50 Okie Songs for 2025

Oklahoma artists showed up in speakers across the globe in 2025. From major steps forward from artists like Ken Pomeroy and Keyland, to strong veteran releases from Samantha Crain and Unwed Sailor, to young bands making a statement, this year in Okie music featured something for everyone.

Audio Book Club – “Here’s My Number”

Dancy, punky rock and roll full of energy and catchy choruses.

Bee & The Hive – “Fake It”

The eclectic five-piece layers elements of funk, jazz, and rock for a catchy anthem about self-doubt and confidence

Ben Quad – “It’s Just a Title”

The latest emo breakouts from OKC have made huge gains this year, touring with big names and selling out their own headline shows. Look for a big push for Ben Quad to hit the mainstream in 2026.

Blind Oath – “Riteous Hunt”

Tulsa’s power metal dream team returns with a ripping single

Brainwasher – “A1A”

Psych pop from the Flaming Lips drummer and bassist

Branjae – “On the Ground”

BRONCHO – “Imagination”

Bucky & The Bookworms – “That Was Lucky”

These power poppers put on a live show not to be missed, and an album all local music fans should give at least one spin before the new year.

Casii Stephan – “California Gold”

Chat Pile & Hayden Pedigo – “Radioactive Dreams”

An unexpected collaboration turned beautifully haunting album, “Radioactive Dreams” sets the tone for one of the albums nobody should skip this year.

Chelsea Days – “Bundle”

Chris Combs – “In the Light”

Combs never does the same things twice, and this psych rock single proves it.

Cody Clinton and the April Fools – “Bells at Night”

The longtime Tulsa songwriter has really hit his stride with The April Fools, creating meaningful songs that hit home for Oklahoma listeners.

Don White – “Cain’s”

Although Don White is known for his long running radio show on RSU Radio, which just recently came to an end, he’s probably better known for his songwriting. White’s latest album Gold is the definition of The Tulsa Sound, and “Cain’s” is a tribute to the legendary local venue known worldwide.

HeartWerk – “Alone In Shibuya”

From the beautiful, moody A Cold Night In Shinjuku EP, HeartWerk’s rhythmic progressive house tracks are as much a soundtrack to a tranquil night at home as they are an energetic night at the club.

Husbands – “Nameless One”

A reverb drenched bop that will have you swaying with bittersweet nostalgia

Jason Boland & the Stragglers – “Drive”

Jason Scott & The High Heat – “If We Make It Til The Mornin'”

Traditional country for the modern country music appreciator

John Calvin Abney – “Last Chance”

John Moreland – “Visitor”

Moreland had some time in the spotlight this year after feuding with Kyle Nix and Zach Bryan, but it was a relatively quiet year for his music. The one release we did get from the Okie songwriter was “Visitor” – a sparse introspective re-release of the title track of his 2024 album with haunting Strings.

Johnny Manchild and the Poor Bastards & Karma and the Killjoys – “What Is It I Came For”

Piano tinged rock and roll from this long running Oklahoma band

Kat Lock – “Shut Me Up”

Ken Pomeroy – “Stranger”

Soulful, deep, stinging songs like “Stranger” made Cruel Joke impossible to ignore.

Keyland – “Haircut”

King Cabbage Brass Band – “Cabbage Patrol”

Labrys – “Till Then”

Broncho’s Penny Pitchlynn put out one of the best albums of 2024, and we’re all hoping for a new album in new year. While not technically new, the Songs I Forgot About EP re-releases songs from her past, including this beautifully haunting track.

LEASH – “Eraser”

Tulsa’s up and coming hardcore punk band comprised of members of some pretty great Tulsa bands (The Riot Waves, Ivory Tusk, Søaker, Tell Lies, among others).

Mary Mortem & Mercy Necromancy – “Phantoms of the Fall”

One of the most talked about heavy Okie albums of the year, Mary Mortem bring an atmospheric, gazy approach to their doomy songwriting.

Mingo Drive – “Breezy Perfect World”

Bright poppy hits are what you get from Mingo Drive. This band is a blast live, so catch them in concert if you get the chance.

