Hello lovely readers! This is actually the first time I’ve written a blog post this year (yikes!) This year has been..again, yikes. But that’s not what I’m here for today. I’ll go into more detail about my year in my end of year/new year goals post I was planning on doing at the very end of the year. Today though, we’re talking music.
So, 2025 was an excellent year for new music. From beloved bands, to bands I literally only discovered this year, I have not been left wanting for incredible tunes! Needless to say, I have A LOT to say about the music I listened to, much more than merits a single social media post. So, here we are.
I listened to eleven new releases this year, and I loved every single one of them. None of them were bad. None of them made me think “..eh, it’s alright, I suppose..” No, I loved ALL of them. Because I can never just like something “a little bit”, it has to consume my very soul. Nevertheless, I will attempt to rank them. Sure, I loved them all, but some I definitely loved more than others.
How am I ranking them? I must stress that this is solely on how the music made me feel. Technicality or skill might not necessarily be a factor. A more talented musician may rank lower on the list simply because they didn’t move me as much as another musician did. So yes, this is purely based on my personal feelings. Did I hyperfixate on a certain song? Did I listen to naught but one album for five entire months straight? That sort of thing..
Anyway, without further ado, my albums of the year:
11th Place – Parasomnia by Dream Theater
This was a very highly anticipated album for me, as this was Dream Theater’s first album since welcoming back Mike Portnoy; drummer and one of the founding members. I really enjoyed this album, I definitely felt what had been missing from previous years. Technically sound and skillful as always. I had the privilege of watching the live debut of Night Terror in London last year, and the rest of the album delivers.
Favourite songs: Night Terror / Midnight Messiah
10th Place – Dan Avidan & Super Guitar Bros III by Dan Avidan & Super Guitar Bros
This is the first of three albums on this list that features Dan Avidan (he’s been a busy boy this year!) Obviously I adore this album, everything Dan touches with that voice of his is divine. Combined with the effortless acoustic guitar skills of Super Guitar Bros, this was such a joy to listen to. And that cover of Teardrop..oh my!
Favourite songs: Canned Heat / Teardrop / Ten Years Gone
9th Place – Victim 2 by A Killer’s Confession
Another album I was eager for; the second of the planned Victim Trilogy. In Victim 1, we were introduced to a vigilante serial killer, targeting wicked criminals in the name of justice. In Victim 2, his desires turn to darker shades, and he faces a crisis of conscience. This is definitely the superior of the two Victim albums, I found myself coming back to this record (especially on the bad days!)
Favourite songs: Hopeless Gray / Hollow / Heart-shaped Box / Baptized By The Fire
8th Place – Under The Covers IV by Ninja Sex Party
And the second album on the list to feature Dan Avidan! Whilst I do love NSP’s original content, there’s something about their Under The Covers albums that just hit a little different. Also this was the album that gave names to a few songs that I’ve known forever but have never known who they were by or what they were called! I’m seeing these guys next year, I hope they play some stuff off of this album.
Favourite songs: The Power of Love / Walk The Dinosaur / What a Fool Believes / Life’s What You Make it / SOS
7th Place – Idols by Yungblud
Yungblud has had an incredible year. His amazing cover of Changes at Black Sabbath’s Back To The Beginning concert has garnered him which an overwhelming increase to his fanbase. Being a Yungblud fan for years now, I feel it’s a crime that it’s taken THIS LONG for people to appreciate him! Still, better late than never. Idols is an absolute triumph of an album, I look forward to witnessing it live next year!
Favourite songs: Hello Heaven, Hello / Lovesick Lullaby / Zombie / Monday Murder / Ghosts / Fire
6th Place – Octopus by Newton Faulkner
Getting reacquainted with Newton Faulkner has been delightful! Admittedly, I only really knew his first two albums before this year, but an impromptu decision to go see him live had me speed-running the rest of his discography! And I’m so very glad I did, he was amazing live. He played some of the songs of this new album too. This was definitely a “I liked this more than I thought I would” album.
Favourite songs: What Took You So Long / Spirit Meets The Bone / You Make It Look So Easy / Don’t Make Me Beg / Gravitational
5th Place – Funny Little Fears by Damiano David
This very quickly became a comfort album for me, it fills me with so much joy when I listen to it. Very different to what Damiano does with Maneskin, a different flavour if you will. I went to see him live and he played this album in full, it was fabulous!
Favourite songs: Voices / Zombie Lady / Angel / Tango / Born With a Broken Heart / Mars / The First Time
4th Place – Prisms by Shadow Academy
And so we arrive at the third Dan Avidan album on the list! I listened to Prisms for a week straight, I couldn’t get enough of it. I feel like this album really gave us the full scope of what Dan as a singer is capable of. Gorgeous, gorgeous record!
Favourite songs: Across The Great Unknown / Icarus / One Way Mirror / Prisms / Threatener / Welcome Gemini
3rd Place – Skeleta by Ghost
As somebody who is fairly new to Ghost, this was my first time being present for a new album cycle (and a new Papa). I don’t pretend to fully understand the lore yet, but nevertheless, it was an exciting time, and again, I believe I listened to this album none stop for a week or so. I could have seen them live this year but I (stupidly!) decided against it.
Favourite songs: Peacefield / Lachryma / Satanized / Missilia Amori / Umbra
2nd Place – Mayhem by Lady Gaga
Mother Monster, how I missed you! Lady Gaga always feels like the outlier in my music tastes, and yet I devour everything she does. This was a phenomenal album; Nine Inch Nails vibes, Bowie and Prince vibes, dark/gothic disco vibes, so good. Abracadabra had a hold on me for weeks! This was very almost a perfect album, if not for that one song I have to skip because I can’t stand it..
Favourite songs: Disease / Abracadabra / Garden of Eden / Perfect Celebrity / Killah / Zombieboy / Shadow of A Man
1st Place – Even In Arcadia by Sleep Token
I only discovered Sleep Token this year, but my goodness, the absolute chokehold they’ve had over me! For MONTHS, I could not listen to anything else. I have no idea what sorcery they spin, but my brain chemistry has been altered for sure. I almost feel guilty for not knowing them sooner?? I adore them, I cannot get enough of them. When I listen to this album, I’m transported elsewhere; an entire fantasy story happens in my head!
Favourite songs: Look To Windward / Emergence / Past Self / Even In Arcadia / Provider / Infinite Baths
Honourable Mentions:
As I mentioned above, I listened to eleven NEW albums, but they weren’t all that I listened to. Upon giving Even In Arcadia a go and really enjoying it, I took it upon myself to listen to everything else Sleep Token had; the three albums in the Trilogy of Trauma (Sundowning, This Place Will Become Your Tomb, Take Me Back To Eden) their two EPs (One and Two) as well as a spattering of other singles and covers.
I literally like it all. There’s not a single Sleep Token song I dislike (again, what sorcery are they spinning??) Take Me Back To Eden has very easily earned its way into my top albums of all time. I’ve listened to it every single week since May, and the fire isn’t dying any time soon..
So, there you have it. My ranking of the albums I listened to this year. Maybe my yapping might inspire you to check out these albums, maybe there’s a chance I’ve introduced you to a musician you didn’t know of. Were there any 2025 releases that I didn’t listen to that you think I’d enjoy? I’m always open to trying to new music (for it is my ultimate therapy!)
I’ll be posting again soon, talking about the past year, and what I’m hoping for in 2026. I hope you’ll come again.
Soph, signing off!
Sophie Brookes 