20 records to listen to in physical format, according to Steven Wilson

20 records to listen to in physical format, according to Steven Wilson

ByJohn

Steven Wilson is one of the most respected figures in the rock world: for his artistic work, as a soloist and with Porcupine Tree, but also in his work as a producer who gives new life to classics, remixing them in spatial audio, and through his dissemination work. Thus a list of music recommendations that comes from such a source is worth as much or more than that of an authoritative newspaper, also due to its originality. Steven Wilson’s 20 records of 2025 are not all from 2025, and they were listened to strictly in physical format, in the days when everyone shares their listening on platforms. ranging from Tom Waits to Jeff Buckley, from Neil Young to the solo album by Cameron Winter of Geese.

Steven Wilson writes:

These days a lot of people are releasing their 2025 Spotify Wrapped stats and artists are thanking listeners for playing their music, so I’d like to take a moment to thank everyone who actually bought a PHYSICAL COPY of any of my records this year. Indeed, a huge thumbs up to anyone who bought a physical copy of anyone’s record this year, helping to keep the art of the album alive.
I’m not naive enough to think that streaming is not, by far, the dominant platform for listening to music in the 21st century, but I also believe that the relationship between a listener and a physical piece of art is still something magical and special, that will never be replaced by ones and zeros streaming in from a server. So here’s Steven Wrapped: 20 physical releases I listened to a lot this year (mostly things released or reissued in 2025, but not only).»

Here is the complete list:

  1. Squarepusher – “Stereotype”
  2. Natural Information Society – “Perseverance Flow”
  3. Soviet France – “Chasse”
  4. Deathpile – “GR”
  5. Paul Schutze – “New Maps of Hell”
  6. Matt Berry – “Heard Noises”
  7. Nitty Gritty Dirt Band – “Dirt Silver and Gold”
  8. Dissecting Table – “Ultra Point of Intersection Exist”
  9. Mike Ratledge – “Riddles of the Sphinx”
  10. The John Cameron Quartet – “Off Centre”
  11. Orbital – “The Brown Album”
  12. Tom Waits – “Heartattack and Vine”
  13. Merzbow – “Collection: 010”
  14. Polygon Window – “Surfing on Sine Waves”
  15. Cardiacs – “LSD”
  16. Jeff Buckley – “Grace”
  17. Anthony Braxton – “Five Pieces”
  18. Neil Young – “Oceanside Countryside”
  19. Cameron Winter – “Heavy Metal”
  20. Charles Rouse – “Two Is One”
John
John

With an untamed passion and deep, eclectic knowledge of music, John is the soul of RadioWise UK. Having worked in the music industry for over two decades, his vision was to create a platform that embodies the love and respect for music. John is known for his great attention to detail and insatiable thirst for discovering new talents and music genres.