🎧 MY TOP 50 ALBUMS OF 2025

It was a very good year for new music...

Every year, I tell myself I’m going to keep this list lean and fail. Not because I’m chasing some encyclopedic roundup, but because there is so much great music.

These albums aren’t ranked. These albums aren’t graded. They’re simply the albums that stayed with me in 2025. In the car, at home, late at night, traveling, or while writing the latest blog entry. I randomized them on purpose because this list isn’t about hierarchy; it’s about discovery.

Below is a mix of jazz, indie, ambient, hip-hop, folk, classical, and records that defy any category. It’s the top half of my one hundred favorite albums of the year, and I rewarded each one with extra headphone time, extra vinyl spins, or on repeat in the car or at home.

All formats are welcome

What you’ll find here isn’t a ranking of greatness, but a map of where my ears wandered this year. If you happen to wander the same way, I hope you find something new to hold onto as much as I have.

Enjoy the list. A QoBuz playlist follows the list…

• Tortoise - Touch (International Anthem)

  This is the first new music in nine years from these post-rock pioneers, offering a fresh exploration of their instrumental and complex sound.

• Pulp - More (Rough Trade Records)

  It’s their first in almost twenty-four years and Jarvis Cocker hasn’t lost a step. Great song structure, another Britpop classic.

• The Wildmans - Longtime Friend (New West Records)

  Bluegrass and Americana centered on rich sibling harmonies and exceptional string work.

• Steve Queralt - Swallow (Sonic Cathedral)

  Debut solo album from Ride bassist features dreamy, shoegaze-like instrumentals with guest vocalists on a few tracks.

• Ryan Davis & The Roadhouse Band - New Threats from the Soul (Sophomore Lounge)

  A collection of emotionally raw and introspective alt-country songs, blending Americana with a soulful indie sound.

• Sault - 10 (Forever Living Originals)

  Another extraordinary genre-blurring mix of soul, funk, house, and socio-political commentary.

• John Zorn - The Bagatelles Vol. 1 w/ Mary Halvordson Quartet (Tzadik)

  A dynamic and fiery peek into Zorn’s massive “Bagatelles” project, showcasing his avant-garde jazz compositions.

• Pasquale Grasso - Fervency (Sony Music)

  Italian jazz guitarist returns with a series of standards worth a listen or five or six...

• Kandace Springs - Lady in Satin (SRP Records)

  An ambitious tribute to Billie Holiday’s 1958 masterpiece, complete with a sixty-piece orchestra.

• The Weather Station - Humanhood (Fat Possum Records)

  A collection of folk-rock songs where Tamara Lindeman’s songwriting continues to evolve with themes of humanity and nature.

• Panda Bear - Sinister Grift (Domino)

  A journey into psychedelic electronica and fractured pop, driven by distinctive layered vocals and experimental soundscapes reminiscent of Brian Wilson.

• Kassi Valazza - From Newman Street (Fluff & Gravy Records)

  Beautiful songs, extravagant guitar work and an amazing voice with poetic storytelling delivered in folk and semi psychedelic package.

• Little Simz - Lotus (AWAL)

  A surprise release to me! She continues to deliver potent lyrics over tight, soulful production. Another hip hop gem from London.

• Anouar Brahem - After the Last Sky (ECM)

  A master of the oud, this album features the Tunisian musician’s new chamber pieces written for oud, cello, piano, and bass. Bassist Dave Holland & pianist Django Bates are part of this gorgeous sounding ensemble.

• Makaya McCraven - Off the Record - 4 EPs (International Anthem)

  A collection of all four EPs released this year that blend jazz improv and post-production loop crafting. Some live tracks also featured with Joel Ross, Jeff Parker, Junius Paul, and many more guests.

• SML - How You Been (International Anthem)

  Bassist Anna Butterss, keyboardist Jeremiah Chiu, saxophonist Josh Johnson, percussionist Booker Stardrum, and guitarist Gregory Uhlmann make up this quintet known as Small Medium Large and it’s full of electronic and jazz improv.

• Naia Sinephro - The Smashing Machine (O.S.T.) (Warp Records)

  Atmospheric soundtrack to the documentary film, showcasing Sinephro’s transportive harp, synth, and jazz compositions. Guests include Nubya Garcia, Lyle Barton, and more.

• Sven Wunder - Daybreak (Piano Piano Records)

  Cinematic instrumental music, blending spiritual jazz, library music, and psychedelic folk influences from Sweden.

• Blue Earth Sound - Cicero Nights (DeepMatter Records)

  Instrumental music that evokes the neon-lit haze of the city through cinematic, jazz and funk arrangements.

• The Beths - Straight Line Was A Lie (Anti-)

  This record delivers the New Zealand band’s characteristically hook-filled power-pop, contrasting upbeat melodies with sharp lyrics.

• Brad Mehldau - Ride Into the Sun (Nonesuch)

  Paying tribute to the late Elliott Smith with re-harmonized interpretations of his work.

• The Cosmic Tones Research Trio - s/t (Mississippi Records)

  The trio dives deeper into their spiritual jazz soundscapes complete with strings. An emotional album indeed.

• Chip Wickham - The Eternal Now (Gondwana)

  A new collection of funky sounds delivered through a soulful and spiritual jazz lens from this brilliant UK flutist and sax player.

• Flock of Dimes - The Life You Save (Sub Pop)

  Jen Wasner (Wye Oak) takes a soulful look at life and created a thoughtful, honest indie-folk / pop record.

