#25 DIRT - ALICE IN CHAINS
This album may be one of the most tormented things I have ever listened to. Despite this it remains melodic, heavy, and proof that the best art comes from the darkest places all the way through. Wayne Staley manages to deliver the most haunting verses in the most beautiful fashion, he is probably deservedly my favorite vocalist in rock and roll. Its just an intense whirlwind of emotions all the way through, culminating in the final track, Would?. This is one of the most hauntingly beautiful songs I have had the pleasure of listening to in my life, the unraveling bassline and drum patterns giving way to the guitars and vocals in a song that perfectly encapsulates the appeal of Alice in Chains down into one track. 9/10
BIG FISH THEORY - VINCE STAPLES
#24: BIG FISH THEORY – VINCE STAPLES Vince Staples has always been a very underrated artist in my opinion, he’s never in the forefront of popularity but always on the cutting edge sonically. This album is so ahead of its time it is insane to me. Much of that is due to the production of the late great SOPHIE, but it takes her collaboration with Vince Staples that creates a truly one of a kind vibe. Vince demonstrates incredible verses, catchy choruses, and perfect curation of creative minds on this album. It feels like a party from the future, especially on songs like Party People as well as Yeah Right. Overall this album does not get enough credit in the experimental hip hop world and it is definitely a feat not to be missed. 8.5/10
#23 POST- - JEFF ROSENTSTOCK
Jeff Rosenstock is an artist that is going to be all over this list, so I figured it’d be best to begin here. Post takes a look at the aging punk and takes it in the direction of a singer songwriter album, leading to moments of self-pity (all this useless energy, TV stars) as well as the frustration that comes with being a caring person in a cruel world (Yr throat, beating my head against a wall). This all culminates in the author’s personal favorite Jeff Rosenstock ballad, 9/10. This song is pure love in the form of occupying someone’s mind. I do believe these themes are better explored on other JR albums, but considering this is the start of the list, a strong start it shall be. 8/10
#22 REVOLVER - THE BEATLES
This album is nothing short of a masterpiece, it casts such a shadow over modern music it is impossible not to feel the sheer weight of this album as the author types these words. This album is just track after track of masterpieces, theres the obvious singles such as Elanor Rigby and Love you to but the deeper down the rabbit hole you go with this album the better it gets until you are just in love with every second of the damn thing. This isn’t to even mention the recording techniques and effects used to create sounds more unique than what today’s machines could hope to produce. Truly just masters in their element going at what they do best and making one of the best art pieces of all time in the process. 10/10
#21 XXX - DANNY BROWN
In every sense of the word this album is an Odyssey to me with modern day pleasures an obstacles to overcome. I think this is because Brown opens the album feeling brash with a lot of braggadocios tracks (Die like a rockstar, Pac blood), before completely shedding everything traditional for a hip hop album and exploring tracks that feel futuristic, drug fueled, and most importantly: manic. Songs like Monopoly, Adderall Admiral, and Blunt After Blunt almost feel like peaking on a psychedelic and completely shedding any inhibition (even the important ones) in order to convey the idea that Brown is completely on top of the world in this moment. This is before the album takes another turn into somewhere much darker, its almost the comedown from that trip when you’re left with the reality of life. DNA, Nosebleeds, and Party all the time are all harrowing meditations on where addiction can leave the people that are affected by it the worst. Lastly, almost in a struggle for his own soul, Brown acknowledges the terrible things and refuses to succumb to their influence on the song 30, which I consider to be the thematic closer on this album. XXX truly is unlike any of Brown’s other albums as you would think exploring this many facets of impoverished life would be too ambitious and not work but the author believes this album’s true strength is you can listen to it, not pick up on any of this, and still leave it absolutely loving the album. This is something that has only dawned on my mind after listening to it hundreds of times. Far from Danny Brown’s masterpiece but it very well may be my personal favorite album from him. 8.5/10
#20 SREMMLIFE 2 _ RAE SREMMURD
