Top 5 of 2025

Written by KayleeSerenada

Being part of a new family means being part of new traditions. This year, I was invited by my Uncle Dan to participate in his tradition of making an end-of-year top 5 list - on any topic - to share with the family.

This was refreshing to hear. I've become burnt out by the automated "Year in Review" tracks littering my social feed, with their sugar rush visuals reminding us which content it wanted us to have this year...even if it includes the month I binged Enya's Greatest Hits while studying...

A human touch to the event is a welcome change. Plus, I'll take any excuse to talk about my favorite music - so here are the top 5 albums I listened to this year!

BlackCat's Top 5 Albums of 2025

  1. "Willoughby Tucker, I'll Always Love You" by Ethel Cain (2025) utilizes slow sub-60 BPM melodies and long atmospheric tracks in a haunting concept album of love, struggle, and identity in the Dust Bowl era. I keep coming back to this album month after month. If I could recommend one track, it would be "Nettles."
  2. "Wallsocket" by underscores (2023) who stitches disparate genres and eclectic samples into a hyperpop noise blanket. It took me a minute to warm up to her eclectic sound and sudden turns, but now I can't get enough. If I could recommend one track, it would be "Locals (Girls Like Us)."
  3. "Essex Honey" by Blood Orange (2025) was a great surprise this year from an artist who has been singing and producing independently and for film for over a decade. Essex Honey offers a slice of life concept narrated through a pop/R&B mix with emphasis on piano and string moments throughout, exercised with practiced musicianship. If I could recommend one track, it would be "Look At You."
  4. "Necessary Fictions" by GoGoPenguin (2025) is the newest release from the group which showcases a luscious acoustic upright bass among complex electronic rhytms and harmonies. Made me feel like I was listening to APP's "I, Robot" again for the first time. If I could recommend one track, it would be "Umbra."
  5. "Never Enough" by Turnstile (2025) was a huge hit this summer for their brash juxtaposition of rock rhythms and hardcore vocals with downright relaxing ambient melodies and pop tracks, each track inspired by the context of its predecessor. If I could recommend one track, it would be "LOOK OUT FOR ME."

The next 2 are honorable mentions who made it to the page, but got knocked out of my Top 5:

  • "Nusantara Beat" self-titled (2025) brings a fusion of polynesian rhythms and blues/rock themes together for their first album.

  • "Instant Holograms on Metal Film" by Stereolab (2025) pulls a warm 70s sound standard from the archives to reimagine it in a modern pop format.