Recommendations of the Editorial team
Every evening of her current tour it happens again: the moment she is as Lady Gaga appears on stage, panic shoots through Stefani Germanotta’s body. In front of her: thousands of people, many of them “Little Monsters” who have long since grown up, still calling out for the woman who once told them that they were right the way they were. Brian Hiatt asked Gaga how she was feeling about all of this.
Pulp: Triumph after 25 years
pulp didn’t exist for more than two decades, then Jarvis Cocker returned with his band and a phenomenal late work – a worthy first place in our list of the 50 best albums of the year. Arne Willander thanks.
OUR ANNUAL REVIEW 2025
Perhaps it is the influence of artificial intelligence and social media that gives us the feeling that the world consists only of copies and antagonisms. We tell the past year using equal and unequal couples.
Plus: The best albums and reissues, reader and critic poll
From the RS editorial team
Lemmy Kilmister
The legendary Motörhead singer died ten years ago Lemmy Kilmister. He needed the stage until the end. The chronicle of an announced death.
By Frank Schäfer
MARIUS MÜLLER-WESTERNHAGEN
“Hallelujah”: Marius Müller-Westernhagen remembers the moment a singer became a superstar.
By Torsten Groß
THE BIG RADIO PLAY SPECIAL
Hennes Bender talks about his passion for radio plays. Sassan Niasseri visited the director and head of the radio play empire Europe, Heikedine Körting. Plus: radio play classics and new releases
By Hennes Bender, Sassan Niasseri, Torsten Diersen, Oliver Schultze and Linus Volkmann
The Mix
Nobody expected this collaboration: Als AVTT/PTTN Missing are Faith No More singer Mike Patton and
the Avett Brothers maybe vocals, but not the inspiration. With producer Cate Le Bon you can too Dry cleaning surprise, and High School live out their love of horror. Also in the mix: Wings, Fine Young Cannibals, Peter Frampton and some more.
Reviews
The year starts well: Jürgen Ziemer is devoting himself to the stars’ new album, Sassan Niasseri to Prince’s estate, and Maik Brüggemeyer and Arne Willander are going through the work of Scott Walker.
Playlist: Rare Trax in January
Highlight tracks of the music year 2025: Featuring sneering anthems from Baxter Dury and Wet Leg as well as subtle pop art from The Weather Station, Sophia Kennedy and Cate Le Bon
1. BAXTER DURY “SCHADENFREUDE”
One of the hits from Dury’s current masterpiece. Bitter evil reckoning with a lover? A trip to MDMA fantasy on an overnight flight from Sweden to Lithuania? All in one!
2. WET LEG “MANGETOUT”
The currently most exciting rock band in England around the singers/guitarists Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers surpasses their debut with such beguilingly malicious pieces.
3. KING PRINCESS “CRY CRY CRY”
In 2025, US singer and songwriter Mikaela Straus aka King Princess once again delivered a convincing, queer rocking alternative to Taylor Swift’s oh-so-feminist pop songs.
4. THE WEATHER STATION “MIRROR”
A soul-searching heightened with infinite care in perfectly balanced jazz-pop arrangements of Tamara Lindeman’s latest opus.
5. SOPHIA KENNEDY “RODEO”
The songwriter Sophia Kennedy, who grew up in Germany, recorded one of the most beautiful and versatile albums of the year. “Rodeo” is the finest, subtle pop art.
6. CATE LE BON “ABOUT TIME”
Cate Le Bon also has no lack of artistic standards. “About Time” sounds like a collaboration between Kate Bush, Bryan Ferry and Laurie Anderson.
7. BEN KWELER “DOLLAR STORE”
Triggered by the accidental death of his son Dorian, Kweller has created a wonderful mourning album. In this indie rock ballad he gets support from Waxahatchee.