ROLL

6. PAUL KELLY SEVENTY

Joe is dead. But these are still gravy days for the great Paul Kelly, whose storytelling skills remain sublime at the age of 70.

7. MIA WRAY HI, IT’S NICE TO MEET ME

The pleasure was all ours. Mia Wray’s

Nearly 30 years after their debut, we can still trust The Living End to deliver the rock record of the year. It grabs you by the scruff of the neck – and doesn’t let go.

debut album is a stirring journey of self-discovery. Vital and vibrant.

3. HILLTOP HOODS

8. BAKER BOY DJANDJAY

FALL FROM THE LIGHT The Aussie hip-hop kings made a triumphant return to the top of the charts with their first album in six years. It’s their seventh chart-topping album – no Aussie band has more. 4.

“Still blak, still deadly, I’m the same Baker Boy!” His second album was just as strong and as revealing as his debut, and a beautiful tribute to his grand mother, Momu Djandjay.

The year saw some stellar releases. Here are our ten faves.

9. BALL PARK MUSIC LIKE LOVE What a year for Brisbane’s Ball Park Music. They were the first Aussie act to score a number one album in 2025, and then they went on the road with Oasis – handpicked by Liam.

FOLK BITCH TRIO NOW WOULD BE A GOOD TIME Heavenly harmonies and superb storytelling from Melbourne’s Gracie Sinclair, Jeanie Pilkington, and Heide Peverelle. If you’re not already a fan, Now Would Be a Good Time .

5. SWEET TALK SWITCH ON As Kasey Chambers said, Sweet Talk “are the most ex citing, unique and original band to emerge out of Australia in many years”. They put the roll back into rock ’n’ roll.

10. SPACEY JANE IF THAT MAKES SENSE For their third album, WA’s Spacey Jane put their money where their mouths are – pay ing for the record themselves. And it paid off. Gloriously.

60 DECEMBER 2025

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