Best Rock Album of 2025 – Enuff Z’Nuff’s ‘Xtra Cherries’
You know that feeling when you put on a record from a band you’ve followed for many years, and within the first thirty seconds, you just realize they actually got it right?
Not just “good for their age” or “fine for the fans,” but legitimately, start-to-finish great.
That’s exactly what happened when we first cranked up Xtra Cherries.
At Gadgets Food and Travel, we listen to a ton of music. Most of it is fine, some of it is forgettable, but every once in a while, something hits the speakers that makes everyone in the room stop what they’re doing.
This album is that something. It’s why we didn’t have much of a debate when it came time to name our Rock Album of 2025.
Even with all the miles they’ve put in, Xtra Cherries doesn’t sound like a band going through the motions—it has that ‘day one’ excitement that makes the whole thing feel like a rebirth.
It’s got all the stuff we loved about them originally—those massive, sugar-coated melodies and Beatles-esque harmonies—but it’s layered with this heavy, 70s rock vibe that makes it feel like a record with a classic soul.
The Magic of the Xtra Cherries Mix
Let’s talk about how this record actually sounds, because the production is usually the first thing that ruins a good rock album lately.
Everything today is so cleaned up and “perfect” that it ends up sounding like it was made by a computer. Or AI generated.
On faster hard rock songs – the drums sound exactly the same from band-to-band. That “triggered” feel with the same fills, beats and patterns.
Xtra Cherries sounds like it was made in a room with wood floors and tube amps.
It’s got what we like to call a “boogie stomp” vibe. It’s organic. It’s got air. Warm air.
Chip Z’Nuff handled the production (as with all of the Enuff Z’nuff albums since he took over as the singer), and honestly, he’s never had a better ear for what this band should sound like.
He didn’t try to make a paint-by-the-numbers pop record. He made a rock record that happens to have incredible pop hooks.
The drums have that satisfying “thwack,” the bass is fuzzy and sits right in your chest, and the guitars have enough bite to keep things from getting too sweet.
The recording is so spot-on that it honestly feels like the band just set up their gear right in your living room.
Listen to Xtra Cherries on Spotify
“No Cold Feeling” and the Art of the Hook
We have to highlight “No Cold Feeling.” We named this one of the Best Rock Songs of 2025, and for good reason. If you’re a fan of power-pop, this is basically your holy grail.
The melody is effortless. You’ll be humming the chorus before the song is even over.
It’s got that classic Enuff Z’Nuff DNA—part Lennon, part Cheap Trick—but there’s a maturity to it that hits differently. It’s not trying too hard to be a radio hit, which is exactly why it works so well.
The song just breathes. It builds, it peaks, and it leaves you wanting to hit the repeat button immediately.
Then you’ve got “Heavy Metal,” which is a bit of a curveball. Despite the name, it’s not some thrash track. It’s a high-energy, riff-driven stomper that’s all about the groove.
It’s the kind of song that makes you want to drive a little faster.
The energy is infectious, and it shows that even after all these years, these guys still know how to bring the noise when they want to.
Guests on Xtra Cherries Aren’t Just Names on a Sticker
Usually, when an album has a long list of guest stars, it’s a red flag. It often means the songs aren’t strong enough on their own.
On Xtra Cherries, every single guest feels like they belong there. It sounds like a group of friends hanging out and playing music they actually like.
- Robin Zander: Having the voice of Cheap Trick on an Enuff Z’Nuff record just feels right. His vocals add this layer of rock royalty and “sandpaper and honey” grit that fits the vibe perfectly.
- Neal Schon & Robert Fleischman: The Journey connection here brings some serious arena-rock muscle. Schon’s guitar work is tasteful—he’s not just shredding for the sake of it; he’s playing for the song. Fleischman’s melodies soar exactly where you want them to.
- Steven Adler: There’s a specific kind of “swing” that Adler brings to the drums. It’s a bit loose, a bit raw, and it gives the tracks a sense of danger that you just don’t get from session players.
- Steve Stevens & Gunnar Nelson: These guys add the finishing touches. Stevens brings that cinematic guitar flair, and Nelson provides the kind of polished harmonies that make the choruses feel massive.
- Downtown Steve Brown: Guitarist from Jersey’s Trixter. An accomplished player that filled in for Viv Campbell in Def Leppard for some shows. Great writer and producer as well.
- And then there’s Derek Frigo. Hearing his guitar work on this record is a real moment for the fans. It’s a tribute to the band’s history that doesn’t feel forced. It’s just great playing from a guy who helped define the sound in the first place.
Chip Z’Nuff: The Soul of the Band
Chip has really come into his own as a frontman. It’s not easy to step into that spotlight after decades as the bassist/songwriter, but he’s doing it with so much style.
His voice is distinct—it’s got that raspy, psychedelic quality that reminds you of John Lennon meets Marc Bolan, but he’s not imitating anyone. He’s just being Chip.
He’s the one driving this bus. You can tell he really cares about the legacy of this band. He isn’t just cashing a check or playing the old hits.
He’s out there wearing the paisley, rocking the sunglasses, and writing songs that actually have something to say.
There’s a confidence in his performance on this album that we haven’t seen in years. He knows he’s got a great record on his hands, and that swagger comes through in every track.
The Xtra Cherries Deep Cuts
While the singles are great, the real strength of Xtra Cherries is the stuff in between. “Sanibel Island (It’s Outta Control)” is a standout for us.
It’s a bit more experimental (in a “New Thing” sorta way), a bit trippy. It’s also got a great 70s boogie feel that keeps the album from feeling one-dimensional.
It’s a missing piece of the Welcome to Blue Island puzzle that gets to be heard again.
Then there’s “Back To The Wall,” which has that classic underdog energy.
It’s a “us against the world” anthem that feels very genuine. It’s not cheesy; it’s just solid, melodic rock and roll.
The hooks are everywhere on this record. Even the songs that don’t grab you immediately will be stuck in your head by the third listen.
Why Xtra Cherries Matters Right Now
In 2025, it’s easy to get cynical about rock music. So much of it feels manufactured or like it’s trying to please an algorithm.
Xtra Cherries does things differently. It’s an album for people who still value great songwriting over everything else. It puts the focus back where it belongs: on the hooks, the harmonies, and the feeling of a riff that hits the right spot.
The 4.5/5 rating from Cryptic Rock isn’t just hype—it’s a reflection of the quality here.
This is widely being called their best work since 2000’s 10, and we agree.
It’s exactly what the die-hards expect, but it also works as a great starting point for anyone who just wants to hear a really solid rock record.
The production is warm, the songs are tight, and the guest spots are very cool. But at the end Sure, the production is great and the guests are massive, but it’s the feeling behind the music that wins.
You can hear the heart Chip put into these vocals, and the others on the record sound completely happy to be there.
Final Xtra Cherries Thoughts
Enuff Z’Nuff didn’t just release a “new album” in 2025; they released a career highlight.
A very cool highlight.
Xtra Cherries is a great reminder that the best music usually comes from just being real and having a solid ear for a hook. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel when the one you’ve got is rolling this well.
If you haven’t sat down with this record yet, do yourself a favor.
Turn off the shuffle, put on some good headphones, and just let it play.
It’s a hell of a ride.
Gadgets Food and Travel is glad to give it the title of Rock Album of 2025. It earned every bit of it.
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