2025: Noisescape’s Favorite Releases Of The Year
It’s our favorite time of year again! Everyone’s soundtrack of 2025 varies, which is why we wanted to highlight some of our personally significant releases from the year as well as our readers’ favorites. Since we are a publication dedicated to showcasing a wide array of genres, the selections were naturally eclectic. Before getting into our final results, a few of our staff members & readers submitted their favorite albums that were released this year.
Staff & Reader Picks
SNIPER HUNTER - TYLER CHILDERS
Originally planned as a project of Tyler Childers’ deep vault of unreleased songs, the album Snipe Hunter would instead become one of the Kentucky singer-songwriter’s greatest artistic endeavors of his career so far. Enlisting the help of acclaimed producer Rick Rubin, Childers explores a wide range of topics in this crop of songs.
A spiritual pilgrimage to India and lifelong admiration of Hinduism lay the groundwork for the song “Tirtha Yatra”, whilst the swampy, funk-filled opening track “Eatin’ Big Time” reminisces on the success that Childers has shared with his bandmates and family. The album also features long-awaited fan-favorite tracks such as “Oneida” and “Nose on The Grindstone,” the former of which has been a staple in Childers' live show for years now.
With the resurgence of country music’s popularity, Snipe Hunter has further cemented Tyler Childers as one of the figureheads of the genre for years to come.
-Greg Hartley (@hartleymedia)
LISTEN: Spotify | Apple Music | Amazon
BELOVED - GIVĒON
Giveon shapes each tune with layered sound, beautiful vocals, and storytelling that feels lived-in rather than performed, expressing vulnerability with real artistry. The effort is brave in its transparency, mature, and cohesive.
-Luna Cardosa (@lunacrdoso)
LISTEN: Spotify | Apple Music | Amazon
EGO DEATH AT A BACHELORETTE PARTY - HAYLEY WILLIAMS
Powerhouse vocalist Hayley Williams of the band Paramore, released her third solo album, Ego Death At A Bachelorette Party this year. Williams first dropped these tracks as 17 individual singles— all to be listened to only in MP3 format on her website, creating a sense of tech-nostalgia for listeners. After a while of observing fans rearrange the singles in their desired order, Ego Death was fully released as one project… to eventually add 3 more devastatingly catchy songs to the mix: “Parachute,” “Good Ol’ Days,” & “Showbiz.”
This is the most vulnerable we’ve seen Williams in terms of lyrics but as well as visceral vocals & production, as she makes sure to include a wholesome voicemail from her ‘grandat’ in “Good Ol’ Days.” Ego Death has proved to be her most masterful solo work yet, further validated by the 4 Grammy nominations for the album. Fans, including myself, are riddled with anticipation as we await her first solo tour in 2026 where these songs will be performed.
-Deirdre Kelly (@beatsbydeirdre)
LISTEN: Spotify | Apple Music | Amazon
BELONG - JAY SOM
I love the layers of sound that Jay Som brings in Belong, It feels fresh and new and is so well crafted. Then add in songwriting that is personal, poetic, and relatable without being predictable or cliché.
-Leah Klein (@citylivingconcerts)
LISTEN: Spotify | Apple Music | Amazon
Our Readers’ Favorite Releases of 2025
TOP 5 SINGLES OF THE YEAR
“Tears” - Sabrina Carpenter
“The Subway” - Chappell Roan
“Taxes” - Geese
“Delete Ya” - Djo
“Rather Be” - GIVĒON
TOP 5 EPs OF THE YEAR
PHOLKS - Leon Thomas
Teenage Rampage - Lexie Liu
All Weapons Formed Against Me Have Prospered - Young Culture
♡ - Jane Remover
Soho House Valet - Gatlin
TOP 5 BREAKTHROUGH ARTISTS OF THE YEAR
Olivia Dean
KATSEYE
Geese
Djo
sombr
Your Top 10 Albums of the Year
MAYHEM - Lady Gaga
Getting Killed - Geese
Snipe Hunter - Tyler Childers
NEVER ENOUGH - Turnstile
Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party - Hayley Williams
Man’s Best Friend - Sabrina Carpenter
HYPERYOUTH - Joey Valence & Brae
Princess of Power - MARINA
BELOVED - GIVĒON
LUX - Rosalía
Just like every year, we’ve curated a Noisescape playlist comprised of all the tracks & artists listed above as well as a bunch of other tracks released this year that didn’t make the cut. So, if you feel like you missed out on some releases this year, our playlist is a great way to catch up before the new year! Or just revel in all of the fantastic music.