This year was full of new music and artists breaking out onto the scene. After researching the multitude of albums released in 2025, here’s a list of my 15 favorites.

15. “Deadbeat”

“Deadbeat” from Tame Impala is named correctly, the beat is a bit dead. I think that this is one of, if not their, weakest projects. The new sound they strive to explore is different from their typical and is not done well. It lacks the dimension and typical layered chords that Tame Impala typically uses. The production is high-level but it’s both lyrically and musically disinteresting to me. The project lacks a story and any kind of meaning at all, it’s generally just background noise and makes for a lackluster album.

14. “Burnout Days”

Flipturn is still a growing band, but “Burnout Days” is a step in the right direction. This sound is different from their previous albums, but does a great job of establishing something different for the band. Overall I think the lyrics are great and sets flipturn up for success. They use great metaphors, especially in “Right?” where they talk about the way you feel as though you need to prove yourself to others. The message about feeling like you have to change yourself in order to please people around you is clear and written well.

13. “Man’s Best Friend”

“Man’s Best Friend” follows the typical pop formula. I think the album is great, but can be a bit repetitive. Despite this, it is still well produced and lyrically interesting. The idea of being an independent woman is very clear throughout the album, and I think that it’s a positive message from Carpenter.

12. “DON’T TAP THE GLASS”

“DON’T TAP THE GLASS” gave Tyler, The Creator a more poppy vibe, setting him apart from his previous project, “Chromakopia.” The newest album sounds more like rap and pop, but in my opinion is weaker than his other projects. The sound is fun and the lyrics are interesting, but it’s overall less cohesive than his other works.

11. “BELOVED”

“BELOVED” is a well produced story. It reflects on modern love and finding yourself within a relationship. It’s a story of self-discovery that’s supported by great vocals from GIVEON and an homage to 70s R&B. The album is quite long and sets up with GIVEON’s typical R&B tone, which is great. It stays pretty true to tone throughout and looks at ideas within love and relationships.

10. “Balloonerism”

Even from the beyond, Mac Miller continues to release well produced music. “Balloonerism” was a project that was lost over 10 years ago, but still manages to sound brand new and blend into the current scene. It’s crazy to see how ahead of his time Miller was and wonder how far he could’ve gone had he still been with us today.

9. “WOW!”

BETWEEN FRIENDS has been around for a while, but “WOW!” spread their name further. Their past music has followed a more consistent tone, but this new project gives them a more upbeat tune. The duo’s sound at the beginning follows a more typical hip hop and pop sound. As time goes by and with this album, they have grown into a more hyperpop sound, which I think better matches their sound and vibe. The biggest songs from the album are very different from their original sound, but both still manage to exist and sound great.

8. “SWAG”

After taking a four year hiatus, Justin Bieber returns with “SWAG”, an exploration of genres that sounds connected and shows his success from many angles. The album transitions from upbeat and poppy to slow and acoustic and still manages to sound like one project, an impressive feat. It also uses plenty of collaborations to showcase other artists talent and blends them into the album. Bieber’s use of collaborators was a nice touch, allowing him to show connection with other artists and better explore the genres and tempos he did in “SWAG”.

7. “Malcolm Todd”

Malcolm Todd’s self-titled established a new tone for Todd. The typical genre for the singer is a more pop and upbeat sound, very distinct and sounds a lot like his sound. However, in the newest album, Todd looks at a more alternative sound using plenty of different instruments and mixing them together and does it fantastically.

6. “The Select”

18-year-old Ty Myers, released a great album for country music this year. It follows a story of love and growing up. The lyrics can hit close to home and investigate new metaphors and stories. Myers’ voice is great and it’s shocking to hear that he’s only 18 and has such a long career ahead of him.

5. “Kansas Anymore (The Longest Goodbye)”

“Kansas Anymore (The Longest Goodbye)” adds four new songs to the original, which truly put Tucker Pillsbury on the map. “Sally, When The Wine Runs Out” and “Some Protector” exploded, giving him a fun element for his tour and providing more interesting musical elements to the previously great album. The lyricism is high-level, using different metaphors and looks at the ideas of love and letting someone go.

4. “Son of Spergy”

Daniel Caesar’s “Son of Spergy” is a well produced masterpiece. It holds a consistent tone and explores ideas of love and all of the relationships in one’s life. It explores ideas of religion and connection through its lyrics and changes in tone. It has a few pockets of different genres, but stays within the slow and dreamy realm that is typically followed by Caesar.

3. “The Art of Loving”

Olivia Dean’s “The Art of Loving” was an incredible addition to the world of music this year. Her sophomore album discusses ideas of love and appreciating that love in your life. The message of the album is very positive and Dean’s voice is lovely and compliments the musical elements well. “The Art of Loving” established Dean’s true presence within the music industry, setting her up well for her next project.

2. “SABLE, FABLE”

“SABLE, FABLE” from Bon Iver is a new look for the band. With previous projects like “For Emma, Forever Ago”, the band takes a new approach with less of their usual acoustic folk sound. It brings a new more pop-oriented vibe instead of their usual guitar sound. I think that this is a great turn for them, the production quality is high and the new sound is a fun way for them to expand their horizons.

1. “Virgin”

“Virgin” by Lorde catapulted her back to the forefront of the music industry. Taking four years between this album and her previous one “Solar Power”, Lorde delivers a different experience from its precursor. “Virgin” provides a transformative listening experience that explores ideas about finding yourself. The album’s ideas of self-discovery as woman, intimacy and change, elevate it above the rest. Lorde’s “Virgin” gives a musical expression to what it feels like to grow up and does it incredibly well.