i'm so happy to welcome everyone to...

2025 has been a bizarre and depressing year, much like last year. But this year doesn't have the highs of Cowboy Carter, Brat, Eternal Sunshine to name a few. While the main pop girls largely disappointed, it would be remiss of me to dismiss 2025 as a bad year for music. We have gotten an abundance of rich, excellent projects that offer some optimism in the grim world we find ourselves in. As the holidays approach, lets revisit another worthwhile year in music as we hope for, and fight for, more light and love in the year 2026.

This Best of 2025 thread will include the following

40 proper albums, mixtapes, compilation albums and miscellaneous projects that have made my year

40 pre-release singles or singles sent to radio that deserve much love

the artist that made my 2025 you probably have an idea of who it is but i think the write up is worth it

Edited December 27, 2025Dec 27 by worldwide angel

At #40, we have an artist that could have very well ruled my year but things change. nevertheless, it would be ludicrous to ignore her talent.

40 - NETTLES, ETHEL CAIN

<sup>Genre(s): Americana, Singer-Songwriter
Ambient Americana, Slowcore, Alt-Country

Ethel Cain is a generational talent and that does not change with her newest record. Nettles is not only an incredible song that laments the lost love and tragedy surrounding the album's namesake. That final line is gut wrenching and beautiful and speaks to her wonderful worldbuilding. I look forward to how she expands her musical universe with her future releases.</sup>

this next track was a great introduction to an otherwise underwhelming year (imo) for this visionary

39 - JRJRJR, JANE REMOVER

^{Genre(s): Digicore, Rage, Experimental Hip Hop
Industrial Hip Hop, Dark Plugg, Emo Rap}

^{I know as an Ariana stan, the hypocrisy might be glaringly obvious but I really didn't care for keyomi, bring your ass in here: the album Revengeseekerz. I think Jane operates best in genre fusion, i.e. Flash In The Pan or the recent fave Music Baby. I don't know who told them we wanted white opium trade from them. The majority of the album falls flat production wise and the lyrical content, while compelling, wasn't enough to make up for it. But JRJRJR is one of the attempts that are successful. It's so much fun to listen to.}

Edited December 20, 2025Dec 20 by worldwide angel

5 minutes ago, California said:

welcome fellow godlene stan

2 minutes ago, Kern said:

hi hiiii! i had my heaphones on indeed

1 minute ago, worldwide angel said:

39 - JRJRJR - JANE REMOVER

^{Genre(s): Digicore, Rage, Experimental Hip Hop
Industrial Hip Hop, Dark Plugg, Emo Rap}

^{I know as an Ariana stan, the hypocrisy might be glaringly obvious but I really didn't care for keyomi, bring your ass in here: the album Revengeseekerz. I think Jane operates best in genre fusion, i.e. Flash In The Pan or the recent fave Music Baby. I don't know who told them we wanted white opium trade from them. The majority of the album falls flat production wise and the lyrical content, while compelling, wasn't enough to make up for it. But JRJRJR is one of the attempts that are successful. It's so much fun to listen to.}

taste already. We are perched.

38 - REVOLVING DOOR, TINA- [TRAIN RUNS THROUGH], ehem- TATE MCRAE

^{Genre(s): Contemporary R&B, Alt-Pop, Dance-Pop
Jersey Club, Rasteirinha}

^{I actually don't mind Tate at all. In fact, I've grown to like her and So Close To What is a strong pop record that allows listeners to see, well hear, more of Tate in her music. It still feels too referential but I think its quite solid. Revolving Door is the hit that got away. It's very Songs For You era Tinashe, so she gets points for pulling from strong bodies of work. Tate pulls it off so well, from vocal delivery to the music video, I'm really eager to see what she comes up with next.}

6 minutes ago, California said:

taste already. We are perched.

why thank you

this next record is from an act that i like a lot. i got into her from her stint on a wonderful HBO coming-of-age comedy, which deserves to still be airing, and her debut album was pretty solid

37 - MAD, RENEE RAPP

<sup>Genre(s): Pop Rock, Alt-Pop
Power Pop, Indie Rock

Reneé Rapp has been in my library since her debut EP dropped and unlike most folks, I see it for her. I actually like her pop-rock stuff and I don't know if her going R&B is her best next step. While Bite Me was solid, it didn't quite reach the heights of Snow Angel. What does is the second single off of the record, a single that not only reaches the heights of Snow Angel but also the heights of latter-day P!nk hits. Do I have a middling opinion of P!nk as an artist or do I love this track that much to compare it to the flying, genre-bending showgirl herself? Listen to this and tell me what you think.</sup>

OP fixed <3

this next track is from an artist that i LOVE! and while this was technically an off year for her, this was good enough to make my list

36 - LOVER GIRL, MEGAN THEE STALLION

^{Genre(s): Dirty South, Pop Rap
Contemporary R&B, Bounce, Sissy Bounce, Snap}

<sup>As a Hottie, I'm not scared to admit that Megan has a quality control issue. But the way everyone acts like her music genuinely sucks sends me. None of the criticisms she gets really makes sense to me outside of the fact that she needs better hooks (which blows my mind because how do we go from Bigger In Texas to....Whenever, and this track to a lesser extent). But Lover Girl slams! I love that Megan is in love, the sample is perfect and I love hearing how Klay respects her, as he should! Even the "pop your ***** for your man" line went from sounding abysmal to being stuck in my head. Anyways, glad this made it into the top 40 and leaves Megan in a stronger place as we head into the new year.

also, sissy bounce as a genre on RYM is wild</sup>

this next track is from another one of my faves on an off-year, even though she really doesn't want to move on from the blockbuster she experienced last year lol

35 - HOUSE, CHARLI XCX AND JOHN CALE

^{Genre(s): Neoclassical Darkwave, Spoken Word, Film Soundtrack, Post-Industrial}

^{I think I'm gonna die in this house too girl! But I really love this track. From the haunting poetry to the way Charli moans and screams towards the end, I think this is an excellent contribution to the world of Wuthering Heights. I love when Charli screams on a track, and on here, it couldn't be any more fitting. Finn Keane needs his ass ate for this production!}

Ngl I haaaaaaaaaaaaated that Megan song... I want her to do more songs like her Spiritbox features/remixes, probably not a popular opinion though

3 minutes ago, Album Leak said:

Ngl I haaaaaaaaaaaaated that Megan song... I want her to do more songs like her Spiritbox features/remixes, probably not a popular opinion though

^{oh i loove megan's rap rock, TYG is one of her best songs}

Tate & Renee

Revolving door

Revolving Door

I think I have an idea who your artist of the year is, but let me wait and see

I see you with the Eusexua font

Music Baby coming for top 10?

2 hours ago, Hyune said:

Tate & Renee

can't wait for what they accomplish in this latter part of the decade! impressed with what they've done so far

2 hours ago, JGibson said:

Revolving door

a HIT

1 hour ago, Curaga said:

Revolving Door

I think I have an idea who your artist of the year is, but let me wait and see

we see each otha

56 minutes ago, theblackestday said:

I see you with the Eusexua font

Music Baby coming for top 10?

the queen came through this year

as for your question, you'll just have to wait and see