THE BEST ALBUMS OF 2025

 It is...that time of year again! Oh my. It has been a bit chaotic. Admittedly, I have not had the chance to dedicate a lot of time to single album reviews like I had hoped. That does not mean I did not listen to music this year. There was some very lovely albums that dropped this year, and I am going to share who I think you should care about. All of this is merely an opinion. You are more than allowed to think my opinion of such is complete trash. I am also entitled to think you are wrong about it. Great how opinions work. 

I first must declare a strong truth. I am not an FKA Twigs fan. I have always found her too far out for me. Confusing. I never have fathomed her strong intense cult following who act as if every move she makes is an emotional religious second coming. And while I still do not get that, I absolutely love Eusexua. It has such an addictive rhythm. That ethereal pop that makes you think more of Ray of Light (which I am happy to say I have heard multiple pop records this year that made me think of that very underrated Madonna piece). If you have not taken a listen, she also added a sort of Part 2 with Afterglow now.

I do however like 5 Seconds of Summer. I felt unsure about the sonic change I was hearing with the lead single - but it worked together into a rather unique concept. Reclaiming the success and trauma of being a "boyband", they showed an understanding how sudden fame can stunt and destroy you if you allow it. While of course I cannot relate to really being famous - I love a good critique and concept. Everyone's a Star has an odd album cover but great tunes inside.

A long time fan of Florence and The Machine, I was worried she lost her spark. I hate to say such harsh words but Dance Fever was just lackluster. Missing something for sure. I did not think she could ever touch how beautiful How Big How Blue How Beautiful was. That was...until now. Everybody Scream is so sobering. The pure raw emotion and confessional nature of it - it is an album that I'd actually believe them if they declared it their most personal body of work yet. Every time I play it, a new song grabs me. So few albums grab me as quickly as this one did. It is by far worthy of every accolade it should receive. 

After you cry to Florence, you definitely need something fun. Whimsical. Humorous. Slightly risque? Not the "best" thing to exist yet you just cannot get the hooks out of your head? Yes! It is...not the new Taylor Swift album. It is actually what it felt like Taylor was trying to emulate and failed - the latest from Sabrina Carpenter. I will gladly admit to you that her music is trashy and juvenile. Yet...I cannot get it off my rotation. Man's Best Friend just carried on the whimsy and humor of Short 'n Sweet. Don't shed too many tears over my lack of taste.

I am not exactly a Laufey fan. I am not exactly her audience by any means. I expected a listening party of her work would more than bore me - but put me right to sleep. That sort of soft jazz usually is not my cup of tea. However, Laufey went a bit left-field with this one, mixing in some unique elements that it felt like more. It was no longer a girl impersonating a lost genre - but a girl recreating it, rebuilding, re-energizing it. While it may not be in my collection - I think it is by far worth looking at. 

I love Conan Gray. I am going to yell it from a rooftop. His shift to Found Heaven was a touch surprising and I wondered where he would go. He returned to the soft ballads of Superache but found a touching blend from Kid Krow to create...Wishbone. A return to the bedroom notebooks and pajamas. I knew this album was going to cut me when I heard Vodka Cranberry. Absolutely worth a listen especially if you have ever been angsty and broken hearted. 

If anyone knew how quickly I came to snag a pre-order of "Preacher's Daughter", then you might be aware Ethel Cain was likely going to end up on this list. I was not sure what to expect from Willoughby Tucker, I'll Always Love You, but it was definitely not the sheer dark sadness after hearing a single like Fuck Me Eyes. The loss felt so real. She managed to creatively mix her love of ambient (and if you enjoy that, look at her release Perverts from earlier in the year) and the rawness of her storytelling. She did it again. 

Oh I missed them. You may still occasionally hear Little Talks or Mountain Sound on an alternative radio station somewhere, but Of Monsters and Men are...certainly passed their 15 minutes of general public glory. That has not stopped them from making stellar music still. I wondered their fate, considering Nanna did an entire album solo (which you should absolutely listen to if you have not), but alas their next release after EP Tiu finally comes. All is Love and Pain in the Mouse Parade captures a proper blend of all their sonic efforts. I appreciated the more raw approach that I felt was slightly missing in moments of Fever Dream. 

Marina has always had some interesting moments in her career. Some might say when she dropped her diamonds, she dropped her talent. Princess of Power is here to change the narrative. Given, I actually liked Love + Fear. But her last album tried so hard to be deep that it sounded like a chronically online 14 year old who needs to stop doomscrolling as a hobby. While you will not be free of cringe worthy lyricism on Princess of Power (you actually never are with Marina), more interesting concepts and some genuine musical experimentation make up for the downfalls.

We are back to hearing some Ray of Light inspirations, because Addison Rae has made herself more than a social media dance starlet. Addison is an unexpectedly great pop listen. It is cohesive with an air of lyrical mystery at times that keeps you coming back for seconds. 

Garbage has a new release this year and besides the fact I am overly excited one of the variants is opalesque vinyl, the music pulls you in as well. It is a bit different from No Gods No Masters in lyrical content, but keeps Garbage usual style and emotional delivery. A more personal grab, much of the album was written while Manson was bedridden from surgeries and the death of her dog. They chose a more hopeful songwriting approach with such heaviness in the background. 

If you continue to enjoy some standard pop, and a lean to dark synthy pop, then new upcomer Isabel LaRosa might be your idea of good also. Similar to Billie Eilish in having a brother/sister writing team - her album shows her as more than a one trick pony. Raven is a solid debut worth taking a look at.

A former member of Rush decided to start a side project. Envy of None does not sound anything like Rush to be frank - but their blend is more digestible to the average listener. Stygian Wavz builds upon the developments from their first release and shows a bit more experimentation than their debut. 

Lady Gaga returned to her dark pop-esque roots with a modern flare in Mayhem. There are very touching moments (Blade of Grass) mixed with some pure fun (Zombie Boy). Definitely take a listen, it is a huge improvement from Chromatica. 

I was clearly in a pop mood this year, because Tate McRae's So Close to What? also was heavily in my rotation. There are actually some deeper moments to this release (Purple Lace Bra, Dear God, Nostalgia) to counteract the strong ear wormy pop. 

Have you heard of Sombr? You may have randomly heard a sad dude singing on the radio about not being able to go back to being friends. Well, turns out the album is pretty good if you like that song. There's a few cuts that break the sequence of this particular style, but I think it is his wheelhouse. And to think it is his debut album as well - definitely some potential. 

The Birthday Massacre dropped Pathways, which shows a continual improvement in their efforts since Diamonds, which I felt was a bit of a regression. This band has a method and a style, some may say too much of the same old same old. I still adore them. 

The Weeknd released a long somewhat bloated project known as Hurry Up Tomorrow. I think it is a worthwhile release with some great deep cuts. It is not as radio friendly of a concept, but a great end to his new effort at another "trilogy" of sorts. 

Lastly...I am a huge. Massive. Obsessive. Twenty One Pilots fan. Okay, probably not AS obsessed as the ones who can explain every bit of the lore to you. I have been a fan for a long while though! I have loved Trench, written a defense of Scaled and Icy, and drew on the Clancy decorations for the listening event. I was not sure anything could capture me as well as their Blurryface/Trench efforts...but Trench got me. It is such a gut-wrenching conclusion. If you were not versed in the lore, it still fits so well. The reality is...battles with our mind never end. But we get stronger every time, and we remove more of the roots of the raw fears and create new intentions. 

I know I usually begin with the worst of...but I decided to start us off on a positive note! Because...it has been a difficult year for music in some respects. There was definitely a lot of heart and innovation missing from a lot of present releases. See you for the...worst of it all!