Every year, I try to narrow things down. Every year, I fail — and honestly, I’m OK with that. These are the albums that stuck with me in 2025, the records I kept coming back to while walking the boardwalk, driving to shows, editing sunrise photos, or just trying to slow things down and actually listen. This isn’t about rankings or hype; it’s about connection, longevity and the music that felt like a companion through the year.
Top 25 Albums Of 2025
Rett Miller – A Lifetime of Riding By Night
A bold, honest record that embraces imperfection and captures a songwriter still chasing meaning, even when the road ahead is uncertain. It trades polish for raw emotion, making every lyric feel lived in. Read the full review of “A Lifetime of Riding By Night.”
Wednesday – Bleeds
Moody, atmospheric and emotionally heavy yet melodic — “Bleeds” balances melancholy and melody with textured instrumentation and strong songwriting. It creeps in gently then lingers long after the final note. Read the full review of “”Bleeds.”
The Swell Season – Forward
Warm and intimate, “Forward” feels like a hopeful next chapter. Acoustic moments and heartfelt lyrics carry a softness that evokes nostalgia, while strength creeps in quietly as the album unfolds. Read the full review of “Forward.”
Haim – I Quit
Crisp production, tight grooves and confident energy give “I Quit” a polished-pop sensibility, with thoughtful songwriting and hooks that stay with you. It’s catchy but with substance underneath. Read the full review of “I Quit” and the concert review of the kickoff to the “I Quit” Tour at the Mann Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Ben Kweller – Cover The Mirrors
Comforting, melodic rock-folk with honest lyrics and laid-back confidence. “Cover The Mirrors” doesn’t chase trends — it just delivers steady songwriting and familiar warmth that feels easy to return to. Read the full review of “Cover the Mirrors.”
Samantha Crain – Gumshoe
Dark, evocative and richly cinematic — “Gumshoe” weaves folk roots with atmosphere. Songs linger in the mind, blending intimacy and mood for a quietly powerful listening experience. Read the full review of “Gumshoe.”
Goose – Everything Must Go
Jam-rock energy meets introspection: “Everything Must Go” flows dynamically, with expansive arrangements that build and breathe. It feels alive and alive-in-studio-set heavy — a dynamic listening ride. Read the full review of “Everything Must Go.”
Valerie June – Owls, Omens and Oracles
Soulful, rootsy and rich in texture — the album blends blues, folk and soul, giving space for June’s voice to soar while keeping things grounded and earthy. It feels timeless and deeply connected to tradition. Read the full review of “Owls, Omens and Oracles.”
Lucy Dacus – Everything Is A Feeling
Introspective and emotionally alive — strong lyrics meet atmospheric instrumentation. The album balances vulnerability and strength, delivering honest storytelling that feels both personal and universal. Read the full review of “Forever Is Feeling.”
Lily Seabird -Trash Mountain
Raw, edgy and unafraid to explore the darker side of rock — “Trash Mountain” brings intensity, attitude and a gritty energy that slices through softness, ideal if you like your music rough around the edges. Read the full review of “Trash Mountain.”
The Mountain Goats – Through This Fire Across From Peter Balkan
A lyrically rich, emotionally expansive journey filled with narrative depth, heartbreak and catharsis. The album is expressive, literate and deeply human — classic Mountain Goats at their storytelling best.
Marie Davidson – City of Clowns
Hypnotic electronic textures and moody atmospheres combine for a cinematic, immersive listening experience. Experimental yet accessible — “City of Clowns” stands out as a late-night, inward-looking kind of record. Plus, it features a cover image of one of my favorite spots in Atlantic City. Read the full review of “City of Clowns.”
Sunny War – Armageddon in a Summer Dress
A raw, honest mix of acoustic folk and emotional grit. “Armageddon in a Summer Dress” gives voice to vulnerability and strength at once — intimate and impactful. Read the full review of “Armageddon in a Summer Dress.”
The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band – Honeysuckle
Gritty, roots-rock energy with soul and twang — the album delivers a blues-inflected punch, full of groove and authenticity. Perfect for late-night listening with a whiskey-tinged vibe. Read the full review of “Honeysuckle.”
The War and Treaty – Plus One
Emotionally raw vocals meet uplifting arrangements in a powerful blend of soul, gospel and rock. “Plus One” feels hopeful, big-hearted and stirring — a feel-good record with real emotive weight. Read the full review of “Plus One.”
Bonnie “Prince” Billy – The Purple Bird
Quiet, contemplative and steeped in folk tradition — the album feels like a late-night conversation: minimal but emotionally potent, with poetic lyricism and subtle power. Read the full review of “The Purple Bird.”
The Alchemist, Larry June and 2 Chainz – Life Is Beautiful
A smooth, confident fusion of rap, beats and laid-back swagger. “Life Is Beautiful” offers a different flavor from the rest of your list — atmospheric and streetwise, but tight and compelling. Read the full review of “Life Is Beautiful.”
Early James – Medium Raw
Gritty songwriting meets soulful delivery and southern-rock sensibilities. “Medium Raw” burns slow and lingers — a record that creeps under your skin. Read the full review of “Medium Raw.”
Snocaps – Snocaps
Modern indie-rock with honest hooks and earnest energy. “Snocaps” isn’t over-produced but feels confident and fresh — a straightforward, catchy listen.
Melody’s Echo Chamber – Unclouded
Dreamy, atmospheric and lush — “Unclouded” is a psych-pop odyssey blending ethereal vocals with expansive arrangements. It washes over you like fog in the best way.
My Morning Jacket — Is
A sweeping, expansive statement blending introspective lyrics with the band’s signature atmospheric grandeur. “Is” sounds like seasoned musicians still pushing boundaries — fresh energy under their rock roots.
Japanese Breakfast – For Melancholy Brunettes (and Sad Women)
Dreamy and introspective indie-pop with lush instrumentation and melancholic beauty. The album leans into melancholy with emotional depth, mixing cinematic production and poetic storytelling.
The Black Keys – No Rain, No Flowers
Gritty blues-inflected rock-and-roll with tight melodies and soulful edge. “No Rain, No Flowers” brings raw charm and easy-rock energy — familiar but crisp and engaging.
The Beths – Straight Line Was A Lie
Punchy, melodic pop-rock with sharp songwriting and bright energy. The album delivers confidence and catchy hooks — a good counterbalance to heavier or more introspective records.
Rosalía – Lux
Bold, global-pop energy meets sleek production and striking vocals. “Lux” brings a modern, genre-blurring sound — vibrant, ambitious and fresh in a year packed with rock and folk.
As always, I’m sure I missed a few – probably more than a few. There’s more great music out there than any one list can hold, so let me know what albums stuck with you in 2025 in the comments below or over on social media at @highnoteblog. I’m always listening, and I’m always up for discovering something new.
