#IMPicks: The Best of 2025

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2025 was a great year for music, where rising stars made a big impression and returning greats delivered some of their best work. We got our writers together to decide who was the best of the year, providing great rock, R’n’B, rap, and more. Let us see what Jon Chew, Kloe Paton, Thomas Atkinson, and Emily Teague picked as the best of the best!

Jon Chew (Writer)

Best Songs

10: caroline FT. Caroline Polachek – Tell me I never knew that

Together with Caroline Polachek, the brilliant English rock collective caroline, pings a beautiful ballad across this year’s universe of experimental rock. All these voices swerve through and with one another like petals floating in a vessel of trumpets and electric guitars. They sound born for union, culminating in the constant refrain of “It always has been / It always will be.”, that is passed from one unrecognisable auto-tuned singer to another.

Buy the track here.

9: The Beths – Mother, Pray For Me

Simplicity is the only ingredient necessary in this potent meditation on broken filial relationships. New Zealand band, The Beths, takes a few unembellished chords and the piercing confessions of lead vocalist Elizabeth Stokes, birthing an emotional powerhouse. None of the rawness is drowned in sentimentality, as they wrap this nakedness in the soft, constant warmth of a tender organ.

Buy the track here.

8: NMIXX – High Horse

No K-pop group had a higher-quality output this year than the six-member NMIXX. Known for their genre-smashing and vocal stylings, there were many standouts from their debut album ‘Blue Valentine’. But it’s ‘High Horse’, off their EP ‘Fe3O4: FORWARD’, that holistically showcased their entrancing gifts. A more tranquil song than usual K-pop fare, the girl group bounces between a restful piano, an infectious breakbeat, and their soaring vocals to give fans a surprising trip-pop smash.

7: james K – Play

New York producer and electronic musician Jamie Krasner, better known by her moniker james K, conjures up a masterpiece of dream pop in ‘Play’. Off her third album ‘Friend’, Krasner’s falsetto alternates between the wispy and the pulsating, and the interplay of the synth and guitar creates an irresistible language of chilled-out love.

Buy the track here.

6: Bon Iver – Everything Is Peaceful Love

Everything in the world is decidedly not peaceful, but for four minutes, you actually believe Justin Vernon. Channeling his inner Prince, Vernon lets loose on his surprisingly upbeat fifth album ‘SABLE, fABLE’. Instead of brooding in the woods, the band lets out a welcoming woof to the world in this anthem of hope. The hook is catchy and ascendant, and its lead brings in a team of synths and percussion that envelops us in a joyous embrace.

Buy the track here.

5: Wolf Alice – The Sofa

Just sit back and enjoy luxury lounge music from London-based rock stars Wolf Alice. My pick as the best song of Q3 this year, lead vocalist Ellie Rowsell waxes and wanes in gorgeous style about taking a break on the proverbial sofa, accepting all the states we find ourselves in. “I can be happy, I can be sad / I can be a b***h when I am mad.” is one of the proverbs Rowsell and her bandmates dole out with Fleetwood Mac-like craft and grace. ‘The Sofa’ builds to a crescendo, swooping into a symphony of violins, cellos, and the lead’s expansive soprano, that occupies all nooks and crannies of your imagination.

Buy the track here.

4: Quadeca – GODSTAINED

Quadeca’s growth from rapper to conceptual musical artist has been breathtaking, with this year’s release, ‘Vanisher, Horizon Scraper’, representing his latest virtuosic sculpture. In ‘GODSTAINED’, he starts with almost flamenco guitar strumming that manifests a languid vibe. The track’s search for meaning in the image of a message in a bottle is embedded within layers of soulful harmonies and woodwinds that are punctuated by a piercing flute. Quadeca then inserts himself through a signature rap in the end, tying all these loose ends up in one of the year’s smoothest, most intricate bows.

3: Maruja – Look Down On Us

My pick for song of Q2 this year was this ferocious outburst from the Mancunian jazz-rock foursome, Maruja. Off their excellent debut, ‘Pain to Power’, the band throws a glorious middle finger to the institutions that have failed us. This is a 10-minute punk rock epic that includes two sax solos and swells of grit and grime as lead vocalist Harry Wilkinson uncages rage and reason in equal measure. It is, however, the middle interlude where Joe Carroll’s saxophone takes us beyond the fight and into an intermission of grace.

Buy the track here.

2: Ambrose Akinmusrie – muffled screams

At 15 minutes, ‘muffled screams’, I admit, has more similarities to a short film than a song. But in the hands of American trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire, this was one of my most beloved musical trips of the year. Akinmusire blended jazz, classical music, and hip-hop in his exquisite album ‘honey from a winter stone’, and there was no better display of his immense talents than on this song.

Prompted by a near-death experience, this artist gives his trumpet a voice that at times mourns, other times soothes. The track moves through episodic moments with jazz-y freedom, with the Mivos Quartet using their violin and cellos like conjunctions. But the song truly soars on the poetic improvisation of Kokayi, who raps, spars, and works with the melodic stylings around him with the dexterity and dash of a capoeira dancer. All together, this isn’t escapist jolt, but a sound bath of healing.

