Avalon's Picks: Best Albums of 2025

As the year comes to another close, it's about that time where I have to sift through the creme de la creme of albums that kept me on my toes this year.

Personally speaking I will admit I was starting to get a little worried, because in regards to musical artists releasing quality body of work, 2025 was starting to feel like a terrible year in regards to tapping into what felt like a fairly limited supply of fresh music to love.

But low and behold, as we started to enter the fourth quarter of 2025, my worries started to dissipate as a plethora of quality music started to flood my ears, and I was able to conjure up enough albums to feel passionate talking about.

So without further ado, check out my list of albums I thoroughly enjoyed in 2025 below.

1. Rosalia - LUX

Rosalia's third album put me through the emotional ringer upon first listen, and I have to admit I was not ready for what she was planning to bring both sonically and lyrically. Listening to Lux is like climbing mount Everest. You'll end up exhausted once you've completed your task, but taking the journey was worth it.

2. Bad Bunny - Debí Tirar Más Fotos’

While I will admit that I'm not the best spanish speaker, I will admit that what had my throat in a musical chokehold were all the unapologetic cultutural references sprinkled through out this unapologetically Puerto Rican album. I also applaud Benito for standing proud in his hispanic culture, especially when the current American political climate has been targeting the hispanic community. Kudos for incorporating an amous bouche of musical genres, such reggaeton, plena, música jíbara and more traditional flavors to the global spotlight.

3. FKA Twigs - Eusexua Afterglow

4. JADE - That's Showbiz Baby: The Encore

Jade in my opinion is the only former girl group pop act turned solo artist currently giving the gays what they want with the recent release of her debut deluxe album That's Howbiz Baby: The Encore. From infectious hits such as It Girl, FUFN, and gagalicious Church, Miss Thirwall is proving that she is a pop force to be reckoned with.

5. Infinite Coles - Sweetface Killah

   
   

6. Karol G, ‘Tropicoqueta’

7. Melt - Not For Radio

8. Pinkpantheress - Fancy That

9. Lady Gaga - Mayhem

After years of running away from the very genre that put Mother Monster on the map, it was great to see her return to form on her seventh album. While it's great that Mayhem the record is getting all the praise from top critics, the reason I have it all the way at the bottom of my list is because while there are standout tracks that I have had on repeat (the Gaga signature sounding Abracadabra, followed by experimental bops Disease, Garden of Eden, Vanish Into You, and Zombieboy) as a fully realized album on the level of Born This Way and The Fame Monster, I felt quality-wise the songs weren't there for me. I will say this -- the Mayhem Ball makes the less-inspired songs easier to digest.

10. Demi Lovato - It's Not That Deep

I will admit I'm not a really big Demi Lovato fan. Quite frankly I've never really resonated with Demi's music (except for powerhouse songs like Heart Attack, Sorry Not Sorry, Cool For The Summer and Confident) because I've had the same frustration with her a I have with Miley Cyrus. They experiment with so many genres, but once you listen to the finished product it doen't feel autheitic to them.

However, after listening to It's Not That Deep, I will admit that the former Disney star collaborating with Zhone (Kesha, Troye Sivan, Charli XCX) on a full-fledged dance album feels like Demi has found the sound that fits perfectly with her vocal range (without having to actually show off as a powerhouse singer).

It's also good to see her stop taking herself so seriously, let her guard down and have a little fun. You can be deep in the lyrics and subject matter, but when the music isn't fun to listen to, why would the consumer invest the time to go on that miserable journey with you?

In a recent interview with Zane Lowe she said that she wants to create more music in this genre, and in my opinion it's the best decision regarding her career she's made in a long time.

Honorable Mentions:

Tate McCrae - So Close To What

Clipse - Let God Sort Em Out

Tyler, The Creator - Don't Tap The Glass

Kali Uchis - SIncerely

Rose Gray - Louder Please

Sophie Ellis Bextor - Perimenopop

Addison Rae - Addison

Lilly Allen - West End Girl

Doja Cat - Vie