Here we are at the end of another year, looking back on the sheer musical bounty we’ve been afforded. When we launched our inaugural Blank Tapes Rewind, this website was a small project born of a layoff, not yet knowing exactly what it wanted to be. But now, after going all in on supporting our North Carolina music scenes, it’s clear that this feature needs to do the same.
So out with the mainstream “albums of the year” format and in with something more focused on music from our state. We’ve gathered the favorites from our growing team and a roster of community members, all of whom are credited alongside their contributions.
Without any further ado, let’s get started!
Feel free to jump to each section below:
Favorite Albums & EPs
Acne – Surrender
Drop you in the middle of a riot in the streets. I find myself screaming their lyrics out loud, singing into the wind, faster, faster! Fat, fuzzy guitars blanket the soundscape, and the vocals sit in that nest of distortion. Drums, in the pocket on the 2s and 4s, are driving the locomotive of energy forward. Yep, I love this album.
Alcantara – Alcantara
Really riff-driven, but not at all filled with overly busy stuff that’s there just to be there. Everything seems super deliberate and thoughtful. Many of their musical phrases seem to end before they resolve, which makes it especially satisfying when they actually do explode.
– Gordon Anderson (Oort Patrol)
Listening to this while writing is hard; I just want to knock all the shit off my desk, go skate the worst terrain possible, and know I can survive. Sing along, rage with levity and a voice like Exene Cervenka of X! Yes, I said it. Sandblasting through the mix, the guitar, the guitar! Drums in the pocket but not predictable, not cliche, on the beat; loud, deliberate, and with a force that can reduce a building to rubble. If you don’t blow your speakers out while listening to this, you are listening to it wrong!
Warning: do not ride a motorcycle while these songs are going through your head; you will make some bad decisions in the name of speed and risk!
– Stephen Mullaney
Erika and Jess are a bulldozing force on every level, and this album captures it all while expanding slightly from their previous album (which I loved as well).
– John Harrison (jphono1, Potluck Foundation)
Bass/Drum duo with a sound so full, you don’t notice anything missing!
– Glenn Boothe (andmoreagain presents)
Bedroom Division – Idle Hands
Friend of the zine Tyler Spencer put me onto Bedroom Division back in February, so this one has been on my most anticipated list for a little while. It’s a fantastic record filled with low-key and endlessly catchy anthems. The production is practically shimmering in a synthy ’80s pastiche. Each listen brings to mind bands like Acceptance, Dashboard Confessional, Death Cab for Cutie, and The Maine while feeling fresh and distinct.
Between Two Trees – softlock picking
I love asking bands which NC-based artists they enjoy in interviews, and Between Two Trees is one of those names that’s kept popping up. And for good reason: they are a talented duo with a unique approach to their live shows. Singer Gabriel Keenan Horn hands out printed lyric sheets and projects visuals on a Nintendo Wii alongside the band’s performances, bringing in fans and newcomers for a nostalgia-driven set. Drummer Seth Brown somehow finds time away from blankstate. to flex his impressive skill behind the kit.
The video game aesthetic carries over this debut album: “softlock” means being unable to progress forward or backward in a game without resetting. It’s one of many reasons the duo reminds me of Origami Angel if they came up in today’s rich Charlotte emo rock scene. The biggest is that they have a clearly defined sound, led by a primary singer/guitarist do-it-all frontman’s catchy songs and backed with a top-notch rhythm section. With production from Anunt Singh at SpiceHouse, this local release demands your attention.
– Jackson Balling
Boygirl Rising – Campaign Funds & Blood
The two years since Boygirl Rising’s first album, This Is An Intervention, have been spent doing everything except sitting still: hosting Slugfest, launching Junkmail Records, and generally becoming a folk punk scene’s personification. Campaign Funds & Blood is a record that proves you can build an interstate queer folk community and still have time for poignant thoughts on the state of an increasingly dystopian world.
Sonically, they’re working that anti-folk trick of making the hyper-specific feel universal, sharing their own messy particulars until suddenly you’re like “wait, that’s so real.” It’s made better by the authenticity that only comes from folks too busy to be held back by perfection.
