The 25 best albums of 2025 (so far)

ARTS | REVIEW | LISTICLE | HANGA / CRAFT

Written by Jed Scott (he/him) | @jed__scott | Contributing Writer

As we enter the final quarter of the year, it feels like the perfect time to reflect on some of the best records 2025 has delivered so far. From long-awaited comebacks to stellar debuts from rising up-and-comers, it’s been a phenomenal year for music… if you’ve been paying attention. If not, don’t worry: here are 25 of the strongest albums that have dropped so far.

25. Panchiko - Ginko

Once nearly lost to time, British indie rock band Panchiko flourished on Ginko, without abandoning their dreamy, Britpop-adjacent sound. While it was their mythos that initially made me so fascinated with the band, I’m now more captivated by their knack for crafting warm, catchy, and vibrant rock tunes, perfectly showcased on the shimmering title track “Ginko” and the irresistibly endearing “Honeycomb.”

24. Skrillex - F*CK U SKRILLEX YOU THINK UR ANDY WARHOL BUT UR NOT!! <3

While a Skrillex album making a list like this might leave the ignorant dumbfounded, anyone who's familiar with his skills as a producer knows it makes perfect sense. If the obscene title of this 34-track project is any indication, it’s that Skrillex knows exactly who he is and what his audience craves: unabashed bass drops and face-melting intensity. It’s brash, self-aware, and some of the best electronic music you’ll hear in 2025, from a man in full control of his craft.

23. Tyler, The Creator - DON'T TAP THE GLASS

Tyler, The Creator’s ninth studio album, DON’T TAP THE GLASS, sees the multifaceted rapper loosening the cuffs with a short, personality-driven project that perfectly captures his eccentric taste as both a producer and songwriter. While it was only last year since he dropped his most personal and lyrically dense album to date, CHROMAKOPIA, this new project finds Tyler purposefully regressing, trading the vulnerability for braggadocious bars and cheesy synth-funk bops. 

22. YHWH Nailgun - 45 Pounds

With a sound as evocative and confounding as Black Midi’s debut, New York experimentalists YHWH Nailgun make no effort to compromise on their audacious and brilliant debut, 45 Pounds. Oppressive drum fills pummel you from start to finish, echoing through the hollowed-out carcass of what might once have been a typical punk song. Vocalist Zack Borzone only intensifies the unnerving energy with his gruff, expressive bellowing. It’s an album that clings to you, confuses you, but ultimately wins you over through the sheer force of originality.

21. Saba & No I.D - From the Private Collection of Saba and No I.D

Conscious rap underdog Saba teams up with legendary producer No I.D., resulting in a polished, introspective, and confident record that’s sure to satisfy even the purest of hip-hop heads. The versatility on display from both artists keeps the project engaging, even in its most subtle moments. Saba moves effortlessly between rich storytelling on tracks like “How to Impress God” to head-nodding bangers like “Westside Bound Pt. 4,” all while No I.D. delivers some of his finest beats to date.

20. Marlon Williams - Te Whare Tīwekaweka

Now a household name and critical darling in Aotearoa, singer-songwriter Marlon Williams bounces back from his last studio album with a more focused and riveting project, Te Whare Tīwekaweka. His first album that’s written entirely in Te reo Māori, Marlon’s soft baritone voice carries you through a soulful union of folk and country, blended together with traditional Māori waiatas. It’s a mix of sound and culture that showcases what makes Marlon such a unique and important figure in Aotearoa’s current musical climate.

19. caroline - caroline 2

English post-rock outfit, caroline, follow up their promising debut with a beautifully fragmented and stirring sophomore effort, fittingly titled caroline 2. Across its 40-minute runtime, the band unearths tenderness and harmony even in its most abrasive and  experimental moments, felt in the haunting “Two Riders Down” and the shapeshifting “Song Two.” Emphasising dynamic range, caroline 2  breaks through the stale conventions of post-rock to deliver a record that feels refreshing, challenging, and gut-wrenching all at once.

18. Mei Semones - Animaru

Despite being previously unfamiliar with the work of  Mei Semones, I found her indie-jazz fusion to embody a distinct comfort, making her debut, Animaru,  effortlessly replayable. Singing in both Japanese and English, Mei showcases a level of versatility in her songwriting that’s rare for a debut. Each track feels melodically rich and uniquely crafted, even as Mei keeps things vocally understated. If anything, Animaru presents an artist quietly redefining what jazz can sound like in 2025.

17. Annahstasia - Tether

Another standout debut this year, Annahstasia’s Tether is a meditative, spellbinding singer-songwriter project that invites the listener to bathe in its serenity. Annahstasia’s natural, smoky timbre foregrounds the album, as her lyrics weave the acoustic-driven instrumentals into a rich tapestry of romance, emotional turmoil, and longing. If you’re a fan of contemporary folk artists like Adrianne Lenker, Laura Marling, or Aldous Harding, this record is well worth your time.