This album is an interesting one for me because I honestly rarely care to listen to the whole album. That being said the bangers this album features near the middle are so influential to the 2010’s party rap scene that I hold so dear. Like yeah it doesn’t have any deep coherent theme or something to say as an album, but I do believe this is an improvement from Sremmlife. Additionally, it has black Beatles and having that is a tough quality to beat for other albums. Overall I’d say its worth listening to once just to figure out what songs on it you enjoy the most. 6.5/10
#19 WE COOL?- JEFF ROSENSTOCK
This album features a lot of the same themes and emotions that Post- does. Despite this album coming out earlier though, I believe the way those themes and feelings are presented are more appealing to me here, as they feel a lot more raw. Its actually kind of funny a lot of the songs on this album remind me of early weezer, which in any other context would be a bad thing but here it really works. The fuzzy low riff into an explosion of bright sound on Novelty Sweater feels especially reminiscent of the blue album. It also features Jeff at perhaps his most pathetic in Beers again all alone and The Lows (another two all timer JR songs for me). Overall even if I feel like im restating much of what I said in the Post- segment, I feel like its all done a bit better here. 8.5/10
#18 DAMN. - KENDRICK LAMAR
This is an incredibly difficult album to write about, I don’t even know where to begin honestly. If I were sorting this list based on personal significance over the year this would be a top 5 album, easily. This is Kendrick at his most spiritual for me and it made me think more about the title of this album. Given the themes, title, and further information about his life Kendrick would reveal in later album I truly believe this album is Kendrick trying to save his soul from damnation in any way he can. Certain songs like Pride and Lust feel like a confessional on how fame has corrupted this man’s soul and its tearing him apart from the inside out. Other tracks such as love, loyalty, and especially fear feel like Kendrick is facing his trauma and the way it has caused him to hurt others head on. Additionally, the songs the Feel, XXX, and Humble have almost a vehement feel to them, where Kendrick is lashing out at any that oppose him. He doesn’t attack his opponents in these tracks but rains scorn down upon them. Lastly there are the bookends of this album, Blood and Duckworth, both intimate tracks on how seemingly meaningless interactions can completely change the course of your life. Lastly there’s a refrain on this album that ties all of this together perfectly for me, and that’s the lyric “What happens on earth stays on earth, and I cant take these feelings with me, so hopefully they disperse.” This perfectly encapsulates the theme of being in a battle for your soul and having hope it will get better but knowing you’ll do what you have to do until then. This is so close to a perfect album to me it truly is immaculate how much Kendrick is just on another plane of writing. 9.5/10
#17 THE POST TRAUMATIC MANIFESTO - WEEVILDOING
I don’t know nearly as much about making a Vocaloid album as I do most other genres but trusted sources have informed me that this album is very impressive on that front as well. Where this album really appeals to me is in its writing and the concept of it all. As this album is written by a transgender woman I think using the concept of personifying different negative aspects of life into different women is very unique and covers a lot of different mental struggles through many different perspectives. It’s very unique and I really like it, all the songs are catchy as hell to boot. This album, though not my favorite of all these albums it is the one I recommend most if you haven’t listened to it. 9/10
#16 THE GREAT MILENKO - INSANE CLOWN POSSE
So much to my embarrassment, I went through an icp phase earlier this year and this was the second most listened to album by then. If you look at it in a vacuum it very much makes sense to me, I love Detroit rap and this is just that with clowns. I honestly will talk about my feelings about this group much later on, as there’s another album I like significantly more than this one. 6.5/10
#15 GET RICH OR DIE TRYING - 50 CENT
This album is some of the most essential gangster rap ever recorded, more than anything else this album is overwhelmingly tough. 50’s entire persona of being the toughest guy in rap becomes a lot more credible when its coming from a man who was shot nine times and survived. Despite all that though its not as intense as someone like say dmx who is all aggro, this album has so many catchy songs back to back to back that it just makes an overwhelmingly positive experience. Not a single skip on this album as it accompanied me throughout the year. 8/10
#14 FETTY WAP - FETTY WAP
