My 12 Must-Hear Albums of 2025
The year is coming to a close, so that can only mean one thing – it’s time for my annual must-hear albums list!!! A quick reminder of how I do things here …
* Only full-length albums can make the list.
* I focus mostly on indie artists and bands, so while the occasional nationally known artist can find their way in, my list is mostly filled with albums by artists I feel deserve to be heard by a wider audience.
* I don’t use number rankings, I list the artists/bands alphabetically by first name (sorry ZZ Ward). This is because I don’t feel year-end lists should be about saying one album is “better” than another, they should be about putting the focus on great albums everyone should hear.
* Each album title links to where you can hear it in full.
* Whenever possible I’ve included links to interviews I’ve done with the artists/bands over the past year.
So without any further delay, here are my 12 must-hear albums of 2025.
Eric Hilton
Midnight Ragas
Genre: Downtempo / Trip-hop
One of two albums on this list that proved to be an ultimate calmer of nerves for me, Midnight Ragas’ combination of downtempo and trip-hop, with jazz and soul influences, is a magical mood shifter.
The songs featuring vocalist Natalia Clavier are personal favorites of mine, even if I can’t understand a word of them because I don’t speak French. Sometimes you don’t need to know what someone’s singing in order to feel what they’re expressing, and the vibe they’re creating.
Fusilier
Ambush
Genre: Indie Rock w/ Soul, Hip-Hop, and Pop Influences
As a journalist I receive a lot of albums as private streams well in advance of their release date. In the case of Fusilier’s Ambush it was the first time I’ve ever maxed out the number of plays allowed on an advance stream. The album is that damned good!
From the opening battle cry of “Ambush,” with its intense drums, and primal scream, to the indie rock gem “Nightmare Muscle,” to smoothed out songs like “NSA,” Fusilier proves he can seamlessly combine his many influences, and do it all amazingly well.
Interview: Fusilier – Setting an Ambush with Indie Rock & a Radical Type of Love
Genre: Retro Rock / Glam Rock
Gyasi’s second appearance on one of my annual year-end must-hear lists, I’m beginning to think he might actually be a time traveller from the ‘70s, sent here to remind us that rock music can be glammed up, while also being radically authentic.
Is he a long lost lovechild of David Bowie and Freddie Mercury? Perhaps! I mean, Bowie and Freddie did work together … although maybe I should’ve paid better attention in those health classes back in the day. Regardless, the good part of Here Comes The Good Part is the entire album.
Jessie Wagner
War Within
Genre: Soul
As a vocalist, Jessie Wagner is well known for being able to do it all, touring with a wide array of artists, including Lenny Kravtiz, Duran Duran, Chic, and even Kid Rock, but her solo work is where she really gets a chance to shine.
Shining, however, might be an understatement when it comes to her 2025 album, War Within, as it doesn’t simply shine, it’s a polished diamond. The album has deeply emotional confessionals like the title track, as well fun tunes like “I Just Can’t Today,” and songs that can turn up the heat, like “Up Against The Wall.” It’s all Jessie, and with her incredible voice it all sounds fantastic.
Interview: Stacking The Deck with Jessie Wagner
Kendra Morris
Next
Genre: Soul
Next is the album Kendra Morris wanted to make for her entire career. It’s 100% her, and it’s a soulful gem that covers the highs and lows of life through her own stories. The vinyl also doubles as a board game, so you can play your way through the ten tracks, as you navigate love, flat tires, and everyone’s constant monthly nemesis, “Bill.”
Even if you don’t win while playing the board game, playing Next is always a big win.
Interview: Stacking The Deck with Kendra Morris
Kikimora
Kikimora
Genre: Jazz / Soul
The second album on this list that I kept in heavy rotation because it’s such an amazingly calming influence, Kikimora’s self-titled effort is like being taken into the coolest jazz club hidden in the corners of your city, and having all your concerns stripped away by the wonderful vibe of the band’s music, and frontwoman Hayley’s stunningly gorgeous vocals.
I could listen to this album on repeat all day, and at times I have!
Magic Wands
Cascade
Genre: Dark Dreampop
There are a lot of different genres at play in the dark dreampop of Magic Wands, but if I had to do the whole “who do they sound like” thing, I’d say they’re one part Depeche Mode, one part Mazzy Star, with the synth elements of the former combining with the etherial vocals of the latter.
In the past I’ve described certain bands a Bronze music, referring to the type of music that was played in the club everyone went to on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Magic Wands definitely qualifies as Bronze music – brooding, and atmospheric, but also attention grabbing, and just plain cool.
Genre: Alternative
Did any indie band have a bigger year than Momma? They began the year as one of NYC’s faves, then released an incredible album, toured the country, and the world, and even made a late night TV appearance. Point blank – Momma absolutely crushed it in 2025, and Welcome to My Blue Sky is an album worthy of all the praise, and attention the band has received.
From releasing the most addictive single of the year, “I Want You (Fever),” to making us want to “Stay All Summer,” Momma carries the torch for the likes of Veruca Salt, and Liz Phair, and that’s a sound everyone can love.
Strange Neighbors
People Pleasers Pleasing People
Genre: Power Pop
People Pleasers Pleasing People is one very pleasing album for people who love power pop with a personal touch.
OK, I’m done with the alliteration, I swear.
In all seriousness, Strange Neighbors did an amazing job with this album. Vocalist Aidan Strange sounds fantastic, and with songs that range from the personal “Hate Me Less,” to the topical “Influencer,” which is a satirical takedown of all things social media, People Pleasers Pleasing People fires on all cylinders.
The Ritualists
Too Pure To Cure
Genre: Rock
Making a second appearance on one of my annual year-end lists, if you’re already familiar with The Ritualists, you know why they’re back – what a band!
Frontman Christian Dryden doesn’t just sing his lyrics, his vocals are an instrument that are a part of the song. Unbelievably strong, and impeccably clear – dare I say pure – he’s like a more powerful version of Simon Le Bon, who isn’t exactly a slouch himself!
On Too Pure To Cure, Dryden and the band continue to give listeners a heck of a soundtrack, while having lyrics that are both poetic, and relevant. You can choose to dissect his words, or you can choose to experience the music, either way, the album is a great listen.
Interview: Stacking The Deck with Christian Dryden of The Ritualists
The Summer Set
Meet Me At The Record Store
Genre: Pop Punk
You know how you can have a favorite band, but they take a long hiatus, and when they come back you’re a bit worried if they’ll still have the magic?
The Summer Set still have the magic, and they have it in abundance.
With a collection of songs that mix good times, with reaching the next phase in life, their 2025 album, Meet Me At The Record Store, is grown up pop punk for those of us who fondly reminisce, while still having the energy to occasionally give it one last go. “I Don’t Wanna Party” is a wonderful example of this, as it’s a song about being done with partying that makes you want to party. Who else but The Summer Set can do that?
Interview: Brian Logan Dales of The Summer Set Reflects on Getting Older, & The Joy of Not Fitting In
ZZ Ward
Liberation
Genre: Blues / Soul
ZZ Ward went back to her blues roots, and gave us one heck of an album.
Liberation is totally badass, and listening to it you could easily imagine ZZ sitting at a mythical bar flanked by Janis Joplin on one side, and Amy Winehouse on the other. She has so much power, and expression in both her vocals, her playing, listening to her music is hearing a master at work.
There you have it! Those are 12 of my favorite albums from 2025. I hope you’ve found something, or maybe even multiple somethings, that you want to check out in full. Happy listening!
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