TOP 5O ALBUMS OF THE YEAR 2025

The last 12 months months has produced some incredible albums, from scorching debuts announcing some of the best new acts to albums cementing artists as true greats. From Indie Rock to Post Punk to Folk Pop and more, here's our countdown of our 50 favourite albums of 2025.

50. Adult Leisure - The Things You Don't Know Yet

Bristol Alt-Rockers Adult Leisure burst back onto the scene with their jazz-tinged, nostalgia-ridden debut album, ‘The Things You Don’t Know Yet’. It’s an album that oozes with 80s pop influences on standout tracks like ‘The Rules’ - layered with staccato riffs, twinkling piano, and lyrics plucked from a soundtrack to a coming of age film. It has an emotional core encased within toe-tapping rhythms and serendipitous melodies.

Words by Michaela Roper

49. The Lathums - Matter Does Not Define

Wigan’s finest returned with their signature cinematic style, goosebump-inducing harmonies, and guitar that scratches the itch in your brain. Frontman Alex Moore’s laugh in the opening track breaks the line between character and storyteller, crafting an album that feels alive and personal. ‘Matter Does Not Define’ is an album with no skips, just soaring guitars, lyrics that make you feel and northern charm.

Words by Lucy Handley

48. Eades - Final Sirens Call

Energetic and spirited second album from Eades delivers sounds from a dream-like Alt-Rock world. The light rasp vocals alongside driving rhythms balance effectively to heighten the more lively and upbeat tracks, but then soften for the more ballad-like songs. It's a fun, worthwhile listen and a likely addition to our album library.

Words by Lula Ljamalari

47. Black Honey - SOAK

Black Honey have been a consistent presence in the Indie Rock scene since the early 2010s, and their fourth album ‘Soak’ shows no signs of slowing down. Following lead vocalist Izzy Bee Phillip’s recent sobriety and autism diagnosis, the album thrives off its vulnerability.

The no-skips tracklist ranges from Grunge-esque songs like ‘Dead’ to reflective songs like ‘Slow Dance’ and ‘Vampire in the Kitchen’ all laced with their trademark cinematic essence.

Words by Tabitha Rowland

46. hard life - onion

hard life returned this year with their first project under their enforced new moniker. Stylistically they are still at their best, delivering infectious Indie Hip Hop sounds but with a poignant depth. A later track in the album ‘p a n o r a m a’ brings the whole idea of the album together. A panorama being a large picture, allows the listener to sit and see the whole scale of what the band has gone through in the last three years.

Words by Oliver Watts

45. HONEYMOAN - Pink Hell

In their second full-length album, HONEYMOAN delivers a radiant mix of 2000’s nostalgia and modern Indie-Pop sensibilities. ‘Pink Hell’ shifts from punchy Pop-Punk to somber, stripped back acoustic tracks throughout the album, weaving familiar dreamy textures with experimental twists. This vibrant journey establishes HONEYMOAN as one of the most compelling new voices.

Words by Angel Cox

44. Sports Team - Boys These Days

Sports Team’s third album ‘Boys These Days’ swaps their chaotic, self-assured Indie style for a more reflective and considered approach. The album represents a transition period for the band.

Growing up is a key theme explored across this record and is at the forefront of album closer ‘Maybe When We’re Thirty’. Cinematic in its production, you can imagine this track accompanying the closing scenes of a Sally Rooney adaptation.

Words by Alex Nuttall

43. Cassia - everyone, outside

Cassia are known for their sun-soaked summer anthems, consistently nailing chilled Indie-Pop. Their third album ‘Everyone, Outside’ is confident and self-assured, a collection of blissed-out tracks that sunny days have been crying out for.

Closing track ‘reframe’ stands out as an album highlight, with a punchier sound and some transcendent guitars. 

Words by Beth Turner

42. Blondshell - If You Asked For A Picture

Translating the trials and tribulations of being a twenty-something into a sonic scrapbook of fluttering lo-fi melodies is no mean feat. For Sabrina Teitelbaum on the other hand, it feels like second nature. Her sophomore album as the alt-rock inspired dream girl Blondshell serves as a love letter to introspective fog, clouded daydreams, and the weight of souring relationships; encompassed by an air of sensibility, but oozing with vulnerability.

Words by Michaela Roper

41. Red Rum Club - Buck

Last time we spoke to Red Rum Club they teased their new album ‘Buck’, an album bounding with energy. It is a display of the band's well-earned confidence, conveyed through its loud and explosive sound.

Building upon previous works stylistically but adding a new level of swagger and quality to the mix, this album is the top 10 hit the band have been chasing.

Words by Cormac O'Carroll

Albums 40-1 coming soon...