– Jackson Balling
Burlap Circus – Avenue
There’s no better sign of the dense musical talent in this state than almost missing a debut album I would describe as “transcendent.” Burlap Circus makes a strong case for one of the year’s best albums from the jump with a folky sound that dabbles with loungey jazz and swells with intense orchestral rock breakdowns. The best way I can think of to describe it is like Black Country, New Road, born and raised in North Carolina rather than across the pond.
Singer Kaitlyn Tracy is a revelation — think Emmylou Harris meets Gwen Stefani — but the band behind her is no joke. Every song has a flair to it that makes me go, “Oh come on!” that ranges from clever chord progressions to viola, flute, and horn arrangements. It helps that the production is immaculate, but there’s a clear vision here that will keep me coming back again and again.
– Jackson Balling
Catharsis – Hope against Hope
Attended their show in August where they played old classics and new songs from this album and was blown away. I love how they push the limits and speak the truth.
Sometimes an album comes out of nowhere and just seems to hit all the right notes at just the right time. That was the case with the surprise release of Hope Against Hope from NC anarcho-hardcore icons Catharsis this year. The band’s first full-length album since 1999(!) is a masterclass in righteous dynamics, nuanced rage, and melodic aggression. Even after more than 20 years, Catharsis is still an inspiration.
– Bryan Reed (Doomsday Profit)
Certain Seas – Ordinary Hopes
This LP bounces between Katharine Whalen (vocals, baritone ukulele, percussion) and Austin Riopel (vocals, guitar, percussion), who both bring their own sensibilities to the band’s surfy indie rock sound. The former covers a wide range from garage punk on the opener “Wished It” and bluegrassy folk on “Egret” to the gentle “Big Hands”. Riopel brings more folk numbers on “Ordinary Hopes” and “Horsefly”, but with a tinge of Midwestern emo and Americana, respectively.
It can be hard to balance so many directions in one record. And yet, the band’s sharp performances ensure the 13-track listen is cohesive and exciting. Danny Grewen’s work on horns provides standout moments throughout, which go a long way to solidify the band’s overall sound amid the musical journey.
– Jackson Balling
Chiroptera – Chiroptera
When I think about how this world has gone to absolute shit, I can take solace in knowing that there’s a band full of teenagers making this wonderful noise. Equally spooky and angry, this is a top-notch punk rock EP.
– Michael Wood (scrape)
Daughter of Swords – Alex
It normally drives me crazy that artists release so many songs prior to an album, but in this case, it was warranted, as there are just so many catchy songs!
– Glenn Boothe (andmoreagain presents)
Dave Hedeman & The Gone Ghosts – No Voice To The Wicked
I’ve really enjoyed watching the evolution of The Gone Ghosts. They’ve expanded their sonic palette on this EP, and Dave Hedeman’s daughter, Eliza Mae, has really come into her own as a singer.
– Jason Bales (The Yardarm)
daysed – daysed
Mid-day wake-up call, roller coaster dynamics, a welcome return to precision delivered shoe gaze! Big sounds from a small town. Autryville, NC, whatever is in the water, keep drinking! Dinosaur Jr, My Bloody Valentine, and the often overlooked Poster Children, daysed is not a tribute but an extension, the progression of a sound that is hard to get right, but they got it.
– Stephen Mullaney
DIRTYBUTT – CHEESEBURGER HOTDOG
This trap metal artist never stops experimenting with his sound and started off 2025 right with this project in February. It’s goofy, unique, and just great fun to listen to.
– Loren Fraites
From the first notes, you get hit in the head with that down south sludge metal. The whole album is a heavy mix of lyrics suited to the time we’re in and a tone to match.
– Dakotah Kelly (Ol’ Joey Scrums)
Elder Bright – For Those Found in Liminal Spaces…
Do you like 2000s post-hardcore? Odds are you’ll love this debut EP from Wilmington’s Elder Bright. Mastered by renowned producer Kris Crummett (Dance Gavin Dance, Sleeping with Sirens), it fits perfectly alongside other up-and-coming acts like pulses. and blankstate.
