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KCRW MusicKCRW Music Best of 2025
KCRW’s Best of 2025 is our annual celebration of the music that moved us most this year. From big, boundary-pushing releases to under-the-radar discoveries, these picks reflect what we champion on the air every day: bold sound, strong songwriting, and artists building their own worlds. Explore our favorite albums, songs, and the voices that defined 2025.
The BusinessEverything you need to know about the Warner Bros. sale (so far)
Matt Belloni and Lucas Shaw share the latest updates on the Warner Bros. sale. Plus, holiday leftovers rom recent conversations with Wake Up Dead Man filmmakers Rian Johnson and Ram Bergman, and Stranger Things executive producer Shawn Levy.
Left, Right & CenterCan Europe trust Trump’s vision for peace?
European leaders are skeptical of President Trump’s plan for peace in Ukraine. And how might the president’s views on migration impact the EU?
Good FoodThe best pancakes in LA
Plus: Sichuan peppercorns, salad at the center of the table, and Golden Delicious apples.
Press Play with Madeleine BrandDisney’s $1B Sora deal could upend Hollywood’s relationship with AI
Plus, our weekend film reviews (including the latest Knives Out entry) and Evan Kleiman brings brisket and salmon recipes ahead of Hanukkah.
Weekend Film ReviewsWeekend Film Reviews: 'Dust Bunny,' 'Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery'
Plus, an anime based on Hamlet.
The Sam Sanders ShowK-Pop, AI Slop & Ms. Rachel? 2025 Pop Culture Review
Did 2025 Pop Culture Sizzle or Fizzle?
KCRW Reports$1,500 for World Cup tickets? Some fans aren't too excited
The World Cup comes to SoFi stadium in June; many soccer fans are pumped, but others are annoyed at high prices and worried about more federal attention to LA.
Press Play with Madeleine BrandA bear moved into Altadena man’s crawlspace. He won’t leave.
Plus, Australia bans social media for users under 16, Target continues to face backlash over its rollback of DEI efforts, and Paramount’s Landman drops us right in the middle of a West Texas oil boom.
KCRW ReportsFeeling the holiday blues? Call the 24/7 WeHo Poetry Hotline
Anyone can call the West Hollywood Holiday Poetry Hotline to hear “poetry prescriptions" for a bit of comfort in December.
- The Sam Sanders Show
How Queer Was 2025?
Queerness is everywhere on screen now. But is it the representation we fought for? 
Press Play with Madeleine BrandRemembering Frank Gehry, the ‘never pretentious’ star of the starchitects
Plus, Paramount’s hostile takeover bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, the Supreme Court considers expanding presidential power, and LA-based quintet SML blurs the lines between jazz and electronica.
Good FoodThe frenzied last days of LA's oldest bar and restaurant
With all the recent closures of classic LA restaurants, reporter Jennifer Swann explains why crowds are lining up around the block to get one last taste of Cole's.
KCRW ReportsFrom Dirndls to the 'Wiener Toss': Red Lion's Evolution
Over 66 years, the German tavern in Silverlake has evolved from a Black Forest fantasyland to something stranger, sillier, and more distinctly LA.
KCRW ReportsThe legacy of Chicano artist Jose Lozano
The late painter's art is featured across Southern California.
The Sam Sanders ShowRuth E. Carter: What Makes an Iconic Costume?
Oscar-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter makes people look good on the big screen — especially Black people.
She’s the mind behind the costumes for countless iconic films including Malcolm X, Do The Right Thing, the Black Panther franchise, and arguably the biggest movie this year… Sinners.
Sam chats with Ruth about the literal blood and sweat that goes into her designs, the first garment she ever made, and working as one of the few Black costume designers in Hollywood.
Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week.
KCRW ReportsL.A. changed architect Frank Gehry. He changed it right back.
Frank Gehry has died at age 96. Over a 70-year career, he became one of the world's most celebrated architects, and cemented the reputation of Los Angeles.
The TreatmentGuillermo del Toro on building the world of Frankenstein
Plus, Guillermo del Toro breaks down the parallels between Frankenstein and his creature.
Second OpinionWhy the President's 'Routine' MRI Is Bad Medicine
The President's 'routine' MRI that cost $3,000 and no doctor recommends is a perfect example of how too much healthcare can be just as harmful as too little.