This album is a mixed experience for me because although I consider it heavily bloated with many songs that are simply unnecessary, the songs on here that hit do so like a truck. Fetty Wap’s sound is so important to the the music that leads to the soundcloud rap/trap era that I cannot help but hold this album dear for the mess it is. Even though I cannot recommend it the most out of all the albums on this list, its still worth the listen to figure out the songs that are worth the time for you. Its good but not exceptionally great. 7/10
#13 SOMEWHERE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE RIVER BETWEEN VEGA AND THE ALTER – LA DISPUTE
This was my favorite emo/hardcore album I found this year, though I struggle putting it into either genre necessarily, it is too melodic to be hardcore in my mind. I don’t necessarily think it is emo either, I think it just deals with very heavy subject matter. This album was inspired by two divorces the writer saw people who were close to him go through at the time of writing this and this album encapsulates the feeling of a breakup so perfectly. The vitriol, depression, the feeling of being willing to do anything to get them back yet knowing there is nothing you can do. All these emotions are portrayed over slick guitar licks and precise, intense drumming accentuating the vocals. This album really is something to behold, it’s very one of a kind. 8/10
#12 ABBEY ROAD - THE BEATLES
This album is usually my default pick for a favorite Beatles album for many reasons, but I think the mood of it is what really keeps me coming back. It feels more happy and carefree than other Beatles albums, which is ironic due to how intense the recording sessions were for it. Once again I find myself struggling to find what to say, as this is one of the most critically acclaimed albums of all time. Its one of the most popular bands ever in their prime, its not something to take lightly. 9/10
#11 CHOCOLATE AND CHEESE - WEEN
This was a late entry into the year when I really fell in love with it but Chocolate and Cheese has become one of my favorite albums of all time. I think this album is an absolute masterclass on making a multi genre album as every song on this beast of an album is some different flavor of rock. The opening track, Take Me Away, feels like what a band in a dive bar would be playing in a movie, complete with a quite obvious Jim Morrisson impression on the vocals. This is before the album completely branches out into genres such as instrumental jazz, mournful ballads, and even a cowboy epic. All of this accentuated by the beloved ween flare and general odd lyrics. I could gush about it for hours, but Ill save you the time and just say you should listen to it. Perfect hour of my life every time. 10/10
#10 THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS - THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS
I couldn’t’ explain why TMBG is such a dear band to my heart but their one of a kind songwriting speaks to me in ways that I cannot put into words. This is my second favorite TMBG album as I much prefer their older entries in their catalogue but it amazes me how well they defined a sound that didn’t exist prior to this on their first release. I will talk more about this group but for now I think I can confidently say this was one of my favorite albums I discovered in the past year. 8.5/10
#9 LINCOLN - THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS
Lincoln is, in my mind, the platonic ideal of a tmbg album. Its catchy, bittersweet, and dare I say it: downright quirky. Songs such as They’ll need a crane and Snowball in hell are two particular tunes that really pluck at my heartstrings. Every they might be giants song has a certain ethos behind the lyricism in them where the meaning of the lyrics becomes obvious the second you actually think about them. Its beautiful how a simple line such as “my panaceas’ in a xerox shop” contain such an intense longing behind them given how straightforward they are. Overall, Lincoln is a gem of an album and recommended to any sort of alternative indie fan (whatever that may mean to you). 9.5/10
#8 LET GOD SORT EM OUT - CLIPSE
This was the hip hop revival of 2025, many critics absolute favorite album of the year, and I have a hard time disagreeing with that sentiment. The writing displayed on this album is on a level most rappers wish they were on. That being said Pusha T and Malice are absolute veterans of the game so anything less would be a disservice to their own abilities. I would also be a fool not to recognize the production on this thing as next level. So be it has mty favorite sample of the year and MTBTTF has my favorite chorus. Absolutely next level stuff all over, I cant sing it’s praises enough. 10/10
#7 WORRY. - JEFF ROSENSTOCK
