2025 was one hell of a year. From the tumultuous political climate, the continued rise of social media, and the uncertainty of the future. One thing that remains consistent however, is the beauty of music. A song from your favorite artist, the opening sounds of a ground-breaking album, or the soulful production from a jazz record; each of which evokes a visceral emotion from whoever is listening. This year, countless albums were released, but only a few broke through and reached critical acclaim.
After an almost 16-year hiatus, Malice and Pusha T (collectively known as Clipse) release Let God Sort ‘Em Out, one of their best works to date, and a testament to the staying power of hip-hop. Once thought to be a young man’s game, rappers like Nas, Jadakiss, and Wale, among others, have created projects in recent years that rivaled—if not exceeded—many of their successors. Teyana Taylor’s Escape Room also marked another return to form. In her first LP since 2020, Taylor enlisted musicians such as Lucky Daye, Jill Scott, Tyla, Kaytranada, and more.
With all of the quality projects that came out within the past 12 months, there’s plenty of optimism on the music front for next year. Now, let’s take a look at the best albums of 2025.
Teyana Taylor’s Escape Room is an album that explores painful memories, emotional rebuilding, and the courage it takes to start again. Across its tracklist, Taylor tackles her vulnerability with intention, pairing R&B with spoken-word interludes (featuring some heavy-hitters) that add depth to her story. Rather than sidestep the pain of her divorce or the weight of public expectation, she faces both head-on, finding clarity in community and rebirth in her craft
Wale’s highly-anticipated Everything Is a Lot is a poetic album to say the least. In 18 tracks, he sifts through anxiety, ego, and evolution, never rushing the process. The guest list is wide-ranging, but everyone shows up in service of Wale’s vision. What stands out most is how great he sounds: calmer, clearer, and willing to confront himself without flinching. It’s a reset, yes, but also a reminder that Wale’s voice hits hardest when he lets us into the mess.
Dijon’s Baby emerged as one of the best releases of the year. It features warped samples, dope percussion, and alternative-rock guitar riffs. What emerges is a portrait of a man who is not afraid to fully express himself—in fact, he embraces the vulnerability. It’s Dijon’s most daring and emotionally charged work yet.
After years of headlines, Cardi B comes back with a project that is unfiltered, for real. With Am I The Drama?, we see features from Summer Walker, Kehlani, Lizzo, Megan Thee Stallion, Tyla, and more. Songs built for car speakers sit beside tracks where she finally lets her guard down, revealing a complex woman. It’s a return that reasserts her skill, resets expectations, and reminds listeners that few artists command attention the way she does.
After more than a decade apart, Pusha T and Malice return with one of the most acclaimed bodies of work in quite some time. The album is full of their trademark detail, as they revisit the world that made them, now with a more mature POV. Frequent collaborator Pharrell frames their verses with his unique production, giving space for both men to do what the do best… rap. They talk about family loss, moral fatigue, and the cost of chasing the high of ambition. It’s safe to say, the Thorton Brothers are back.
With Beloved, Givēon pieces together a love story marked by longing, clarity, and self-reflection. This album proves that Givēon wants to revive classic soul aesthetics, while shaping them into something contemporary and unmistakably his own.
Olivia Dean’s The Art of Loving debunks the myth of the “sophomore jinx.” The album features themes like love, hope, hesitation, and longing, with a light touch that never waters down the emotion. Her vocals sound amazing over tracks like “Nice to Each Other” and “Man I Need.” What makes the album stand out is that Dean knows when to hold back, when to bloom, and how to take her power back by being transparent.
Pinkpanthress’s Fancy That pulls from early-2000s UK club textures and pop music, stitching them together seamlessly. Listeners can also hear her growth: she’s no longer the wallflower nursing heartbreak over breakbeats, but someone stepping into her own. The record moves fast but never loses its charm. Fancy That proves she can evolve without losing the hyper-specific world only she can build.
On Live Laugh Love, Earl Sweatshirt delivers some of his most open and self-assured writing to date. Sharp observations, and flashes of dry humor over simplistic production gives listeners an opportunity to focus on what is being said, not so much how it sounds. Since we first saw him with Odd Future over a decade ago, Earl has continued to get better at his craft, and this album shows it.
Amaarae’s Black Star is an album that treats the dance floor like a space for comfort. Her guests—Bree Runway, Zacari, Pinkpantheress and more—amplify the project in the best way, but it’s Amaarae who remains the gravitational force. Here, she delivers a record that celebrates freedom. Black Star is her boldest, most provocative release yet.
