Skip to main content

Tonight We Dance

Albums of 2025

2025 delivered standout debuts from Fiona-Lee, Case Oats, and Snocaps, alongside epic comebacks from legendary rock bands like Idlewild, Ash, and Pulp. Established artists including Jade Bird, Hayley Williams, and Alex G continued to innovate, pushing their music to new heights. Here’s my list of the best albums and EPs of the year.

Fiona-Lee in Abbey Road studios leaning over a mixing desk to change a fader.
10

Fiona-LeeNothing Compares To Nineteen – EP

Greeting adulthood is not always pretty and Fiona Lee faces this head on, bravely shining light on the dark and dingy corners of it and candidly sharing her experiences with depression, bad relationships, body image and grief.

Listen to

Stream the album: Apple Music Spotify

Photo by Sam Rockman
9

Lucy DacusForever Is a Feeling

“Forever Is a Feeling” is the next step forward from an artist who continues to discover who she is, and what kind of music she wants to make, which is the sort of journey that hopefully will last for her entire career.

Listen to

Stream the album: Apple Music Spotify

Photo by Shervin Lainez
8

Case OatsLast Missouri Exit

The record is squarely set in alt-country territory, yet it still feels fresher than a host of recent albums straining to claim some “lush” sound as invention. Case Oats aren’t forcing originality or fleeing lineage—they’re simply writing what they know, and in doing so, carve out something novel.

Listen to

Stream the album: Apple Music Spotify

Photo by Braeden Long
7

Alex GHeadlights

It’s clear that “Headlights” is Alex G’s most streamlined body of work yet – the culmination of fifteen years of exploration, refined.

Listen to

Stream the album: Apple Music Spotify

Photo by Chris Maggio
6

PulpMore

With a collection of memorable songs offering observations on life with both a singular wit and obvious care for its subjects, Pulp clearly still feel comfortable on More flourishing at the high bar they set for themselves long ago.

Listen to

Stream the album: Apple Music Spotify

Photo by Tom Jackson
5

Hayley WilliamsEgo Death at a Bachelorette Party

Each song sees Williams fearlessly stepping between familiar and fresh influences. It seems less about playing with expectations and more about what feels the most visceral.

Listen to

Stream the album: Apple Music Spotify

Photo by Krista Schlueter
4

SnocapsSnocaps

…the push and pull of styles here between two artists with different obsessions and skillsets — the mark of so many touchstone bands, sibling acts or otherwise — makes Snocaps an equally-compelling outfit..

Listen to

Stream the album: Apple Music Spotify

Photo by Chris Black
3

AshAd Astra

With “Ad Astra”, Ash are reflective yet revitalised, offering a colourful, charismatic, and cosmic offering that’s truly out of this world.

Listen to

Stream the album: Apple Music Spotify

Photo by Andy Willsher
2

IdlewildIdlewild

These ten tracks are an arrestingly assured summary of who they are now, while fully embracing their former selves.

Listen to

Stream the album: Apple Music Spotify

Photo by Euan Robertson
1

Jade BirdWho Wants to Talk About Love?

This record is Jade Bird’s strongest to date, an expansion of her sonic influences and an intimate depiction of the aftermath of a breakup and the trials and tribulations that come with that.

Listen to

Stream the album: Apple Music Spotify

Photo by Aries Moross

Honourable mentions

11
Motion City Soundtrack
The Same Old Wasted Wonderful World
12
Yellowcard
Better Days
13
Stereophonics
Make ‘em Laugh, Make ‘em Cry, Make ‘em Wait
14
Biffy Clyro
Futique
15
Pacifica
In Your Face!
16
Julien Baker & TORRES
Send a Prayer My Way
17
Manic Street Preachers
Critical Thinking
18
Bright Eyes
Kids Table – EP
19
Laura Stevenson
Late Great
20
overpass
Dependent – EP

Head back in time

I’ve been compiling a list of my favourite music of the year since 2010. See my previous lists below:

Get in touch

As always feel free to get on X to discuss, disagree with, or disparage my choices.

Albums of 2025 page has loaded