Buy the track here.

1: Anna von Hausswolff – Struggle with the Beast

This year, I’ve found myself wanting music that was ambitious, raw, communal. I wanted artists to be part astronaut and part soul-driller, both reaching for the stars and plumbing the depths of despair. None exemplified this tension better than this track off the Swedish composer’s epic sixth album, ‘ICONOCLASTS’. The whole collection is filled with lengthy rock diatribes, but ‘Struggle with the Beast’ stands as my favourite.

Inspired by a friend’s bout with psychosis, von Hausswolff knits chaos together like the genius seamstress she is. For the first three-and-a-half minutes, instruments such as a saxophone, guitars, thrashing drums, and Anna’s signature pipe organ are carefully stitched into a throbbing, foreboding soundtrack. She then spins like a banshee within her own machine, telling the tale of a person going mad with lines like,
“People are dying while I’m playing dead / I’m f****d up in my head.”. This is before everything crashes
into one another in a jazz-rock-induced fever nightmare. In ‘Struggle with the Beast’, the point isn’t to win, but to gather like a tribe hallucinating around a fire built for the gods. To surrender in this manner, this year, was yearned-for bliss.

Buy the track here.

Best Albums

10: Hesse Kassel – La Brea

Rock is back, everyone says! That is true, but have you heard it in Spanish? Chilean art-rock band, Hesse Kassel, came out of nowhere with their roof-bursting, piano-led, prog-rock wonder ‘La Brea’. Much of their appeal comes from charismatic front man, Renatto Olivares, who alternates between pensive sing-speak, guttural growling, and freeform saxophone-playing, when he’s not at the mic. Tracks like ‘Postparto’ and ‘Anova’ live out nine different lives in one song, and in something like the closer ‘Yo La Tengo’, the band shows they are able to churn out proper doom and gloom ambience. At its best, this feels like a group of mates in the basement jamming with bravado.

Buy the album here.

9: For Those I Love – Carving The Stone

Irish spoken-word poet David Balfe has never shied away from splaying out loss and grief into a multi-layered, auditory effigy. In ‘Carving The Stone’, Balfe trains all his angst on Dublin, his beloved hometown. On ‘No Quiet’, for instance, a throbbing bass interplays with a sample from traditional Irish folk singer, Neilí Ní Dhomhnaill, creating a modern-day ode to working-class exploitation. Meanwhile, ‘This Is Not The Place I Belong’ resembles a tempestuous electronica chant, where “I do my work / I stay involved / I pay my rent / Pray for a god.” is repeated alongside lyrical gems like “In bed with technofeudalism / Long past the dead old heads of brutalism.” There’s beauty in the dying, majesty in the scattered remains.

Buy the album here.

8: McKinley Dixon – Magic, Alive!

Virginia rapper McKinley Dixon employs his genius layering of instrumentation, wordplay, and craft to shoot the breeze and tell the story of three friends exploring life after the death of another. ‘Magic, Alive!’ is the triumphant declaration of the child within, and a tapestry that reveals more textures with each listen. From the indefinable ‘Sugar Water’, featuring Quelle Chris and Anjimile, to the bombastic ‘Recitatif’, there’s more power packed inside these 35 minutes than in most lifetimes.

Buy the album here.

7: Samia – Bloodless

If Emily Dickinson picked up a guitar and a twang, she wouldn’t stray too far from what Samia fashions in the lyrical, luminous ‘Bloodless’. The American folk-pop chanteuse swirls some fantastic melodies around observations about losing oneself, friendships, and a hold on the world. ‘Carousel’ treads softly before launching into a maelstrom of bashing drums and acoustics. Meanwhile, ‘Proof’ is simultaneously delicate and yet so deliciously catty, as she plucks the guitar while crooning “You don’t know me b***h.”. This artist continues to draw from the lineage of artists like Rilo Kiley and Sheryl Crow, but her third album arrives with a new ooze of charisma.

Buy the album here.

6: Heartworms – Glutton For Punishment

Step into the spotlight, Jojo Orme. The London-based musician made one of the year’s boldest debuts, under her moniker, Heartworms, with ‘Glutton For Punishment’, a multi-faceted crawl through the muck and mire of life. It’s as if Orme threw in potions filled with gothic-rock, girl-punk, distorted electric guitars, and reverbs into a witchy cauldron and made some magic. ‘Just To Ask A Dance’ is grandiose in its driving beats and slinky in its lead’s PJ Harvey-like vocal weaving. Yet in tracks like ‘Mad Catch’ and ‘Jacked’, this artist somehow also adds a groovy accessibility to all the dark proceedings. In 37 minutes, Heartworms punches you in the stomach, and you gasp for more.

Buy the album here.

