My Top 25 Albums of 2025

What a year it’s been for music! From unlikely successes to surprising returns, 2025 was a phenomenally diverse year for music listeners. For this week’s blog post, I wanted to capture as much as what made this year in music so special, celebrating all the creative left turns, standouts, and emotional sendoffs that came in the past 12 months. As the year comes to an end and everyone prepares for their Spotify Wrapped to come out, I wanted to leave you all with a list of what I believe to be the 25 best albums released from this year:

25. Freddie Gibbs and The Alchemist – Alfredo 2

Back in 2020, my Rap Album of the Year was Alfredo, the first collaboration between legendary Hip Hop producer The Alchemist and the wildly underrated rapper Freddie Gibbs. I loved the 2020 album for its beautiful synchronicity of jazz-style beats with Freddie Gibbs’ smooth lyricism. So when the pair announced the follow-up to their masterpiece four years later, I knew immediately that it would be one of my favorite rap albums of the year. 

Alfredo 2 mirrors many of the features that made its predecessor successful. Sure, it may be slightly more repetitive in style than the 2020 record, but it is an incredibly versatile album that takes a lot of what makes modern rap successful and runs with it. It is abrasive at times, while at others it is soulful and smooth. Alfredo 2 is an incredible addition to the partnership of two of hip-hop’s powerhouses. 

• • Favorite track: “Ensalada”

24. Addison Rae – Addison

If you told me Addison Rae would release one of the best pop albums of the year, I probably wouldn’t have believed you. Sure, the potential was there; her 2023 EP “AR” was, at the time, a surprisingly enjoyable collection of songs, even if it left much to be desired in terms of songwriting. But Addison takes every bit of what made her previous EP so captivating and runs with it. 

Elvira Anderfjard and Luka Kloser, Addison’s producers, deserve a ton of credit for this project: they really tapped into this early 2000s sound to create a nostalgic atmosphere for the record. However, Addison also deserves credit for how well-written this album is: nearly every song is uniquely catchy, distinguishing her as a unique songwriter. It is a beautifully produced record front to back, and Addison will go down as, surprisingly, one of pop music’s most unique entries. 

• • Favorite track: “Fame is a Gun”

23. Not for Radio – Melt

The Marias are one of the most interesting additions to pop music in the past couple of years. They were just nominated at the 2026 Grammys for “Best New Artist” despite being relatively well-known in the indie realm since their 2021 debut record. When the band’s lead singer announced her debut solo album under the name “Not For Radio”, it was instantly one of my most anticipated albums of the year. 

Melt is a fascinating entry into the lo-fi, dream pop scene. It contains some of the year’s best production, keeping the band’s signature underwater aesthetic while creating something much darker than anything The Marias has produced. What some may find slow and repetitive, I found dreamy and ethereal, making Melt an other-worldly experience full of world-building. 

• • Favorite track: “Puddles”

22. EsDeeKid – Rebel

EsDeeKid’s rise to fame came out of nowhere. 2025 saw a surprising resurgence of British Hip Hop, in part due to acclaimed releases from rappers like Little Simz and Jimxlegacy. But thanks in part to claims that he is secretly Timothee Chalamet in disguise (I’m not kidding, look it up), EsDeeKid became a rising star in modern-day trap and rage music. 

There’s something oddly addictive to EsDeeKid’s rapping, in part due to the uniqueness of hearing a Scouse accent over jerk-style beats. This whole project has some insane moments: from references to Lord of the Rings and growing up in Liverpool while rapping over beats reminiscent of a 90s video game, EsDeeKid created a sound of his own. It, unfortunately, goes extremely hard. 

• • Favorite track: “4 Raws”

21. Men I Trust – Equus Asinus

There’s a big lean towards dream pop on the early parts of this list, mainly because a lot of my favorite bands in this genre released albums this year. Men I Trust is no exception: their 2019 album Oncle Jazz is a defining album in my musical journey, remaining one of the most soothing albums I have ever heard.

Their album Equus Asinus, one of two records they released this year, accomplishes much of what makes Men I Trust successful. Taking a surprising lean toward folk elements, Equus Asinus is a deeply relaxing album that pushes the band towards new directions while staying faithful to their unique sound. Listening to this album feels like waking up on a warm summer day: a beautiful, tender experience that fans of any genre will enjoy. 