Kicking off with the delicate title track introduction, the band proceeds at a breakneck pace. Every layer, from drums and bass to intermingled guitars, comes together to create complex rhythms and catchy melodies. The standout track, “Heaven’s Motel Has a Flickering Light,” best showcases Elder Bright’s range, delivering a relentlessly energetic lead single that demands attention.
– Jackson Balling
Eric Lee Hardt – nameless, faceless
Just a truly great 18 minutes of subtle, yet powerful music. This EP somehow makes me super depressed and extremely happy/hopeful at the same time.
– Dakotah Kelly (Ol’ Joey Scrums)
Erie Choir – Golden Reviser
Eric gives lessons on songwriting with every release. He and the longtime band are in top form here. Nearly every song on this could be a single.
– John Harrison (jphono1, Potluck Foundation)
Great songwriting is timeless, and Eric Roehrig knows how to pen a crafty tune like so many household names that preceded him.
– Glenn Boothe (andmoreagain presents)
Evil Eye – Wizard War I
Chapel Hill’s finest stoner rock juggernauts burst onto the scene and through your speakers with their blend of old-school heavy riffage and vintage-yet-fresh tones steeped in a feverish blend of psychedelic noisy feedback. Get ready for a head trip.
– Jack Patton-Smith (scrape)
Fifth Floor – i put everything into this
I won’t lie, these guys became one of my favorite up-and-coming bands in the statewide scene after the first 30 seconds of their debut EP, it’s not that serious. What can I say? They’ve got this catchy blend of poppy rock influences that just hooks me. And less than a year after that EP, they’re back with a full record that goes beyond earworm bangers to include introspective slow jams. The production from the wizards at SpiceHouse is top-notch, elevating these tracks to even higher heights.
– Jackson Balling
fledglings – fledglings
Judy Woodall is one of the most sonically interesting guitar players in NC. Much of her music is looping guitar instrumentals, but on this album, she sings and includes a drummer, and I dig it.
– John Harrison (jphono1, Potluck Foundation)
Flls – Ill Flava
I’m a sucker for 90s hip-hop, which Flls brings in spades on this record. It’s a shorter listen, clearly inspired by New York legends A Tribe Called Quest, The Notorious B.I.G., and Busta Rhymes, but with more modern production. Flls does fantastic work constructing intricate beats behind his nostalgic flows. It’s a great one to blast out of your car on a beautiful late summer/early fall day.
– Jackson Balling
Apocalyptic beach pop. If you’re looking for a Jesus and Mary Chain vibe, look no further. I really love the production value of the recordings. The mix allows the spirit of the music and musicians to shine through the wall of fuzz. The guitar rises above the mix, a subtle explosion: a lead guitar lick that takes you out of the wall of sound and then back! The vocals are placed on top of the mix, never disappearing or dropping out.
Sit on a cold beach, watch the storm come in ,and let yourself be engulfed in the sound of Glow in the dark scars. This band is another example of why we need to look at the smaller towns and wild areas that are producing amazing art and music.
– Stephen Mullaney
Hellbender – Con Limón
Initially released in 1997, this became my favorite record of all time right away, but they disappeared not long after it came out. Dead Broke put out a remastered version in October. The record sounded great to begin with, but the remaster is fantastic, and nothing about it sounds dated or out of place in 2025. It’s as relevant to me at 45 years old as it was at 17.
– Gordon Anderson (Oort Patrol)
Human Pippi Armstrong – The Drogues
Human Pippi Armstrong has spent two consecutive decades crafting his own brand of beguiling oddity, and The Drogues proves he’s still roaming the fringes with laser-focused intent. Synths sizzle, vocals stack like skyscraper sketches, and stray bits of cryptic dialogue drift through your consciousness like intercepted fever dreams. The songs feel like anthems from 80s movies that were erased from history. Heroic, zany, and slightly radioactive.
It’s brutally imaginative work, and The Pipp still sounds impossibly energized. Whatever dimension he wanders into next, I’m following him and urging everyone I know to follow me! Bring a flashlight and some arcade tokens!
John Howie Jr and the Rosewood Bluff – The Return of…
One of the great voices of NC country is in top form on this one. It’s got a really nice variety of styles, too – honky tonk, of course, but also some Byrds-esque jangle.
