Top 25 Albums of 2025 – joshbalogh
2025 was a great year for music. I hope you can say the same, but if not maybe I have a few here you missed. Or maybe my enthusiasm will spark you to try stuff you have heard again with fresh ears.
As I put wrap on these type of posts and this particular blog space (by the end of 2025, more on that later) I truly hope you’ve enjoyed the ride. I know I have. Please reach out to say hey, and let me know if you found something new to love, that’s truly my favorite part of blogging about music save the music itself.
More to come soon, but for now…here’s my Top 25 Albums of 2025!
Top 50 Album Recommendations from 2025
Honorable Mentions:
Andy Squyres – Miracle Service
At only four tracks I couldn’t quite include this in the Top 25, but you should absolutely listen to it. I exert no hyperbole when I say straight faced that they will be four of the best songs you’ll listen to. Review below. Try “Baja Blast” if you’re only willing to try one.
Slow Joy – A Joy So Slow at Times I Don’t Think it’s Coming
Always good to hear from these guys. This is my 90s alt rock sweet spot.
Gileah Taylor – I Call This One
This is a sort of coda to her fantastic retro-pop 2024 album Slow Parade. It is similarly excellent.
Two Heavy Albums you should hear if that’s your taste:
Diatheke – …And the Word Was God
Plead the Widows Cause – Silver Glass Stare
Top 25 Albums:
25. Turnstile – Never Enough
Overall:
I’m slow to mainstream music and what’s popular to the larger populace. In some ways, that’s because it rarely interests me, and others because I just concentrate (or have anyway) pretty exclusively on faith based music as a critic/fan. Still, there’s always an album or two that stick out. Turnstile’s, Never Enough is one of those that grabbed me. There’s a pop edge underneath it all but also punk, hardcore, and indie rock with electronic sprinklings. I’ve returned to it alot in December after first giving it a shot a few weeks ago.
Favorite Tracks:
“Never Enough” “Dreaming” “Dull” “Slowdive” “Time is Happening”
24. The Chilling Alpine Adventure – The Chilling Alpine Adventure
Overall:
As a fringe fan always curious about what creative Jessy Ribordy will dream up next, I dove into The Chilling Alpine Adventure with intrigue. This album closes the 20-year chapter of Falling Up while launching a new era under the new band name, all driven by Ribordy’s restless vision. Spanning roughly 46 minutes across 10 tracks, it’s a sweeping, atmospheric journey that showcases a band I admire, even if their work often eludes my full understanding. Their music is beautiful, yet I struggle to articulate exactly why it captivates me.
Favorite Tracks:
“Tall Grass in the Lobby” “Five Angle” “Counter Moves” “The Waterfall House”
23. Moving Mountains – Pruning the Lower Limbs (emo indie rock/post rock)
Overall:
This is a much beloved band by online friends, but my first real introduction to one of their albums for me. I dig it as a vibe record to put on in the background while driving or working. “Ghosts” is one of my most played songs of 2025.
Favorite Tracks:
“Ghosts” “Cars” “Voices” “Wedding Clothes”
22. Lecrae – Reconstruction (Rap/Hip-Hop)
Overall:
He’s still making great albums and after his prior work Church Clothes 4 was my surprise #2 overall in 2022, I’m happy to report I’m liking this one as well. Lecrae is relatable, authentic, and on the top of his game with Reconstruction.
Favorite Tracks:
“Holidaze (Feat. Jon Bellion)” “Tell No Lie (Feat. Jackie Hill Perry)” “Die for the Party” “Better Sober (Feat. Madison Ryann)”
21. Kevin Schlereth – Settle In (Singer Songwriter)
Overall:
Indie troubadour Kevin Schlereth returns with a new album titled Settle In — nine tracks which explore what it truly means to sabbath. Schlereth, perhaps best known for his communal life on the road as he travels from house to house sharing his songs, brings his unique and needed perspective to the topic. He’s out there hustling, but on Settle In, he invites listeners to join him in learning to trust. While many in Western culture may think of the Sabbath as an individual or family practice, Schlereth maintains that the Sabbath is best practiced in community. Settled In showcases this belief well, and it’s a highlight of 2025 album releases.
