Our final 2025 favs, after the break!
Disclaimer: This post includes Amazon Associate links!
"The Listened List" (Part 3)
Greetings!
I'm kind of over all the introductions. Why can't we just jump into the list? No fanfare or teases needed, hopefully? Let's begin! These are my most favorite albums for 2025 alongside all my, always random tangent, commentaries.
Enjoy!
My Favorite Albums of 2025
*The Top 25*
#25 - 'WHERE IS MY HEAD?' by Rich Brian
'WHERE IS MY HEAD?' is an album that left a fantastic first impression. Rich Brian spoke poetic truths that connected quite well with this listener on my early plays. The way he blended genre to paint the complex answer to his mission statement - "WHERE IS MY HEAD?". Well, it's all over the place. And that's quite beautiful. Something I can relate to as well. You can't nail anything down. Just gotta let it run.
Especially with Lossless Audio, where all the mixes pop just a bit more than normal. A fact that could be true for all the albums on this list honestly.
#24 - 'Baby' by Dijon
Was absolutely late to the party on 'Baby', despite loving Dijon's work on Bon Iver's 'SABLE, fABLE' (spoiler) earlier in the year. I didn't hate his contributions on Bieber's 'SWAG' either, but prefer the soulful and sexy execution on his sophomore coming out party way more. Dijon really oozes a Miguel-Prince-Blood Orange-Frank Ocean inspiration throughout this perfectly paced project. 'Baby' is a ride. One you gotta take all night into the early morn.
#23 - 'Fight Another Day' by James Morrison
Can't believe I've been a fan of James Morrison for almost two decades. Hearing his soulful voice always brings me back to that South of French laundromat in 2007. 'Fight Another Day' felt familiar (in a best way). Probably the reason why I loved it so much. Definitely found myself playing all those '07 Europe Trip indie pop rock classics once again. I think we all needed warm memories during these rough days. 'Fight Another Day' kept those feelings burning for sure. This how I coped. By holding on tight.
#22 - 'Hades II (Original Soundtrack)' by Darren Korb
I can't wait to play 'Hades II'. Been busy with my lengthy gaming backlog (and Balatro) as of this writing, but I knew I had to check out this score because 'Hades I' was one of my favorite soundtracks in 2020. Spoke all about that love in that (strange) Podcast episode. Darren Korb, happily, made lightning strike twice expanding the musical lore of a blooming franchise. Where the last project adapted the mythical & the metal beautifully... this album added even more mystical whimsy.
Ultimately, having the Sirens play an important role in the story made this score a core component to the gameplay. Promoting Darren, Erin, Ashley, and Judy into formidable bosses.
#21 - 'Balloonerism' by Mac Miller
Spent much of 2024 secretly becoming a Mac Miller fan. He's an artist I didn't really connect with while Malcolm was with us, sadly enough. Over a 12-month period, I had grown to appreciate his deeply personal indie hip hop projects. Receiving this 2025 post-humorous sophomore release - 'Balloonerism' - felt like gaining a musical achievement of sorts. Only now... would I... be able to understand an ancient text (that chronologically falls between 2013's 'Watching Movies with the Sound Off' & 2014's 'Faces Mixtape'), right?
And surprisingly, I did. Nothing was lost in translation. The lyrics hit hard as I surfed on jazzy lofi beats from this long-lost jam session. Made 'Ballonerism' the first album I truly connected with in 2025.
#20 - 'Tsunami Sea' by Spiritbox
Don't you agree we all needed to rage during 2025? The storm outside our echo chambers wouldn't stop. That's why I took to the 'Tsunami Sea', the sophomore album from Canadian metalcore group Spiritbox. Music to make ocean plates rock uncontrollably. What starts off as a sheer gale force wind storm ends up compressing into a "Perfect Soul". Left this listener with chills as Spiritbox rightfully release all that anger: for the world and their impossible feeling dreams. Couldn't help but love the execution.
#19 - 'KPop Demon Hunters (Soundtrack from the Netflix Film)' by Various Artists
All these years of covering music and I've never fallen into the KPop fandom tidal wave. Until now, right?
Not really. My love for HUNTR/X, Saja Boys, TWICE, and the rest of the KPop Demon Hunters Soundtrack stems from a memorable event that occurred at the day job a few months ago. I, alongside my bosses & coworkers, performed an epic lip sync battle to a "Golden/Soda Pop" mashup. Costumes included. Our bosses won of course, but performing like a fool isn't something this introvert normally does. And I took pride in the battle. That's progress. That whole day totally felt like a TV Sitcom episode! A memorable saga for the history books.
