2025 was the perfect mix of music, blending old and new favorites. The singer-songwriter genre flourished this year. Great production and lyricism broke the mold and redefined pop and rock as artists explored unfamiliar territory. Hundreds of quality albums dropped this year — these are 10 of the best. 

#10 – Revengeseekerz – Jane Remover

Jane Remover released their third studio album, “Revengeseekerz,” on April 4. The album, primarily experimental hip hop and hyperpop, offers an intense and thrilling ride through the tracklist. Jane Remover and their interviews emphasize that they enjoy working with a variety of genres. While many music fans avoid or cling to specific genres, Jane Remover truly listens to and enjoys every genre of music, which gives them a vast, comprehensive knowledge of music. “Revengeseekerz” effectively uses overstimulation by being absolutely unrestricted. It is aggressive and unpredictable, striking strong and blasting synths and hi-hats straight at the listener. Jane Remover rarely misses an opportunity to scream or make a reference. References in “Revengeseekerz” include Pokémon Battle Revolution, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games, Fortnite and George Michael. 

#9 – Sky Record – Dan English

Dan English released “Sky Record” on June 27. “Sky Record” is an alternative indie rock album and it flew under the radar this year. The album is a theatrical exhibition of indie rock, using explosive strings over English’s hearty, steady melodies. English blends indie folk, dream pop and indie rock into a strong and expressive mark on the world. Alluring synths whisper hazily under a jam or an intro. Meticulous harmonies follow English through the story that is “Sky Record.” The songs are widespread, all unique in their own way but still cohesive enough to follow the ups and downs of a journey — dramatic but measured. 

#8 – SABLE, fABLE – Bon Iver

Bon Iver’s fifth album, “SABLE, fABLE,” is potentially their last and it weighs on the album throughout. “SABLE, fABLE” proves Bon Iver’s place as a staple of indie folk with simple pedal steel, clean acoustic chords and subtle vocal stacks. Justin Vernon, the creator of Bon Iver, had a busy year, spending 2025 collaborating with artists including Dijon and HAIM, who both released their own albums this year. These collaborations seep into the Bon Iver album. “Walk Home” has glitch pop aspects that are central to Dijon’s “Baby.” Danielle Haim of HAIM and Dijon are both featured artists on the album and Mk.gee’s now-signature guitar tone carries “From.” As a whole, “SABLE, fABLE” is optimistic, endearing and uplifting — an album to come back to again and again.

#7 – Burnover – Greg Freeman

Alternative country is taking over and Greg Freeman is at the helm. “Burnover,” released Aug. 22, is Freeman’s second album. Often, an indie artist’s narrative includes a hit debut album and a disappointing sophomore album; however, “Burnover” was disappointing to none. “Burnover” is addicting — Freeman’s rhymes and loose tone make it impossible not to nod along. His voice, sometimes compared to a yelp, is purposeful and desperate, the perfect machine for his superb lyricism. Woodwinds, fiddle and harmonica dance over Freeman’s acoustic guitar and keys until the final track, “Wolf Pine,” tears everything up in an abstract breakdown. Freeman brings, builds and controls energy masterfully and “Burnover” is no exception. 

#6 – Blizzard – Dove Ellis

Dove Ellis just released his debut album, “Blizzard,” on Dec. 5. The title is more than appropriate; the 10 songs are wintry and bold. Like the weather, the music stings. Artist and audience face vulnerability at its worst and best. In “Blizzard,” Ellis weathers the storm and emerges victorious, championing over love and struggle in what became the strongest singer-songwriter album of the year. Drums carry soft ballads into fiery verses. The music is shaped so Ellis’s lyricism shines the brightest. Not to be overlooked is Ellis’s voice, soaring through high notes, sculpting them with vibrato and care. 

#5 – Bleeds – Wednesday

The best adjective to describe “Bleeds” since its release on Sept. 19 is “raw.” Another pioneer of the alternative country and slacker rock wave of the 2020s, “Bleeds” will continue to inspire musicians far past 2025. The band remastered their 2021 song, “Phish Pepsi,” and the difference is a clear indicator of how much the band has improved in professionalism and production. The album covers more new area than ever before — the bitter, guttural “Wasp” is the opposite of the slow, grief-stricken “Carolina Murder Suicide,” but both are an excellent display of frontwoman Karly Hartzman’s maturing musicianship. The breakup of Hartzman and bandmate MJ Lenderman during the recording of the album lingers in the corners of the songs. “Elderberry Wine,” the song of the summer for many, is accompanied by a colorful and easygoing music video.

#4 – choke enough – Oklou

After 5 years without new music from Oklou, her debut album, “choke enough,” released on Feb. 7. “choke enough” was followed by remixes in June and a deluxe version at the end of October. The production of “choke enough” is star studded: along with Oklou, Casey MQ, Danny L Harle, A.G. Cook and underscores share production credits, with Bladee and underscores utilizing their features on tracks “take me by the hand” and “harvest sky” to their maximum potentials. Oklou’s pop is ambient and electronic. Her soft voice, signature synths and simple melodies build her own unique sound — a relief in comparison to the chaotic genre mainstream pop is turning into. 

#3 – Headlights – Alex G

Alex G is living in the present. Whereas much of his past work is nostalgic, “Headlights,” released July 18, follows Alex G navigating through his identity in adulthood. The album is a grand display of his 10 albums and 15 years of releasing music. Alex G improves from his past work greatly without sacrificing the classic “Alex G” sound — the album is in character for Alex G even though it breaks new ground. The bright beats and shining mandolin evoke an impossible to ignore happiness. Every Alex G fan has their own favorite, but “Headlights” is the highest quality work he has put out regardless of how dear it is to fans. 

#2 – Willoughby Tucker, I’ll Always Love You – Ethel Cain

Hayden Anhedönia released her second concept album as Ethel Cain, “Willoughby Tucker, I’ll Always Love You,” on Aug. 8. The album is the prequel to Cain’s 2022 debut “Preacher’s Daughter.” The chronicles of the relationship between the two main characters, Ethel Cain and Willoughby Tucker, is easy to relish. It lasts for an hour and 13 minutes, but stays with the listener for days after. The music assumes the shapes of 80’s synth pop, haunting and ambient Resident Evil save rooms and folksy singer-songwriters over the span of the album. The characters are all teenaged: full of hope, but repressing shame and suffering under it which brings their own ruin upon them. Anhedönia narrates the tragedy of Cain and Tucker over downtempo slowcore and young, flawed love is pulled apart through milky synths and Cain’s voice at its best yet. 

#1 – Getting Killed – Geese

“Getting Killed” captivated worldwide audiences. Since Sept. 26, “Getting Killed” has received press from in demand magazines including Rolling Stone, New York Times, GQ and Interview Magazine. Every aspect of “Getting Killed” is completely Geese’s own. Each instrument’s part is a brag of its own, especially the rhythm section. Geese bend time to their will with ease. The closer one listens to “Getting Killed,” the more it reveals: sparkling trumpets hide under chords, frontman Cameron Winter mumbles under breakdowns and familiar guests hide in the “Trinidad” screams. “Cobra,” the second track, equating lovers to snake charmers, was played in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade this year. Geese is giving a young audience the hearty, thrilling rock scene they never got to experience.

2025 was a rich year for music and the spotlight shone on many new faces this year, faces of artists who mastered their craft and deserve to be in the limelight. It takes genuine artistry to make music that is completely unique and brings valuable, new ideas to listeners’ ears,and these 10 albums are a must listen as the year ends.