Bren and Emma highlight the year’s best albums, concerts, and movies, from Poppy’s Negative Spaces to St. Vincent’s All Born Screaming tour, and also share what they’re most excited about in 2025, including new releases from Marina and Spiritbox. Cover photo by Jenny Shackleton.

Poppy – “Negative Spaces” (Album)

“Poppy’s latest album, Negative Spaces, is hardcore—it fucks. Poppy’s had such an interesting career trajectory, from her bubblegum pop days to going full metal, and this album feels like the culmination of all that. Her harsh vocals are killer, and she’s fully embracing her role as a scream queen. There’s still variety—there’s an 80s synth-pop track and slower songs—but when she goes metal, she goes hard. It’s become one of my favorite albums of the year.” —Bren.

Fletcher – “In Search of the Antidote” (Album)

“Fletcher’s In Search of the Antidote came out at a really difficult time for me, and it became my soundtrack for months. It’s not a huge shift from Girl of My Dreams, but it feels more introspective and self-reflective. Tracks like ‘Maybe I Am’ are so relatable—it’s about self-sabotaging, and it’s just so catchy. I loved how each song had a unique sound, and the album holds a really special place in my heart. My only complaint? She didn’t tour in Portland!” —Emma.

Katie Gavin – “What a Relief” (Album)

“Katie Gavin’s What a Relief surprised me in the best way. As the lead singer of MUNA, I expected something similar to their dance-pop sound, but this was much more introspective—like a 90s singer-songwriter vibe with hints of Alanis Morissette. Songs like ‘Aftertaste’ and ‘The Baton’ are stunning, especially live. ‘The Baton’ has this beautiful fiddle interlude, and seeing Katie perform it on violin during her show was incredible. She’s such a multi-talented artist, playing guitar, piano, and violin while singing her heart out. It’s one of those albums that sticks with you long after you’ve heard it.” —Bren.

Kacey Musgraves – “Deeper Well” (Tour)

“The Deeper Well tour was a transformative experience. I’ve always been a Kacey fan, but this show gave me a new appreciation for her album. Seeing ‘Jade Green’ live was surreal—through my synesthesia, I ‘see’ colors when I hear music, and the visuals on stage perfectly matched what I hear in my head when I listen to the song. It was a powerful, almost spiritual experience, and it made me revisit the album in a completely new way. I left the show loving it even more.” —Emma.

“The Substance” (Movie)

“The Substance knocked my socks off—body horror to the max with a powerful feminist message about fame, aging, and societal expectations around beauty. It’s surreal, Cronenbergian, and has a killer soundtrack. Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley both give phenomenal performances. It’s one of those movies that keeps escalating in the best way, and just when you think it’s over, it takes another twist. I’ve watched it four times now, and it’s still one of the best films I’ve seen this year.” —Bren.

St. Vincent – “All Born Screaming” (Album/Tour)

“St. Vincent’s All Born Screaming changed my brain chemistry. I’ve been a fan for a while, but this album and tour hit differently. The Bend show was intimate, raw, and grungy—she walked right up to us during ‘New York,’ took Bren’s hat, and kissed my hand, which completely altered my life. After the show, I dove into her back catalog and rediscovered so much. Tracks like ‘Big Time Nothing’ and ‘Flea’ from the new album hit so hard live, and the album itself is flawless from start to finish. It’s my album of the year, no question.” —Emma.

Anticipated Releases for 2025

“I’m really excited for Marina’s new album next year. She’s been a constant favorite of mine, and I can’t wait to see where she takes things this time.” —Emma.

“I’m looking forward to Spiritbox and Jinjer’s new albums—they’ve been putting out killer singles, and I know the full records will deliver.” —Bren.

Founder & Editor | + posts

Bren Swogger (they/them) is the founder and editor of Indie/Alt Magazine. Bren started Indie/Alt as a music blog during their sophomore year of high school, and after a long hiatus, relaunched it as an online entertainment magazine in 2021 for their capstone project at Pacific University. After 10 years in the music journalism industry, Bren has a long-standing passion for live music, but also loves to explore their passion for other artistic outlets. You can find Bren writing voraciously, adding to their never-ending stack of TBRs, and marathoning classic horror films.

Photographer | + posts

Emma Davis is a photographer for Indie/Alt Magazine and long-time best friend of editor/creator Bren Swogger. Emma and Bren have been collaborating within the music journalism industry for years, first with Vortex Music Magazine then with Indie/Alt. A graduate from University of Oregon, you can find her writing stories for the Happy Valley News, crying to Taylor Swift, or watching UNHhhh with her girlfriend.