crow's top albums of the year

This year has been a crazy and turbulent one. Music wise, it was fucking great. So many amazing projects dropped this year. It was such a pleasure to discover some of these great albums and new artists. As it is my job as a certified music nerd, the top albums list at the end of the year is a must. Instead of a Top 10, I want to make two seperate Top 5 lists: Top 5 albums to drop this year and Top 5 albums I just discovered this year! Sometimes you're just late to the party but thats okay. These are of course my own veeeery limited experiences, thats why I would like to hear which albums have moved you the most this year that I should be definitely checking out! But without further ado, lets dive into it shall we?

TOP 5 ALBUMS RELEASED IN 2025

5: KAYTRANADA - Ain't No Damn Way

Just a year removed from his acclaimed 2024 release "Timeless" Canadian DJ and Producer KAYTRANADA hit me with a surprise release! Ain't No Damn Way dropped without much promotion building up to it but it struck me from the first second that I embarked on this journey. KAYTRANADA's music has been a part of my life for about 7 years now and all of his albums featuring great guest vocalists like for example Kali Uchis and just recently PinkPantheress  have produced some true bangers, but it was truly refreshing for him to lean more into his instrumental prowess. Ain't No Damn Way is his first real solo album featuring only vocal chops from samples. This collection of groovy tunes that are a colourful blend of RnB, Neo-Soul and House made me shhmmmooove this year. If you are up for a laid back and good time, this album is for you.

Favourite Tracks: SPACE INVADER, backstABS, DONT WORRY BABE / I GOT U BABE

4: Anttonias - Anttonias

The self titled debut record of Chilean up-and-coming band Anttonias was riiiiight up my alley! This dreamy and emotional alternative rock project is a clear callback to the sound of the mid 2000s. Anttonias' lead vocalist delivers a stellar performance, her voice reminds me a lot of boâ. If you dig 2000s alt rock, they will be your new favourite band for sure!

Favourite Tracks: Atado a tu sentimiento, Dulces corazones, Alma animal

3: Puzzle - Damage Collection!

Post Punk is alive and well! Puzzle is my new find of the year for sure. I was aware of The Garden but never knew their frontman had a solo project which absolutely bangs. Spacious instrumentation meets the driving and rugged flair of post punk, paired with striking and poetic lyrics that sometimes caress your ears and sometimes get barked towards you. What a fun listen!

Favourite Tracks: Clash, Conviction In Color, Psycho Fest

2: james K - Friend

Trip Hop is alive and well, too! james K dropped a great projects this year after a little hiatus and she delivered sooo much. I loved her from her collaborations with Yves Tumor and followed her closely ever since. Friend is a very personal record that you can really feel pulling you in with each passing song. Her genre-bending is second to none, she is genuinely my favourite producer at the moment. And while the instrumentation is touching and so immensely gorgeous, the song writing delivers some truly heartwarming and gut wrenching moments alike. This is an experience that must be felt.

Favourite Tracks: Blinkmoth (July Mix), N'Balmed, Play

1: FKA Twigs - EUSEXUA Afterglow

Hey hey hey!! Don’t boo me for not putting the original EUSEXUA on here its a very close 6th place!! I don’t know if it is the recency bias speaking, but EUSEXUA Afterglow has hit me harder than any album this year. This is a gorgeous experience through and through and Twigs showed me once again why she is so dear to my heart. This album is a journey through so many different styles and genres while always feeling cohesive and flowing so well. It was a good year for all Twigs fans and if you haven’t heard both of these AMAZING records, do so right now!

Favourite Tracks: Slushy, Sushi, Stereo Boy

TOP 5 ALBUMS I DISCOVERED THIS YEAR

5: boâ - Twilight (2001)

How I have missed out on boâ all of this time is beyond me. Twilight is banger central and by the 5th or 6th listen i couldn’t help myself but to sing my heart out everytime I put this record on. I was put onto this record by a person that is very close to my heart but unfortunately not in my life anymore. This piece of musical memory will carry the sweet taste of good times with it forever tho. What a lovely album and amazing band. If you have neither heard of band nor album, I GUARANTEE you, you know the track 'Duvet'!

Favourite Tracks: Twilight, Elephant, Duvet

4: Puzzle - X Hail (2019)

Yeah, yeah, double Puzzle mention - sue me! I freaking love this dude. The second half of 2025 was all puzzle for me. My first impression of him was 'Loose Cannon' and the album it was on was this exact one. And it only got better going forward. Puzzle did not miss once on this record, it is jam packed with energy and amazing production. I couldn’t help but to jump through my apartment like a rouge bouncing ball every time this record played.

Favourite Tracks: Loose Cannon, I've Been Shot, Disappear

3: Weyes Blood - And In The Darkness, Hearts Aglow (2022)

My dear friend F. recommended this album to me. I love her to death, she knows me so well. During a very low point in my year, this record was a true beacon of light and life. If you are in search of an album, that feels like an understanding embrace after a rough week, seek no further. There are no other words I can use to describe this other than: bury me beneath the soundwaves and watch me melt into the sky.

Favourite Tracks: Its Not Just Me, Its Everybody, God Turn Me Into A Flower, Twin Flame

2: The Cranberries - Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We? (1993)

I am MOST DEFINITELY late to the The Cranberries party but I am so glad that I have arrived after all. Of course I was aware of this bands existence and some songs I have heard, but I have never explored their back catalogue. It is full of beautiful tunes that moved my body and my soul alike. This album has been on repeat for months and it never ever gets boring just once. They really let it linger, did they?

Favourite Tracks: I Still Do, Sunday, Linger

1: Fontaines DC - Skinty Fia (2022)

Staying on the beautiful Island of Éire, we get to my ABSOLUTE favorite album this year. Skinty Fia is a great post-punk-ish alt rock album that features some of the most heartfelt tunes and freaking bangers that have crossed my eardrums all year. Their energy is unmatched and their vibe is simply great. The band is a bunch of sweet and absolutely amazing people too so its a double win! Skinty Fia has moved me incredibly much, inspired some poems of mine and practically lives in my rotation. Jackie Down The Line is also the greatest song I have heard this year.

Favourite Tracks: Big Shot, Jackie Down The Line, The Couple Across The Way

Thank you for reading so far!! Let me know your opinions on these humble lists and your favourite albums in the comments. Have a great start to 2026 and so much love <3