16. Model/Actriz - Pirouette

Following their amazing debut, Dogsbody, modern dance-punk trailblazers Model/Actriz continue to forge their noisy, industrial sound on Pirouette, a deeply honest record centred on frontman Cole Haden’s coming-out journey. Haden’s extravagant, quivery vocals lend the subject matter a sense of gravitas and drama, leaving you in tears on one track and terrified on the next. On Pirouette, the band expands their sonic horizons, with tracks like “Acid Rain” revealing a more tender, gracious side, yet they manage to sharpen their already bold and abrasive dance-punk edge with heavy hitters like “Cinderella” – possibly my favourite track they’ve released to date.

15. billy woods - GOLLIWOG

GOLLIWOG is a dense, brooding listen from New York underground rapper Billy Woods that’s certainly not meant for easy listening. Discordant pianos, eerie samples, and his signature deadpan delivery feel jagged and raw, yet meticulously constructed. On GOLLIWOG, we get surreal imagery of zombies and vampires interwoven with real-world tragedies like the genocide in Gaza. Woods unflinchingly holds a mirror to the horrors of the modern day, and rightfully so, never gives us the chance to look away.

14. quickly, quickly - I Heard That Noise

After finding success producing lofi chillhop in the late 2010s, Portland-based musician Graham Jonson (a.k.a. quickly, quickly) has gradually transitioned towards more personal, indie- and folk-adjacent music. Now, with the release of  I Heard That Noise, Graham proves himself an exceptional producer and songwriter, and this album shines brightest when he flexes both muscles at once. Tracks like the brilliant “Enything” show that quickly, quickly can incorporate harsh sonic textures without compromising emotional resonance, a skill that makes this record a true feast for the ears.

13. Kali Uchis - Sincerely,

American singer Kali Uchis returns with her fifth studio album Sincerely, a euphoric listen to  anyone with a taste for modern soul and R&B. Kali displays remarkable ambition in her vocal performances throughout the record, and I’d argue this is her finest vocal showing to date. Her voice elevates the already intoxicating, fantastical beds of instrumentation. At times, Sincerely feels like Amy Winehouse meets Beach House, a sound that only Kali could convincingly pull off.

12. John Michel & Anthony James - Egotrip

Discovered by online hip-hop enthusiasts, relatively unknown Philadelphia rapper John Michel and producer Anthony James strike soul-flipped gold on Egotrip. Backed by grandiose and lavish beats, John delivers every braggadocious verse with passion and conviction, an impressive feat for such a young artist. Egotrip also features a lineup of incredible underground guests, each adding their own distinctive flair. My personal favourite guest verse comes from KidTokio, whose blistering performance on “RUNWAY” could be a contender for rap feature of the year.

11. Benjamin Booker - LOWER

After an almost eight-year hiatus, New Orleans singer-songwriter and guitarist Benjamin Booker returns with LOWER, a fantastic, emotionally rich art rock album. Departing from his typical blues-adjacent sound, LOWER is a masterclass in genre fusion. Aided by producer Kenny Segal, the album’s fuzzed-out, degraded production amplifies Booker’s existential lyrics and gasping vocals. Juxtaposition runs throughout LOWER, especially on tracks like “LWA IN THE TRAILER PARK” and “SAME KIND OF LONELY” - the latter’s tender chord progression violently interrupted by an audio sample of a real school shooting. It’s provocative, impactful, and one of the most underrated albums of the year.

10. Mac Miller - Balloonerism

​​Posthumous albums can be fickle. A beloved artist’s passing doesn’t justify record labels releasing every last demo or unreleased track for a bit of extra cash. It's distasteful. Balloonerism, on the other hand, is a project Mac Miller clearly poured his heart and soul into, and you can hear it on every track. The sloshy, drugged-out production is just one way Mac transforms his pain and self-destruction into poignant art, inviting listeners into the darkest corners of his mind. Yet even in the desolation, Mac finds beauty and empathy, leaving behind his most nuanced, fully formed album.

9. Black Country, New Road - Forever Howlong

Black Country, New Road, one of the most exciting bands to emerge from Britain in recent years, return with a dense and sprawling new album, Forever Howlong. Now a sextet featuring three vocalists, the band has evolved beyond their post-rock beginnings in favour of baroque-tinged flourishes of strings and mandolin, supported by intricate compositions that demand multiple listens to fully absorb. Thankfully, Forever Howlong  also packs enough bright, poppy melodies to keep you coming back again and again.

