Everyone’s A Star (And These Albums Proved It): My Top Ten Albums of 2025

By Lex Robbins

Music didn’t just soundtrack my 2025, it carried it. Through long drives, late nights, anxious spirals, and some of the coolest moments I’ve had so far, these albums became companions rather than background noise. This list isn’t about what charted the highest or dominated the internet. It’s about what stayed with me, what I kept returning to, and what I needed in each moment.

Here are my top ten albums of 2025, ranked in reverse order.

 

10. Sandbox – The All-American Rejects

Sandbox technically isn’t a full album yet, with the remaining tracks set to arrive in early 2026, but the first half made an immediate impression earning it a spot on my list anyway. There’s something refreshingly unpolished about this record so far. Instead of chasing nostalgia or recycling the formulas that initially made them iconic, The All-American Rejects lean into something looser, stranger, and true to the present moment. It feels like a band making art because they want to, not because they’re supposed to. The chaos works in its favor, and the result is a project that sounds genuine and alive in the best way possible.

Top 3 Tracks: “Get This”, “Sandbox”, and “Easy Come, Easy Go”

 

9. The Crux – Djo

Djo’s third studio album became the unofficial soundtrack to my long drives and quiet late nights. The Crux is introspective without feeling isolated, and atmospheric without getting lost in the background. It’s the kind of album that fills space easily, making you feel less alone without demanding too much attention.

There’s a steady, contemplative quality to this record that made it perfect for moments of unwinding and escaping for me this year.

Top 3 Tracks: “Delete Ya”, “Basic Being Basic”, and “Link”

 

8. ORDER chaos ORDER – Calum Hood

As a longtime 5 Seconds of Summer fan, I’d been anticipating a solo album from Calum Hood for a while, and ORDER chaos ORDER delivered in a way that felt deeply personal. This record lived on repeat for me all summer, and with each listen, it got better and better.

It’s real, reflective, and strikingly honest. Hood doesn’t shy away from contradiction here. Structure and disorder coexist, and that tension is the heart of the album. It feels like the most real version of him we’ve heard yet.

Top Three Tracks: “Sunsetter”, “Sweet Dreams”, and “Don’t Forget You Love Me”

 

7. MAYHEM – Lady Gaga

Before MAYHEM, I would have described myself as a casual Lady Gaga fan. This album changed that entirely. On the surface, a lot of the record is undeniably pop-forward and danceable, but beneath that glimmer is something darker and a bit more haunting.

That duality is what makes MAYHEM so compelling for me. It invites you in with energy and spectacle, then quietly unsettles you. It’s confident, theatrical, and a perfect reminder of just how powerful Gaga is when she leans into complexity.

Top Three Tracks: “Vanish Into You”, “Perfect Celebrity”, and “Shadow Of A Man”

 

6. SIDEQUEST –  Michael Clifford

This was easily one of my most anticipated albums of the year. Getting a solo record from Michael Clifford felt like a gift I’d been waiting a long time to unwrap, and SIDEQUEST didn’t disappoint.

There’s a playful confidence to this album, paired with moments of sincerity that ground it emotionally. It feels personal and reflective, but fun and humorous at the same time. As a fan, it meant a lot to hear him step fully into his own creative voice, and he does this brilliantly incredibly authentic.

Top Three Tracks: “remember when”, “enough”, and “fashion”

 

5. Automatic – The Lumineers

Everything The Lumineers creates tends to carry a certain quiet beauty, and Automatic is no exception. What really elevated this album for me, though, was hearing it performed live on the Automatic World Tour. Experiencing these songs in that setting added an emotional depth and energy that reshaped how I heard the record.

At its core, Automatic explores anxiety and disconnection in the modern era, but it does this gently without overwhelming the listener. The result is an album that feels both timely and timeless.

Top Three Tracks: “Same Old Song”, “Automatic”, and “So Long”

 

4. People Watching – Sam Fender

People Watching is the perfect album for a rainy day when you want the atmosphere without all of the heaviness. Much of the record centers on Fender’s relationship with his hometown and the complicated emotions tied to it.

That theme hit especially close to home for me. Fender pairs this deeply personal subject matter with upbeat, driving production, creating a balance that keeps the album emotionally resonant without ever feeling weighed down.

Top Three Tracks: “Crumbling Empire”, “Nostalgia’s Lie”, and “Arm’s Length”

 

3. The Hart – Grayscale

If I had to sum up The Hart in one word, it would be cathartic. This album is built for windows down, volume up, and heart wide open moments. It carries a cinematic pop-punk energy that feels both familiar to me and invigorating.

There’s an emotional release embedded in these tracks, the kind that makes you want to scream-sing along through each one.

Top Three Tracks: “Painting Over You”, “Kept  Me Alive”, and “Some Kind of Magic”

 

2. Music for People Who Believe in Love – Joe Jonas

This album healed something in me. That’s the simplest and truest way to put it. Joe Jonas is remarkably open and vulnerable throughout this record, and the production only enhances that honesty. Everything feels dreamy, vibrant, and emotionally alive. There’s warmth in this record that feels cozy and safe throughout its entirety,  and that feeling stayed with me long after each listen.

Top Three Tracks: “Work It Out”, “Velvet Sunshine”, and “Constellation”

 

1. EVERYONE’S A STAR! –  5 Seconds of Summer

This album was everything I hoped it would be and more. I’ve been waiting for 5 Seconds of Summer to revisit their pop-punk roots, and EVERYONE’S A STAR! finally delivers that return without sacrificing their artistic growth.

The album thrives on contrast. Some tracks are chaotic and explosive, while others drift into something more dreamy and laid-back. Together, they form a perfect balance that showcases a band that understands both where they came from and where they are now.

For me, this album didn’t just meet expectations, it exceeded them. It felt like a full-circle moment, and it earned its place at the top of my list.

Top Three Tracks: “I’m Scared I’ll Never Sleep Again”, “No. 1 Obsession”, and “The Rocks”

 

Final Thoughts

This list is personal by design. These albums marked my most memorable moments and seasons of my life in 2025. Music is never just sound for me; it’s memory, emotion, and meaning.  These ten records understood that beautifully, and that’s all I ever ask for in an album.