Tchotchke is Anastasia Sanchez, Eva Chambers, and Emily Tooraen. Their latest record, Playin’ Dumb, is out September 5, 2025.
Hunx have the best attitude. Their strong wit and tough, cheeky personas radiate throughout their records just as brightly as they do on stage. They have fun, they rock! Their latest record, Walk Out On This World, is one of my favorite albums of 2025. It perfectly encapsulates the riot these past couple years have been, and their sense of humor remains strong and keeps the spirits high. The title track feels especially vulnerable, but this existential tune is able to shine light through the devastation life revolves around. The response of, “what if I walked out on this world?” being, “what a waste that would be,” is such a pleasant surprise and wraps up the entire album perfectly.
“Top of the Punks” is another one of my favorites on the record. Everybody loves a chant, and Hunx knows exactly how to give the audience what they want. I’ve been a huge Hunx fan since high school, so when I heard they were touring this new record, I asked everyone I could think of to put in a good word for us to open — and it worked! Listening to them play every night was a dream I never expected to live. Even though we all got sick at some point, there’s no other band I’d rather swap germs with. Their friendship and chemistry is magic.
— Anastasia
One of my favorite discoveries of 2025 is Snow’s self-titled album. It’s been a weird year, and I’ve been finding comfort in more unserious and playful music. This is kind of like a children’s album for adults. Funny enough, Petrie from The Land Before Time (voice actor Will Ryan) is in the band. He even wrote and sang the saddest song on the album, “Engelbert,” which is about avenging his dead dog.
The album was released in 1968 on Epic and produced by Mike Petrillo and Sandy Linzer. Separately, they’ve co-written some of my favorite songs for groups like the Four Seasons and the Toys. Aside from Snow, the only other collaboration that I could find between them is a song called “Electric Stories,” which they wrote together for the Four Seasons.
This past Halloween, the girls and I dressed up and performed as them (our fourth being an inflatable Frankie Valli), so I was excited to notice this connection. “Electric Stories” is just as wacky as Snow and was even released the same year. I like how the same people who co-wrote such tender songs like “Patch of Blue” or “Dawn (Go Away),” joined forces for these eccentric projects. It sounds like everyone had a great time making this and is so much fun to listen to.
— Eva
Fats Domino somehow crossed my mind this September; I was compelled to spend some time with his music, which led me to one of my favorite album discoveries of the year. My album choice for 2025 is Fats Domino Swings by Fats Domino, released in 1959. His New Orleans roots and remarkable contribution to early rock & roll were all I knew about going into listening, save a few of his hits. I left with some new favorite songs and a huge affinity for the way he makes a piano sound. His rendition of “My Blue Heaven” paints a picture of domestic bliss… Coming home after a long day to the ones you love, roses blooming, a fireplace. His voice itself has a very warm and comforting quality. This one is a popular fake book song originally penned in 1927, I later learned. I find his version especially endearing.
I’m also a fan of “I’m Walkin’” and “Whole Lotta Loving” (especially the kissy sound effects he uses on the latter). I’ll third what both Anastasia and Eva have mentioned about turning to lighter music during strange times. Fats’ music represents a simpler era; it provides a welcomed escape into dancey piano rhythms and idealistic notions, with some necessary blues here and there. I’m grateful that I was able to enjoy his music this year. He captures the spirit of New Orleans so well. Fats is truly quintessential.
— Emily
