As part of MOJO’s essential review of the year, MOJO's Danny Eccleston spoke to Paul Weller about what records and gigs blew his mind in 2025…
“I really like Robert Plant’s new solo album, Saving Grace. I pretty much like all his solo records, but the band he’s working with at the moment are just phenomenal. I love the way he pulls in all of these influences and makes them sit together: Middle Eastern and North African music, folk, and rock’n’roll. Not rock – rock’n’roll.
Kathryn Williams’ new record, Mystery Park, is really special. Great songs, great melodies and a beautiful production by Leo Abrahams.
Baxter Dury’s Allbarone is his best album, I think. He’s really come out of the shadow of his dad. His lyrics are brilliant. His worldview is really interesting.
Are we doing gigs? Stevie Wonder at Hyde Park in July was just tune after tune, man! Classic after classic. Kneecap at Wembley was great too. But best of all… the Sex Pistols with Frank Carter at the 100 Club. It brought back loads of memories, of seeing the Pistols there in ’76. They played brilliantly and Frank Carter just brought it all to life. I’m really not sure if they’d have done that with Johnny. And Steve Jones, man – only Steve Jones sounds like that. He is the punk rock guitarist.”
Find out where some of the above – not to mention Weller’s latest album, Find El Dorado – came in our rundown of 2025’s Best Albums. CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL LIST!