• • Favorite track: “Heavenly Flow”

20. Big Thief – Double Infinity

If you’re a true fan of WXVU and our blog, you would know that I saw Big Thief in concert earlier this year at the Met (shoutout LiveNation once again). Seeing them in concert was a life-changing experience, and unsurprisingly, the best concert I think I’ve ever been to. Before the concert, however, I wasn’t a huge fan of their most recent album, Double Infinity. I thought it had a great collection of ideas, but ultimately fell short sonically for me, creating a slightly repetitive listening experience. 

Hearing this album live changed my perspective on the record as a whole. What I thought was bloated and dull was beautiful in its complexity. The album definitely requires patience to get into, sitting through long instrumental breaks before hearing Adrianne Lenker’s poetic songwriting. Double Infinity is a pleasant shift in Big Thief’s discography, opting for a more psychedelic experience that remains as uniquely tender as the band’s other records. 

• • Favorite track: “How Could I Have Known”

19. Clipse – Let God Sort Em Out

Let God Sort Em Out is as hard-hitting as anyone could have hoped after a 16-year hiatus. We hear Pusha T and Malice adapt to the bass-heavy, darker side that characterizes modern rap mixed with boom-bap instrumentals reminiscent of their 2006 album Hell Hath No Fury. Amidst lyrical content ranging from sneak-disses to drug dealing, there are truly beautiful moments on this album, where Pusha T and Malice reflect on the state of the rap game and the importance of family. Through it all, it is truly a wonderful experience to hear how far Clipse has come with this new album. 

• • Favorite track: “The Birds Don’t Sing”

18. Lorde – Virgin

Since the start of her career, Lorde has faced intense pressure from fans to return to her earlier sound. She was somewhat of an anomaly when she first entered the pop industry: her 2013 debut record, Pure Heroine, is considered one of the best debut pop albums in recent memory, and her 2017 album, Melodrama, somehow surpassed those expectations. Though her 2021 album Solar Power left many fans disappointed by its risk-averting sound, others, like me, were hopeful that her next album would return to what makes her such a unique artist. 

Virgin does just that. This album has some incredible moments, with Lorde returning to the electronic sound that made her so unique. But Lorde’s lyrics are what make this album for me. Virgin feels like a beautiful celebration of her career so far, reflecting on ambition, personal identity, and trauma to create a stunningly introspective experience. 

• • Favorite track: “If She Could See Me Now”

17. Quickly, quickly – I Heard That Noise

Quickly, quickly’s 2025 album I Heard That Noise is an exciting entry into the indie realm. It’s a fascinating mix between folk music and indie/electronic music that is unlike anything I’ve ever heard. Most importantly, though, I Heard That Noise is a heartwarming listening experience, creating an emotional set of songs that truly pack a punch. 

• • Favorite track: “Take It From Me”

16. Miley Cyrus – Something Beautiful

2025 is truly the year of surprisingly great releases in pop music, isn’t it? To be blunt, Miley Cyrus’ music has never been for me. Even her 2020 album Plastic Hearts, which was critically acclaimed as her best album, was just as lackluster and devoid of unique inspiration as her other records, in my opinion. I hoped for something where Miley would create her own sound, moving away from the previously watered-down pop inspirations that defined her songs.

Something Beautiful is, in every sense of the word, astonishing. It is so chock-full of incredible ideas, blending psychedelic rock with modern pop melodies. It is unlike anything else that came out this year, and for that, I think it is easily Miley’s best album to date. 

• • Favorite tracks: “Something Beautiful” and “End of the World”

15. Wednesday – Bleeds

I love listening to albums that, when someone asks me what genre they fit under, I can only respond, “I don’t know.” Bleeds fits this perfectly: right when you think it will be a folk-rock album with Americana influences, it switches back to the band’s noisy sound. On this album, Wednesday crafted a record full of personality and Southern twang while somehow staying true to the electrifying indie sound that made them popular. 

• • Favorite track: “Elderberry Wine”

14. Viagra Boys – viagr aboys

Listening to viagr for the first time was genuinely a wild experience. The best way I can describe listening to this album is scrolling through some form of interdimensional cable on TV, constantly switching between wildly interesting yet strange creative ideas. There are so many moments on this album where I was so overstimulated by all the weird things I was hearing at once, but it all culminates in a unique combination of ideas. It is a truly wonky experience in the best possible way, marked by the same humor and spontaneity that made Viagra Boys well-known in the punk world. The Swedish punk band really outdid themselves on this record. 

