Idlewild’s Roddy Woomble tells us about his favorite albums of 2025

We’ve been asking artists about their favorite albums of 2025 and here we’ve got Roddy Woomble of Scottish rock vets Idlewild. He tells us about his #1 of the year, by one of his all-time favorite musicians, and then gives us the rest of his Top 10 — which includes records by Geese, Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory, Water From Your Eyes and more. Check out the video and his written commentary on the rest of his Top 10 below.

Idlewild released their self-titled 10th album this year and you can listen to that below.

Roddy Woomble of Idlewild’s Top 10 Albums of 2025

1 – Jeff Tweedy ‘Twilight Override’
This record has been a constant fixture on my stereo since its release. A triple album, and truly a gift that keeps giving. It’s immersive and I love it.

2 – Cameron Winter ‘Heavy Metal’
I know it came out late last year, but I discovered it this year like so many people. It simply doesn’t sound like many other things, lyrically great, and the whole record has a feel, an urgency and an originality. He’s a star.

3 – Geese ‘Getting Killed’
Everyone I know loves this album including me — every so often an American band come along that do something fresh with indie-rock and make it seem so exciting again.

4 – The Durutti Column – ‘The Return of the Durutti Column’
A re-issue for the 45th anniversary, but an absolute classic that got me listening to the Durutti Column all summer. Truly music for every occasion.

5 – Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory – S/T
Maybe not my favourite Sharon record, but she’s one of my all time favourite singers, so I buy and enjoy everything she releases, and always find something in it to love.

6. Sorren Maclean ‘A Journey Looking Backwards’
Contemporary Instrumental guitar in the style of William Tyler, but with a very Scottish feel. The new Bert Jansch.

7 – R.A.P Ferreira & Kenny Segal ‘The Night Green Side Of It’
One of my favourite lyricists, and just an endlessly productive and creative artist. Might not be my favourite of his many records, but any new release is always worthy of your time, and ears.

8 – Hamilton Leithauser ‘This Side of the Island’
I’m a big Walkmen and Hamilton fan, he’s such a distinctive singer and songwriter, it’s always a good year when he has an album out.

9 – Water From Your Eyes – ‘It’s a Beautiful Place’
I tend to listen to older albums more than new ones, and don’t check out nearly as many new bands as i should, so this was a refreshing find, even if it does reference lots of ’90s bands I grew up with – maybe that’s why i like it!

10 Molly Nilsson ‘ Amateur’
Molly writes great pop songs. They all sound like hits to me. She’s like the underground Madonna.

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Idlewild have a few 2026 dates lined up including festival and an opening slot for My Chemical Romance in Glasgow…

IDLEWILD – 2026 TOUR DATES
Jan. 2 – 5, 2026 – Bognor Regis, United Kingdom – Rockaway Beach 2026
May 7 – 9, 2026 – Wrexham, United Kingdom – FOCUS Wales 2026
May 20, 2026 – South Derbyshire District, United Kingdom – Bearded Theory Festival 2026
Jun. 13, 2026 – Halifax, United Kingdom – The Piece Hall
Jul. 4, 2026 – Glasgow, United Kingdom – Bellahouston Park w/ My Chemical Romance