Left, Right & CenterTrump rants, Hegseth deflects while Congress looks for answers
The president delivers a hateful rant during a cabinet meeting. Is Pete Hegseth on the hot seat? Plus, we’ll discuss a revealing new social media feature.
Good FoodGo global with your holiday baking
Asian cookies, Lebanese sweets, Polish rye breads, German Christmas treats, and a hot new Turkish restaurant.
The TreatmentThe Treat: Actor Greg Kinnear
Actor Greg Kinnear on the surprising place he got his start.
The BusinessCeline Song on confronting the cost of love in ‘Materialists’
Kim Masters talks with Celine Song about Materialists and its strong global box-office run. Masters and Matt Belloni also weigh in on Netflix’s plans for Warners and the looming threat of shorter theatrical windows.
Weekend Film ReviewsWeekend Film Reviews: 'Five Nights at Freddy's 2,' 'The Secret Agent'
Plus, Kristen Stewart's directorial debut The Chronology of Water.
Press Play with Madeleine BrandCaribbean boat strikes, Signal fiasco. Could Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s days be numbered?
Plus, why self-driving cars could be a “public health breakthrough,” a new documentary follows a woman in rural Iran who won a seat on her village council, and our weekly film reviews.
Question Everything‘Let Him Hang Himself’
Journalists react to the ethics of cozying up to a source. Especially when that source is the known sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein.
Press Play with Madeleine BrandWhy San Francisco sued Coca-Cola, Kraft Heinz, and others over ultra-processed foods
Plus, children are working on California farms and an investigation finds the state is turning a blind eye to safety violations, a mom writes a private letter to her son every year and gives them to him when he turns 18, and Evan Kleiman on the loved (and loathed) holiday fruitcake.
KCRW ReportsFive tribes to incorporate native values in monument
Tribes that call the Coachella Valley home have long sought federal protection for the land and its wildlife. Now, they'll help manage the national monument.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand‘No Lessons Learned’ over 12 pretty, pretty good seasons of ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’
Plus, longtime Ukraine watcher Alexander Vindman doesn’t expect the war with Russia to end anytime soon, an LA Times investigation adds context to the Trump administration’s claims about attacks on ICE agents, and whether or not a domesticated raccoon would make a good house pet.
- Question Everything
Call 202-225-3501 To Fix The Internet
Congress is about to debate new online safety bills for kids, but not Section 230. Make a call and help push the issue forward. 
Press Play with Madeleine BrandMothers of the Mothership: The women who shaped the sound of 70s funk
Plus, the Trump administration pauses granting asylum and visas to Afghan nationals, the Supreme Court hears oral arguments over online piracy, and the Cal State system invests in “AI-empowered higher education.”
Latest Playlists
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Morning Becomes EclecticMorning Becomes Eclectic playlist: December 11, 2025
KCRW’s signature music program — defying format since 1977.
Morning Becomes EclecticMorning Becomes Eclectic playlist: December 10, 2025
KCRW’s signature music program — defying format since 1977.
Ro "Wyldeflower" ContrerasRocio "Wyldeflower" Contreras' Playlist: December 8, 2025
A globe-trotting journey through new and classic rhythms.- Morning Becomes Eclectic
Morning Becomes Eclectic playlist: December 8, 2025
KCRW’s signature music program — defying format since 1977.
- Ro "Wyldeflower" Contreras
Rocio "Wyldeflower" Contreras' Playlist: December 7, 2025
A globe-trotting journey through new and classic rhythms.
Dan WilcoxDan Wilcox's playlist: December 7, 2025
New discoveries, remixes, rarities, b-sides, and classics.
Chris DouridasChris Douridas' playlist: December 7, 2025
Genre-defying sounds, from fresh cuts to timeless gems.
John TejadaJohn Tejada's playlist December 6, 2025
John Tejada crafts seamless journeys through electronic music, blending deep cuts and future sounds to connect the underground's past with its evolving future.
Raul CamposRaul Campos' playlist December 6, 2025
Soulful grooves, fresh remixes, Latin rhythms, and rock.
Anne LittAnne Litt's playlist: December 6, 2025
New rhythms. Sonic memory lanes. Everything else in between.
MetropolisMetropolis playlist: December 6, 2025
Jason Bentley captures a hypnotic pulse of modern city life.
