Adam Melchor, Addison Rae, Alicia Clara, Anamanaguchi, Balu Brigada, Bartees Strange, Billie Marten, Black Country, New Road, Bon Iver, Brian Dunne, Clipse, Daniel Caesar, Dijon, Djo, Dove Ellis, flipturn, Galen Tipton & Shmu, Geese, Greg Freeman, Hannah Cohen, Jack Garratt, Jacob Collier, joan, Kat Hasty, Kokoroko, Lady Gaga, Lily Allen, Little Simz, Lola Young, Machine Girl, Mae Martin, McKinley Dixon, Mei Semones, Men I Trust, Michael Seyer, Mt. Joy, Ninajirachi, Of Monsters and Men, Oklou, Olivia Dean, Pacifica, Petey USA, Pink Pantheress, Racing Mount Pleasant, Rosalía, Ryan Cassata, Sabrina Carpenter, Sam Fender, Samia, Sharon Van Etten, sombr, Spiritbox, The Head and the Heart, The Last Dinner Party, The Warning, Viagra Boys, Violet Orlandi, Wednesday, Wolf Alice, Young Miko
On behalf of everyone at Atwood Magazine, we wish you a joyful and prosperous new year!
In 2025, albums regained their significance. They transformed from mere collections of songs into immersive worlds where one could linger – authentic chronicles influenced by real experiences, emotions, and purpose. The releases this year required our time and commitment, offering meaningful rewards in return – gradually revealing their layers or hitting us all at once, each crafted to be experienced from start to finish, revisited, and cherished. In a year often marked by fragmentation and intensity, these works provided stability – a sanctuary for reflection, understanding, and deep emotional engagement.
Across diverse genres and local scenes, musicians approached the album format with renewed dedication. Some artists brought joy and vibrancy, exemplified by Olivia Dean’s captivating The Art of Loving and Sabrina Carpenter’s defiant Man’s Best Friend. Others embraced elements of tension and disorder, such as Lady Gaga’s explosive Mayhem and Geese’s wild, untamed Getting Killed. Some records conveyed intimacy and introspection, like Dijon’s Baby or Daniel Caesar’s Son of Spergy, while others ventured outward, expansive and exploratory, including Bon Iver’s enchanting SABLE, fABLE, Sam Fender’s lively People Watching, Samia’s raw and searching Bloodless, and Djo’s intensely focused The Crux. Together, these offerings create a snapshot of a year characterized by contrasts: comfort alongside unrest, clarity amid confusion, and the coexistence of hope and sorrow.
The impact of debut albums this year was equally affirming – comprehensive statements that did not hold back, arriving with authenticity, identity, and powerful messages. Artists from various genres and backgrounds stepped boldly into the spotlight, using the album structure as a declaration instead of a trial run. From the heartfelt clarity of Alicia Clara's Nothing Dazzled and the vibrant, genre-defying mastery of Mei Semones' Animaru, to Racing Mount Pleasant’s self-titled romantic debut and the darkly cinematic self-empowerment showcased in Violet Orlandi's Birdeater, these releases demonstrated that first efforts can feel fully realized. Not to mention Dove Ellis’ late-year arrival with Blizzard, a debut so compelling and emotionally captivating that it quickly shifted the dialogue – emerging as one of the standout debuts of 2025 and a strong contender to be an Artist to Watch in 2026. Collectively, these debuts transcended mere beginnings; they served as declarations of faith – in craftsmanship, patience, and the lasting significance of the album as a platform for storytelling.
Atwood Magazine has always aimed to celebrate music across genres, communities, and lived experiences, and this year emphasized honoring albums that felt purposeful – works crafted with care, conviction, and significant messages. Ranging from grand pop anthems to deeply personal indie projects, from artists affirming their legacies to those finding their voice for the first time, these records reminded us why long-form music continues to matter. They were created not for fleeting moments or background noise – they were meant to be truly felt.
As the year concludes, our team reflected on the songs, albums, shows, and discoveries that had the most profound impact on us. Here are our top picks – the records that lingered in our hearts and minds, shaped our listening habits, accompanied our daily lives, and defined what this year felt like.
Without further delay, Atwood Magazine proudly presents our handpicked list of the Albums of the Year for 2025, in alphabetical order by artist. Let’s celebrate the contributions to the music landscape from 2025!
Mitch Mosk, Editor-in-Chief
Atwood’s 2025 Music of the Year
Click on the artist’s name to jump directly to their entry!
The Diary of Living by Adam Melchor
The title The Diary of Living possesses a quietly revolutionary quality. Rather than presenting a mere
Kylie Minogue has secured the Christmas number one spot with her track 'XMAS'. The Australian artist has swiftly climbed to the top of the charts with her latest release.
Four Tet has taken the opportunity to remix Sammy Virji's '925'. This year has been significant for the NUKG prince, as Sammy Virji released his debut album to exceptional acclaim.
Stevie Knipe shares their experience of living with cancer, expressing emotions that they previously felt unable to articulate through song. The creation of Adult Mom's candid and unfiltered fourth album, ‘Natural Causes,’ emerges as a deeply affecting work influenced by illness, resilience, and the hard-fought right to communicate openly without hastening towards closure.
ALLDAY PROJECT engages in their inaugural European interview with CLASH to talk about their self-titled debut EP, challenging stereotypes and pushing limits, and
Live performances are essential to music. They provide a venue for artists and fans to connect most intimately, serving as a stage where music, visuals, and genuine emotion come together.
Paul McCartney has acknowledged the shutdown of the German instrument maker Höfner. The company announced this week that it would be ceasing operations.
As 2025 draws to a close, Atwood Magazine honors the music that has significantly influenced our lives. Here are the top albums of the year!