6 brilliant 2025 albums every music fan needs to hear (but probably missed)

Even though we’re well into September and looking ahead to 2025, it’s too soon to decide on the best albums of the year. While some albums are already in the running, we’re still waiting for major releases – like a new album from Taylor Swift, for example – before we can really determine the top contenders.

While Morgan Wallen’s album *I’m The Problem* has been a huge success this year, many other artists have released excellent music that’s either had some chart success or flown a little under the radar.

Just because some albums aren’t good doesn’t mean all new music is bad. In fact, there are some fantastic albums from 2025 that haven’t gotten the recognition they deserve. I’ve put together a list of six excellent 2025 releases below – they might be new to you, but they’re worth checking out.

6 brilliant 2025 albums you need to hear

Edwyn Collins – Nation Shall Speak Unto Nation

It’s remarkable that this is Edwyn Collins’ tenth solo album, especially considering how long ago his time with Orange Juice was. This new album is a deeply thoughtful and introspective work, with lyrics that occasionally allude to his past health struggles – struggles that could have stopped many artists completely. Thankfully, Collins sounds fantastic.

The album kicks off with “Knowledge,” a strong and catchy track that immediately grabs your attention. The songs throughout offer a nice mix of styles – some are spare and simple, like “The Bridge Hotel,” while others, such as “Strange Old World,” are powerfully layered and almost industrial in sound. It’s a varied and accessible album that anyone can enjoy, even if you’re not familiar with the ’80s or Phil Collins’s other work.

Divorce – Drive to Goldenhammer

Divorce is an up-and-coming band that recently released their first album in March. The album showcases the band’s diverse sound, which blends elements of indie, folk, pop, and other genres, making it hard to fit them into just one category.

The album kicks off with “Antarctica,” a song featuring smooth harmonies and a sound reminiscent of 1970s West Coast music – surprisingly, considering the band is from Nottingham, UK. While tracks like “Pill” lean towards a heavier sound, they also include gentler sections. Throughout the album, Tiger Cohen-Towell and Felix Mackenzie-Barrow deliver consistently strong and varied vocal performances.

This album is a captivating experience from start to finish. Each of the twelve songs offers something unique, keeping you guessing and engaged throughout. Definitely worth checking out!

Cardinal Black – Midnight At The Valencia

This is the second album from the Welsh band, and despite the effort it took to create and release, it feels effortless and full of fantastic songs. They’ve just finished a very successful headline tour across North America, which generated a lot of excitement and positive reactions at every show.

This new album is really enjoyable. The band has developed a unique sound, showcasing some of their best songs yet. Now a three-piece group, each member contributes significantly to their overall style. Adam Roberts provides a solid drumbeat, supporting Tom Hollister’s consistently strong vocals, while Chris Buck’s fantastic guitar work, including bluesy riffs and solos, adds another layer to the music.

This band is fantastic both live and on their album. Their energetic performances are full of passion and fun, and that same quality shines through in their recorded music. You can find a more detailed review of the band and the album from earlier this year. They’re kicking off a UK tour soon, and if you get the chance to see them perform live, don’t miss it – they’re known for putting on a great show!

Franz Ferdinand – The Human Fear

Franz Ferdinand is a well-known band, more established than many others mentioned. Their new album, released in January, feels like a fresh start. They first became popular in 2004 with their debut album and hit songs like “Take Me Out.” However, it’s been twenty years since then, and seven years since their last album, *Always Ascending*.

With *The Human Fear*, Franz Ferdinand is back with a strong album. It immediately grabs your attention, starting with the artistic opener, “Audacious,” which features echoes of 70s glam rock. Tracks like “Hooked” stand out with their sharp sound and pulsing synth beat, while “Build It Up” and “Night or Day” are classic Franz Ferdinand songs with a fresh energy.

This album feels both nostalgic and fresh. While it was generally liked when released, it didn’t become a big hit in the US. If you haven’t heard it, it’s definitely worth a listen!

Mogwai – The Bad Fire

Scottish band Mogwai has released their latest album, *The Bad Fire*, continuing their tradition of uniquely styled music. While the title translates to ‘hell’ in Scottish slang, it doesn’t mean the album is gloomy. It actually reflects personal challenges the band members have been facing, rather than a shift towards darker themes.

This album sounds like classic Mogwai – think epic, atmospheric music often found in film scores. It’s full of quiet, delicate passages that build into powerful swells of guitar and keyboards. Fans of the band will immediately recognize and appreciate it, but even if you’re new to their music, this is a great place to start and lose yourself in their immersive, mostly instrumental sound.

Mogwai is also offering a bonus for both longtime fans and new listeners in 2025. Their music works incredibly well in film and television, as demonstrated by their recent album, *The Bombing of Pan Am 103 Soundtrack*. This album accompanied a BBC documentary series about the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 and the subsequent Lockerbie disaster, providing a fantastic musical backdrop. It’s a strong album that some may have overlooked, and another great release for Mogwai in 2025.

Bon Iver – SABLE fABLE

Often, unusual fonts or excessive capitalization on an album can seem like a forced way to get noticed, or even to hide a lack of substance in the music. But that’s not the case with this release from Bon Iver. It combines the three tracks from last year’s *SABLE* EP with nine new songs called *fABLE*, creating a double album experience.

The first two songs on the album *SABLE* appear as separate tracks on streaming services – they’re listed as “…” and “THINGS BEHIND THINGS BEHIND THINGS” (notice the use of all capital letters!). However, on physical copies of the album, these two songs are combined into a single track. And honestly, you might want to avoid listening to the first twelve seconds or so of “…” with headphones – it sounds more like a jarring alarm than music.

Let’s skip the lengthy details. While Bon Iver’s *SABLE* EP showcased their indie folk roots, *fABLE* marks a clear shift in direction. It features a richer, more complex sound with a wider variety of instruments, and a noticeable influence of R&B and soul music.

The album benefits from some great collaborations, adding both variety and quality. Check out “Day One” with Dijon and Flock of Dimes, or “If Only I Could Wait” featuring Danielle Haim – they’re both highlights. This section of the album is noticeably different from the beginning of *SABLE*.

This album is excellent, and it’s not surprising it debuted at number 11 on the Billboard 200. It’s puzzling, then, that it didn’t stay popular for long. It only remained on the chart for two weeks, suggesting a lot of initial excitement from dedicated fans that quickly faded as other listeners moved on.

2025-09-16 13:01