Morris Village – “Department Store Boxing”

Part of the ever growing stable of Oklahoma emo bands doing great things, Morris Village are really just an album away from potentially being big players in Okie emo.

Other Lives – “What’s It Gonna Take”

Although the band is billed as New York by way of Stillwater, Other Lives will always be an Oklahoma band to us. They have evolved since their inception, known originally as Kunek, but you can hear a direct connection to their 2006 Flight of the Flynns album that started it all. Volume V is one of the albums of the year, and not just from artists with local ties.

Professional Golfer – “10 Cents”

This band continues to quietly put out great music without much publicity. Each member has a history of playing in very active bands in the past, so PG likely doesn’t feel the need to push. Let’s hope we get some more new music from this band in 2026.

Ramsey Thornton – “Riverside”

Ramsey is one of those artists who you know could break out at any moment. Thornton signed with Gar Hole Records this year, who announced his debut full length album is coming spring 2026. Make sure it’s on your radar.

Red Dirt Rangers & Evan Felker “Red Dirt Town”

Two of the most recognizable names in Oklahoma music, the Red Dirt Rangers and Turnpike Troubadours, join up on the title track to the Rangers latest album. Since 1989, this band has done a lot, not just for Oklahoma music, but for all of country and Americana music. It seems fitting that Evan Felker, one of the most prominent voices in present day red dirt, accompanies the band that undoubtedly had an influence on his musical career.

RR Williams & Beau Jennings – “I Believe This Is Killing Me”

Two long time heavy hitters, Williams and Jennings have helped represent Oklahoma music nationally for years. While Mike Williams announced the return of The Agony Scene in the coming year, 2025 has been all about his RR Williams project. The team up with Beau Jennings works well and adds depth to his already deeply emotional songwriting.

Rubes – “Picture Frame”

Driving alternative rock from a long-running OKC band. One of two singles in 2025, Rubes are due for an EP or album in the coming year.

Samantha Crain – “Dragonfly”

Crain’s seventh studio album continues to take the songwriter in new directions, blending alt-rock and occasional psychedelia with her folksy central Oklahoma roots. Gumshoe moves gracefully from bouncy rhythms to slow sing-alongs, all while conveying a liveliness that makes it a consistently beautiful listen from front to back.

Sierra Spirit – “Lift a Finger”

Some Hearts – “Bad Feeling”

Bad boy rockers give you a good feeling on this hooky Church Studio recorded single

Steph Simon – “Built Different”

stepmom – “Helga Pataki”

The prolific OKC art punk group took the year to tour and really focus on performing live, but still managed to release a fun, unique song that lives up to the 90’s cartoon reference.

Sun Vow – “Conduit”

The heavy-gaze band returns with a new singer and new sounds that bring a fresh yet familiar feel.

The Imaginaries – “Fever”

Folksy up and comers from Norman. This song is the opening track and the title track to their second studio album.

The Ivy – “mirror2mirror”

This ultra catchy autotuned pop banger continues The Ivy’s streak of extremely smooth hits.

The Taylor Machine – “Bodies”

Yes, this is a cover of the Drowning Pool song.

Tom Pevear – “Bye Bye Baby”

Tom’s guitar skills are not to be missed, and this rootsy track is a great introduction to his skills and songwriting.

Unlikely Roll – “SALY”

Three piece rock and rollers with an authentic feeling single

Unwed Sailor – “Monster Collecting”

The long running post rockers continue their run of amazing songwriting on their tenth studio album. Catch RSU Radio’s DJ Sweet Baby Jaysus in the music video.

Wet Muscles – “Departure of Summer”

The third full length album in as many years, Modern Wing shows no sign that Wet Muscles are slumping in their songwriting. The winding, shuffle beat drives the song.

Winston Churchbus – “Just Like Us”

Nicholas Foster returns with his third full length album with this project. The album makes you nostalgic for early 2000s college alternative, while still feeling fresh. The instrumentation is beautiful, and the songwriting feels personal yet still relatable.