LUXXURYLUXXURY's playlist December 5, 2025
LUXXURY mixes dance, rock & post-punk, playing remixes and dubbed out edits of vintage classics, hidden gems of funk, and dusty disco discoveries.
- Morning Becomes Eclectic
Morning Becomes Eclectic playlist: December 5, 2025
KCRW’s signature music program — defying format since 1977.
Tyler "Boogie" BoudreauxTyler "Boogie" Boudreaux's playlist: December 4, 2025
Part wax. Part digital. Pure heat.
Morning Becomes EclecticMorning Becomes Eclectic playlist: December 4, 2025
KCRW’s signature music program — defying format since 1977.
Resident DJRESIDENT DJ 009: THOMAS DOLBY
British music legend Thomas Dolby touches down at KCRW as our Resident DJ for the month of December 2025. In his first mix, he features music by Prefab Sprout, Björk, and Eddi Reader.- Morning Becomes Eclectic
Morning Becomes Eclectic playlist: December 3, 2025
KCRW’s signature music program — defying format since 1977.
- Ro "Wyldeflower" Contreras
Rocio "Wyldeflower" Contreras' Playlist: December 3, 2025
A globe-trotting journey through new and classic rhythms. 
- Morning Becomes Eclectic
Morning Becomes Eclectic playlist: December 2, 2025
KCRW’s signature music program — defying format since 1977.
- Ro "Wyldeflower" Contreras
Rocio "Wyldeflower" Contreras' Playlist: December 1, 2025
A globe-trotting journey through new and classic rhythms. 
MetropolisMetropolis playlist: November 29, 2025 (Guest Mix from Kasablanca)
Jason Bentley captures a hypnotic pulse of modern city life.
- Morning Becomes Eclectic
Morning Becomes Eclectic playlist: December 1, 2025
KCRW’s signature music program — defying format since 1977.
LeRoy DownsLeRoy Downs' playlist: November 30, 2025 (w/Charles Lloyd)
Exploring the multitudes contained within jazz, this episode features a conversation with Charles Lloyd, the celebrated American jazz musician and composer. Known primarily for his tenor saxophone and flute work, Lloyd reflects on a life in sound, spirit, and improvisation, and the ever-expanding possibilities that jazz continues to hold.- Dan Wilcox
Dan Wilcox's playlist: November 30, 2025
New discoveries, remixes, rarities, b-sides, and classics. - Ro "Wyldeflower" Contreras
Rocio "Wyldeflower" Contreras' Playlist: November 30, 2025
A globe-trotting journey through new and classic rhythms.
- Chris Douridas
Chris Douridas' playlist: November 30, 2025
Genre-defying sounds, from fresh cuts to timeless gems. - John Tejada
John Tejada's playlist: November 29, 2025
John Tejada crafts seamless journeys through electronic music, blending deep cuts and future sounds to connect the underground's past with its evolving future.
Music Shows & DJs
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Resident DJ
Thomas Dolby drops original mixes just for KCRW. Every Friday in December.
LUXXURY
LUXXURY mixes dance, rock & post-punk, playing remixes and dubbed out edits of vintage classics, hidden gems of funk, and dusty disco discoveries.John Tejada
John Tejada crafts seamless journeys through electronic music, blending deep cuts and future sounds to connect the underground's past with its evolving future.Morning Becomes Eclectic
KCRW’s signature music program — defying format since 1977.
Henry Rollins
A mix of all kinds, from all over and all time.
Metropolis
Jason Bentley captures a hypnotic pulse of modern city life.
Anne Litt
New rhythms. Sonic memory lanes. Everything else in between.
Chris Douridas
Genre-defying sounds, from fresh cuts to timeless gems.
Raul Campos
Soulful grooves, fresh remixes, Latin rhythms, and rock.SiLVA
A dance-forward mix spanning all genres.
Tyler "Boogie" Boudreaux
Part wax. Part digital. Pure heat.Dan Wilcox
New discoveries, remixes, rarities, b-sides, and classics.LeRoy Downs
Exploring the multitudes contained within jazz.Francesca Harding
Music to make you feel.Ro "Wyldeflower" Contreras
A globe-trotting journey through new and classic rhythms.
Nassir Nassirzadeh
Indie found sounds, nostalgic guilty pleasures, and introspective piano solos to help you feel deeply and move freely through life.
