I truly cannot believe that this year is almost over. I feel like I have done one million things but also have felt as though I have done much. However, I do always enjoy looking back and taking stock of the year. First up in the 2026 Year in Review we have Albums of the Year. I know every year I write these things up and I chatter on about how interesting the music year was, and 2025 certainly was a fascinating year for music. But even more so than previous years, this was a year of discovery for me. With the absence of some big heavy hitters that I have followed, I was given the chance to really explore and widen my musical purview. I got to hop on the Bad Bunny train, rediscover an iconic group in the Wu-Tang Clan, and got drug through the emotional wringer by the likes of Cazzu and Florence + The Machine. Along the way there was much to dance to and vibe out to as well with the likes of DE’’WAYNE, Rochelle Jordan, and Zara Larsson, and I am really excited to continue to dive into their works and anticipate what cool things we could hear in 2026. And now, without further ado, here are my top 10 albums of 2025 (alphabetical by artist) and a fun playlist of my fave songs from the albums.
1. Debí Tirar Más Fotos – Bad Bunny
2. Latinate – Cazzu
3. June – DE’WAYNE
4. Everybody Scream – Florence + The Machine
5. Mayhem – Lady Gaga
6. Appaloosa – Orville Peck
7. Through the Wall – Rochelle Jordan
8. Lux – Rosalia
9. Black Samson, The Bastards Swordsman – Wu-Tang Clan
10. Midnight Sun – Zara Larsson