We may be in September now and racing through 2025. But it’s still too early to be thinking about the best albums of the year. There are a few contenders out there for sure, but we are still waiting on some big releases, like say Taylor Swift, to come out. Only then can we sit back and work out the top albums of 2025.
Among the big names and top sellers so far, there have been plenty of other great releases. Morgan Wallen may have dominated the Billboard 200 so far this year with I’m The Problem, but other bands and artists have either briefly flirted with chart success or perhaps didn't quite make that level.
That doesn't make those bad albums. Not by any means. There are some excellent new releases in 2025 that just haven't caught enough attention. I've got six brilliant 2025 albums listed below to share with you. They may have passed you by, but you should definitely make sure you give them a hearing.
6 brilliant 2025 albums you need to hear
Edwyn Collins - Nation Shall Speak Unto Nation
It’s perhaps surprising that this is Edwyn Collins' tenth solo album. But then it’s been a long while since his Orange Juice days. Collins has delivered a thoughtful and reflective album here. The lyrics touch on his past health issues in places, a couple of strokes might have stopped more than just the recording for many. Collins though is in great form here.
The opening track, “Knowledge,” sets a high standard for the album and feels instantly memorable. Other songs like “The Bridge Hotel” have simple stripped-back tones or go full-on instrumentation, like the almost industrial-sounding “Strange Old World.” There is plenty of variety across the album and it’s an easy listen. You don't have to be an '80s fan or a Collins addict to get pleasure from hearing this one.
Divorce - Drive to Goldenhammer
Divorce is a band on the verge of a big breakthrough. This debut album came out in March this year and captures many aspects of the band. They aren't easy to label as a type with touches of indie, folk, pop, and more in their sound.
The opening number “Antarctica” blends some smooth, mellow harmonies and perhaps a 1970s West Coast US flavor, despite them hailing from Nottingham in the UK. Songs like “Pill” have a heavier touch, but with softer moments within. Vocals from Tiger Cohen-Towell and Felix Mackenzie-Barrow are super throughout the album with much variety and style.
Overall, the album is a really interesting listen. It moves through the 12 tracks at a good pace and each brings something nicely different, so you don’t know what to expect for the first listen. Give it a try soon.
Cardinal Black - Midnight At The Valencia
This is the Welsh band's second album, it may have been hard work to get it all ready and released, but it doesn’t sound like a struggle to get all the great songs together. The band has just returned home from a sellout headline tour in North America. That should have helped raise more attention and interest as they seem to have gone down a storm at all the venues.
The new album is a great listen. It’s a distinctive sound from the band over a collection of top songs. The band is now a trio with all three members playing a strong part in that sound. Adam Roberts’ rhythm on drums backs up the usual excellent vocals from Tom Hollister. They complement the superb Chris Buck on guitar adding bluesy licks and solos throughout.
Their music works very well as a live act. The passion and fun mix through their lively sets. But it also plays out superbly on the album. There’s more about the band and the album in a longer review written earlier this year. They are heading for their UK tour next, see them live if you can, they put on a great show.
Franz Ferdinand - The Human Fear
Franz Ferdinand is obviously a much bigger name than some of the bands listed here. But this album released in January this year feels like a comeback. The band hit an early peak with their 2004 eponymous release and had chart success with singles like “Take Me Out” back then. But it’s now some 20 years later and seven years since their previous album, Always Ascending.
The Human Fear brings the band right back to the fore. Right from track one “Audacious” the album captures your attention. There’s an arty feel about the opener, hints of 70s glam rock throughout. “Hooked” has a nicely jagged edge and synth beat to it. “Build It Up” is unmistakably prime Franz Ferdinand in a great new song. As is “Night or Day” which follows on next.
The whole album is a blast from the past but in a very current way too. It was well-received when it came out but didn't make much impact on the US charts. Well worth playing out loud soon if it’s one you have missed out on.
Mogwai - The Bad Fire
Another January release from a Scottish band. Mogwai delivered The Bad Fire and another great set of their very stylised music. Don't read too much into the album title being their homeland slang for hell. It’s more about what the band had been going through personally for a while than a signal of dark depressing tunes.
The album has the Mogwai DNA of cinematic scores and atmospheric tones. Hushed moments and swells of guitar, keyboards, and more prevail throughout. If you know the band, you’ll love the album. If you aren't aware then play this and enjoy their largely instrumental but hugely enjoyable soundscapes.
Then there is also a Mogwai 2025 bonus for fans and newbies. Their music is ideally suited for soundtracks. That’s evidenced by a second album release this year, The Bombing of Pan Am 103 Soundtrack. This supported a BBC-led TV program covering the flight bombing and Lockerbie disaster of 1988. Mogwai have provided a superb backdrop to an excellent TV series. It’s also another great 2025 album that may have slipped past many people.
Bon Iver - SABLE fABLE
Sometimes a quirky font or use of capitals on an album feels like a desperate attempt to draw attention to it, or to distract from the music itself. No such worries with this sort of a double disc from Bon Iver. It’s three or maybe four tracks as SABLE, and then nine as fABLE. The SABLE part is where Bon Iver’s EP of that name last year is joined up with nine songs titled under fABLE.
The first two tracks of SABLE are listed separately on streamers as “…” and “THINGS BEHIND THINGS BEHIND THINGS” (there we go with that all-out capitalisation again.) But the two are merged as one track on non-digital content. To be honest, don’t rush to listen to the twelve seconds or so of “…” with headphones on. It’s more like an alarm going off than a song.
Enough of the explanations though. While the SABLE E.P. brought out the indie folk side of Bon Iver, fABLE takes a different step. It’s a much fuller sound, greater depth and layers, and a broader range of instrumentation. There’s a distinct R&B and soul style to the tunes there.
A few collaborations on the album add to the variety and quality. Have a listen to “Day One” with Dijon and Flock of Dimes or “If Only I could Wait” featuring Danielle Haim as two standout songs. It’s all quite a contrast to the first section of SABLE.
This is a really good album and no surprise to see it hit the Billboard 200 at number 11 on release. How can it be overlooked then? Well, it only stayed on the chart for two weeks before dropping out. Looks like a rush to buy or play by devoted fans and then being bypassed by lots of other listeners.