• • Favorite track: “Dirty Boyz”

13. Dijon – Baby

Dijon might have been the busiest guy in the music industry this year. Alongside releasing his newest record, Baby, he played a crucial role in producing and songwriting on Justin Bieber’s latest album, Swag, and featured on Bon Iver’s comeback album, SABLE, fABLE. There’s something uniquely accessible to Dijon’s sound: his collage-like approach to songwriting makes for a very erratic collection of songs. He combines so many different genres, from neo-psychadelia to alternative R&B, that some listeners may find it to be overbearing. To me, Baby is a truly hypnotic, genre-bending album that stretches the boundaries of what pop music is traditionally defined as. 

• • Favorite track: “Rewind”

12. Little Simz – Lotus

At this point in her career, I don’t think it is even an exaggeration to say that Little Simz is one of the best rappers alive. Since her 2019 album GREY Area, she has released nothing but near-perfect records after perfect records. This makes it even more surprising when, on her sixth studio album, she still managed to reinvent herself artistically. Lotus is a much grimier record than anything she’s put out, though it still manages to remain a deeply introspective and moving album. Like the album’s namesake, the Lotus flower, Little Simz’ new album is deeply spiritual, marked by artistic rebirth and transformation. 

• • Favorite track: “Thief”

11. Bon Iver – SABLE, fABLE

For those who know me, Bon Iver is my favorite artist of all time. In my opinion, his 2007 album For Emma, Forever Ago is the best folk album ever made, and I’ve yet to come across a songwriter like him. Much of Justin Vernon’s earlier discography can be described as beautifully lonely; he’s always made deeply isolating music reminiscent of an artist going through serious personal struggles. 

Vernon’s 2025 album SABLE, fABLE is different from anything he’s ever released. At first listen, it’s a much more joyful experience, tapping into the band’s more soulful elements. It follows the same framework thematically: SABLE, fABLE sounds like a personal celebration of all the band has accomplished. It’s a swan song in every sense of the word, leaving fans with the feeling that Justin Vernon has finally found peace. 

• • Favorite track: “There’s A Rhythm”

10. Racing Mount Pleasant – Racing Mount Pleasant

Ann Arbor folk-rock band Racing Mount Pleasant might be my favorite find from this year. I honestly heard about them from a Spotify station for one of my favorite bands, Black Country New Road, and the similarities are almost uncanny. Listening to this album feels like waking up on Christmas morning, watching snow pile up on your front lawn while taking in the warmth of being indoors. Racing Mount Pleasant’s self-titled record is spellbinding, a deeply personal record that oozes authenticity throughout. 

• • Favorite track: “Emily”

9. FKA Twigs – EUSEXUA

Released in January of this year, EUSEXUA was the first “great” album of 2025. For the majority of the year, FKA Twigs’ third studio album was my frontrunner for album of the year, being such a profoundly weird electronic pop record. While time spent listening has most definitely exposed some of its flaws (“Childlike Things,” for example, is a noticeable weak point on the album), it’s still a boundary-pushing album. From the second the title track starts, you’re entered into Twigs’ futuristic, entrancing world. 

• • Favorite track: “Eusexua”

8. Quadeca – Vanisher, Horizon Scraper

Anyone unfamiliar with Quadeca’s musical journey has truly been missing out. From Fifa YouTuber turned experimental musician, Quadeca has managed to reinvent himself on every record he’s put out. Vanisher, Horizon Scraper is by far his most ambitious album to date, taking on a concept surrounding a sailor voyaging the high seas in search of self-discovery. I’ve truthfully never heard an album as perfectly-layered as Vanisher; every time you listen to the album in full, I bet you’ll find something new to appreciate about the instrumental arrangements. While it can come across as thematically inconsistent at times, Vanisher is a magnificent feat of storytelling and artistic creation. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions, one that is only amplified by the accompanying visual film, which pushes the boundaries of audiovisual storytelling. 

• • Favorite track: “AT A TIME LIKE THIS”

7. McKinley Dixon – Magic, Alive!

Capping off one of the strongest years in rap music in recent memory is Magic, Alive! by Virginia rapper McKinley Dixon. One of my favorite genres as of late has been Jazz rap: I find the controlled chaos of jazz to fit perfectly alongside the extremely fast-paced nature of modern rap, and Magic, Alive! is, in my opinion, the best example of this. It is a frantically ambitious record, a collection of short stories ranging from the personal to the political. Anyone willing to claim that “Hip Hop hasn’t been the same since the 90s” clearly has not listened to McKinley Dixon. 