5: These New Puritans – Crooked Wing

This is your invitation to step into the year’s most ethereal, holiest of grounds built by the Barnett twins from Southend-On-Sea. ‘Crooked Wing’, the band’s fifth album, is an exquisite chamber of music, one where hymns are held with as much mournfulness as reverence. ‘Bells’ literally employs church bells that reverberate through a town to create a soundscape of organ drones and laments that conjure the very best of Sigur Rós. The duo then flip into something urgent like ‘A Season In Hell’, a driving track that apparently uses two pipe organs and two hundred drums to disturbing effect. This record is a dense paradise of sound that lives in the heart long after the final ache-filled note.

Buy the album here.

4: Saya Grey – SAYA

How does one put a label on what Canadian-Japanese singer-songwriter Saya Gray does on her sophomore effort, ‘SAYA’? In Gray’s exploration of heartbreak, she used everything from folk and art-pop to electronica, patching together her version of surrealist wallpaper. In ‘SHELL ( OF A MAN )’, a pedal steel guitar and a harp lend a country swing to this musician’s goodbye to her love. That same artist then spins around and makes ‘H.B.W’, a smoky and hypnotic dream-pop song that gives you tons of Portishead energy. In others, like ‘PUDDLE ( OF ME )‘ and ‘..THUS IS WHY ( I DON’T SPRING 4 LOVE )’, Gray injects moments of rock and synth-pop to produce all-out bangers. No album this year had a collection of songs that defied description more, and as experiments go, this one altered my chemistry on every listen.

Buy the album here.

3: Water From Your Eyes – It’s a Beautiful Place

Get knocked off your seat with this inventive, deliciously out-of-sorts hammer from New York-based indie band, Water From Your Eyes. Formed by duo Rachel Brown and Nate Amos, ‘It’s a Beautiful Place’ is like throwing paint at the wall and seeing the splashes of colour dance like fireworks upon a night sky. ‘Life Signs’ is a delirious balls-to-the-wall stick of punk dynamite, electric guitars smashing through disenchantment with an adolescent bravado. ‘Nights in Armor’ dares detractors to “Fight me, I’m on fire.” with a one-two, bass-electronic guitar riff that rearranges your insides in the best of ways. In the album highlight, ‘Playing Classics’, Brown spitfires in a sing-speak, nonchalant manner over Amos’ club-house beat, before settling down to some bare-bones finger-plucking goodness. This is raucous, rollicking art that works.

Buy the album here.

2: ROSALÍA – LUX

At first listen, I’ll admit, I didn’t fully get ‘LUX‘. But Spanish singer ROSALÍA herself tells us to treat this album as a long-lost map to unfound treasure — at first pass, you may not get the saintly landmarks or the 13 languages used, and feel like calling off the search. It was during a second listen of the soaring ‘Mio Cristo Piange Diamanti’ that the scales fell off my eyes. This artist’s fourth LP is the new Bible of our generation, representing a piece of musical text worthy to be worshipped for generations. She has wrapped three years of intense study around a freshly brewed blend of classical music and pop, both never sounding so new in such expert hands. There are too many jaw-dropping moments to choose from, from the iconic entrance of Björk in the jolting lead single ‘Berghain’, to the swagger of the sneering ‘Porcelana’. By the stunning finale ‘Magnolias’, where a choir swells in unison and offers a divine exit, you’re either somewhere down on your knees or staring in gratitude at the heavens.

Buy the album here.

1: Dijon – Baby

Baltimore-bred multi-hyphenate Dijon Duenas has spent most of his career as a producer, breathing life into artists like Mk.gee, Bon Iver, and (especially this year) Justin Bieber. Dijon now aims for the stars with his sophomore release, ‘Baby’. It’s not an exaggeration to say that he has somehow fused the sounds of Prince, Frank Ocean, and even young Michael Jackson, to channel a catharsis rarely seen in this arena. This release slowly reveals itself to be both the fearless output of a genre-agnostic whizkid and a wrestling father who’s putting his newborn front and centre. In sleek tracks like ‘Yamaha’ and ‘Kindalove’, this artist borrows from 1990s R&B to present a cool cat at home prowling in alleyways or inside smoke-filled cocktail lounges. In others, like the magnificent ‘my man’, Dijon lets his rasp go wild, grabbing and biting onto every bar and lyric as he wrestles with the legacy of his own dad. ‘Baby’ is epochal, taking
every fiber of an artist’s spirit and transforming it into a composition of transcendence.

Buy the album here.

Kloe Paton (Editor)

Best Songs

10: Wolf Alice – The Sofa

Beautiful production and arrangement, lush emotional vocals, and a concept of accepting comfort and routine; no wonder this song is universally adored. In the context of the rest of the album, this track by the Londoners stands out. It feels very different from the other songs, sandwiched between more upbeat records. This song is reflective and mature, exactly what I love about this artist.

9: PinkPantheress – Illegal

This song won me over on first listen. It took me a while to get on board with PinkPantheress’s sound, but this addictive, short single is a real treat. There’s something sadistic about her lyrics here, layered over a nostalgic, early-2000s garage vibe. 

