The Top 60 Albums of 2025 (Up to This Point…)

      At the core of CLASH is the essence of discovery. We engage in a process of mutual dialogue—an open-ended conversation that showcases the unique characteristics and listening tendencies of each team member. In this spirit, we’ve compiled a collection of notable albums (along with some mixtapes) released from January to August of this year.

      This list highlights post-breakup releases that tug at our emotions, albums by innovative rap artists that defy conventional definitions, works that offer solace or joy amid a collective sense of apathy, and pieces that poignantly reflect the revolutionary zeitgeist of our era.

      Explore this compilation of 60 albums that epitomize creativity in a vibrant year for music. To keep things concise, very recently released albums are not included but may appear in our significant Year-End list, so be sure to check back in a few months.

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      Clipse – Let God Sort Em Out

      In their comeback album, Clipse delivers abundantly. Lyrically, they maintain a delicate equilibrium; one hand reaching back to the cold brilliance of ‘Hell Hath No Fury’, and the other grasping threads of maturity, perspective, and loss experienced since their impactful split. Before ‘Lord Willin’, the Re-Up tapes, and their Grammy nomination, there was ‘Exclusive Audio Footage’, Clipse’s 1999 debut that never received proper recognition. Supported throughout by The Neptunes, their debut single ‘The Funeral’ served as a somber tribute to their struggles, crafting vivid depictions of street notoriety. We mention this to emphasize that if Clipse were overshadowed before they even got started (in both narrative and label perspectives), ‘Let God Sort Em Out’ would symbolize a rebirth and a new beginning, should they choose to carry on. If not, the album provides a conclusive end to a journey that initiated over 25 years ago. Niall Smith

      John Glacier – Like A Ribbon

      Kicking off a new chapter in her much-anticipated journey, East London rapper John Glacier presents ‘Like A Ribbon’, narrating her personal evolution from growing up in Hackney, experiencing her ascent, and confronting the related struggles and existential growth. Divided into three sections that illustrate the movements of a ribbon as it falls, flails, and revives, the album is undeniably Glacier’s most authentic work to date. From the gritty tone of the first segment, the pain in the second, to the joyous recognition of growth in the final part, it all nods to producer Kwes Darko and Glacier’s compelling storytelling. Ben Broyd

      JENNIE – Ruby

      Jennie has always been BLACKPINK’s unexpected element—a natural trendsetter, embodying both cool detachment and fiery intensity. Yet, her solo career had felt tentative until recently, almost like she was merely testing the waters. ‘Ruby’ shifts that narrative. Exploring R&B, hip-hop, alternative pop, and even acoustic sounds, ‘Ruby’ establishes her as an artist in her own right, showcasing a distinct voice. At its peak, ‘Ruby’ is an exhilarating listen that highlights Jennie’s capabilities beyond the usual credit she receives. Maria Letícia L. Gomes

      Haim – I Quit

      Following the monumental success of ‘Women In Music Pt III’, expectations soared for Haim’s follow-up, I Quit. This album adopts a more straightforward approach, delving into the challenges of relationships and breakups. It’s the most out-and-out rock record the sisters have offered since their debut, brimming with energy and determination. It demonstrates their refusal to be stagnant, producing another exceptional album that justifies the anticipation. Christopher Connor

      Bad Bunny – ‘DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS’

      In ‘DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS’, Bad Bunny makes a renewed commitment to Puerto Rico. Translated as ‘I should have taken more photos’, it constructs a bold audio representation of both Puerto Rico and the diaspora, capturing its generational intricacies. While he narrows his crossover tendencies, the album remains true to his roots—‘PIToRRO DE COCO’ offers a whirlwind experience, while the heavy bass rhythms in ‘EoO’ unleash raw reggaeton chaos.

      Featuring 17 tracks and a full hour of music, ‘DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS’ serves as a heartfelt homage to his heritage, encapsulating some of Bad Bunny’s most iconic moments. As a voice for his generation, this project brings the essence back home—concluding with the joyful exuberance of ‘LA MuDANZ’, it could very well become 2025’s first monumental success. Robin Murray

      Turnstile – Never Enough

      When Charli xcx proclaimed a Turnstile Summer at Coachella, it certainly raised expectations for the Baltimore band's fourth studio album. Eventually, Never Enough far surpassed those anticipations upon its June release—ushering the hardcore punk rockers into entirely new

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