Al's Thoughts and Zines!

October 25, 2025

CHECKPOINT! The Best Songs and Albums of Q3 2025

A drawing of me behind some green trees and bushes. The trees have red flowers scattered on it, as well as a big yellow sunflower on top. I am wearing a blouse with a flower bow on the chest. Above me is the title and author of the zine, "CHECKPOINT! Q3 2025, Al Varela"

Best Songs of 2025 Q3: 1. "Moscovium" by Celestaphone & Dealers of God (abstract hip-hop). 2. "WTF Goin" by Metro Boomin & DJ Spinz ft. Young Dro (hip-hop). 3. "Chains & Whips" by Clipse ft. Kendrick Lamar (hip-hop). 4. "Spirit" by Cole Chaney (Appalachia) 5. "Confront It" by Caroline Spence (country/folk).

(continued from previous page) 6. "i just banged a snus in canada water" by Jim Legxacy (hip-hop). 7. "Yamaha" by Dijon (R&B/soul) 8. "South Of Sanity" by Zach Top (country). 9. "Automatic Love" by Nourished By Time (pop/alternative R&B). 10. "Glory" by JID (hip-hop). 11. "Eatin' Big Time" by Tyler Childers (Appalachia). 12. "Delete" by Ninajirachi (electronica/pop). 13. "Ring Ring Ring" by Tyler The Creator (dance/hip-hop). 14. "Letters" by Chance The Rapper ft. Rachel Robinson (hip-hop). 15. "Pickleball" by Ruston Kelly (Americana/folk-rock).

Best Albums 2025 Q3. 1. Heart Go Wild by Caroline Spence (country/folk). 2. The Passionate Ones by Nourished By Time (pop/alternative R&B) 3. In The Shadow Of The Mountain by Cole Chaney (Appalachia). 4. STAR LINE by Chance The Rapper (hip-hop). 5. Neon Grey Midnight Green by Neko Case (alternative country)

(continued from previous page). 6. Breach by Twenty One Pilots (alternative rock). 7. Let God Sort Em Out by Clipse (hip-hop). 8. BLACK STAR by Amaarae (Afrobeat/dance). 9. Horizons by Daniel Donato (Southern rock/bluegrass). 10. Neighborhood Gods Unlimited by Open Mike Eagle (hip-hop). 11. Don't Tap The Glass by Tyler The Creator (dance/hip-hop). 12. black british music (2025) by Jim Legxacy (hip-hop). 13. A Futuristic Summa by Metro Boomin & DJ Spinz (hip-hop). 14. Cult Subterranea by Celestaphone & Dealers Of God (abstract hip-hop). 15. God Does Like Ugly by JID (hip-hop).

Honorable Mentions (Songs): "Where The Light Goes Through" by Caroline Spence. "Fuck Me Eyes" by Ethel Cain. "Drum Show" by Twenty One Pilots. "12 to 12" by sombr. "Wreck" by Neko Case. "Bowery" by Zach Bryan ft. Kings Of Leon. "The Plane Never Lands" by AJR. "When A Good Man Cries" by CMAT. "DAISIES" by Justin Bieber.

Honorable Mentions (Albums): I Love My Computer by Ninajirachi. Live Laugh Love by Earl Sweatshirt. Pale, Through The Window by Ruston Kelly. HYPERYOUTH by Joey Valence & Brae. Snipe Hunter by Tyler Childers. What No One's Thinking by AJR. Albums I'm Looking Forward To Before The Year Ends: Moron Police - Pachinko. The Mountain Goats - Through The Fire Across From Peter Balkan. Bruiser Wolf & Harry Fraud - MADE BY DOPE. Creeper - Sanguivoire II: Mistress Of Death. Florence & The Machine - Everybody Scream. Danny Brown - Stardust. Armand Hammer & The Alchemist - Mercy.

Check out the Spotify playlist for this quarter here! Below this text, there is a QR code to scan that takes you directly to the playlist. Instagram: @al_draws_things. Bluesky: @alcartoonist.bsky.social. Tumblr: @alcomicshub. Webtoons: Al's Comics. alvarelacartoonist.com

Check out the past couple zines from this year below!

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