Not sure I can say I've rebuilt myself from tragedy just yet... but we're definitely getting close! There IS "beauty in the broken glass". Thanks to the day job & my wonderful coworkers. This album will forever hold these fragmented memories.
#18 - 'New York Sessions Vol. 1' by Leo Genovese & Mariano Otero
New York Piano Jazz is a different kind of beast, isn't it? I can see the busy people, bright lights, bright taxi lights, smoke billowing from the wet sidewalk, and everything that makes a urban fairytale come to life. The kind you can only truly see by closing your eyes while listening to music like this. This listener can find true peace these 2,000+ miles away.
Just waiting on Leo & Mariano to create Vol. 2.
#17 - 'Refined Believer' by OSKA
OSKA's "Refined Believer" holds on to hope. This is an album about walking towards the unrelenting future and having fun while doing it. No matter how many gut punches or broken final straws. Life is a learning experience worth understanding as the main character builds emotional maturity through the challenges. All these songs feel so soft, warm, and consistent. Thus allowing the themes to seep under the skin quite easily. I couldn't get enough.
#16 - 'Whatever The Weather II' by Whatever The Weather
Something special about relistening to 'Whatever The Weather II' while this SoCal storm continues to pour. Heightens their deeply interpersonal small detailed ambient electronic sounds immensely within this dark, computer lit, room I'm in. Truly makes this project a corrupt soundtrack for a life, you know? Main reason why I loved everything I heard. Beautifully strange in all its fine & haunting intricacies.
#15 - 'F1 The Album' by Various Artists
This listener has always loved original movie soundtracks (aka soundtrack mixtapes) since our youth. Usually spent my limited allowance on them (when buying music in-store was the thing) because they had multiple songs I loved from a picture. So I found it surprising that 'F1 The Album' surpassed my expectations. It is a soundtrack that doesn't skimp on genre allowing for Pop, Country, Hip Hop, Afrobeats, Rock, and EDM to coexist alongside each other beautifully.
Just proves that Apple will spare no expense to create memorable film moments. And I'm okay with that because this soundtrack really hits different (especially on-screen)!
#14 - 'The Art of Loving' by Olivia Dean
I found it so easy to fall in love with Olivia Dean's 'The Art of Loving'. Felt quite welcoming the second we enter the intro.
Soon, she's agreeing with that statement whole hearteningly [on "So Easy (To Fall In Love)"]. That confidence remains unmatched throughout this superstar-making project. Every "Best Of..." list needs an album like this: vintage sounding indie pop soul transported into the modern day. Got those "first love" kinda vibes immediately. You know an experience that makes you say, "where have you been all my life?" Delicate, disarming, and just lovely overall.
#13 - 'Venom' by Enemy Inside
I typically love my metal music with some hard rock or pop infused within it. Not just relaying on howling or screaming. Needs some powerful, uplifting lyrics to push me through. Think Evanescence or Linkin Park. Songs that could be used for AMVs back in the 2000s.
Luckily, Enemy Inside's third album, 'Venom', poisoned this listener almost instantly by bringing that dangerous formula through my speakers back in February. A symphonic hard rock-metal tour-de-force that appeased everything I love from those all genres. By "Dirt on my Name", you'll be surpassing your limits. Love the fact that music can bring that energy outta me, you know?
#12 - 'F*ck U Skrillex You Think Ur Andy Warhol but Ur Not!! <3' by Skrillex
Rest in peace, Skrillex. Your funeral... better known as 'F*ck U Skrillex You Think Ur Andy Warhol but Ur Not!! <3'... phucking banged. Wish you could've experienced it alongside your former trapaholic obsessed souls. Who are now moms, dads, aunts, uncles, and possibly grandparents. The world will never be the same again.
(lol)
In all seriousness, that's kind of how I felt while listening to Sonny's 2025 throwback. This is classic Skrillex. Who I've missed since our blogging golden days. When we scoured Dancing Astronaut, Resident Advisor, Aquarium Drunkard, Beatport, Soundcloud, YouTube, and now deceased blogs for our daily BPMs.
Skrillex really had fun with this project... injecting clever samples alongside the complex electronic riffs over the 36 short tracks. The album moves fluidly that you won't even notice the changes. You'll be vibing with your guard down. Makes the moments hit harder when a surprise feature or sample appears outta nowhere. Old heads, like myself, will love the iconic references & beat drops that sound so damn familiar. What a way to go indeed.
