This week, I break down 12 standout country songs that defined the genre in 2025. But what defines country music this year? Here’s a hint: it’s not just the chart-toppers. Sure, there are foot-stomping anthems and soul-stirring ballads, but I also highlight the artists and bands on the rise — ready to set the stage ablaze in 2026. Tune in and hear the heart, grit, and energy that made country music impossible to ignore in 2025.

🎙️ LEARN MORE

🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com⁠

💬 Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon):⁠ https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape⁠

🌐 Connect on Social:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media⁠

📧 Email the Show / Contact:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact⁠

This week, DT Carel, host of the YouTube show ⁠SpaceCastle⁠ joins me to dive into the sounds that defined 2025! Join us as we break down 20 essential tracks that span punk, rock, hip-hop, alternative, pop & beyond.

From explosive hooks and high-energy anthems to unexpected collaborations and boundary-pushing tracks, we unpack what makes each song stand out and why they helped shape the musical landscape this year.

Tune in as we guide you through a year’s worth of sonic highlights that’ll have you hitting repeat well into 2026!

🎙️ LEARN MORE

🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com⁠

💬 Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon):⁠ https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape⁠

🌐 Connect on Social:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media⁠

📧 Email the Show / Contact:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact⁠

This week, I’m hanging out with Jaret Reddick, the lead singer, guitarist, and all-around creative engine behind Bowling For Soup, as he looks back on three decades of pop-punk chaos, catchy hooks, and perfectly timed humor.

We get into how the band balances goofy songs with genuine heartfelt moments, why “Belgium” keeps reinventing itself, and how BFS ended up becoming a Radio Disney staple. Jaret talks about the band’s wide-ranging covers—from Miley Cyrus to Hanson to Taylor Swift—our shared love of power ballads (including his personal top three), and how he wound up becoming the voice of Chuck E. Cheese.

We also dig into the impact of the band’s Grammy nomination, collaborations with Blues Traveler, The Dollyrots, and Bret Michaels of Poison, the long-running “Stacy’s Mom” misconception, and the real story behind “1985,” SR-71, and Butch Walker. Jaret also breaks down what it was like writing a song for Alexa Bliss and teaming up with WWE for the music video.

Whether you’ve been blasting BFS since the ’90s (when they had horns) or you’re discovering their world for the first time, this episode delivers laughs, nostalgia, and a glimpse at what’s next for the band in 2026 and beyond!

🎙️ LEARN MORE

🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com⁠

💬 Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon):⁠ https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape⁠

🌐 Connect on Social:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media⁠

📧 Email the Show / Contact:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact⁠