As 2025 draws to a close, the local music landscape in Calgary and beyond has delivered an exceptional array of albums, making the task of curating a definitive list a formidable challenge. Journalist Eric Volmers has sifted through the year's releases to highlight a selection of standout local records that dominated his personal playlists. From poignant country-folk to intimate indie revelations, these albums represent the creative pulse of the region's artists.
A Year of Remarkable Local Talent
In a year filled with strong musical output, certain tracks became personal anthems. Volmers found himself repeatedly listening to Laura Hickli's "Call it Off" and "Dear Life," the captivating "Holly" by Jolie Laide, the resonant "Never Been A Sinner" by Shy Friend, and the raw, reflective songs "Anybody Got Some Relief?" and "By the Light of the Lamp Of the Poor" by Lorrie Matheson. Matheson's album, Mission to Inglewood, marked a significant return as his first release in over a decade. The following albums, however, formed the core of a powerful, if inevitably incomplete, year-end roundup.
Standout Albums and Artistic Triumphs
Robert Adam - Governed by the Seasons
In an era often dominated by singles and fleeting digital content, Calgary nonbinary artist Robert Adam made a bold statement with the ambitious double album Governed by the Seasons. Recorded in Nashville with seasoned studio professionals, the album retains a deeply intimate and personal feel. It serves as a masterful revue of country and roots styles, seamlessly transitioning from delicate folk gems to haunting spoken-word pieces and energetic country-pop tracks. The album is a testament to Adam's faith in the listener's attention span and artistic vision.
Key track: "Sweetheart"
Carter Felker - Loser
On his third album, Calgary country-folk artist Carter Felker delves into familiar yet profoundly executed themes of regret, contrition, and self-reflection—themes he wryly summarized as "being awful." Tracks like the ballad "Piece of Time" lament the challenges of loving a wandering musician. Loser is a melodic and beautifully crafted journey of self-reckoning, a melancholic yet compelling collection that leaves the listener yearning for more as it moves from one strength to another.
Key track: "Hawaii"
Jolie Laide - Creatures
The sophomore album from Jolie Laide, Creatures, captures a rare and magical synergy between performers. The album stands as a lightning-in-a-bottle masterpiece, where vocalists Nina Nastasia and Clinton St. John intertwine with breathtaking harmony and counter-melody. Their vocal interplay injects warmth and profound depth into heart-melting songs such as "Cheyenne" and the standout track "Holly," creating a cohesive and enchanting listening experience.
Key Track: "Holly"
Laura Hickli - dark secrets
Though technically a six-song EP, Laura Hickli's dark secrets packs a potent emotional and musical punch into its runtime of just over half an hour. The project was written in response to the post-traumatic stress disorder Hickli experienced following a severe car accident several years prior, resulting in understandably dark and moving material. The album's high points, both lyrically and musically, are the ballad "Dear Life" and the moody mid-tempo rocker "Call it Off," which Volmers heralds as 2025's unrivaled should-have-been-a-hit champion. These tracks achieve a striking melodic clarity even as they navigate themes of trauma and personal chaos.
The Unmistakable Voice of Local Music
The albums highlighted by Eric Volmers for 2025 underscore the diversity and depth of talent within the local music scene. From Robert Adam's expansive country narrative and Carter Felker's introspective folk to Jolie Laide's harmonic perfection and Laura Hickli's cathartic minimalism, these works provide a powerful snapshot of a thriving creative community. They prove that compelling stories and innovative sounds continue to emerge, deserving of attention and celebration far beyond the city limits of Calgary.