Buy the track here.

8: Olivia Dean – So Easy (To Fall In Love)

It’s so easy to fall in love with this song. Sorry, I had to.

2025 was Olivia Dean’s breakout year, and I’m so glad she’s finally getting the recognition she deserves. Her single releases in the run-up to her album release, ‘The Art of Loving’, were practically perfect in every way. Whilst ‘Man I Need’ tends to be the fan favourite, alongside ‘Nice To Each Other’ as a cut the critics love, it’s ’So Easy’ that has the ultimate replay value for me. 

Buy the track.

7: Turnstile – SEEIN’ STARS

This is a dreamy, shimmering hit of genre-blurring confidence. TURNSTILE’s album, ‘NEVER ENOUGH’, completely captured me this year, despite never having listened to them before. This track feels uplifting and euphoric. It doesn’t feel too hardcore, which means almost any music fan can enjoy it.

Buy the track here.

6: Tyler, The Creator – Ring Ring Ring

Ever get the feeling you just want to be left alone and throw your mobile phone away? Same. I’m glad this artist feels similarly, as his fame and expectations from others pile up, resulting in emotional overload. This is classic Tyler, endlessly quotable with a supremely addictive hook.

Buy the track here.

5: Mark Ronson & RAYE – Suzanne

This is a musical masterclass from two greats. It feels almost like an ode to ‘Valerie’ by Mark and Amy Winehouse in many ways, with a similarly impressive vocal delivery, enticing lyricism, and top-notch production. RAYE manages to untangle complicated relationships and how she feels about them in such a poignant way, highlighting the push and pull of desire. It’s emotionally resonant, sonically irresistible, and is my favourite song from the singer this year.

Buy the track here.

4: SAILORR – POOKIE’S REQUIEM

I wanted to give some love to SAILORR, as I feel 2025 has been her breakout year. This alt-R&B singer has rightfully gone viral with earwormy tracks, with this single being her true ‘breakout’ moment. On ‘POOKIE’S REQUIEM’, the singer pairs her smoky vocals with hip-hop elements that made musical magic, and received much commercial and critical acclaim. Furthermore, a remix with Summer Walker didn’t hurt either, as she quickly became an up-and-comer to watch. This was solidified for me when I delved into her playful debut mixtape, ‘FROM FLORIDA’S FINEST’, very recently, and I was very impressed.

Buy the original track or the remix.

3: CMAT – Take A Sexy Picture Of Me

Catchy hooks, tongue-in-cheek lyrics, and a perfect balance of self-assurance and vulnerability are what make me love CMAT so much. I’m very late to the party with loving the Irish musician, but better late than never. This is my favourite track off her album ‘EURO-COUNTRY‘, as it explores body image, seeking validation, and toxic thought spirals. Perfect.

2: Fred again.., Skepta, and Plaqueboymax – Victory Lap

This is the song of the summer, in my opinion. I remember the first time this came through the speakers on the radio, and I was completely transfixed. It still sounds as fresh and riotous as my first listen, despite it being played everywhere. Skepta is incredible, and his collaborations with Fred again.. are reminding the world of that.

Buy the track here.

1: Bad Bunny – DtMF

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve played this record, it’s that good. Whenever I needed a pick-me-up, I put on Bad Bunny’s ‘DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS‘, his sixth solo studio album. It simply sounds like summer, and snapping pics with your friends on holiday. It’s a simple reminder to take more photos of your friends and your life, and not to rely on memories. This LP reminds me to live life to the fullest.

Best Albums

10: Mac Miller – Balloonerism

I am usually wary of posthumous albums, but I was never truly concerned about this. I knew that this was a practically completed piece of work just waiting in the vault of Mac Miller’s estate, and I was simply glad it got to see the light of day. This was the album ‘GO:OD AM‘ was going to be, but his label thought it was too avant-garde. Whilst I absolutely adore that LP and am glad it came out, ‘Balloonerism‘ feels like a special gift from the afterlife. 

Buy the album here.

9: Saba and No ID – From The Private Collection of Saba and No ID

Earlier in the year, I gushed over how much I love this album in my album review, and not much has changed. The windy-city duo delivers a diversified display of Saba’s lyrical skill, with nostalgic production and fire features. These are two masters of their craft at work. ‘Westside Bound Pt. 4’ still blows me away, while ‘How to Impress God’ feels no less poetic than it did on first listen.

Buy the album here.

8: JID – God Does Like Ugly

JID’s fourth studio effort, ‘God Does Like Ugly’, is a strong addition to the master lyricist’s discography. Whilst I prefer the first half of the album to the second, it is still miles ahead of many other rap records I’ve indulged in this year. With plenty of guest appearances, including EARTHGANG and 6LACK, the rapper drops this southern trap-inspired release. His track, ‘WRK’, is one of this artist’s best songs to date.