One of the great voices of NC country is in top form on this one. It’s got a really nice variety of styles, too – honky tonk, of course, but also some Byrds-esque jangle.
Le Weekend – A Spell in the Darkness
Matt’s point of view to both playing guitar and songwriting uniquely his in a way that can only come from him. Along with his band of 20ish years this album continues to surprise with the unexpected within the familiar.
– John Harrison (jphono1, Potluck Foundation)
Lilly Flower – Critter
Catchy tunes dripping with energy that also follows them on stage for their live show!
– Glenn Boothe (andmoreagain presents)
Little Chair – Ladybug Cat
Love these folks. If you want to hear some authentic late 90s “Chapel Hill” sound or whatever, this is it. I’m not really talking about the ones we know and love; I’m talking about the ones that came and went pre-internet social media and are gone forever unless you happened to be there. This is what you’re looking for.
– John Harrison (jphono1, Potluck Foundation)
m.b. mulkey – songs post blizzard
What a voice! Fragile with confident delivery and epic range. The guitar is a rudder that keeps both time and a backdrop that serves as the binding ingredient. The lyrics are vulnerable and witty. I can not wait to see m.b mulkey live. Familiar with the Anti-folk scene of the nineties/early 2000s or Daniel Johnston? If not, no worries, we have a local serving up a tasty musical treat.
– Stephen Mullaney
Matt Southern & Lost Gold – Strange Passage
Longtime fan of Matt, but this one might be my favorite. He stretches out with the band in a way I haven’t heard before, which suits this new batch of songs well. The album sounds really sweet.
– John Harrison (jphono1, Potluck Foundation)
Max Lane – Backsliding
I played a couple of shows with Max this year, and each time, you could hear a pin drop the moment he started. This EP is just a straight live take, voice and acoustic, and it’s perfect.
– Jason Bales (The Yardarm)
Ol’ Joey Scrums – A Damn Fine Time
Such a beautiful marriage of folk, bluegrass, and raw grungy vocals. The band sounds phenomenal, thanks to their sharpness and bassist Ian Krug’s impeccable production. Singer and guitarist Joe Ralli waxes poetically about the working-class life and love gone by, while Krug harmonizes wonderfully on nearly every track.
– Jackson Balling
Old Suns – PERMANENT BLUR
If you’re looking for a tight blend of introspective alt-rock — like a blend of Smashing Pumpkins and Citizen — then Old Suns will keep you nodding your head along with each track. They’re as capable of being bombastic, led by commanding drums and heavy guitar riffs, as they are melodic and cathartic. With mastering from prolific engineer Kris Crummett, it feels like the group is pursuing a vision for their sound and who would best support it. It’s a huge success with these songs.
– Jackson Balling
Personality Cult – Dilated
When I saw them live, I knew it was Ben Carr’s (Last Year’s Men, Natural Causes) band, so I had a sense of what to expect. But a friend described them to me before they went on, and now I knew exactly what to expect. Still, they exceeded my expectations!
– Glenn Boothe (andmoreagain presents)
Private Cathedral – Private Cathedral
The more I’ve listened, the more mesmerized I’ve become by this record’s complex arrangements. Genevieve and Wendy are immensely talented (and classically trained) musicians; the former lends her fantastic voice and piano chops while Wendy holds down the bass grooves. Their combined skills are evident in how effectively they used the tools at their disposal when recording with Mitch Easter in Greensboro.
Every song feels like a slice of life transformed into an ambitious instrumental and capable of evolving into something completely different by the end. Tracks like “Excavation” and “The Ghost and the Coat” achieve this perfectly, while others choose to hold back. Do yourself a favor and jump in.
– Jackson Balling
scrape – Flood
With their first full-length project, Durham’s scrape leaves nothing to chance. They want you to drown in their sludgey, Tool-esque metal sound.
The opening track, “This Blood”, is chock full of heavy riffs, melancholic lyrics, and screeching noises that catch your attention. Cymbals and crashes create breaks in the instrumentation, underscoring how polished the song is. It’s often easy for certain elements to get lost or drowned out in a genre based on making as much noise as possible. But scrape blew past that barrier and stuck the landing.
