The rumors are true, KRUI likes music! 2025 was a crazy year all around, and even crazier, we here at KRUI actually listened to lots of albums this year. We’ve picked out eleven of our favorite albums from this year to share, and explore together.
It’s December 29, 2025, and if you can believe it, we here at KRUI actually listened to music throughout the whole year! From pop superstars, to indie legends, to the fresh Bandcamp up-and-comers, we’ve picked out nine of our favorite songs released this past year to share and explore together.
Cursive and a duo AJJ regale us with the pride, waste, and consuming everything until the very end, finishing out their 2025 tour at The Raccoon Motel in Davenport.
Spanning 7 venues across 7 days, Transitions, the New Years Eve celebration by AURIS PRESENTS, in downtown Chicago has cultivated a lineup of the biggest names spinning records and electronica today. From December 26 – January 1st, Chicagoland will be ablaze as it welcomes the likes of 70 artists and a 21-hour marathon to ring in the new year at Outset. Here are the highlights coming this week to Chicago.
An overtime thriller, a stadium on edge, and a Bears team pushed to its limit. From the moment the clock hit zero to the final snap in OT, this one had everything. And it might say more about this team than just a win.
Stockholm cloud rap sensation Bladee performed in Minneapolis for the first time ever on November 10th, 2025. During his set, he played many of his own beloved songs and collaborations he’s made with members of his rap collective, Drain Gang.
eraefield@krui.fm, he/him
Office Hours: Fridays 4-6pm
On-Air Show: The Evil Witching Hour, Thursdays 7-8pm
Field of Study: English and Creative Writing, Junior
Hometown: Iowa City, IA
Favorite artists: Arthur Russell, Basic Channel, quinn, Wipers, Team Dresch
Why did you first join KRUI? I joined KRUI because I love music, and stayed because I love radio!
rbrindley@krui.fm, he/him
Office Hours: Thursdays 6-8pm
Field of Study: Journalism and English, Sophomore
Hometown: Algona, IA
Favorite artists: Sublime, The Clash, Kings of Leon, Pixies, and The Cure
Why did you first join KRUI? I joined KRUI because I wanted get more experience with audio production!
lily-graham@krui.fm, she/they
Office Hours: Tuesdays 12:30-2:30pm
On-Air Show: Music Staff Flagship, Mondays 6-7pm
Field of Study: Journalism and Anthropologie, Senior
Hometown: Sioux City, IA
Favorite artists: Wednesday, The Sundays, Caroline Polachek, & Prince
Why did you first join KRUI? I wanted to meet some fellow music freaks, of course, but I also wanted to learn more about the some alternative forms of journalism and mass communication
ahassan@krui.fm, he/him
Office Hours: Fridays 1-3pm
Field of Study: Urban Planning and Environmental Policy, Junior
Hometown: Fort Madison, IA
Favorite artists: Black Country, New Road Westside Gunn, Viagra Boys, Model/Actriz, & The Beatles
Why did you first join KRUI? KRUI offered me the most opportunity and creative freedom while having the coolest people on campus. Why wouldn’t I join.
epauly@krui.fm, she/they
Office Hours: Mondays 2-4pm
On-Air Show: kittenkaboodle, mondays 12-1pm
Field of Study: Human-Computer Interaction, 1st-year grad student
Hometown: CEDAR RAPIDS IOWA !
Favorite artists: Modest Mouse.
Why did you first join KRUI? as both ontologically evil and a liar, i joined to further my spread of misinformation and modest mouse to the public through new and exciting wavelengths.
ithompson@krui.fm, he/they
Office Hours: Tuesdays 2-4pm
On-Air Show: eclectronica, tuesdays 4-5pm
Field of Study: Electrical Engineering, Senior
Hometown: Iowa City, IA
Favorite artists: Takashi Kokubo, Dopo Goto, Mouse on Mars, Chemlab, Joanna Newsom, & Strawberry Switchblade
Why did you first join KRUI? i wanted to impose my freaky music taste on the town without having to witness anyone’s reactions. later i discovered i can use my skills of plugging things in and turning them on to benefit my community apparently???
awirtz@krui.fm, he/him
Office Hours: Mondays 2:30-4:30pm
Field of Study: Journalism, Senior
Hometown: La Grange, IL
Favorite artists: Bob Marley, Noah Kahan, Jack Johnson, The Fruit Bats, & Sticky Fingers
