New Albums For Your Playlist In 2025

With plenty of new music already released at the top of this year, we're breaking down new albums you should be listening to this year.

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"Salvation" by Rebecca Black

The "Friday" singer has been teasing her highly anticipated new project throughout 2024, releasing singles like "Trust!" and "Sugar Water Cyanide" in preparation for its official drop on February 27th. Salvation adds yet another compelling pop album to Black's impressive discography. The singer aimed to create a thought-provoking oxymoron by intertwining religious themes and symbolic imagery with elements of queerness. By merging these seemingly opposing forces, she offers a fresh and engaging perspective on a deeply serious subject, making for a unique and captivating body of work.

"EUSEXUA" by FKA Twigs

The talented FKA Twigs kicked off the year with a powerful, full-bodied performance that marks the arrival of her latest album. This Pop and Techno-infused project has earned widespread critical acclaim from both music enthusiasts and prestigious media outlets. With its impeccable production, boundary-pushing sound, eclectic melodies, and stellar vocals, the album has sparked a wave of newfound appreciation, offering a more cohesive and immersive listening experience.

"Send A Prayer My Way" by Julien Baker x TORRES

The highly anticipated collaboration between two extraordinary artists effortlessly blends Country, Alternative, and Folk music into a seamless collection of tracks. Their debut duo project has already achieved massive commercial success, resonating with both loyal fans and new listeners through its stripped-back, old-school-inspired sound. From the very first songs released in late March, listeners are instantly transported into a fresh musical landscape, venturing into a new realm that stands apart from the artists' previous discographies.

"Perverts" by Ethel Cain

Building on the immense success of her previous album, Ethel Cain delivered a hauntingly powerful and emotionally charged body of work. Much like her earlier releases, which blended difficult themes with ethereal vocals and profound, atmospheric production, this new album follows the success of the hit "Preacher's Daughter". The singer continues to explore themes of familial trauma, religion, and emotional turmoil in each track. The dark, ambient soundscapes evoke a sense of unease and distortion, perfectly mirroring the raw, unsettling stories she so fearlessly tells.

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"Debí Tirar Más Fotos" by Bad Bunny

Bad Bunny delivered a fully realized project, seamlessly blending multiple genres, including Salsa, Reggaeton, House, and Pop. By embracing his roots, diversifying his sound, and captivating new audiences, he continues to dominate the charts with each release. Along with several debuts on Billboard’s Hot 100, Bad Bunny has shattered his own records with singles like “DtMF” and “BAILE INoLVIDABLE,” each surpassing 457 million streams.

"Balloonerism" by Mac Miller

The late Mac Miller’s unreleased project, "Balloonerism", holds significant emotional weight, capturing a pivotal moment in the rapper's life leading up to his passing. After being multiple times by Miller himself, the album was eventually released for his devoted fans. Its collaborations include SZA and Delusional Thomas and blends Neo-soul, Jazz, and Psychedelic music, offering a unique soundscape that sets it apart from his previous works. It further explores more experimental territory, showcasing an evolution in Miller’s artistry.

"I've Tried Everything but Therapy (Part 2)" by Teddy Swims

The second installment of his 2023 album continues the success of its predecessor, seamlessly blending rock, soul, pop, and country into an addictive heartbreak collection. With standout features from Givēon, Coco Jones, and others, the album delves even deeper into R&B and soul. His remarkable ability to weave his personal life into such a diverse range of tracks is a testament to his artistry, and the album has dominated charts, with hits like "Bad Dreams" and "Are You Even Real" featuring Givēon.

"Love & Hyperbole" by Alessia Cara

Alessia Cara delivered a beautifully crafted pop-centric album, showcasing her versatility at the start of 2025. With themes exploring the challenges of fame, creative blocks, and the search for her authentic path, the album offers a deeply introspective journey. Its laidback, soulful vibe blends elements of R&B, adding a unique twist to her already impressive discography.

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"Automatic" by The Lumineers

The renowned Alternative, Indie, and Folk group has once again delivered a powerful collection of songs, exploring life's struggles and the journey of overcoming personal hardships. With a blend of both upbeat anthems and introspective, slower tracks, the album strikes a perfect balance that resonates with every listener.

"Oh! The Ocean" by The Wombats

Released in February, The Wombats delivered an emotional rollercoaster of an album, packed into 12 unforgettable tracks. Exploring themes such as social anxiety, people pleasing, and internal conflict, they weave these raw emotions into infectious, upbeat tunes that showcase the depth of their artistry. Throughout the album, the band stays true to their signature sound while evolving into a more modern, refined style that feels both fresh and timeless.

"People Watching" by Sam Fender

Possibly his most successful release to date, Fender's latest album perfectly blends 80s rock nostalgia with a bold departure from contemporary trends. With themes that explore the beauty of everyday life, finding light in the mundane, and returning to the raw essence of music, he's created a powerful, soulful body of work that feels both timeless and refreshing.

"Off With Her Head" by BANKS

BANKS delivers yet another boundary pushing masterpiece, elevating her sound with impeccable production that blends raw instrumentation with innovative electronic elements. Her extraordinary vocal talent, which transforms each track into a captivating story, truly sets her apart in the music world. With a notable feature from Doechii on the chart-topping, genre-defying hit "I Hate You Ex-Girlfriend," she's fully embraced the unique aspects of her artistry, carving out her distinct place in the industry.

"Music" by Playboi Carti

In only a matter of days, Playboi Carti's highly anticipated new release skyrocketed to the top of the charts, causing a stir throughout the music industry with its undeniably, addictive tracks. With 34 songs and features from Travis Scott, The Weeknd, Lil Uzi Vert, and Young Thug, Carti is leaving nothing to chance. After a five-year hiatus, loyal fans were eagerly awaiting a flawless, no-skip album and this one raises the bar to new heights once again.

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"For Melancholy Brunettes (& Sad Women)" by Japanese Breakfast

Well on its way to becoming their biggest hit to date, Japanese Breakfast's latest project offers a collection of hauntingly melancholic tracks that verge on poetic masterpieces. Drawing inspiration from the short stories shared with us in childhood, they’ve transformed these nostalgic tales into the powerful essence of their recent release. Just two months separated the debut of their first single, 'Orlando in Love,' a song whose beauty is rooted in the works of European poets, seamlessly blending into its official introduction.

"Paid in Memories" by Jessie Reyez

The incredibly talented Jessie Reyez has consistently pushed the boundaries of what defines a truly soul-stirring album. Each meticulously crafted piece of art is thoughtfully placed in its sequence, creating a narrative that unfolds similar to a personalized story. Her candid exploration of personal themes, including relationships, resilience, and the journey to self-confidence, is woven seamlessly throughout each track. The standout singles, "**GOLIATH**" and "*****JUST LIKE THAT with Ari Lennox***** with Ari Lennox", have both exceeded 4 million streams, with the rest of the album closely following suit.