The themes of working through the pain and working till you’re exhausted, then pushing through it anyway, were felt real instead of phoned in. Throughout the album, the guitar riffs are sharp while the drums provide the steady, grueling base for the vocals to shine. Many people can resonate with the album’s message overall and easily find a track to love, just as we did.
– Jackson Balling
SCOBY has been one of those groups that I can’t stop hearing about. The hype culminated in this LP, The Perfect Pleasure. It’s a fantastic debut for the young Winston-Salem band, who self-produced and released the record over the past few years.
For the uninitiated, their sound blends synth-rock and emo with delicate guitar riffs, bringing to mind acts like glass beach and Envy on the Coast (for those familiar). The band meanders between high-tempo bangers, like “Hand Me Down” and “Maddie Mary Mulva!”, and borderline lo-fi jams, like “Sorrow” and “Fred Armisen”, making for a fun and diverse listen from start to finish. It’s yet another example of great new music from a local up-and-coming act.
Secret Monkey Weekend – Lemon Drop Hammer
A multi-generational family band seems novel at first until you realize the catchy songs stand on their own.
– Glenn Boothe (andmoreagain presents)
Slow Teeth – I
When I first heard this EP about a month before its release, I immediately thought, “Wow, this sounds massive!” I’m a sucker for good post-rock, and Slow Teeth are eager to please with their debut EP. Despite having made a reputation as a dynamic live act, I shows that the wait for more studio material was very much worth it.
The production is sharp, amplifying the band’s blend of instrumentation, sonic textures, and folk-inspired vocal passages. Simply listen to the opening track, “Holy Death / Peace on Earth”, to see what I mean; it perfectly transitions between ambient post-rock and experimental folk hymnal vibes. “Sundials” and “Still You Speak” bring in more of Justin Ellis’s hypnotic vocals, pulling you into what feels like musical worlds on each song.
– Jackson Balling
Really powerful yet lush, post-rock-influenced indie.
– Michael Wood (scrape)
From the opening track “Holy Death/Peace on Earth”, you enter their world, and it is massive.
– John Harrison (jphono1, Potluck Foundation)
Just a really powerful EP. It captures how explosive they are live, and the songs are super well-crafted.
– Gordon Anderson (Oort Patrol)
Spares & Treasure Pains – SPARES x TREASURE PAINS split
This split EP with Spares out of Portland absolutely rips. Super cool to hear two members of Youth League doing separate things where you can still hear the through line.
– Gordon Anderson (Oort Patrol)
Survival Tactics – THE FLESH OF OUR FRUIT
Good luck finding a hardcore punk release seething with more anger than this debut LP from Survival Tactics. Released mere months after their debut EP, THE FLESH OF OUR FRUIT is ripe with abrasive catharsis. From the opening seconds of “WAKE THE F**K UP” through “MULE”, the band refuses to let up until you start a mosh pit in your living room. (Or the office, in my case.)
Simply put, they are Raleigh’s answer to Soul Glo: talented Black musicians bringing chaos to every stage they claim. Don’t miss their unique brand of hard-hitting punk.
– Jackson Balling
TOOTH – TOOTH
Durham legends TOOTH triumphantly return with sounds more epic and impactful than previously thought imaginable. Interlocking intricate guitar lines glide across their rivers of thrash, and absonant screams dive deep into doom incarnate. The prophecy has been revealed, and TOOTH once again graces our ears.
– Jack Patton-Smith (scrape)
Verity Den – wet glass
Sometimes moody, sometimes noisy, but always dreamy and beautifully melodic indie rock from Carrboro. – Michael Wood (scrape)
The balance of hazy sonics and songwriting are really nice. Meandering at times in the best way. Just big 4AD record vibes.
– John Harrison (jphono1, Potluck Foundation)
Vlor – Rise Together
An impactful collaboration of ten different musicians, glued together by West End, NC’s Brian John Mitchell (Silber Records, Remora, Small Life Form, Muscle Mass). This is a dark and cinematic release exploring different genres while sounding completely consistent, utilizing elements of EBM, drone, post-rock, and post-punk.