• Smerz - Big City Life (Escho)

  Norwegian duo delivers a striking fusion of R&B, club music, and experimental electronics.

• Oren Ambarchi, Johan Berthling, and Andreas Werlin - Ghosted III (Drag City)

  Part three in this series is all about the evolving conversation between guitar, bass, and drums, blending hypnotic repetition and subtle sonic shifts.

• Loyle Carner - Hopefully! (Virgin / EMI)

  British rapper delivers a warm and personal album with characteristic soulful beats and introspective, diaristic lyricism.

• Ches Smith - Clone Row (Otherly Love)

  Percussionist Ches Smith debuts an adventurous quartet featuring guitarist Mary Halvorson, weaving together threads of avant-garde jazz, rock, and electronic.

• Resavoir & Matt Gold - Horizon (International Anthem)

  Trumpeter and producer Will Miller, who has worked with SZA, joins guitarist Matt Gold, to create something distinct, hypnotic and tangibly inviting.

• Mark Pritchard & Thom Yorke - Tall Tales (Warp Records)

  An album five years in the making, it combines many genres of music. Hear Yorke’s signature voice paired with Pritchard’s hypnotic, impressive production.

• Basic - Dream City E.P. (No Quarter)

  Trio of Chris Forsyth, Doug McCombs, and Mikel Patrick Avery exploring a complex, entrancing instrumental sound that jams. Excellent guitar work!

• Gnod & White Hills - Drop Out III (Thrill Jockey)

  Another collaborative album finds these two psychedelic and space rock groups digging deeper with extended, sprawling pieces that hook you in.

• Okonski - Entrance Music (Colemine)

  A collection of lush, cinematic, and deeply soulful instrumental music led by piano and perfect for a dinner party.

• The Sure Fire Soul Ensemble - Gemini (Colemine)

  Instrumental jazz-funk, soul, and Latin rhythms, characterized by tight grooves from this San Diego band.

• Steve Gunn - Daylight, Daylight (No Quarter)

  Seven gorgeous songs arrange and produced by James Elkington where Gunn showcases his songwriting and acoustics guitar playing over strings and woodwinds.

• Sudan Archives - THE BPM (Stones Throw)

  There’s a reason this album is called BPM. Each track is banging… with a unique and futuristic R&B sound only Sudan Archives could deliver. Touring early 2026!

• Blood Orange - Essex Honey (RCA/Domino)

  Dev Hynes is back with a new album that is hard to define, but that’s a good thing. There are so many genres captured here, but the album flows and has strong, personal lyrics that tell a story over beats, strings, horns, and more.

• Marissa Nadler - New Radiations (Sacred Bones)

  Not quite gothic but you can feel that vibe on this album along with dream pop and her semi-haunting vocals over lush, layered atmospheric arrangements.

• Cass McCombs - Interior Live Oak (Domino)

  Named after a Northern California tree, McCombs’ latest effort includes brilliant songwriting and simply great indie rock songs to enjoy by the backyard fire.

• Kendra Morris - Next (Colemine)

  A powerful dose of contemporary soul and R&B, featuring her robust vocals and gritty, retro production.

• Gwenifer Raymond - Last Night I Heard The Dog Star Bark (We Are Busy Bodies)

  Latest album continues to showcases the Welsh guitarist’s beautiful American Primitive style finger-picking.

• FloFilz - Hagaki (Melting Pot Music)

  A musical love letter to Japan that blends jazz and hip-hop beats with Japanese music and culture. Recorded in Germany and Japan.

• Devin Shaffer - Patience (American Dreams)

  Whispered folk-pop that seems to be searching for deeper meaning in life. Reminds me of Vashti Bunyan with wonderfully written lyrics and guitar playing.

• Adrian Sherwood - The Collapse of Everything (On U Sound)

  Dub visionary’s first solo album in over a decade is an imaginative paradise of cinematic dub and immersive experimentalism.

• Say She She - Cut & Rewind (drink sum wtr)

  A collection of disco-infused, soulful harmonies and infectious grooves that nod to 70s funk and R&B. A great soundtrack for your next drive to the market.

• Automatic - Is It Now? (Stones Throw)

  Post-punk, raw funk, that questions modern life through tight bass lines and synths. This album by the Los Angeles based all female trio is contagious.

• The Necks - Disquiet (Northern Spy)

  The Australian minimalist trio continues their unique sound of gradual, long-form improv, building a deeply immersive and slowly evolving sonic environment. This is their 20th studio album.

• John Taylor - Tramonto (w/ Marc Johnson, Joey Baron) (ECM)

  Recorded live in Birmingham, England in 2002 but not released until this year. Pianist John Taylor, who passed away in 2015, is heard here with Bassist Marc Johnson and drummer Joey Baron to re-create some of his pieces with tremendous solos from all three musicians.

• Chicago Underground Duo - Hyperglyph (International Anthem)

  The first new album in almost 11 years from Rob Mazurek & Chad Taylor. An adventurous return to their avant-jazz / electronic hybrid project.

• Collettivo Immaginario - Oltreoceano (Domanda Music)

  Italian jazz trio deliver their second album, blending elements of jazz, funk, Italo-disco, and Latin rhythms.

Here is the QoBuz playlist.*

*minus Gnod, as that’s on Thrill Jockey Records, currently not available on QoBuz.

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Until next week, when I’ll share my top reissues and box sets of 2025!

Thanks for reading. - JB