Top Five Album Releases of 2025

Updated Published

Reese Taylor Student Contributor, The University of Kansas

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at KU chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

In honor of Spotify Wrapped, I wanted to share my top five favorite albums of the year!

record store vinyl — Photo by Natalie Cardona from Unsplash

1. “Mayhem” by Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga repeatedly changes the world with her releases, and “Mayhem,” released in March, shows that more than ever. As a pop album, it is so traditionally loveable yet somehow different than anything you’ve ever heard. It has elements of disco and jazz that are so fun to dance and sing to. This album is genuinely perfect start to finish, from the lyrics to the mixing.

2. “Virgin” by lorde

“Virgin” was released in June and is Lorde’s fourth album. I feel like it is so unique from her earlier albums and is really a rebirth of her sound. Lorde’s lyrics are always so poignant, but her lyricism in this album is specifically amazing. I connect with a different song every time I listen to Virgin because the album is so introspective yet relatable.

3. “Who’s the Clown?” by Audrey Hobert

“Who’s the Clown?” is Audrey Hobert’s debut album released in August. This album is so 2025 and describes exactly what it’s like to be alive right now. It’s fun, groovy but also relatable. I love how the synth and horns sound throughout the album, and it is overall such a fun listen.

4. “For Melancholy Brunettes (&sad women)” by Japanese Breakfast

This album is exactly what it’s titled! Released in March, “For Melancholy Brunettes (&sad women)” is one of my favorite albums of the year because of it’s so pleasing to the ears and emotionally layered. I love Michelle Zauner’s voice and the instrumentation is really beautiful. I saw Japanese Breakfast perform this live and it was even better in person.

5. “Forever is a Feeling” by Lucy Dacus

“Forever is a Feeling” was released in March and is Lucy Dacus’ fourth album. The album as a whole is so authentic and clever. It is really inventive while sticking to her classic sound. No one is doing a prelude like Lucy Dacus and her duet with Hozier, “Bullseye,” really brought back duets in a huge way.