Worry is one of the best albums of the past decade, full stop. There was a day where I listened to worry and jotted down every lyric I thought was beautiful and it managed to fill the entire page. This album is deeply resonant to a once teenage punk who finds herself growing older. The riffs are catchy, the drums are punchy, and Rosenstock delivers absolutely heart wrenching lyrics over all of this that results in a deeply resonant and emotional experience for me. Some of my favorite music ever recorded. 9.5/10
#6 CRACK THERAPY 3 - RXKNEPHEW
Ive been on a real journey with this album. On first listen I thought neph was simply a madman rambling over beats, and to some degree he is. Despite that, behind that surface layer comes some of the most fun and creative trap I’ve ever heard. Hooks and one liners from this project pop into my head on a daily basis at this point, it really is that memorable of an experience. Theres also just certain moments where neph’s flow goes so perfectly over the beats hes rapping over it truly becomes a thing of beauty. If you miss the soundcloud era of rap, this emulates everything I personally love about that era immaculately. 8.5/10
#5 GNX - KENDRICK LAMAR
GNX is honestly only this high up because it’s the most recent thing Kendrick has released and it took me a while to get a good feel for it. Kendrick is such a forward thinking artist that hearing his tribute to tradition west coast hip hop can at times feel like a step back for him. Don’t get it twisted there is absolutely great songs on this album but the overall sound of it feels like a step back for Kendrick instead of a step forwards. I also know very little about the writing of this album as it dropped as such a surprise, so in turn that kind of makes me less interested in it overall as an entry in Kendrick’s catalogue. Overall I think this is a good album made by an artist capable of great things, and that greatness leaves this project feeling a little overshadowed for me. 7.5/10
#4 NO HANDS - JOEY VALENCE AND BRAE
This album fucking rules in every way. This is like the most Dudes Rock thing I’ve listened to since Paul’s boutique. These two definitely wear their influences on their sleeves ESPECIALLY beastie boys and a tribe called quest but bring a modern flare to a classic style. It’s so much better than this album should be by any means. At first when I heard of this album I thought I was a little too cool for it and in a sense I could see this aging to be corny in a sense but I don’t even care anymore because in the moment it’s just that fucking good. I laughed HARD three different times while listening to this album it’s hilarious. I listened to the deluxe edition which has some good stuff on it but isn’t ultimately necessary. THAT BEING SAID an Ayesha erotica remix and a Charli xcx cover are so welcome here. Danny brown and Ayesha on the same project is hilarious. Lastly this album cover makes me laugh it has sweet bro and hella Jeff vibes. Fantastic stuff all around. 9/10
#3 THE MELODIC BLUE - BABY KEEM
This album has gone on to completely shape the rap scene of the 2020s and I think its influence will be seen in the future. From the excellent use of sampling on this album making some of the most lushous rap beats ive ever heard, to baby keems intense delivery of emotional lyrics this album cant be understated. It has everything from some of the greatest party bangers of the last ten years to songs with so many memorable quotables, keem delivers everything he can on this album and it really shows. An experienced not to be missed for any hip hop fan. 9/10
#2 THE AMAZING JECKEL BROTHERS - INSANE CLOWN POSSEE
Okay time to talk about Detroit’s most infamous duo of clowns, shaggy2dope and violent J. Overall icp as a group has never made a great album in my opinion but this one definetly has the most essential tracks in my opinion. Credit where its due they do a great job of blending the sounds of the circus with macabre lyrics on this project. I don’t think they are as terrible of musicians as everyone says they are but that being said I would only go to this album if you’re in the specific mood for a campy horror movie made into an album. 6/10
#1 PUNK TACTICS - JOEY VALENCE AND BRAE
My love for joey valance and brae has become very apparent over the course of me writing this but this truly is my absolute favorite project by them. From the bombastic beats, witty lyrics, and a touch of punk flare to seal the deal this is a project not to be missed. Its been great seeing these two get the flowers they deserve, and I greatly am looking forward to seeing more of what they do in the future. Its far from an emotionally complex album but for a complete fun time I think itd be absurd to not check this one out. No matter who you are its got something for you. 10/10
WRAP UP
Those are my most listened to albums of 2025, let me know what you think and if any of these albums pique your interest! I had a great time writing this and look forward to many more reviews in 2026! TSDL signing off!