I do not usually get into very personal territory, however as the year comes to a close it feels important to pause and reflect.
We also lost my dear friend Dave Jerden this year. Dave was not only a legendary producer, he was a deeply kind, thoughtful human being. Someone you could talk to about records, life, mistakes, and wins without ego. Losing him was a reminder of how quickly things pass, and how much the human part of this work matters.
Alongside that reflection, I never take for granted how far music can travel.
Some of the music I have been involved in has reached more people than I ever expected. I know that is because artists trusted me with their work, and I am deeply grateful for that. Those songs found their way into people’s lives because artists, musicians, writers, and collaborators showed up and gave their best. I was lucky to be part of that process.
It is also worth saying that this is not all doom and gloom for independent artists. Far from it. Out of 2,977 tracks represented here, 2 have surpassed one billion plays, 26 sit in the hundreds of millions, 119 in the tens of millions, 537 in the millions, and 1,040 in the hundreds of thousands. Many of those successes come from independent artists building real careers through touring, sync, physical releases, and genuine audience connection.
Physical formats continuing to matter has been especially meaningful. Vinyl, and even CDs, are still being bought, collected, and lived with, not just from long running catalogue releases but from independent artists as well. It shows that people still care about albums as complete works, and still want something tangible they can hold onto.
Two songs in particular continue to be listened to in ways none of us could have predicted. How to Save a Life and You Found Me long ago stopped feeling like things I made and started feeling like songs that belong to the people who live with them. That kind of longevity brings perspective rather than pride.
This has also been a year where the industry has felt unsettled by AI. However I believe it has made one thing clearer, real human beings playing music matter more than ever. I expect live shows, theatre, and live recordings to become increasingly important. Not heavily edited performances built for social media, but real takes captured in real moments. Feel, connection, and presence are things that cannot be generated.
Beyond formats, numbers, or platforms, what matters most to me is that the music continues to mean something. That it shows up for people during big moments, quiet moments, and difficult moments. That is the part that stays with you.
What has meant the most to me has been the response to real, unpolished performances. Throughout 2025 we shared over 20 multitracks recorded with real musicians, playing together in real rooms, with no grid fixing and no heavy autotune. These were performances captured as they happened, the way music has always been made.
That includes projects recorded at Brighton Electric, Hyde Street Studios, Sunset Sound, and many others, as well as live band sessions, jazz recordings, orchestral performances, film composer showcases, and educational mix breakdowns from engineers and producers who all work very differently. The common thread has been authenticity.
If you would like to explore those sessions yourself, you can download the full multitracks collection here: Download the 2025 Multitracks Sheet: https://producelikeapro.lpages.co/2025-multitracks-form
Remembering the artists we lost in 2025
This year we said goodbye to extraordinary musicians whose work shaped the soundtrack of our lives.
- Ozzy Osbourne Black Sabbath frontman and defining voice of heavy metal. He reshaped rock music with equal parts darkness, humour, and heart.
- Jimmy Cliff Jamaican reggae pioneer and global cultural ambassador. His music carried resilience, faith, and hope across generations.
- Marianne Faithfull As Tears Go By singer of the 1960s and enduring cultural icon. She later rebuilt her voice and art with fearless honesty.
- Brian Wilson Creative heart of The Beach Boys. He expanded the emotional and harmonic possibilities of popular music.
- Sly Stone Founder of Sly & The Family Stone. He fused groove with social truth and changed the sound of popular culture.
- Roy Ayers Leader of Roy Ayers Ubiquity and master of feel. His influence continues to echo through jazz, soul, and hip hop.
- Roberta Flack A voice defined by intimacy and restraint. Her recordings remain deeply human and timeless.
- Rick Buckler Drummer for The Jam. His playing was precise, powerful, and instantly recognisable.
- Brian James Founding guitarist of The Damned. His work helped ignite the UK punk movement.
- David Johansen Frontman of New York Dolls. His presence and attitude shaped what punk would become.
- Perry Bamonte Guitarist and songwriter for The Cure across multiple eras. His textures quietly shaped the band’s evolving identity.
Their music remains with us, not as nostalgia, but as living work.
Before closing, I want to acknowledge something closer to home.
This year I also lost my cousin and best friend Emma, someone I grew up with and shared so many formative memories alongside. That kind of loss changes how you hear everything. I know many of you have experienced something similar, and if you have, my heart genuinely goes out to you.
Thank you to every artist who trusted me, every collaborator who brought their care into the room, and every listener who allowed the music into their life.
Here is to another year of learning, listening, and helping the music mean something.
If you would like to explore those sessions yourself, you can download the full multitracks collection here: Download the 2025 Multitracks Sheet: https://producelikeapro.lpages.co/2025-multitracks-form
Happy New Year, Warren