Buy the album here.

7: Miley Cyrus – Something Beautiful

In what I consider to be Miley’s best work to date, I urge every pop fan to delve into this ambitious record with indie rock influences throughout. Tracks such as ‘Every Girl You’ve Ever Loved‘ will speak to you if you like ‘Midnight Sky‘ Miley, alongside a ballad to blow you away in the form of ‘More to Lose‘. Centered on healing and existential themes, I think this is a soaring effort in the form of her ninth studio release. 

Buy the album here.

6: Dave – The Boy Who Played the Harp

You can read about how much I love this album in the album review I wrote here, but I would simply like to reiterate how essential Dave is to British music. Personal favourites include ‘Chapter 16‘, featuring Kano, and the profound and playful ‘My 27th Birthday’. 

Buy the album here.

5: Kokoroko – Tuff Times Never Last

I’m delighted to have discovered Kokoroko this year. This group is a breath of fresh air, with a jazz sound that weaves in Afrobeat and soul. There is a joyful spirit to every track on this album, and it transforms struggle into healing rhythms filled with real instrumentation that warms your heart. This is an LP that anybody, at any age, can enjoy.

Buy the album here.

4: ROSALÍA – LUX

Barcelona-born ROSALÍA has recently dropped a jaw-dropping album that is like nothing else out there. This is a radical departure from her previous works, as she brings together the London Symphony Orchestra to create an operatic ode to spirituality. It’s an LP that explores love and femininity, weaving different languages throughout, which makes it premium global pop. It’s no wonder this record has received global critical acclaim, as it is offering a radically different side of pop that feels momentous. 

3: Little Simz – Lotus

Little Simz never misses a step. Her newest album, ‘Lotus’, as the name suggests, is a musical rebirth. The MC is blooming into a new era of her life, with unparalleled strength and intentionality. On these tracks, she speaks on difficult relationships and reminds us that hurting and healing can co-exist. This feels like a record of renewal; it’s calm, cool, and collected with some exceptional bars. 

Buy the album here.

2: Jim Legxacy – black british music (2025)

It has been a breakout year for young Jim Legxacy. He is one of the most exciting up-and-coming rappers in a long time, and I particularly commend his blend of rap, R&B, and lo-fi influences. On first listen, what made this mixtape so great was that you never knew where the next song would take you. He manages to make a record full of influences from many different corners of music without making it disjointed. Rather, he has created an ambitious, polished, yet DIY sounding project that is the making of a future superstar.

Buy the mixtape here.

1: Clipse – Let God Sort Em Out

The best album of 2025, in my opinion, goes to Clipse. The Virginian brothers made a long-awaited return with their trademark grit paired with lush, inventive soundscapes. This has been applauded for its emotional range and bold vision, which resulted in multiple Grammy nominations, including ‘Album of the Year’. The most impressive part of this record for me is not only its quality tracks but its standout individual performances from both Pusha T and Malice. Bar for bar, this is essential listening for any rap fan.

Buy the album here.

Emily Teague (Editor)

Best Songs

10: The Last Dinner Party – This is the Killer Speaking

It felt only right to include this song by The Last Dinner Party, which I got the privilege of seeing live at Y-Not Festival in July. I’m really enjoying what I’ve heard from their latest album, ‘From The Pyre‘. I think they’re starting to delve further into an array of influences. For example, I enjoy the country aspects of this track.

9: Bad Milk Blood Robot – Humanity (The Herd)

This song is one that takes the listener on an immense journey. I chose it for its dystopian feel and themes, which deal with loyalty and hope. This song opens their album ‘A EYE‘, which is worth a listen from front to back. These are great musicians with a great story to tell. 

Buy the track here.

8: Fuel Injection – White Light

Whilst Fuel Injection only released the one song, it became one of my anthems of 2025. From hosting the release party to seeing pretty much every live rendition, I certainly lived it. It’s well-crafted with great musicianship throughout. Tracks like this one definitely demonstrate the power of up-and-coming artists. 

7: Luke Spiller – The Ending Is Always The Same

The Struts frontman, Luke Spiller, dropped a catchy and bright track earlier this year. Spiller has an amazing voice, which makes every track he’s on feel grand and powerful. This was definitely one of my biggest earworms at the beginning of the year. Bonus points for Noel Fielding featuring in the music video.

6: Megadeth – I Don’t Care

The second single from Megadeth’s upcoming final release is another hard hitter. Whilst the lyricism isn’t some of their best, and has received many a joke online, there are some great qualities to this track. One is that I think the verses are catchy. After a couple of listens, I found them sticking in my head. It’s also yet another example of some incredible guitar work. Wouldn’t expect anything less at this point. 

Buy the track here.

5: South Arcade – Supermodels

This band has consistently impressed me with their unique sound, which draws inspiration from pop punk. ‘Supermodels‘ is one from earlier in the year, which feels poignant in light of the ever-increasing success of this band. With lyrics that discuss fame, it feels like a nice representation of the group and how far they have come. 

