Best Music of 2025... So Far

As of July 4, country star, Morgan Wallen has the best-selling album of the year. His fourth studio album I'm the Problem (2025) had debut sales that beat the record set this year by The Weeknd with Hurry Up Tomorrow (2025). Wallen also beat Bad Bunny in terms of the fact that Wallen's album has been number-one atop the Billboard 200 charts for six, consecutive weeks.  Bad Bunny's album Debí Tirar Más Fotos (2025) was only number-one for four, non-consecutive weeks. Bad Bunny did leave more of a lasting impression with his sexy, Calvin Klein ad photos. His Debí Tirar Más Fotos not surprising did better in international markets than Wallen.

However, when it comes to Billboard's Hot 100, Kendrick Lamar is leading the way with being at number-one for 14 non-consecutive weeks with two different songs. Lamar performed at Super Bowl LIX during the halftime show where the Philadelphia Eagles won. He also won the most trophies than anybody at the 67th Grammy Awards where he picked up Record of the Year and Song of the Year. His hit track "Not Like Us" became number-one again in late February. His single "Luther" with SZA is what made a true mark on the charts. "Luther" is the fourth single from Lamar's GNX (2024) and "Luther" spent 13 consecutive weeks at number-one.

Another single to make a dent in that regard is "Die with a Smile" by Laga Gaga and Bruno Mars off of Gaga's album Mayhem (2025). It topped the charts for five, non-consecutive weeks, nowhere near close to Lamar and SZA. As a result of Lamar's dominance, not a lot of other artists could rise. The only other notable single this past year was "Ordinary" by Alex Warren, a social media star who made a name for himself on YouTube and TikTok. "Ordinary" is the lead from his album You'll Be Alright, Kid (2025). Warren is Catholic and is much influenced by worship music.

One artist who couldn't crack the number-one sport is Benson Boone. However, he came close when his sophomore album American Heart was released at the end of June and was listed as number-two. His most successful song is "Beautiful Things." It was the lead single from his debut album in 2024, but even that song could never get any higher on the overall chart than number-two. Yet, it was certified quintuple platinum, which made it one of the best-selling singles of last year. Boone gained popularity through TikTok and that following is serving him well. If you look at the Top 40 songs on the Billboard Hot 100, Boone has three tracks on that chart, including "Sorry I'm Here for Someone Else" and "Mystical Magical." Wallen has the most tracks on that list, but Boone is clearly a rising star to watch.

I'm not a music expert and it's difficult for me to find a lot of new music. However, there were 25 albums that came onto my radar that I wanted to make note. Separating some of these albums into various categories is sometimes a fool's errand. A lot of them blur genres, but I did my best to divide them into the five major music styles as I could. All of them could angle to make it to my final favorite list by the end of the year. These are favorites so far.

Best Country / Folk

PLUS ONE by The War and Treaty
WORTHY by Anderson East
WITH TRAMPLED BY TURTLES by Alan Sparhawk
AUTOMATIC by The Lumineers
MEDICINE by Grace Potter
NATURAL LIGHT by Dan Mangan

Best Rock / Alternative

LOWER by Benjamin Booker
THEE BLACK BOLTZ by Tunde Adebimpe
HORROR by Bartees Strange
IS by My Morning Jacket
2 by Foxwarren

Best Pop / Electronic

LUCIUS by Lucius
SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL by Miley Cyrus

Best R&B / Soul

SINCERELY, by Kali Uchis
I FORGIVE YOU by Cynthia Erivo
MELANCHRONICA by Bas & the Hics
IN THE BLUE LIGHT by Kelela

Best Rap / Hip Hop

ALL AMERICAN F*CKBOY by Duckwrth
FESTIVAL SEASON by Saint Jhn
BLUSH by Kevin Abstract
MAGIC, ALIVE! by McKinley Dixon
ENOCH by Goldlink
12 [mixtape] by Westside Gunn
LOTUS by Little Simz
LIST OF DEMANDS by Damon Locks

Best Individual Song from Non-Listed Album

"I Lied to You" by Miles Caton from 'Sinners'
"Never Felt Better" by Everything Is Recorded
"Ride or Die" by Arcade Fire
"The Water's Fine" by Bonnie "Prince" Billy
"Archangel" by Olly Alexander
"Baby" by Basia Bulat
"Don't Wanna Cry" by Selena Gomez
"Glory" by Perfume Genius