Working my way through the Guardian 50 list (repeat of hyperlink for ease of reference) but without being too adventurous, via Tidal. Geese and Alex G’s Headlights are the only two repeat plays so far. Little Simz and Rosalia both impressive. Very few CD purchases other than Wolf Alice (very good but still not their best IMHO) and Florence + Machine this year.
Incidentally, the Guardian did folk, experimental, global and jazz album lists (10 rather than 50) of 2025 if of interest, plus top 50 singles.
Whereas there is plenty of love for the likes of Geese, Rosalia, Oklou etc in the various end of year lists I can’t help notice the lack of mentions for the Yasmin Lacey - Teal Dreams album. It is a Jazz/reggae/Soul record that is easy listening but I reckon I’ve played it as much if not more than the above mentioned 3 - not saying it is better, just different and pleasant. I’m not totally alone as it was a Qobuz record of the week a couple of months ago.
Last call for your lists before I do a count tomorrow.
It helps if you can name a top 1 or at most 3. Entries on long lists won’t be counted
This year looks like having a very wide spread of votes. When I did a rough check a couple of weeks ago no album was a clear winner. The variety nominated has been great.
Ok, after the recent festive season listening which has been quite extensive, my favourites have changed slightly. This isn’t quite the same as my earlier posting so go with this one - in reverse order
Eluveitie : Anv
Paradise Lost : Ascension
Saor : Amidst The Ruins - The winner for me this year.
I guess you don’t agree with the NME list then that placed it at number 1 with the comment below :-
‘Getting Killed’ should be enough to wake people up from their exhausted nostalgia and realise that New York – and guitar music at large – is alive and kicking down their front door. At least, it’s easily the album of the year. Stay wild and carry on.
So glad someone else loves the Flock of Dimes album. So far I am also with you re Geese but I will try again. Sounds clever. Not necessarily enjoyable.
I’m finding that the Geese album has been the hardest to get into for me since Murmur by R.E.M. (which took around 19 listens and at least 3 months) but, now it’s clicked, the reward is that much greater. End of the day though if you don’t like it you don’t like it and that’s okay. I felt like I ought to like the Oklou album before finally conceding that it just wasn’t doing anything for me.
Agree this has been a great thread - I can’t wait to find out the winner. In the interim I will keep trying with Geese having been spurred on by @mikehughescq and many others. I doubt though I will have it in my top three by midnight tonight
My top three for this year could be (today are, tomorrow might be different):
1. Getting Killed | Geese
The recent metamorphosis of the New York band, led by singer-songwriter Cameron Winter, has produced one of the best, strangest, and most compelling rock records of the year.
2.Lotus | Little Simz
The UK rapper battled self-doubt and legal woes in the run-up to her sixth album; now, however, framed by uncluttered jazz- and rock-influenced production, she sounds in command and at ease.
3. LUX | Rosalía
The Spanish superstar’s fourth album is a heartfelt offering of avant-garde classical pop that roars through genre, romance, and religion. Arranged in four movements and sung in 13 languages, its orchestral pop storms down from the skies and leaves, in its thundering aftermath, a field guide for pop’s seekers, those who believe the answers to love, desire, and creative purpose might yet be contained in three or four minutes at a time.
This year I have also enjoyed these new albums (in no particular order):
