albums of the year, 2025 edition

intro

The feature image is cheesy but it's also true in a way. Music has a unique ability to shape us. At least for me, it helps me feel, to process emotion, to understand the world around me. There's also nothing quite like the feeling of a discovering a new, really good album.

I'm dividing my list into 3 sections: Albums that came out in 2025 (and one EP), Music I discovered in 2025 and honorable mentions. The first category will get the most time. The other two might get a sentence but will probably just be a mention of the genre and a standout song to listen to. And I'd encourage you to listen, even if the genre isn't your usual! You might be surprised!

Note: I'm doing this much like the "songs of the year" list in that I'm listening to this music as I write so hopefully what I really think will come through. Links will take you to Qobuz, Apple Music and/or Bandcamp.

2025 - the albums

Rosalía - LUX

I doubt this is a surprise to anyone since so many of these tracks ended up on my Songs of the Year list. It's an amazing album to sit and listen through, unlike anything I've really listened to before. Between the ways language is used, instrumentation being provided by an orchestra rather than traditional pop styles, the intentional attempt to capture a divine experience - it all just makes for a beautiful album. Listen to this one all the way through if you can.

Gore. - if you do not fear me

This is the sole EP on the list and it should tell you how good it is based on that fact and that it is this high on my list. The lead singer seamlessly moves between "normal" and harsh vocals. It's heavy but beautiful and it all sounds both vulnerable and authentic. I really can't wait for Gore. to come out with a full length - it'll be a day 1 pickup!

Fleshwater - 2000: In Search of the Endless Sky

Even though this album came out this year, it leaves me with a ton of nostalgia. Something about brings back memories of listening to a post-hardcore/emo band from the mid 90s called Dahlia Seed. Every time I listen I'm transported back to those days. To be clear - I think this albums is better and is just generally a great listen. It's gotten me through many school pickups these past few months.

Sleep Token - Even in Arcadia

I had lots of expectation for this album - their previous is an all time favorite. While it didn't quite make my number one spot this year it's still really good. They have a way to make metal melodic, dramatic and accessible to a wider audience; my family even enjoys listening (for the most part). I wish I could have made their show in September but maybe someday. It's still a goto for car rides with the family (although I typically skip the track that sounds like it was lifted from a Legend of Zelda game).

Deftones - Private Music

This is an album that took me by surprise. I've always found Chino Moreno to be quite creative and there have been a couple standout albums (to me) over the years but I wasn't expecting much from this. I was way off. There is some nostalgia (Infinite Source in particular) but there is a driving heaviness and force that keeps me coming back. It's definitely worth listening all the way through.

Wednesday - Bleeds

Wednesday is a great North Carolina band! Bandcamp describes this album as "creek rock" but I'd just call it a really great rock album with some particularly heavy moments (I'm not sure where the creek comes in). It's a lot of fun though and worth listening through!

Great Grandpa - Patience Moonbeam

Patience, Moonbeam is a really great indie rock album. It sounds like a labor of love. It definitely one worth listening through as an album. Musical themes and lyrics build on themselves like a classical work and you'll miss it if you skip around.

Matt Maeson - a quiet and harmless living

Matt Maeson is my favorite singer-songwriter. His songs tend to be super expressive and tend towards being a bit darker (which I really like). It's not too much of a surprise hearing his life story. Back to this album - he writes from his experiences with being newly married and newly a dad. It's vulnerable, authentic and really good.

agriculture - the spiritual sound

This is the first metal album on the list that probably won't be at all accessible to people that don't enjoy metal. It's heavy and unashamed about that. It's really good though too! I wasn't really expecting to enjoy it as much as I do!

Momma - Welcome to my Blue Sky

Momma is a great, accessible album for a drive with the family. It's up beat and has something for everyone - some pop peppiness, some driving shoegaze drones and everything in between. I'd recommend the deluxe edition that just came out that includes a number of bonus tracks personally.

Slow Crush - thirst

I'll end the primary with some more shoegaze sounds. Whereas the last album leaned into it from an alt-rock perspective, Slow Crush comes at it hard and heavy. This is the sort of shoegaze I grew up listening to (early SF59 albums) and it's fantastic. Layers upon layers of sounds and instruments droning while intermixing with lovely vocals.

honorary mention:

Rose Blossom Punch - Ephemere (remastered)

If this had seen it's first release in 2025, it would have been in the top 3 probably. But it's first release was in the late 90s and it's an album I grew up loving. I've been waiting for this remaster for a long time and it's fantastic. 90s grunge at its height.

other 2025 releases worth a listen:

Lily Allen - West End Girl

Indigo de Souza - Precipice

Turnstile - Never Enough

Future Ghosts – In Progress

The Head and the Heart - Aperture

Just Mustard - We Were Just Here

Killswitch Engage - This Consequence

Skydxddy - TRAUMACORE

Sleigh Bells - Bunky Becky Birthday Boy

This Beautiful Mess - The Soft Powers

The World is a Beautiful Place & I am no Longer Afraid to Die - Dreams of Being Dust

Ethel Cain, Willoughby Tucker, I'll Always Love You

discovered in 2025:

Black x Sea - Every tree shall fall (2024)

Leem of Earth - Leem of Earth (2022)

Touché Amore, Lament (2020)

Knuckle Puck - Losing What We Love (2023)

Sorority Noise - You’re not as ____ as you think (2017)