The 10 Best RGV Albums of 2025
A recap of some of the Rio Grande Valley’s most distinct and momentous alternative albums of 2025, featuring rousing idol pop, alluring dark wave, an insightful valley-themed beat tape, and much more. Also, be sure to check out The 20 Best RGV Songs of 2025!
10. Chapter Black - Triple X
Chapter Black brings a cinematic and accessible form of dark wave, without losing their gloomy appeal.
9. Leadtree - Hidden Spirit
One of the most captivating releases this year. Leadtree sure can evoke ambient beauty and enlightening themes but also rock up a storm.
8. Crust Fund - One Day The Ethereal Being Of This So Called Existence Will Echo The Truths Of This Life’s Nothingness Into The Void
A chilling power electronics album with deadly lore — a found audio in the aftermath of a town massacre by a missing cult. Preaching voices warp and drones mangle like trapped souls suffering endless cycles of religious trauma.
7. Saint Naive - You Did It
A picturesque singer-songwriter EP that’s teeming with heart, being both quirky and sobering in its profoundness.
A hypnotic masquerade of dark wave and the occult. Punchy drums, mystique-laden guitars, and industrial effects create a haunting good time.
5. Fronterawave, Jonathan Leal, and B11ce - La Magia Del Valle
Three artists who are musically and historically attuned to the RGV, each in their own way, come together in this insightful beat tape. Various sounds of the RGV (Tejano, conjunto, documentary clips) meet hip-hop and tripped-out sound manipulation to conjure up booming ghostly tracks that match the magic, complexity and darkness of our history.
4. Glare - Sunset Funeral
Heart-ripping grief and scenic beauty has always been at the band’s core. Now, the imagery of vivid colors, the vastness of the sky, and the cold infinity of death materialize like never before on their debut LP. A shoegaze masterpiece that’s equal parts power and grace.
3. Italia is Kawaii - Superstar Idol
Italia takes her idol magic to new heights, dazzling home audiences with dreamy anthems and vivid imagination. Even the moodier moments are bolstered by her glamorous persona, while the beat producers were unstoppable in bringing spark to her fantasy world.
2. Edwin Voyager - Distance
The secretive EP from the eclectic Edwin Voyager is full of kaleidoscopic soundscapes and irresistable grooves. Whether it’s the hypnotic disco of “simulate”, the alien crooning of “like this”, or the malfunctioning house beat of “taktics”, it’s a washed-out head trip that goes the distance.
1. Shriek - MOO MIX, VOL.2
An explosion of euphoria from start to finish. Nightcore sampling, kinetic drum-n-bass, retro-gaming vibes. Everything slick, nostalgic, and exhilarating. You’ll feel like you’re in the driver’s seat in your favorite racing game, cause this mix fires on all cylinders.
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Be sure to check out The 20 Best RGV Songs of 2025!