Top five artists for 2025 have that 1970s feel

by

2025 was a year focused on personal growth – I explored new interests, built meaningful connections, and embraced life’s experiences. Following a period of loss, I rediscovered comfort and joy in music.

I really wanted to branch out and discover new music, checking out artists I’d only heard a little about before. Honestly, just the excitement of finding something fresh was enough to lift my spirits. And it totally worked! As I put together my list of top five artists for 2025, it felt like everything clicked – it was a really fulfilling experience.

It was tough choosing just five, but these are the artists who have impacted me the most. They evoke such strong emotions – making me want to dance, cry, or remember good times. I think they have that power for everyone, and I hope you’ll enjoy them as much as I do.

1. The Allman Brothers Band

The Allman Brothers Band is easily one of the most influential groups of their time, and they’ve had a huge impact on my musical tastes. Early in 2025, I started exploring Southern rock and blues, moving beyond my earlier focus on psychedelic sounds.

The Allman Brothers Band had a huge impact on me, and I became completely captivated by their albums – especially *Eat a Peach* (1972), *Idlewild South* (1970), and *At Fillmore East* (1971). Listening to those three albums felt like a truly immersive, living musical experience.

No group has ever resonated with me as deeply as the Allman Brothers. They brought a sense of joy and understanding into my life, helping me appreciate the simple gifts each day has to offer and giving me a renewed sense of purpose.

When I was a radio host at 88.3FM WXAV in Chicago, I had the chance to interview the band Satin Banshee. They played some of their vinyl records on the air, including their album *Idlewild South* from 1971, during our show in 2023. I immediately loved the instrumental track, “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed.”

This band truly embodied the blues; I could feel it deep within me. Their music was filled with such obvious passion and love that I immediately wanted to hear more. Even though I first discovered them in 2023, I kept finding myself drawn back to their sound in early 2025. No matter what else I listened to, I always felt a strong pull back to their music.

I finally succumbed to the urge and found myself captivated by another incredible band whose music will endure forever. While I may never experience their live performance, their album *At Fillmore East* (1971) transports me there, making me wish I could have shared in the audience’s energy while hearing “Whipping Post.”

I just want to express my gratitude to The Allman Brothers for the incredible music they’ve made.

2. Muddy Waters

It didn’t take long for my musical journey to move from the Allman Brothers Band to the legendary blues artist, Muddy Waters.

I’ve always been aware of Muddy Waters, but really diving into his music is what made me appreciate his incredible work. As I started to explore blues from the South, it became clear why he’s considered the king – so many artists clearly built their sound and found inspiration in his music.

Muddy Waters is, quite simply, one of the greatest musicians of all time, and he completely transformed my understanding of the blues. I wasn’t familiar with the genre before discovering his work, and I’m incredibly grateful for that. When I listen to his music, it’s an almost otherworldly experience – I feel completely captivated and always wish I could turn it up louder. No matter how high the volume, it never feels enough to fully appreciate the passion and feeling in his songs.

I can’t get Muddy Waters’ “Got My Mojo Working” out of my head, especially after visiting Mississippi and seeing all the monuments and statues dedicated to him. It really hit me how much he did for the blues – his music is truly timeless and I know people will be listening to it forever.

Whenever I listen to his music, I can’t resist moving – whether it’s dancing, tapping my feet, or wishing I could play along on a harmonica. He’s a captivating performer, and his incredible stage presence really comes alive during his shows.

Muddy Waters truly deserves all the praise he receives for revolutionizing the blues with his electric guitar. He was a uniquely talented artist, and we’re all the poorer for his passing. What impacted me most was how his music and lyrics transported me to different worlds and sparked a love for instruments I’ve always dreamed of playing.

3. Gordon Lightfoot

This year, while exploring more blues music, I also started playing more folk songs, a genre I hadn’t really focused on before. I think part of the reason was that I wasn’t familiar with many folk artists beyond the great Jim Croce.

I was on the hunt for more artists like the ones I already loved, so I turned to Spotify in 2025. To my delight, I rediscovered Gordon Lightfoot – a musician I hadn’t listened to in a long time.

