THE BEST ALBUMS 2025 HAD TO OFFER

This is peak Taylor, taking fans on a transformative journey from romantic tragedy culminating in a celebration of life and love.

- With JAMES CABOOTER

Closer in spirit to Red, she hones her pop skills to perfection on Opalite while Jackson 5-infused Wood must have made other half Travis Kelce blush. This Showgirl deserves many encores.

CMAT

EURO-COUNTRY

Now armed with the songs to match her tatent, this feels like a career-defining moment for Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson.

Combining musical versatility with heart-on-sleeve authenticity, she lets the beautiful songs do the hard work.

There's lyrical adventure at every turn, embracing humour to tackle identity, grief, global economics and even poor Jamie Oliver.

LAUFEY

A MATTER OF TIME

The Icelandic star transports you back to the golden era of Hollywood glamour, but beneath the luxurious nostalgia lurks a very modern album festering with 21st century anxieties. Her gorgeous turn of phrase ponders the futility of love, the construct of beauty and the absurdity of time. Like a warm hug, Laufey makes it all better.

ROSALIA

LUX

Part classical, part art pop, over four epic "movements" the Catalan star sings about saints and "feminine mystique" in 13 languages accompanied by the London Symphony Orchestra, and a bit of Bjork.

Lux is drenched in drama, overwhelming at times, none more so than Porcelena with its fusion of flamenco handclaps, Japanese verses and scratchy beats.

Luxuriate in Rosalia’s maximalist fantasy.

PULP