Buy the track here.

4: Mac DeMarco – Holy

This song has been one of my biggest earworms of the year. It is catchy without being annoying, as well as gentle and insightful. The whole album is filled with great songs, but something about this one really caught my eye from the first listen. It feels personal and gentle with the great lyricism I’ve always loved from Mac DeMarco.

Buy the track here.

3: Megadeth – Tipping Point

Whilst I’m extremely sad to see the final chapter of one of my favourite bands unfold, I’m so far very pleased with it. ‘Tipping Point‘ feels like a song the band would’ve released at their prime. The guitar work is exceptional as always, and the energy is high. Their final album is sure to be one to look forward to.

Buy the track here.

2: Hayley Williams – Discovery Channel

This specific track instantly caught my attention when listening to Hayley Williams’ new record. There’s an atmosphere to it that feels melancholic and almost nostalgic. The clear reference to Bloodhound Gang’s ‘The Bad Touch‘ is interesting. It takes this upbeat and humorous song in a completely new direction. It also reminds me of Nine Inch Nails’ ‘Hurt‘ with the way the acoustic guitar feels eerie. Certainly, this is an interesting track that clearly pulls from the nineties. 

Buy the track here.

1: Limp Bizkit – Making Love to Morgan Wallen

As a huge Limp Bizkit fan, I can’t say I’m surprised this has been my favourite release of the year. As their first release since their 2021 album, ‘STILL SUCKS‘, it wouldn’t have been a shock to see them take their music in a new direction. However, I’m thrilled they didn’t. Their spin on nu-metal has always been my favourite. The outro especially feels straight from their prime and has only built my anticipation for further releases. 

Best Albums

10: The Cure – Mixes Of A Lost World

I found this remix album of their 2024 record ‘Songs Of A Lost World‘ to be more interesting than the original release. It felt like a collaborative art project that saw the likes of Orbital and Mogwai able to collaborate on the songs. I felt the original release was quite bleak, whereas this LP helped bring it to life and feel more full.

Buy the album here.

9: The Wombats – Oh! The Ocean

The Wombats are a band that captured the hearts of indie kids all over the country back in the mid 2000’s. Yet, they’re still creating an interesting sound to this day. I like how they don’t rely on sounding the same as they did at the beginning of their career. They pull from influences that have come since and are able to create genuinely enjoyable indie rock.

Buy the album here.

8: The Last Dinner Party – From The Pyre

Whilst I admittedly haven’t got round to listening to this album front to back, I felt I had to include it for how much I’ve enjoyed what I have heard so far. I’ve always enjoyed the vision of this band and how carefully they craft their aesthetic, yet it was quite similar between each song earlier in their career. Moving into their latest release, it feels bigger and braver. Each track pulls from a different influence, maintaining the interesting brand identity that the band has built for themselves.

Buy the album here.

7: The Aces – Gold Star Baby

The Aces dropped an interesting LP back in August, which transports the listener right back to the peak of disco. The intro is instantly immersive and sets up the album to be a great listen. Having said that, I did enjoy the fact that it doesn’t rely on the concept of being a seventies or disco-themed record. A lot of tracks, such as ‘I’m Sweet (I’m Mean)‘, feel influenced by fresh and current pop music. 

Buy the album here.

6: Little Simz – Lotus

I’ve always sporadically enjoyed Little Simz since seeing her open for Gorillaz back in 2017. However, this album has quite a few tracks I’ve returned to throughout the year. Most often it’ll be ‘Free‘ or ‘Lotus‘. Simz consistently uses great samples and crafts her songs to perfection; it’s one of the reasons I keep returning to listen to her latest work.

5: ALT BLK ERA – Rave Immortal

This duo thoroughly impressed me near the beginning of the year. Their LP ties together so many genres, and I couldn’t help but be reminded of Enter Shikari. It’s a high-energy crossover of metal and drum and bass, something that works flawlessly. Let’s hope they continue to keep making innovative and enjoyable music.

Buy the album here.

4: Twenty One Pilots – Breach

My highlight of this album has got to be how it ended the epic storyline that Twenty One Pilots have been crafting for over ten years. It’s more than a piece of music. This is an album that ties together an impressive narrative with the style the band has shifted to in recent years. 

Buy the album here.

3: Sparks – MAD!

As a long-time Sparks lover, this album was eagerly anticipated. They never fail to shock me with how creative and interesting their music is. A lot of the tracks on this record were instantly stuck in my head. I particularly enjoyed ‘Hit Me, Baby‘ and ‘JanSport Backpack‘. This release is equal parts new and innovative, whilst maintaining the flair and charm that the duo is much loved for.

Buy the album here.

2: Mac DeMarco – Guitar

Mac DeMarco’s latest effort is very much a homegrown one. With every aspect done by himself, alongside being recorded at his home, this album is personal and thought-provoking. Whilst I originally fell in love with his nod to psychedelia in his earlier efforts, I very much enjoyed this stripped-back LP. 