#11 - 'Bleeds' by Wednesday
I left Wednesday's 'Bleeds' on-repeat one afternoon while relaxing in bed. Still unsure what compelled me to do so, but I couldn't get enough of their harsh indie rock. This listener didn't know he was addicted until that Spotify Wrapped dropped honestly. And yes... I did love their inventive lyrical wordplay, swimming on chaotic feedback addicted chaos (especially the suspiciously simple sounding tracks like "Townies", "Pick Up That Knife", & "Elderberry Wine").
This is definitely an album that would've went platinum on my college playlist. He would've been obsessed with Wednesday's complex angst. That young adult placed this album on this list for that reason, I guess? Can't blame him though. 'Bleeds' rocks.
#10 - 'Return to the Spectrum of Intergalactic Happiness' by Zeds Dead
Again, Lossless audio did wonders for Zeds Dead's 'Return to the Spectrum of Intergalactic Happiness'. The audio upgrade, which I used almost exclusively throughout 2025, heightened the entire album experience. I can relate to their hardcore fans' complaints that this album felt uninspired, cliché, and atypical after the years long wait. But, I absolutely adored the interspace odyssey Dylan & Zach presented here... that feels more artificial than galactic.
Like the musical universe they're exploring is not extra-terrestrial and more internally corrupted. If that makes sense? The album cover feels misleading, like an android dreaming of electric sheep. At least, that's how this listener senses the subjective & imaginary plot. What I do know is... this album really started hitting for this listener close to halfway through. Give it time and enjoy the ride.
<buy the (SUPER EXPENSIVE) vinyl on amazon!>
#09 - 'Everybody Scream (Chamber Version)' by Florence + The Machine
To be driven by your art is such a special thing. You could tell Florence + The Machine needed to release 'Everybody Scream'. The whole album feels urgent. Like a massive warning call for the dangers to come. So of course Florence Welch's prophetic anthems brought chills to this longtime fan's body. Fragility that I held softly on each listen. Found myself soundtracking Fall 2025 with "Everybody Scream", "One of the Greats", "Sympathy Magic", "Music by Men", "The Old Religion", and "Buckle". Even a small reference to The 1975 sent this listener back to their discography randomly. That's one hell of a musical spell to be under.
Despite plugging it here, I don't think the Chamber Edition tracks added much to the overall package. Sure they are a nice bonus but I feel the original productions on "Everybody Scream", "Sympathy Magic", "The Old Religion", and "Drink Deep" are inherently better. Now if the whole album had Chamber Versions... then maybe I'll feel differently? Possibly? That's not my pitch to make more. Just that the care taken on the original album is masterful. Don't take them for granted.
<buy the special edition 'dead blue bell' vinyl on amazon!>
#08 - 'Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (Original Soundtrack)' by Lorien Testard
Despite loving RPGs... I have no intention to play 2025's Game of the Year - "Clair Obscur: Expedition 33". (Unless it releases on the Nintendo Switch? Maybe?) So watching my favorite streamers beat it was more than enough. However, I needed Lorien Testard award-winning soundtrack in my life forever.
Think every gamer can agree that Expedition 33's hauntingly beautiful score is the first thing they fall in love with. Classical french motifs that builds the tone for the journey ahead. Found myself basking in these lovely tunes for hours. (The whole listening experience takes about 9 hours after all.) You don't have to love video games to appreciate what you hear. Make their journey yours. Just by hitting play.
Also... the fact the Clair Obscur team met the buzzworthy french composer randomly through Soundcloud feels like destiny. A true testament to keep putting out art. No matter the situation.
<order the 2026 vinyl on amazon!>
#07 - 'Hurry Up Tomorrow' by The Weeknd
Honestly... I'm not upset at myself for putting 'Hurry Up Tomorrow' at number seven. I loved songs, not the whole experience.
This listener tends to skip ahead once "Opening Night" appears. Jumping over the entire middle of the record until "Timeless". But the songs I love... "Baptized in Fear", "Cry For Me", "Open Hearts", "Niagara Falls", "Take Me Back To LA", "Give Me Mercy"... are some of my modern day Weeknd favorites. There are amazing moments on this record that calls back to the stories from "After Hours" & "Dawn FM". However, the lengthy experience weighs everything down. It needed a little more editing and focus.
Still... I get it. The final act of a trilogy is suppose to be EPIC. It's the conclusion for our flawed, soon be transformed & redeemed, hero. Not only that. This is also seemingly Abel's final album as The Weeknd (hopefully not). He had to go out with a car crash before repenting for the heavenly bodies.
The soulful synthpop production is solid, especially with Lossless version downloaded. Big thanks to my social media feed for recommending that feature around this time. Made this and every album experience more expansive through 2025. Don't think I'll be turning it off anytime soon.