KCRW Original Shows & Podcasts
Left, Right & Center
Different takes. Same table.
Good Food
We’ll feed your belly and your curiosity.
The Sam Sanders Show
Big questions & hot takes on pop culture.
Question Everything
Fight for the truth. New episodes every Thursday.
The Business
Inside Hollywood with all the deals, drama, and decision-makers.
The Treatment
The most interesting and influential figures in entertainment.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Host Madeleine Brand looks at news, culture and emerging trends through the lens of Los Angeles.
KCRW Reports
Original reporting and interviews bring you the stories of LA.
Lost Notes
This season on Lost Notes: Groupies. Women of the Sunset Strip from the Pill to Punk.
Weekend Film Reviews
The best film reviewers in the business give you recommendations on what to see and what to skip each week.
Bodies
Each episode of this documentary series begins with a medical mystery. Sometimes the sickness is in the body, and sometimes the sickness is in the system. Once you peel back the layers, more questions emerge. Created by Allison Behringer and supported by KCRW.
Life Examined
KCRW's Life Examined is a one-hour weekly show exploring science, philosophy, faith — and finding meaning in the modern world. The show is hosted by Jonathan Bastian. Please tune in Sundays at 9 a.m., or find it as a podcast.
Newsletters
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5 Things To Do This Week
What to do with your free time in LA.
Weekly. Cancel or pause anytime.
5 Songs to Hear This Week
Must-hear tracks, curated by KCRW’s music team.
Weekly. Cancel or pause anytime.
Local Newsletter
From Santa Barbara to Orange County, Los Angeles to Riverside — and points between — get the best local stories to your inbox every week.
Weekly. Cancel or pause anytime.
Music Insider
New tracks, free music downloads, and live performances, curated by legendary KCRW DJ Anne Litt.
Weekly. Cancel or pause anytime.
Art Insider
Let KCRW's art expert Carolina A. Miranda share where and how art and design are transforming LA's cultural landscape.
Weekly. Cancel or pause anytime.
The Good Food Newsletter
Weekly food recommendations and story roundups from the Good Food podcast. Written by Evan Kleiman.
Weekly. Cancel or pause anytime.
Entertainment Newsletter
A look into who and what’s shaping the entertainment we consume.
Weekly. Cancel or pause anytime.
Sam Sanders Newsletter
Find out what pop culture Sam can’t stop thinking about, plus behind-the-scenes tidbits that didn’t make the show.
Weekly. Cancel or pause anytime.
Design & Architecture Newsletter
Frances Anderton's dispatches on the world of design and architecture, and a roundup of related events.
Bi-weekly. Cancel or pause anytime.
KCRW Insider
The best of KCRW – new music, new podcasts, events, and more.
Weekly. Cancel or pause anytime.
Top 30 Albums Of The Week
A list of the top 30 albums in KCRW’s on-air rotation.
Weekly. Cancel or pause anytime.
Second Opinion
Dr. Michael Wilkes offers an alternative perspective on medical ideas.
Weekly. Cancel or pause anytime.
Upcoming Events
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Mareux
The Fox Theater Pomona, Pomona, CA
KCRW PresentsMusic
KCRW x Corita Kent: Sound + Source
Marciano Art Foundation, Los Angeles, CA
KCRW PresentsFreeMusic
Suzanne Ciani: A journey to the edges of dimensional sound + light on her Out of the Ocean Tour
First Congregational Church of LA, Los Angeles, CA
ConcertsElectronicSynthMareux
The Fox Theater Pomona, Pomona, CA
KCRW PresentsMusic
Charles Lloyd Quartet featuring Gerald Clayton, Larry Grenadier & Kweku Sumbry
Blue Note Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
Jazz / FreeformKCRW Presents
Trivia Night
Re/creation Cafe, Los Angeles, CA
KCRW PresentsFreeTrivia Night
Re/creation Cafe, Los Angeles, CA
KCRW PresentsFreeTrivia Night
Re/creation Cafe, Los Angeles, CA
KCRW PresentsFree
Resolutions NYE/NYD
Union Station, Los Angeles, CA
KCRW PresentsConcerts
Constant Smiles, Graffiti Phallico, Nymphlord
Permanent Records' Roadhouse, Los Angeles, CA
ConcertsKCRW PresentsIndie / Alt