Buy the album here.

1: Hayley Williams – Ego Death At A Bachelorette Party

Going into this album, I expected a sound more similar to Paramore. However, Williams has a knack for proving that she has her own, independent creative flair, away from the band that shaped her public identity. There is a myriad of emotions on this record, with upbeat tracks paired alongside more insightful moments. It feels mature yet still fun and exciting. I hope that she does well in the upcoming awards season; it would be very much deserved. 

Buy the album here.

Thomas Atkinson (Editor-in-Chief)

Best Songs

10: Fred again.., Skepta, and Plaqueboymax – Victory Lap

Another song that took over the summer, this was a collaboration to remember. Fred and Skeppy gave us a very nice EP, but the song that started it all on a Plaqueboymax stream is the pick here. From the great Doechii sample to Skepta’s shoutout to Darren Aronofsky, this all falls into place. But the blending of grime and dubstep for this earworm of a production cannot be understated. A straight-up anthem.

9: Clipse FT. John Legend and Voices of Fire – The Birds Don’t Sing

Speaking of ways to start an album, this is also worth a mention. The poignant words from Pusha T and Malice on their mother’s death are powerful and have your full attention. Meanwhile, the subtle piano production allows the lyrics to take centre stage, as well as the vocals of John Legend and Voices of Fire. This duo’s return provided many great moments, but the opener is, for me, its best.

8: Sasha Keable – FEEL SOMETHING

What a way to kick off an EP! It truly has been a sensational year for The Purple List’s Sasha Keable, and this was a fantastic single. The choir vocals, the bass, and those high notes on the chorus are absolutely sensational, while the rest of the track will have your head bopping. A top-tier performance and a showcase of one of the U.K.’s biggest R’n’B stars right now.

Buy the track here.

7: PinkPantheress – Tonight

My most-played song of the year has to make the list. Part of the 2025 resurgence in bassline (the chorus goes off every time), this artist showed their ability to have fun without relying too much on a sample. The track may just be about two people looking for someone to make the first move, but it’s truly a catchy piece of dance pop. I’m sure this will stay in my rotation for years to come.

6: Lizzie Berchie – Moonlight

While great music and Lizzie Berchie are pretty synonymous at this point, it was the shortest track on her new EP that had most of my attention. ‘Moonlight‘ just has an aura and hold on you from the get-go, whether the lovely piano playing or our lead’s gorgeous vocals. A true expression of passion and joy, this will bring a smile to all those who hear it.

5: Mac Miller – Rick’s Piano

While ‘Funny Papers‘ was my original choice from this record, ‘Rick’s Piano‘ is, for now, the best of ‘Balloonerism‘. The depressing piano is used expertly, as it matches Mac’s mournful delivery that reflects on what may be to come. Considering what happened to this artist, it lends to the sadness of hearing this track, particularly words like “What does death feel like?“. A truly sad moment that reminds you of the artist we lost.

4: Blood Orange FT. The Durutti Column, Tariq Al-Sabir, Caroline Polachek, and Daniel Caesar – The Field

The perfect song for a walk in nature, I feel like I’ve banged on about this track since I first heard it, but for good reason. Everyone brings their A-game vocally on this tranquil but personal reflection on letting someone go. Furthermore, the liquid drum’n’bass production and use of strings are fantastic, allowing this track of a few words to shine. A lovely piece of music, whatever the occasion.

3: Little Simz FT. Wretch 32 and Cashh – Blood

Simz and Wretch know how to make a tune together, and this was no exception. A look into a brother-sister relationship and their gripes and likes for one another, while reflecting on their own insecurities, makes for an engaging listen. It must also be said Cashh delivers on the chorus, and Miles Clinton James’ production, which uses an echoing choir, is a great touch. A great back-and-forth that highlights why they are two of this country’s great wordsmiths.

Buy the track here.

2: Dave FT. Nicole Blakk – Fairchild

Take your pick when it comes to this LP, but my choice is going to be the most important moment on the record. Dave is no stranger to speaking up on the abuse women receive in society, but this track is expertly and appropriately written, reflecting on both himself and men in general. Nicole Blakk is great here with an important delivery and message, to remind the listener of the fears of being a woman in society. Many people needed to hear this track, and how great it is musically is just an extra.

Buy the track here.

1: Kae Tempest – Breathe

I went into great detail in Q3 for my love of this song, but everything here has you sitting down and just taking it in. This artist’s performance and words not only capture your full attention but remind you of what a talented poet they are. The melancholic music of Fraser T. Smith is equally as poignant, the perfect backing sound to this personal tale of this artist’s journey. This is spoken word at its finest.

Buy the track here.

Best Albums

10: Rochelle Jordan – Through The Wall

Blending dance music and R’n’B seamlessly, ‘Through The Wall‘ is a great record for dancing to and for when the dancing concludes. Jordan knows how to write catchy hits with seductive performances, which, whatever the beat, sell her message. Whether the confidence of ‘Ladida‘, the wavey moving-on anthem, ‘Get It Off‘, or the bassy, ‘Close 2 Me‘, it is non-stop hits. I may have gotten to this a bit later than most, but this is still a 2025 highlight.

