There’s been a lot of albums and EPs released in 2025 and it can be hard to narrow down the best of the bunch.
Here Vicki takes a look at some of her favourite records from 2025.
The Nightmares – Fire in Heaven
Being a fan of The Nightmares, I was excited to hear their new album. The album was a good sequel to their debut, while also being original and varied. Each member of the band had a chance to show off their talent, and it remains a no-skip album now.
Air Drawn Daggers – A Guide for Apparitions
‘DIY sound’ and ‘masterpiece’ are rarely put together but were on the review I gave A Guide for Apparitions. There was a good month where I listened to this album repeatedly. I’d never heard Air Drawn Daggers before, and the mixture of sounds and fluidity of genre really drew me in, along with the gothic imagery used within the lyrics.
Slung – In Ways
Again, having never heard Slung, In Waves was a perfect introduction. Reading the description I was given; I was a little worried as there was such a variety of inspiration. I came into the review thinking it’d be a little all over the place, but it was mostly tidy and thought-through, right down to the very last note. It gave a wondrous sense of nostalgia that floated through a range of emotion.
5 Seconds of Summer – Everyone’s a Star
As a huge fan of 5SOS, Everyone’s a Star is perfect album. It’s a big mixture of old sound and new. It’s self-aware, and (yet another) album full of variety. It was released with ‘member’ albums, which contained extra tracks, and it really showed how each member has their own writing style, and how that blends within the band’s music. Although I don’t think each track will be no-skip once the novelty’s wears off, I still thinks it’s a lot of fun. There are songs that make me feel at the top of the world, and some that feel like rock bottom (intentionally). Of course, it is the sadder songs that have become my favourite.
Halestorm – Everest
My album of the year by far. The soundtrack to my 2025. It’s occurred to me this year that I may be a bigger fan of Halestorm than I thought. There is constantly an Everest track stuck in my head, and my excitement was only increased by attending the nEVEREST tour. I joked that I need this album injecting into me, but at this rate…was it a joke?
I love a theatrical album, and that’s what Everest is. It’s also portraying a variety of emotion through diverse sounds. Even the tracks I’d call filler are good, as I’ve said in my review, they just felt like they’d be on a different album.
HONOURABLE MENTION!
Deadlands – SEVEN
It is cheeky to include, being an EP and not an album, but SEVEN has stuck with me throughout the year. I enjoyed the concept, or self-challenge, to write a song inspired by each of the deadly sins. It’s a no-skip EP, with each song bringing something new to the table. It was also a good mixture of heavy and melodic, with smooth transitions between track and segment.