I spent all of 2024 going on and on about how it would be the biggest year for music of my life (so far), but little did I know that 2025 would turn out to be significantly bigger. With over ten albums I’m hugely enjoying already and a tonne more on the horizon, here are my top five albums for 2025 as it stands here at the halfway point.
5) Release 4 – Lo Key
I’m still relatively new to Lo Key and I’m having a great time going back through his discography and discovering some real gems. One such release was a remix single he dropped at the start of last year, Hole in the Sky, a few weeks before my cat of 19 years passed away. A lot of the feelings of losing her seem to have latched on to that song, so since it was included on the album Release 4 in April of this year, it has been one of my most played so far.
It’s far from a one track wonder however, as so many other songs on the project are still great and push me to listen to more Lo Key projects from his extensive discography.
Favourite tracks – Gimme a Hug, Hole in the Sky, Inside the Show
4) Gods of Evil Rise – Alla Xul Elu
I’m as staggered as you that this isn’t in the number one spot. As it turns out nearly four years of hype left me with unrealistic expectations for this project, and so while I do think it’s a very good album, I don’t think it comes close to replicating the greatness of earlier Xul projects that didn’t take quite so long to drop.
I’ve listened to it nearly every day since it released, and my favourite tracks from it are contenders for my top ten AXE tracks of all time, but a lot of the album doesn’t hit the potential of a AXE x Mike E Clarke project in my opinion. That said, Joe Black’s verse on The Saints is the first in a long time which has made me audibly gasp when I heard it. He’s one of the best lyricists alive today without question.
Favourite tracks – Paint The Town Red, God Damaged, The Saints
3) The Bastard Son – Somethin Outta Nothin
While I admit Somethin Outta Nothin’s first record, Grant Us Eyes, took me a couple of listens to really get, when it clicked it clicked. The highly anticipated successor to that album took nowhere near as long, as I was completely hooked on The Bastard Son before I had finished my first listen.
There’s something about Somethin Outta Nothin (also / previously known simply as S.O.N)’s voice that so quickly audibly transfixes me that I latch on to every word. The production on this, his first album since signing to Alla Xul Elu’s Long Live Evil label, is as dark and foreboding as you could wish for from a modern horrorcore album. The story weaved throughout and around the music on this record is as chilling and haunting as the songs themselves, and it’s still a 50/50 split between the times I skip to the music or let the album play out in its entirety.
I am so excited for whatever comes next from Somethin Outta Nothin.
Favourite tracks – The Bastard Son, Requiem, Tenebrous
2) Anubis – Klokwerk E
Goddamn this is the record I was hoping for when Klokwerk E dropped their debut full length, The Emerald Tablets, last year. That album had me questioning whether I was really that into their music when they weren’t releasing quirky comedic singles on YouTube, but the second Anubis dropped that belief was smashed to bits, as this record is phenomenal from start to finish.
It’s got the dark gritty horrorcore I like most while also sprinkling in the continuously funny comedy that doesn’t feel stale even after multiple listens. Mix these elements with the noteworthy talent Billy D and Kyle Kombs show on every track, and what you’re left with is a highly enjoyable album that keeps your head bobbing throughout its whole runtime.
So far, Anubis is the best rap album of the year.
Favourite tracks – Walk With The Dead, Put A Spell On You, Everything’s Dead
1) Welcome To Your Funeral – Twiztid
Having not been hugely into Twiztid’s latest music following the double whammy of greatness that was Generation Nightmare and Mad Season back in 2019 / 2020, I was still reasonably excited but keeping my expectations in check for this album. Similarly to Generation Nightmare in particular, my first listen on this album delivered everything I could hope for and beyond from a Twiztid record.
Despite never being much of a rock fan, if anyone can make me love a rock record, it’s the Demented Duo, and this album is all I had wanted from their previous rock outing, Unlikely Prescription, from 2021 which didn’t quite land for me.
The production by Zeuss is exquisite, and you can tell no aspect of this record was rushed with meticulous care emanating from each track. It will take something incredibly strong to knock this, the first album released this year (that I care about) from its perch as my favourite album of the year.
Favourite tracks – The Wake, Let Me Go, Thunder From The Sky
What’s your favourite album of the year so far? Have you listened to any of the records on this list? 2025 is just getting started with upcoming releases such as Billy Obey’s solo album, Gorilla Voltage’s (potential) return as well as a brand new Joker’s Card in August from Insane Clown Posse. I may even be releasing an album of my own in August as well..
Every month seems to bring new incredible music to the scene, and I couldn’t be happier to be along for the ride!
Written and edited by Alexx.