The best debut albums of 2025 no matter which genre you love

You’d expect Grammy nominees for Best New Artist to have impressive first albums, but that’s often not the case. Surprisingly, out of the eight nominees this year, only three actually released their debut album in 2025.

In 2023, Olivia Dean was a rising artist with the release of her album, Messy. Lola Young, known for her song “Messy” (which is different from Dean’s album and song of the same name), released her third album in 2025. The Marias’ debut album came out in 2021, and Katseye hasn’t released a full album yet – only EPs.

While three of the nominees did release their first albums in 2025, none of them made it onto my list of the best. Actually, I thought Leon Thomas had the strongest album of all the nominees, but it came out in 2024 – and it wasn’t even his first album; it was his second.

The best debut albums of 2025

When searching for impressive first albums, don’t pay much attention to Grammy winners in the ‘new artist’ category. The Recording Academy’s definition of ‘new’ is often unclear and doesn’t reliably identify truly promising debuts.

But never fear, I’ve found ten great ones – true debuts – for your listening enjoyment.

We’re doing things differently this year. Instead of just picking ten albums, we’re going to select albums from ten different music genres. Although, since I tend to prefer punk and alternative rock, I’ve broken down the ‘rock’ genre into a few subcategories – and some of those might overlap a little.

I really pushed myself this year to explore more kinds of music, and wow, I discovered some amazing stuff! So, here are my ten favorite debut albums from 2025 – not in any specific order, just the ones that really stood out to me…

POP

Jessica Winter – My First Album

Winter’s debut album moves away from typical upbeat pop and instead offers a collection of beautifully detailed and catchy songs. The first track, “Nirvana,” uses instruments like bells, saxophone, and even a digitally created sitar to hint at the artist’s ambitious sound. “L.O.V.E.” is a clever and dramatic pop song, and “Aftersun” is a delicate yet powerful ballad.

On songs like “All I Ever Wanted” and “Wannabe,” Winter explores a blend of grunge pop and dreamy folk-pop. What’s impressive is her knack for creating pop music that feels fresh and current without simply copying today’s biggest stars.

R&B

Coco Jones – Why Not More

I’ve been following Nia Jones for a while now, and she’s already released a good amount of music before this official album. Her 2022 EP, What I Didn’t Tell You, even got her nominated for a ‘best new artist’ award last year! Honestly, comparing her to artists just starting out feels a bit off, but that’s the music industry for you – it’s never a level playing field. But putting that aside, this album is just… timeless. It feels like something you can listen to forever.

The songs are excellent, and her performance elevates them even further. Like many great R&B singers, she effortlessly blends a relaxed vibe with intense emotion. She nails this balance on the song “Thang 4 U,” and her acting skills help her bring the emotional intensity to tracks like “Here We Go (Uh-Oh).”

Afrobeats

Qing Madi – I am the Blueprint

It’s debatable whether Qing Madi’s first album fits neatly into the afrobeats genre. While it blends elements of American soul and hip hop with about half a dozen other styles, the underlying beats clearly reflect her Nigerian roots, even if they’re a bit slower-paced. Tracks like “Akanchawa” create a dramatic, relaxed mood, and songs like “Damn it All” and “Gimme Your Love” feature lively guitar work, all of which pushes musical boundaries. The song “Goosebumps” is energetic and captivating, living up to its name.

Alt Rock

Rory – Restoration

We’re starting with the first of our general music categories, and it’s a bit unclear where some artists fit. Rory, for example, could be considered alternative rock – it certainly sounds that way to me. The opening track, “if pain could talk, what would it say,” starts with industrial sounds, then shifts into a dreamy, almost childlike melody, before building into a powerful, energetic rap.

The album generally follows a predictable pattern, but it still allows for creative exploration. For example, the song “Wolves” features a sharp, pop sound where Rory, a British artist, seems inspired by the iconic Irish singer, Delores O’Riordan.

The album also includes influences from artists like Kate Bush and Leonard Cohen, alongside energetic pop punk tracks like the catchy “Sorry I’m Late.” While the lyrics explore a difficult history, the overall sound remains upbeat and hopeful.

