A Music Lawyer’s Top Five Albums of 2025

As 2025 comes to an end, music law has become much more than contracts and copyrights—it’s about understanding the art behind the business. For any music attorney, staying connected to the creative side of the industry deepens empathy, improves strategy, and ultimately benefits clients by knowing their attorney has a genuine interest in the latest releases.

Andrew Keyes (Associate) shares his five favorite albums of 2025:

#1 Getting Killed – Geese (Partisan Records)

As a slightly jaded music fan and professional who’s been around the block for longer than I care to admit, it is rare to hear an album that sounds truly fresh and new. The first time I heard Geese, I thought “is this music?” The next time I heard Geese, I thought “this is . . . really good music.”

Cameron Winter and crew are masters at blending the mundane with the ecstatic and spiritual. As a one-time New Yorker, I can confidently say that Long Island City does not typically inspire awe. But the extended jam and outro in closing track “Long Island City Here I Come” is transportive:

“Like Charlemagne on the midnight bus // I have no idea where I'm going // Here I come”.

What does this lyric mean? I don’t know, but I can tell you that it makes me feel something, and boy, am I happy to go along for the ride.

#2 Never Enough – Turnstile (Roadrunner Records)

Look, I’m a metal/hardcore fan who’s in his mid 30’s. So yes, of course this album is on my top 5 list.

Turnstile continue to pull off their winning streak, expanding their music palette without leaving hardcore behind. The title track is uplifting and cinematic. But the breakdowns? Don’t worry, they’re still there. Tracks like “BIRDS” and “LOOK OUT FOR ME” are all you need for your daily dose of moshing/two-stepping/spin-kicking. See them live next chance you get.

#3 Man’s Best Friend – Sabrina Carpenter (Island Records)

Picking up where last year’s excellent Short n’ Sweet left off, Sabrina Carpenter continues to charm. She has hooks galore and a wicked sense of humor. This album will have you compulsively checking your favorite lyric website to catch every single punchline and catchphrase.

#4 Viagr Aboys – Viagra Boys (Shrimptech Enterprises)

The latest album from the lovable Swedish oddballs continues their brilliantly off-kilter skewering of the banal indignities of modern life, coupled with a fresh sense of vulnerability and candor. Songs like “Man Made of Meat” are full of goofily quotable lines, while “Medicine for Horses” peels back the veil for just a moment to provide a glimpse into genuine emotion and heartbreak. But not for too long, as a couple songs later frontman Sebastian Murphy asserts with gonzo confidence that “it was quite commonplace to use bears in the Polish army,” alongside a litany of other fact-challenged statements. Truly a man for our times.

#5 Bambi – Anxious (Run For Cover Records)

Few things make me as happy as witnessing a young band on the rise. I have had Anxious’ Bambi on repeat for the better part of the past year. This album feels like a band arriving, with bigger and bolder production while still capturing their feisty live energy. I saw them absolutely rock the Echo in Los Angeles this past spring. The band was tight, the crowd was moshing, and there was a Vanderpump Rules cast member in the VIP section! A great night all around.

Staying Tuned into the Music Industry

Music doesn’t stand still. Streaming models evolve, AI-generated works raise new copyright questions, and global collaborations blur traditional boundaries. Attorneys who stay culturally aware can interpret contracts in context, anticipate client needs, and offer advice that balances law with artistry.

When lawyers have a shared passion for the music their clients create, it builds trust. Artists feel understood, not just represented. And when an attorney can cite both precedent and pop culture, they become an indispensable ally—someone who speaks both the legal and creative language of the music industry.