This was another noteworthy year for the best rock music. Some artists followed a debut with a stunning second LP and mainstays showed a return to form or evolved.
The best global music albums represent ten especially powerful examples of musical communion from the past year that defy the frictional fictions of borders.
The future of the genre lies in places where it’s less insular and more artistically adventurous. The 20 best jazz albums are outstanding examples of that impulse.
This year has been particularly exciting for experimental music, ranging from free-form guitar freak-outs to lush, ambient, always pushing boundaries.
A certain group of animated demon slayers supercharged interest in what has already been a banner year for the genre. These are the best k-pop songs of 2025.
This year has delivered an embarrassment of riches, from traditional masterworks to forward-thinking madness. These are the best metal albums of 2025.
The best punk ranges from pop-leaning emo to potent noise, shoegaze, and hardcore to Revolution Summer-inspired politically minded blasts of righteous anger.
The 70 best albums of 2025 offer sublime music as major artists return with new work and brilliant new sounds bubble up from the underground and worldwide.
