Best Albums of 2025

[Josh]

I know it's only October, but time flies and I thought I'd keep the tradition going of everyone listing their favorite albums of the year.

I've gotten a lot of good recommendations from this in the past and could definitely use some now. My current list is solid, but rather short. Help me add to it.

Neil Young -- Oceanside Countryside (recorded in 1977, shelved until this year)
The Mars Volta -- Lucro sucio; Los ojos del vacio
Melvins -- Thunderball
Loscil -- Lake Fire
Stereolab -- Instant Holograms On Metal Film
Al Cisneros & David Eugene Edwards -- Pillar of Fire / Capernaum
Queens of the Stone Age -- Alive in the Catacombs (Definitely check out the film!)
Pelican -- Flickering Resonance
The Sexual Objects -- Orangutang

[Cupz]

My album of the year is definitely Benthos' From Nothing though the year is not yet over. I doubt it will be topped.

Had no idea stereolab had a new record, definitely checking that.

[2020k]

FKA Twigs - EUSEXUA
Mac Miller - Balloonerism
Garbage - Let All That We Imagine Be the Light
Lorde - Virgin
Kelela - In the Blue Light
Lady Gaga - Mayhem

[Glen_Glog]

I posted a 2024 album my apologies

[Orbited insanitarium]

Venturing - Ghostholding
Shoegaze and emo tinged indie rock side-project from Jane Remover, one of two records they released this year. Has some real earworms in the songs "Recoil" and "Dead Forever". The middle section of this, is absolutely perfect.

Ethel Cain - Willoughby Tucker I'll Always Love You
The atmosphere on this is glorious, it's spacious and rustic and also made for a perfect listen at the end of Summer this year, I settled down on a beach with it when my town had it's Fayre. It's potency whirls around in your mind. Her voice is fuckin' seductive

Frost Children - SISTER
Electropop and Electro House album for the ages, full of infectious, somewhat nostalgic, blown out summer sleazy bangers. It hearkens back to an unabashed period of EDM history of the early 2010s, while adding the siblings own sentimental touches that offer something new to the sound. It's a fantastic energetic record for fans of electronic music and hyperpop, appearances from True Panther Sounds labelmate Babymorocco, and a songwriter credit from Porter Robinson, returning the favour for the Frost's who co-wrote a song on his 2023 album SMILE

Ninajirachi - I Love My Computer
Similar to the above in terms of style and approach towards pastiche, but there're some genuinely emotive songs in this. An ethereal trance song in "Infohazard" and a bit-poppy 2-step groove in "CSIRAC" (named after the first ever Australian computer, now bygone technology is a heavy theme in this album), Nina is an Aussie at heart, and she brings this timeless feeling that will probably be a good recommendation for Porter Robinson or Madeon fans. In a few years time I guarantee it's still going to sound as fresh.

To be frank I have spent a lot of this year listening back to music of the not-so-recent-past, early 2000s post-hardcore, George Michael, Talk Talk's last two albums and Mark Hollis' solo record, I have also heard a lot of audiobooks and radio drama's on walks, from The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy to BBC's Cabin Pressure.
I am sure I would be able to consider a few more albums, the year isn't finished and it's been stacked, I have a lot yet to hear, so I will update accordingly.

Shoutout 2020k for FKA Twigs!!!

[Scyye]

Sabrina Carpenter's Man's Best Friend, though I have a feeling the new Sweguno album might become my new number one.

[Betterthanyourkids]

damn, this is making me realize how behind i am on listening to new stuff, but from what I have actually heard, the new Alex G is pretty good, Tim Hecker came through with another solid one, enjoying the new Hotline TNT record still. Also all the Autechre bootlegs coming out of their tour are gnarly, ae live is just what I listen to at the gym so I'm completely saturated in it.

[mGardener]

That new Tyler album was fire ngl

[Scyye]

That new Tyler album was fire ngl

Been having Sucka Free on permanent rotation!