• • Favorite track: “Listen Gentle”

6. Jane Remover – revengseekerz

Revengeseekerz, the newest album from indie-pop legend-turned-experimental-rapper Jane Remover, goes unbelievably hard. This album may take the cake for the most over-stimulating album of the year, combining wild vocal arrangements alongside some of the most random instrumental samples you’ll ever hear. At several points on the album, Jane samples the Fortnite ping sound, gunshots, and UFOs, I kid you not. More importantly, Revengeseekerz is a fascinating testament to how far hip-hop has come, combining experimental electronic music and modern rage with some of the year’s catchiest lyrics. If you’re looking for an album that is the audio equivalent of ADHD, then Revengeseekerz may be perfect for you. 

• • Favorite track: “Professional Vengeance”

5. The Last Dinner Party – From the Pyre

Entering my top 5 albums from this year is the contagiously special album from British rock band The Last Dinner Party, From The Pyre. I’ve always loved TLDP’s ability to create a unique sound, blending baroque aesthetics with addictive song structures. From The Pyre is such a theatrical record, one that harnesses so much raw emotion in its rich ideas. In the best way possible, every song sounds like something that would play at a medieval feast, making for a richly layered, extravagant collection of songs. The Last Dinner Party is truly a special band, and each release shows exactly how much potential they have to shake up modern rock. 

• • Favorite track: “The Scythe”

4. Geese – Getting Killed

Getting Killed by Geese??? Uhh, I’d rather not (I’m sorry). 

If you’ve paid any attention to rock music in the past year or so, I imagine you already know who Geese is. The experimental rock band from Brooklyn has taken the indie rock scene by storm, cementing its status as a band to keep an eye on. You’d be hard-pressed to find a band with a similar sound to Geese, who somehow reinvented themselves from their 2023 country/punk-rock record, 3D Country. Getting Killed sounds like Geese finally let the chaos from their previous records take over, making for an uncontrollably unhinged collection of music. 

If you decide to listen to this album, I’ll give you one fair warning: do NOT listen to “Trinidad” while driving in a school zone unless you want the cops called on you immediately. Just trying to look out for you. 

• • Favorite track: “Husbands”

3. Ethel Cain – Willoughby Tucker, I’ll Always Love You

Over the years, Ethel Cain has become one of my favorite musicians in modern music. Acting as the thematic predecessor to her 2022 masterpiece Preacher’s Daughter, Hayden Anhedönia’s most recent album, Willoughby Tucker, I’ll Always Love You, is a powerful addition to this heartbreaking story of religious trauma. To submit to the cliché, Hayden’s music is truly a work of art, somehow consistently producing awe-inspiring, emotionally heavy pieces. Her willingness to commit to such extreme lengths for the sake of poignant storytelling is a magical thing to witness. If you’re looking for a transformative listening experience, you can listen to Willoughby just like I did: lying in my dark bedroom, window open, letting in warm gusts of nighttime California wind, all while gazing at the moon slowly fade out of luminescence. 

• • Favorite track: “Tempest”

2. Deftones – private music

Anyone who knows me knows how much I was looking forward to listening to this album. Deftones is one of my favorite bands: I have a tattoo of them on my left arm and have been listening to them ever since I started loving alternative metal. Their 2025 album, private music, marks 30 years since the release of their debut, making the California-based band’s longevity a truly inhumane feat. 

Even more so, private music is one of the best albums in the band’s discography. Front to back, their new record is as fiery and hard-hitting as the rest of their discography. But what makes Deftones so special is their ability to mix hardcore riffs with psychedelic, dream-like soundscapes: at several points on this album, I truly felt like I was levitating, creating a unique blend of beautiful heaviness that envelops the record. Nobody is sure whether Deftones will release another album, but if they decide to hang up the cleats after private music, fans will be left with a satisfying thematic conclusion to the career of one of the best bands to ever do it. 

• • Favorite track: “infinite source”

1. Rosalia – LUX

At my number one spot for my top albums of 2025 is none other than Rosalia’s avant-garde masterpiece LUX. I have a hard time talking about this album because there’s truly nothing like it, but what I can point to is how insanely impressive this album is from a structural standpoint alone: Rosalia speaks fourteen different languages on this album, with the album split into four movements, each corresponding to a different female saint. It’s literally not even an exaggeration to call this album a “spiritual” experience: the album tackles themes of faith and romance, all while centering around a magnificent arrangement of orchestral music. 

I love LUX, however, because it is a testament to why I love listening to and writing about music in general. It shows how music transcends language and culture, subverting traditional expectations of how songs “should” sound. LUX belongs in a museum, marking a grandiose left-turn in Rosalia’s career that is unlike anything I’ve ever listened to. 

• • Favorite track: “Reliquia”