#06 - 'Mayhem' by Lady Gaga
Always rooting for Lady Gaga. Love that 'MAYHEM' feels like her final, true, form. No gaudy outfits or eras needed. Just addicting gothic daydreams to dance around a room to. There's plenty of those on this disc! What more can you ask for? Maybe a musical? That Coachella performance felt quite close though, didn't it?
#05 - 'Syndicate' by The Midnight
I think The Midnight finally made their synthwave masterpiece. 'Syndicate' oozes cinematic cyberpunk futurism. The addicting pulse-pounding BPMs fuel an unforgettable experience that pulls from retro influences to create a soundtrack that should've been closer to the "2025" music fans of yesterday fantasized about in the '80s. Not what it really is nowadays. This album keeps that hope alive for this listener. Electronic dreams of what could be.
#04 - 'Sinners (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)' by Various Artists
Isn't it obvious? Ryan Coogler's cinematic masterpiece, 'Sinners', is a musical.
If you pulled the film from screen to stage, would anything get lost in translation? Definitely not, right? The fact this listener has to challenge this idea (especially to my Hollywood friends) remains comical. Why can't others hear it? (lol) I knew this was a modern musical once I listened to the soundtrack... which we first played a week before seeing the film. Experiencing the covers of "Travelin'" & "Pick Poor Robin Clean" flipped a switch in mind and this cinephile couldn't turn it off. Still can't. I was about to watch a musical in IMAX. No one will be able to change my mind.
This album is the complete 'Sinners' package. Collecting the studio versions of the musical numbers presented in my favorite film of 2025 alongside mainstream inspired tracks... which are solid as well. I personally love James Blake's "Seance" & Rod Wave's "Sinners". Hope the film & its soundtrack wins all the awards this season.
#03 - 'SABLE, fABLE' by Bon Iver
Driving to Bon Iver's beautiful 'SABLE, fABLE' during our 2025 Record Store Day adventure was one of my favorite small moments this year... and one I soon won't forget. Everything felt peaceful and free on that northwest car ride. The way things were in an age, long ago. I miss experiences like that. We spend too much time in bed sometimes. My musical soul craves the road, an open window, and a beautiful soundtrack that leaves a speaker smoking.
Luckily, we're only a few months from our next RSD adventure. Looking forward to writing all about it!
#02 - 'Born Blue' by Kings Elliot
The most challenging aspect of 2025 was how it brought back pandemic age worries. These stormy days threw my hopes back into the protective attic once more as the world drained our collective energy each day. The fact we survived 2025 is hopeful. Remember that.
Happily, during these oh so blue days, I found an old light... Kings Elliot! Rediscovering her hauntingly therapeutic 2020 single, "I'm Getting Tired of Me", lead me towards her transformative 2025 debut album - 'Born Blue' - which finally dropped back in September! These addicting raw confessions helped me (barely) survive the heaviest and most dragging days imaginable. There I was "Dancing Alone" in a emotional tornado. Glad that storm has passed as I eventually found comfort in my current age. Now looking forward to a bright future with some "Whisky and Wine".
Truly appreciate finding Kings Elliot all these years later. Having her life-affirming songbook finally in this countdown means the world to this longtime fan! A small part of thanking an artist for the spiritual healing. All the best!
#01 - 'Let God Sort Em Out' by Clipse
Clipse's 'Let God Sort Em Out' at Number One shouldn't be surprising if you've been noticing all the clues in these posts. I consider it their "Watch The Throne". High class production, masterfully elegant in lyrical execution, solid features, alongside some of the hardest Pharrell helmed beats in years. (Could've done without all his chorus singing honestly, but okay...fine) Masterworks that ticked all my boxes.
Bringing Malice out of retirement to speak difficult, yet relatable, holy truths about their family & past is a blessing. Not sure this album works without him. He steals the memorable moments on almost every track. Pusha T doesn't hold back his energy either, but both voices tend to blend together throughout the project. Clipse feels like a single entity over a duo.
Contrary to what Andre 3K might believe, these Hip Hop legends definitely had timeless life-affirming stories to present: about their parents, dangerously troubled past, & long-lost friends (while showing their enemies their teeth). The humanity that seeps from my speakers makes those moments unbelievably empathic and mediative. Hard truths worth reflecting on... while sounding amazing! That's why I loved this album. Nothing matters more than that.
<order their 2026 amazon exclusive vinyl now!>
Stevie Wonder: "Remember those who lost their mothers and fathers and make sure that every single moment that you have with them... you show them love. You show them love... you'll see."