Culture
Suggested Listening 2025: Corduroy Brown
By: Corduroy Brown
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Suggested Listening is WOUB Culture’s annual roundup of the songs and albums our community couldn’t stop playing this year — not necessarily new, just loved.
Corduroy Brown is an American musician, singer, and songwriter from Huntington, WV. He performs “feel-good Appalachian rock” music, which is described as having a poppy, indie rock feel that aims to make listeners feel like everything is going to be okay.
I’ve been struggling to get out of a music rut honestly, but this music has been really refreshing and a new coat of paint on my soul.
Let’s get into it:
becks! – Burn That Bridge When I Get to It (single)
Something about becks’ sound felt old and new at the same time. It’s always great finding artists from your home state. I expect to see a huge 2026 for becks. Authenticity is always going to win in the long run, and they bring so much real, thought provoking music that is so easy to listen to at the same time.
The Montvales – Born Strangers (single)
The Montvales just know how to perk your ears up and drop devastating truths all in the same breath. I got to play several shows with these ladies, and they’re incredible musicians, but incredible humans first. They’ve been touring non stop and really chasing the dream. Their 2020 EP Heartbreak Summer Camp got me through several tough times, and their new music continues to do the same. For fans of First Aid Kit, and hopeful harmonies, you’ll dig The Montvales.
Hayley Williams – Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party (album)
Ms. Williams does it again…Paramore has been part of every elder millennial’s life in some form or fashion. Hayley’s solo stuff scratches every itch you could ever imagine. It feels like we’ve all grown up with Hayley in a way. She and Paramore were making albums that carried all of our formative years… Somehow the music just keeps getting better and better. Hayley dumps all of her emotions into these songs and somehow makes you laugh through the crying. I don’t know how she does it every time.
Green Day – Saviors (album)
Okay… we all know Green Day. I got to see them on tour recently where they were celebrating 30 years of the Dookie album, and 20 years of the legendary American Idiot album. Kind of hard to believe honestly. Saviors feels like American Idiot with a modern twist. Billy didn’t shy away from how the toxicity of politics has ruined the American Dream so to speak, but he also got into his own struggles about sobriety and inner demons. This album definitely took a minute to grow on me, but I put it on a couple times throughout the day. Shout out to Green Day for getting me through the last 25 years.
June Swoon – Whatever Ever After (single)
I found June Swoon during a huge tour from Cali to tho east coast. It’s such a cool blend of indie, rock, and cali vibes. It’s so nice hearing people staying true to themselves and not following the over saturated Americana sound. June Swoon has been a breath of fresh air.