Dance

Ninajirachi – I Love My Computer

Nina Wilson, an Australian DJ, had already released several EPs and a well-received mixtape before her 25th birthday. However, her debut studio album marked a significant leap forward in her career. It’s a unique blend of danceable rhythms that appeals to a broad audience, even those who aren’t typically fans of dance music, and still features plenty of excellent dance tracks.

I think what’s really cool is that this music has grown beyond just being something you listen to in a club. The album feels like it’s all about how we live online, and it’s more than just catchy tunes. It actually says something about our digital lives and the whole culture around it – it’s thoughtful, not just about getting you to dance.

Future historians studying culture might remember the song “Fk My Computer,” particularly the line “I wanna fk my computer – ‘Cause no one in the world knows me better,” as a key reflection of life in the early 2000s. It captures a feeling of deep connection with technology and a sense of isolation from other people.

Pop Punk

Humour – Learning Greek

I’ve been really into Humour, this band from Scotland, lately. They’re amazing because they can switch between really heavy, almost nu-metal sounds and then instantly jump into super catchy, melodic pop punk. Honestly, sometimes they remind me of what Linkin’ Park was doing. It’s kind of wild how they blend so many different styles, but somehow the album still feels really solid and put-together. Andreas Christodoulidis and the rest of the band really pull it off!

It’s hard to categorize this music – calling it pop punk doesn’t quite feel right, but I’m not sure what else to call it. ‘Avant-punk’ sounds a bit pretentious, honestly. If you can find a catchy, pop sensibility even in a song like ‘Die Rich,’ then the ‘pop punk’ label might work, I guess.

Hip-hop

John Glacier – Like a Ribbon

As people began planning celebrations for hip hop’s 50th anniversary a few years ago, many wondered if the genre’s popularity was fading. This was a similar concern rock and roll fans had around the year 2000, after rock music had lost its place as the most popular music around.

Hip hop remains a huge commercial success, but its artistic originality is being questioned. Many up-and-coming artists sound very similar to the pioneers of rap, essentially recreating what’s already been done. However, there are still innovators who build on the genre’s history while also bringing fresh perspectives and sounds to the table.

Honestly, billy woods is just on another level. But John Glacier is right up there with him – this UK artist is doing some seriously innovative stuff with the genre. His track “Emotions” reminds me of early MIA with that detached vibe, while “Home” is this awesome, gritty rock-rap song that honestly feels like a really cool, modern love song. And the last track, “Nobody,”? It leaves you thinking – is it a sad ending, or the start of something new? It’s powerful stuff.

Rock

HotWax – Hot Shock

I’m highlighting the band HotWax from East Sussex as my pick for a classic rock sound, although they could also be considered alternative. Guitarist Tallulah Sim-Savage often plays with a timeless style, and songs like “She’s Got a Problem” and “Wanna Be a Doll” would fit perfectly into any era of rock music.

They can definitely play in the style of bands like Nirvana, as heard on songs like “In Her Bedroom,” and they also deliver energetic, punk-influenced tracks like “Hard Goodbye.” But at its core, it’s still just good old rock and roll.

Country

Cameron Whitcomb – The Hard Way

Although female country artists are increasingly breaking through in a traditionally male-dominated genre, 2025 also brought a wave of fresh male singers who offered a more thoughtful and experimental sound than typically expected from male country artists.

Josh Ross is developing a strong, modern country sound, and Ty Myers writes lyrics that feel surprisingly insightful for his age. However, Whitcomb really hits the sweet spot – he combines classic country elements with a clever, pop-influenced style, similar to what you might hear from Noah Kahan.

The album’s title song is a timeless anthem, but Whitcomb really shines on tracks like “Fragile,” where he effortlessly blends country and soul with genuine feeling. He’s equally comfortable playing energetic acoustic rock, as on “Quitter,” or a modern, soulful take on country music, like in “Pretty Little.”

Punk

Lambrini Girls – Who Let the Dogs Out

This album is a standout for me this year, and one song was my favorite rock track. It’s full of raw energy and frustration, and it really speaks to the challenges women face today.

Nearly all of their songs, like “Ctoglogy” and “Big Dk Energy,” focus heavily on sexual themes. “Company Culture” is so fitting it could be used for new employee training at major corporations.

2025-12-16 14:01