8. FKA twigs - EUSEXUA

On EUSEXUA, FKA Twigs continues to be one of the most creative pop artists of the moment. The album brings Twigs’ ethereal vocals to a club context, resulting in a stunning blend of intimacy, lust, and human connection. Harkening back to the sounds of ’90s trance, techno, and trip-hop, EUSEXUA lures you in with addictive hooks and unique production, yet never undermines the uplifting soul at the album’s core. Tracks like the self-titled opener “Eusexua” and the glitched mayhem of “Drums of Death” perfectly exemplify this balance, further proving Twigs’ bold artistry and singular vision.

7. Viagra Boys - viagr aboys

Swedish punk absurdists continue their winning streak with viagr aboys, an endlessly hilarious album packed with chunky bass riffs, burps, and modern-day hysteria. The band’s satirical edge is as sharp as ever on tracks like “Pyramid of Health,” where lead singer Sebastian Murphy likens the health-obsessed lifestyle to a goat-sacrificing cult. Even more, Murphy’s knack for exposing the idiocy of toxic masculinity remains his ultimate strength as a songwriter, with “Man Made of Meat” featuring some of his most irreverent lyrics to date. It’s a must listen from modern punk’s most compelling band.

6. Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist - Alfredo 2

The ever-formidable Freddie Gibbs teams up once again with legendary producer The Alchemist for a second helping of impeccable beats and razor-sharp flows. The magic of Alfredo 2 lies in how both artists make it look effortless, never breaking a sweat yet always staying consistent. The Alchemist proves once again to be a powerhouse producer, creating space for Freddie to shine whilst always keeping the beats enticing throughout the album. Freddie Gibbs operates similarly, never overstating his presence but always doing enough to draw you in with impressive wordplay and flow. It’s breezy, self-assured gangsta rap that hits all the right notes.

5. McKinley Dixon - Magic, Alive!

Jazz rap is alive(!) on Mckinley Dixon’s phenomenal fifth studio album, Magic, Alive!. Filled to the brim with ambition, the album maintains incredible consistency throughout its 35-minute runtime, featuring a larger-than-life sound that’s bolstered by stunning live instrumentation. Mckinley once again pours passion into every bar, holding his own alongside stellar guest verses from the likes of Quelle Chris, Pink Siifu, and Blu. The storytelling is vibrant, centered around a concept about three kids trying to resurrect their deceased friend, allowing the album to feel grounded even in its most grandiose moments.

4. Little Simz - Lotus

Though less extravagant than Sometimes I Might Be Introvert, Little Simz’s latest album Lotus is filled with emotional peaks of betrayal, resilience, and self-empowerment. While Simz has already proven her versatility on past projects, she once again finds inventive ways to fuse neo-soul, conscious hip-hop, and even punk to create a sonically nuanced, yet never overindulgent record. She continues to pour her heart out on tracks like “Lonely” and “Blood,” where Simz’s commanding presence as an MC only reaffirms her position as a powerhouse in today’s hip-hop scene.

3. Kelela - In The Blue Light

One of the most enchanting live albums in recent memory, Kelela’s In The Blue Light delivers an hour of patient, refined, and soulful performances recorded at New York’s iconic Blue Note Jazz Club. Drenched in deep, wistful blues, Kelela showcases her incredible vocal range over eloquent blends of jazz and R&B. Woven throughout the night are personal anecdotes about her own experiences at the club, along with her calls to “free Palestine” and “reparations now,” lending a powerful emotional and political weight to every word she sings. It’s a stunning example of what an artist can achieve at the top of their game.

2. Clipse - Let God Sort Em Out

Returning after a 16-year hiatus, the brother-rap duo shatter all expectations with Let God Sort Em Out, a ferocious beast of an album that excels on every level, from the personal to the menacing. Pusha T and Malice bring thoughtful, razor-sharp wordplay to every track. What truly seals the deal, however, is Pharrell Williams’ phenomenal production. The pounding bass, the audacious samples - it all adds to the blockbuster scale of the record. And that’s not even mentioning the all-star features from Kendrick Lamar, Tyler, The Creator, Nas, and John Legend. Simply put, it’s a remarkable hip-hop album.

1. Quadeca - Vanisher, Horizon Scraper

Benjamin Lasky, a.k.a. Quadeca, has been dropping some of my favourite records of the decade, thanks to his phenomenal skills as a producer, songwriter, and worldbuilder. Yet Vanisher, Horizon Scraper, his latest concept album, might be his most daring, intricate, and brilliant work to date. Here, Quadeca fully leans into his maximalist tendencies - each track on this hour-long project brims with shifting soundscapes, instrumental builds, and bursts of energy. Stranded at sea, he finds odysseys in every style he tackles, whether it’s the R&B-tinged shimmer of “GODSTAINED” or the sludgy, monstrous drone of “THE GREAT BAKUNAWA.” The result is a crushing, all-encompassing project that feels as ethereal as it is cinematic.