Buy the album here.

9: Jacob Alon – In Limerance

Now a BRIT Critic’s Choice winner, 2026 is set to be a great year for Jacob Alon, but this album was very special. Having come to this LP after a Mercury Prize nomination, I was impressed by Alon’s beautiful singing and mesmerising songwriting. With tales of love, childhood, and whimsy, this artist takes you to so many places, keeping you hooked each time. I can’t wait to see what is next, but for now, go on a walk through nature and let this soundtrack the moment.

Buy the album here.

8: ROSALÍA – LUX

Having shone for years, this artist is finally having their mainstream moment, and deservedly so. What makes this a standout is ROSALÍA’s exceptional singing range, but also the musicality. The strings and orchestration throughout used against her pop sound are a sign of an artist who is a musician’s favourite. Inspired by female saints, the record takes you on a journey of love, oneself, and holiness. This is artistic greatness and an artist pushing themselves creatively, which is exactly what we want.

7: Blood Orange – Essex Honey

What makes this such a great record is not only Dev Hynes’ lovely, yet melancholic vocals, but the rawness of his words. This is an artist who has gone through it, and whether simply saying, “I don’t want to be here anymore.” on ‘Thinking Clean‘ or referencing his last Christmas with his mother on ‘The Last of England‘, he showcases his ability to grip at the listener’s emotion. The production uses guitars, strings, and everything in between to display this, while reaching a somewhat more optimistic conclusion. The use of guests here is top-notch and adds to this deep and personal listen on loss, ageing, and dealing with depression.

Buy the album here.

6: Clipse – Let God Sort Em Out

The reunion that was adored by most rap fans, Pusha T and Malice, showcased that their chemistry never went away. Trading bars on their past and the loss of their parents, this is a mature LP that shows that while they went on different paths, the brotherhood remains. Pharrell’s production also stands out and is one of the album’s best elements. Truly a worthy contender for Album of the Year, and one of hip-hop’s best comeback stories.

5: Jim Legxacy – black british music (2025)

The second mixtape from this artist that doesn’t fit one genre is truly a special and poignant moment. Jim blends U.K. underground, Afropop, indie rock, and more, whilst telling his story of struggle, loss, and trying to find love. ‘’06 Wayne Rooney‘ is nostalgic and an earworm, yet tragic and full of sorrow, while ‘3x‘ featuring Dave showcases this artist’s love for Black British music, while continuing the project’s themes. A truly special record that showcases this artist as a person, as well as their influences from the past.

4: CMAT – EURO-COUNTRY

Speaking of Mercury Prize nominees who are top-tier songwriters, what an album CMAT gave us this year. Showing growth as a person, while blending country and pop to create catchy and insightful hits, this was a journey of a record. ‘Take A Sexy Picture Of Me‘ rightfully broke her into the mainstream, but ‘EURO-COUNTRY‘ reflected on identity crisis, and the moody closer, ‘Janis Joplining‘ is this artist at her best. I’m left wondering what artistic heights this singer can continue to reach.

Buy the album here.

3: Kae Tempest – Self Titled

I’ve always admired this poet’s words and thoughts on themselves and the society we live in, but ‘Self Titled‘ is for me their best work thus far. Outside of ‘Breathe‘, ‘I Stand On The Line‘ is a battle cry of an opener, while ‘Sunshine On Catford‘ is a tranquil ode to love. Fraser T. Smith’s production is impactful and meets the moment, whatever topic Kae is discussing. A record that needs more discussion, make sure to play this from front to back.

Buy the album here.

2: Little Simz – Lotus

The consistency of this artist shows that this rapper should be in the top 5 conversations when it comes to the U.K. While I still think ‘SIMBI‘ is her best, ‘Lotus‘ isn’t far behind, showing the post-Inflo era is a continuation of great music. Starting with a diss track on ‘Thief‘ was sensational, ‘Peace‘ is a captivating experience from Simz, Moses Sumney, and Miraa May, and you already know my love for ‘Blood‘. An album of healing and learning, and as insightful as you inspect, Little Simz’s run continues

1: Dave – The Boy Who Played the Harp

Every time this man releases a new album, it is a moment, and that was certainly the case with ‘The Boy Who Played the Harp‘. In some of his most mature and introspective songwriting, Dave really questions who he is and gives deep criticism of what he sees in society. I’ve already highlighted ‘Fairchild‘, but whether his chat with Kano on ‘Chapter 16‘, his hit with Tems, ‘Raindance‘, or ‘My 27th Birthday‘, this rapper meets the moment. While musically it does follow a similar formula to before (although the likes of Fraser T. Smith, James Blake, and Jim Legxacy do their thing), this is Dave at his best, and my favourite of the year.

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