If you’re like us, music shapes your entire world. Whatever you’re listening to at a particular moment in time always transports you back to where you were when it was released, etc. 2025 was an exceptional year for music. We saw many artists gift fans with double albums, killer tours and vinyl that would make any collector swoon.
We’ve been making these lists for a decade now and it’s been amazing to look back on the year in music every year with all of you. With that being said, this just might be our last year of lists. We’ll see how 2026 goes. 😉
Here are the top 5 albums of 2025!
5. Taylor Swift – The Life of a Showgirl
Released: October 3, 2025
As per usual, Taylor Swift broke records and hearts with her twelfth album, The Life of a Showgirl. Giving us a closer glimpse into the singer’s life post-Eras tour, TLOAS delivered classic T-Swift with a tongue-in-cheek twist as the media posted ignorant think pieces while fans danced with joy. You know…the usual. One thing’s for sure: this girl’s in love and she’s not afraid to get candid.
4. Nightly – THE VOID
Released: October 31, 2025
Nightly really delivered this year with two studio albums. Songs To Drive To, released in March, was classic Nightly at their best but Halloween surprise release, THE VOID, gave trick or treaters more than they dreamed! Meant for a spooky, late night drive, THE VOID delves into the darker aspects of relationships as lies are uncovered as the night progresses.
3. Hatchie – Liquorice
Released: November 7, 2025
Dreampop queen, Hatchie, delivered her third studio album, Liquorice, this fall and it’s as delightful as its candied title. Capturing the overwhelming elements of love, infatuation and everything in between, Liquorice is a lovely progression from previous material that deserves more credit.
2. Garbage – Let All That We Imagine Be The Light
Released: May 30, 2025
Garbage’s eighth album, Let All That We Imagine Be The Light, took it up a notch in their department of grungy alternative and made it known as to why they’ve had staying power for the past 30 years. Singer Shirley Manson’s grit and tenacity is prevalent throughout the entire record, showing that hope and light is found within the darkest moments.
1. LIGHTS – A6
Released: May 2, 2025
LIGHTS aptly titled her sixth studio album A6 but fans had no idea how hard this record would go. A culmination of sorts of all of her previous records, A6 showcases LIGHTS at her best with more to come with A6 EXTENDED on January 30!
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Honorable Mentions
Nightly – Songs To Drive To
Javi Jimenez – Second Wind
Banks – Off With Her Head
Tate McRae – So Close To What
St. Lucia – Fata Morgana: Dawn & Fata Morgana: Dusk
Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco – I Said I Love You First
Samia – Bloodless
HAIM – I quit
Aly & AJ – Silver Deliverer
Hundredth – Faded Splendor
The Band CAMINO – NeverAlways
Bad Suns – Accelerator
The Aces – Gold Star Baby
Ava Max – Don’t Click Play
joan – this won’t last forever
Kelsea Ballerini – Mount Pleasant
