My Top 10 Albums Of 2025

 
Metal Metal Metal. Its the hard and heavy dominating this years top five. Commentary on old habits or a lack of diversity? Probably the later but in general, It hasn't felt like that great of year in the realm of popular music. Not many big names with big or successful records, so my list easily gives way to my personal preference for niche Ambience adjacent pleasures. Big shout out to C418 for making a big return with Wanderstop. A massive soundtrack with lots his distinct magic to enjoy. Great stuff!

(10) Trevor Something "The Anima" (2025) link

Sneaking in with a late entry, I feel like Trevor managed to hit a superb vibe with these songs. Some obvious influences converging into an indulgent space. Boosted by a couple of infectious earworms, I've found myself returning to its best numbers often.


(9) Gelure "Inner Sanctum" (2025) link

Highly anticipated, this did not disappoint. One of the finer Dungeon Synth artists, this continuous expanse into Fantasy, Medieval and Atmosphere plays masterfully. A compliment to the existing catalog, whilst tip toeing into Black Metal with a grandiose conclusion to the record.

(8) Old Sorcery "The Escapist" (2025) link

A similar sentiment to our other Dungeon Synth adjacent entry above, another master of craft, Old Sorcery delivers another solid entry to a remarkable catalog of genius music. Diverse and adventurous, its runtime a transformation to another realm. Its nice to see them continue this glorious craft.


(7) Yagya "Vor" (2025) link

A banging return to form, Yagya delivers on their iconic icy Icelandic downtempo beats. Vor executes this unique approach to chilled out electronic music with a soothing calm and mystic energy to wrap one up in its melty magic. Its two halves may have some conceptuality behind them but the end result plays like one continuous spell of tranquility.

(6) Krusseldorf "Mushroom World" (2025) link

Our first new artist on the list, this chance discovery of Krusseldorf landed a fresh record in my lap. Mushroom World is as strange and bizarre as its cover suggests. Another spellbinding Downtempo adjacent exploration of curious electronics aesthetics with Jazzy melodies. An engrossing if often subdued other worldly atmosphere to immerse within.

(5) Soul Blind "Red Sky Mourning" (2025) link

The only other new discovery, a late entry that hit so hard and swiftly I'd be tempted to throw it higher up the list. Full of banging riffs, 90s Grunge and Groove, Soul Blind take nostalgic influences and express them through a voice they can call their own! On analysis, Red Sky Mourning is quite the moody affair, a balance where the effectiveness of its break out riffs masks the continual burdensome tone.


(4) Deftones "Private Music" (2025) link

Their best effort since Koi No Yokan, Deftones capitalize on a resurgence in popularity with this masterful production, a craft built of decades of experience. Armed by this stunning aesthetic, their typical set of ideas and motifs meld with brief moments of experimentation on a powerful record that has really stuck around compared to the momentary excitement of their last couple of albums.


(3) IGORRR "Amen" (2025) link

Having evolved from an eccentric musician melding an eclectic range of time spanning genres, IGORRR's evolution as a band continues to impress with another banger. Refining production and composing, its another step in the right direction yielding moments of intrigue among great songwriting and hard hitting groves of brutality.


(2) Turnstile "Never Enough" (2025) link

Never Enough's prominence in this list has been bolstered by an unforgettable show at Ally Pally. One of the best gigs I've ever been really cemented my connection to these songs. Turnstile dial up subtlety here, not hitting one over the head with its underlying power, the riffs rock steady and melodies charm. Padded out by dreamy synth interludes that offer a respite. It all clicks into place when you hear it live. That build up and suspense between songs works so well and made me appreciate this aspect of the record even more.


Ghost "Skeletá" (2025) link

What can I say? This band just know how to craft songs I adore. A step off their peak, Skeletá almost feels like a greatest hits as its numbers run through many of their now classic motifs. Its all executed with a mastery a decade of song writing will offer. The touches of 80s Ballad and 70s Rock worm well into record. A familiar warmth I still can't get over. Despite being criticised by some, Ghost are yet to dull for me.

Soul Blind "Feel It All Around" (2022)

 

Stepping back from the metallic grungy raptures of Red Sky Mourning, Feel It All Around plays rather unsurprisingly like its natural predecessor. With less bombast, more shoegaze, fewer grooves and added wallow, the initial shift in intensity ends up churning out a similar emotive tone. Soul Blind have a unique voice emanating through influences from the foundations of well executed songwriting fundamentals.

Similar comparisons to Alice In Chains and the broader Grunge and Alternative Metal scenes can be drawn but within this chapter, their focus turns to dreary downtrodden revelry. Moody, sombre affairs flirting with with both a glum dark and momentary light as chunky power chords inject rhythm between bluesy shoegazing indulgences.

Slower in pace, less theatrical in nature, its songs roll one into the next, each feeling cohesive as its muddy wall of guitar groaning doesn't venture to far from home. Stuck In A Loop and Everyday play as brighter sparks on the journey. Its three closing tracks show the bands hand somewhat. Lead guitar boldly echo The Smashing Pumpkins. Its execution is timely, a fond reminder of the 90s in which these vibes originated.

Rating: 8/10

Soul Blind "Red Sky Mourning" (2025)

 

I can't recall the last time I took to a record so swiftly. That's high praise considering my perpetual binging of its ten tracks has yet to dull. Opening up with a classy replica of late Alice In Chains, crunchy guitar grooves and that distinct harmonious singing kicks off a ceaseless run of moody, downtrodden aggressive goodness. With originality absent and familiarities running a mental list of possible mentions, Soul Blind's songwriting speaks volumes. A firm command of atmosphere and momentum seamlessly swings between hazy washes of bluesy grievance and rapturous head banging energy. Tracks tear through by on this engrossing fuzzy guitar noise, with splurges of Shoegaze melody, finding slick pivots into thudding romps of mammoth guitar groove. Sludgy, metallic, grungy and thunderous upon its arrival.

Ultimately, the aforementioned similarities seem skin deep, as emerging through obvious influences emerges a voice shaped to its own expression. Soul Blind house ill emotions. Frustration, sorrow, sadness and melancholy brood within to be exhaled through spurts of channeled aggression. The big riffs are memorable but its magic comes from the moody ruminations between. Early on the record plays these sways within tightly tuned songs. As it grows, more light is given to its aesthetic indulgence, the bluesy side, resulting in some beautifully sullen numbers like its title track. This dynamic keeps the record emotional and engaging till its final note. Its very hard to pick a favorite track, I want to play the whole thing front to back every time!

Rating: 9/10