I couldn’t explain why, but I had a feeling this person would introduce me to folk music, a genre I quickly began to love. There was something special about him, and I was eager to find out what it was.

I was listening to a Spotify playlist made for Gordon, and I was instantly blown away. The moment I heard his song “Sundown” for the first time, I immediately saved all of his music.

I stayed up all night listening to Gordon Lightfoot, and then I noticed people commenting on his videos about how his songs resonate more as you get older. I completely agree – I never realized songs could feel so personally meaningful until I discovered his music.

His songs have a beautiful simplicity and emotional honesty; listening to them feels like receiving heartfelt advice from someone you deeply respect. I discovered his music when I really needed it, as I was working to rebuild a sense of stability and peace in my life.

Gordon Lightfoot had a way of quietly understanding and expressing your feelings through his music, often without you even realizing it. There was something incredibly genuine about his simple style; he felt less like a performer and more like a close friend who always knew exactly what to say. He was that comforting presence who just *got* it.

4. Frank Zappa

There are so many amazing musicians out there, but Frank Zappa has always been special to me. I’ve loved his music for a while, but it really hit me this year how much his incredible sense of humor added to everything he did. It’s not just the music, it’s the fun he had making it, and that’s what I really admire.

I’ve always loved a good laugh – it truly brightens my day and helps me relax. There’s something special about shared laughter and smiles, and they can make a real difference, particularly when you’re going through a tough time.

Frank Zappa was a refreshing artist who constantly broke new ground with his music. He wasn’t afraid to experiment with unusual lyrics, but always managed to create something meaningful and enjoyable.

While many of his songs positively impacted 2025, “Inca Roads” stands out. It’s a masterpiece of experimentation – the sound is unique, the lyrics are wonderfully bizarre, and the guitar solo is so incredible you’ll want to listen to it again and again.

Hearing that music live while his son, Dweezil, was touring in Chicago back in May was incredible. When “Inca Roads” began, I felt completely overjoyed. Zappa’s music reminded me that it’s okay to have fun and embrace who you are.

For me, revisiting Frank Zappa’s music in 2025 was a way to connect with my own creativity and discover musical styles I hadn’t explored before. He reminded me of the power and beauty of music, even when it doesn’t have a specific message in the lyrics.

Okay, so the lyrics weren’t exactly hitting me with deep feelings, but honestly, it was way more than that. It felt like it was about figuring yourself out, piecing together who *you* are, because what helps me get through things won’t necessarily work for the next person, you know?

5. The Doobie Brothers

You know, whenever I think about bands that just seem genuinely happy to be playing music, the Doobie Brothers immediately come to mind. Their songs just always made me feel good – like that happy feeling that lasts forever. Seriously, I’ve listened to all their albums, and I can honestly say there isn’t a single song I don’t like. They were just consistently awesome.

Although I first discovered them with their hit song, “Listen to the Music,” it was a simple but powerful message about appreciating the music I truly enjoyed. It’s a basic idea, but it resonated deeply with me. Since music plays such a large role in my life, sometimes all I need to do is simply listen and enjoy it.

I never expected their biggest hit would be the song that opened my mind to new music. I immediately downloaded all of their albums and bought tickets as soon as their April tour was announced.

Seeing them perform on September 10th felt like a turning point – I felt like myself again. Singing along to their music made me reflect on how much I’d grown in 2025, despite any challenges. Watching them on stage felt like a personal healing process had finished, and I felt genuinely happy for the first time in a long time.

The song “Listen to the Music” was a simple but powerful reminder of how much I enjoy my favorite hobby: music. It easily brought me joy.

As 2025 comes to an end, I’ve been thinking about all the new music I discovered this year and how much I’ve learned about myself. “New” music isn’t just current releases-it can be older songs, even from the 1970s or earlier, that really resonate with you and help you understand your own feelings. It also makes you wish you could have seen those classic bands live back in their heyday!

Read More

2025-09-15 19:31