– Michael Wood (scrape)
WINFIELD – III
Dreamy and driving post-punk born out of the quiet town of Hillsborough. The perfect soundtrack for well-adjusted goths who actually enjoy getting out and dancing. Evocative, moody melodies and hazy art pop coalesce into a beautiful, blissful blend.
– Jack Patton-Smith (scrape)
Honorable Mentions
Even with all the new music above, there were still so much more that we could shout out. Most of the following have gotten love elsewhere, but all are worthy of your time.
- .zone + sifi! – WHEN THE SKY OPENS
- Annelle Staal – Going Up!
- Fust – Big Ugly
- Indigo De Souza – Precipice
- Joseph Decosimo – Fiery Gizzard
- Kerosene Heights – Blame It On The Weather
- Khalil Nasim – THE DISAPPEARING ACT
- Kill the Buddha – Kill the Buddha
- Lonnie Rott – Whistling in the Dark and Nobody’ll Tell Us What To Do
- Lou Hazel – Riot of the Red
- Megg Jacobs – ego // DEATH
- Superchunk – Songs in the Key of Yikes
- susong – matae
- Tab One – I’m Going for a Run
- True Optimist – Parlour Palms
- Watchhouse – Rituals
Rising Acts
Our music scene is made better every day by new acts who enter the fold. It’s crucial to highlight some of these, regardless of whether they’ve released music lately (or at all) or how long they’ve been at it. These are all talented folks worthy of your attention as we head into 2026.
blankstate.
Let’s be real, Charlotte’s blankstate. has already grown beyond a “rising act.” Their last EP, LOTUS, was a masterclass in mathy emo rock, and they’ve only kept up the momentum this year. Numerous shows across the state and Southeast ultimately led to a fall tour of Japan, flexing this impressive reach and what feels like limitless potential. Look out for their new EP sometime in 2026.
Eugenius
Over in Greensboro, Timothy Peterson (aka Eugenius) is also putting his nose to the grindstone in support of his smooth hip-hop flows. From releasing his (DEMO) project to performing across North Carolina, every step elevates his positive message. I love how much of the local Greensboro scene he wears on his sleeve and can’t wait for what he brings next year.
INFINXTY
One of my favorite artists flying under the radar yet making noise is Wilmington’s INFINXTY. The post-hardcore band is a project of Jackson Reynolds, who has been playing out like he’s running out of time to do it. Not only is the band highly active in the local and statewide scene, but Jackson also puts in significant effort to support the Wilmington music community. I’m grateful for the passion he brings that benefits us all.
Powell House
A last-minute addition to this list is Raleigh’s Powell House, who absolutely blew me away during their recent performance at Slim’s. This six-piece is the real deal: talented, kind, and professional. Their poppy rock features incredible vocals from Christian Mauney and Haley Stone, and the whole band is right there with them, ensuring everyone can dance along. Look out for them to play more well-deserved headline shows in the new year.
saturn is changing
Similar to INFINXTY, Dianna LaTerra of saturn is changing and SCOBY puts in a ton of work to support her local scene in Winston-Salem. Whether it’s organizing and promoting shows, highlighting artists, or helping organize a state-wide artist directory, there’s no shortage of outlets for her to explore. Her music is dreamy, emo-tinged rock that soundtracks lyrics on grief – but they’ll keep you tapping your foot and nodding along the entire time.
Artist of the Year
An accolade like this is always going to be subjective. But after reflecting on each of the releases above, community input, and live performance stature, Slow Teeth stands out.
They didn’t just release a debut EP and play some shows. Locally, the 3-piece opened for Explosions in the Sky, performed at Sleepy Fest, and has played often enough for me to see them 4 times. Beyond that, they toured across the West Coast and up into the Pacific Northwest and nailed several out-of-state festival bookings – bringing their North Carolina-born post-rock sound directly to the masses.
Jeremy (guitar/vocals), Justin (bass/vocals), and Rob (drums) are all so individually talented, but together they truly create music greater than the sum of their parts. Do yourself a favor and see them live.
That’s all we’ve got, but what do you think? Is there an album or artist we completely missed? We’d happily bet on it. Let us know in the comments!
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