2025 has proven to be a remarkable year for music, delivering innovative albums that reaffirm why we turn to artists for connection, catharsis, and a good time. From pop heavyweights crafting euphoric anthems to avant-garde trailblazers reshaping their genres, this year’s best releases so far have ranged across moods, styles, and sounds. For music enthusiasts, it’s been nothing short of a feast.
Here’s our roundup of the 10 best albums of 2025 so far!
1. Lady Gaga – MAYHEM
Lady Gaga shows yet again why she's one of pop’s most captivating artists with MAYHEM. While chart-topping single “Die With A Smile” (featuring Bruno Mars) draws in casual listeners, the rest of the album dives into Gaga’s more daring and flamboyant side. Tracks like “Abracadabra” and “Crown for a Night” channel early-'80s Bowie-style glitz, while “Through the Fire” plunges into dancefloor euphoria. What sets MAYHEM apart isn’t just Gaga’s larger-than-life persona but her ability to make even the most extravagant production feel personal and immediate. This album is a reminder of why Gaga's artistry remains untouchable.
Standout Tracks: “Abracadabra,” “Die With A Smile”
2. FKA twigs – Eusexua
FKA twigs crafts a breathtaking exploration of desire and connection on Eusexua. Inspired by the physicality of both sex and dance, this album is sensual, intricate, and utterly mesmerizing. Tracks like “Flexion” and the titular “Eusexua” layer her ethereal vocals with minimalist production, creating songs that feel like whispered confessions in a pulsating club. The album’s sonic sharpness and emotional vulnerability blur lines between the intimate and the universal, making Eusexua one of twigs’ most ambitious projects yet.
Standout Tracks: “Flexion,” “Eusexua”
3. Playboi Carti – MUSIC
Playboi Carti’s long-awaited MUSIC lives up to the hype, offering an hour of genre-defying, adrenaline-fueled energy. From the glitchy chaos of “Pop Out” to the infectious collaboration with Kendrick Lamar on “Mojo Jojo,” Carti pushes boundaries while delivering plenty of quotable moments. His signature baby-voice aesthetic continues to evolve, blending with avant-garde production to create a sonic landscape that’s aggressive, experimental, and irresistibly catchy.
Standout Tracks: “Mojo Jojo,” “Opm Babi”
4. PinkPantheress – Fancy That
PinkPantheress doesn’t just step into brighter, dance-floor-ready territory on Fancy That—she owns it. From the Basement Jaxx-inspired bop “Tonight” to the hypnotic “Misery,” this mixtape feels like a bold step forward for the artist. PinkPantheress retains her signature conversational style but pairs it with livelier, more playful production. The result is an album that feels like the soundtrack to twirling on a crowded dancefloor while exchanging secrets with a stranger.
Standout Tracks: “Tonight,” “Misery”
5. billy woods – GOLLIWOG
A master of evocative storytelling, billy woods delivers his most gripping work yet with GOLLIWOG. The album explores deeply rooted trauma and racial identity, confronting historical injustices with raw lyricism. Tracks like “Waterproof Mascara” paint vivid, haunting images, while “BLK XMAS” is a chilling anthem of resilience. Woods’ ability to merge the personal and the political, paired with inventive beats, makes GOLLIWOG both a challenging and essential listen.
Standout Tracks: “Waterproof Mascara,” “BLK XMAS”
6. Deafheaven – Lonely People With Power
Deafheaven returns to their roots with Lonely People With Power, blending the ferocity of their early work with post-metal’s expansive beauty. Tracks like “Magnolia” thrive on the juxtaposition of pummeling intensity and serene melody, proving that the band hasn’t lost their edge. This album synthesizes everything Deafheaven does best, merging their trademark shoegaze-inspired compositions with moments of pure, crushing heaviness.
Standout Tracks: “Magnolia,” “Echoes in the Void”
7. Momma – Welcome to My Blue Sky
Building on the momentum of their breakout Household Name, Momma delivers a gripping follow-up with Welcome to My Blue Sky. The band leans further into '90s alt-rock nostalgia while refining their own distinct voice. Tracks like the grunge-heavy “Rodeo” and the emotional ballad “Take Me With You” showcase their range, proving they’re more than just a throwback act. With infectious hooks and earnest storytelling, this album cements Momma as one of indie rock’s rising stars.
Standout Tracks: “Rodeo,” “Take Me With You”
8. Horsegirl – Phonetics On And On
Chicago trio Horsegirl evolves spectacularly on Phonetics On And On, shedding any notions of being a nostalgic act. Produced by Cate Le Bon, the album finds Horsegirl stretching their sonic palette, combining intricate guitar work with minimalist rhythms. Songs like “2468” balance complexity with playfulness, while the closer “Lattice” highlights the emotional weight behind their layered sound. The result is an album that feels both raw and refined.
Standout Tracks: “2468,” “Lattice”
9. Alien Boy – You Wanna Fade?
Alien Boy hits their stride with You Wanna Fade?, delivering an album packed with cathartic riffs and emotional vulnerability. Tracks like “Changes” and “Another Brand New Me” capture the spirit of alternative rock’s yesteryears while feeling timeless. The band’s ability to balance moments of tenderness with explosive energy keeps listeners hooked, making this a must-hear release for anyone craving guitar-driven anthems.
Standout Tracks: “Changes,” “Morning”
10. Ela Minus – DÍA
Colombian artist Ela Minus crafts a glitchy, immersive world on DÍA, using lush textures and contemplative lyrics to draw listeners in. Tracks like “ONWARDS” and “I WANT TO BE BETTER” showcase her gift for pairing intimate reflections with dynamic beats. Whether leaning into ambient soundscapes or revving up the tempo, Minus creates a sound that feels expansive yet deeply personal.
Standout Tracks: “ONWARDS,” “I WANT TO BE BETTER”