Favorite Tracks:
“Bees” “Hands Down” “Working Our Hardest”
20. Josiah Queen – Mt. Zion (Folk/Pop/CCM)
Overall:
Hailing from Florida, this fresh-faced singer-songwriter has swiftly captured hearts with a string of hits from his debut all in a remarkably short time. They all showcase his knack for crafting passionate and singable anthems. With this, his sophomore effort, Mt. Zion, Queen takes that momentum up a notch. This is a rafter-raising, arena-ready folk project brimming with joy, resilience, and faith declarations. Think Mumford & Sons’ driving earnestness, The Lumineers’ communal choruses, and Of Monsters and Men’s grand anthemic arcs — all with lyrics unapologetically centered on Christ.
Favorite Tracks:
“Can’t Steal My Joy” “Dusty Bibles” “I’ll Fly Away” “Yesterday is Dead” and “Thief in the Night”
19. Ruston Kelly – Pale, Through the Window (Pedal Steel Country/Emo/Pop Punk/Emo)
Overall:
It’s likely this record would be higher on the list if I’d have stumbled on it much sooner, even still it’s terrific. Kelly features the type of songwriting storyteller prose and eclectic mix of genres that keep me coming back for more. His spiritual awakening and re-ignited relational love is effervescent and contagious.
Favorite Tracks:
“Give Up the Ghost” “Wayside” “Pickleball” “House in the Country” “Great Wide Open”
18. Anchor & Braille – New Mexico
Overall:
Imagine a lone figure standing in a sun-scorched desert, guitar slung low on one hip, a six-shooter on the other, the horizon rippling with heat like a mirage. That’s the world Anchor & Braille‘s New Mexico pulls you into from the first note — a wild, spaghetti western-fueled gallop. This 14-track odyssey, Stephen Christian’s fifth under his indie-pop alias, isn’t just an album; it’s a high-noon duel between expectation and reinvention. And like any good showdown, it’s thrilling, unpredictable, and impossible to look away from.
Favorite Tracks:
“Sweet Jesus Knows” “Corrales” “Sozo Dos” “Rattlesnake”
17. Drew & Elllie Holcomb – Memory Bank (Alt Rock/Americana/Pop
Overall:
From musical harmony to marital harmony, Drew & Ellie Holcomb have been making music together since 2005. From their time together in Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors (2005-2012) to their solo material, the Holcomb’s have released well over fifteen albums between them. So count me surprised to learn that Memory Bank would be the first full album of material they have recorded together as a duo. It’s been worth the wait. Memory Bank is a thirteen-track release with sonics covering rootsy Americana, bluesy rock, folk, and even traces of Motown. Due to the wide array of sounds mixing in, the record has the feel of an old-time classic
Favorite Tracks:
“We Could Go Dancing” “Bones” “Memory Bank” “Brick by Brick”
16. Braille – Handcrafted Raps (Rap/Hip-Hop)
Overall:
This is a total vibe record. I did the vibes, the flow, and the brevity of 12 tracks at 30 minutes runtime.
Favorite Songs:
“In Tents” “Workmanship” “Under the Knife”
15. Fielder – Self Titled – (Indie Folk)
Overall:
Skye Peterson teams with music pal Addison Agen and the resulting duo Fielder turns out hushed indie folk featuring terrific song writing chops.
Favorite Songs:
“Satellite” “Overthink it Baby” “Handle Me with Care”
14. Bongo Chico – Self Titled (Indie alt rock)
Overall:
If Bongo Chico sounds eerily familiar, it’s for good reason. Firstly, you’re hearing Tim Foreman (Switchfoot) step out to the frontman microphone, so the vocals sounding like a less weathered Jon Foreman makes total sense. Secondly, the eclectic blend of the younger Foreman’s musical influences has a “heard-that-but-not-quite” sound that is both comforting and intriguing. Sonically, it’s as if Tim is channeling The Beatles through a Vampire Weekend/Fleet Foxes filter, which is to say, really, The Beach Boys in effect. There is also a nod to their most recent Switchfoot record, the vocally centric Interrobang. At first blush, I wasn’t sure if it worked, but like most music I eventually love, Bongo Chico grew on me.
Favorite Tracks:
“When You Walked Away” “1995” “Feels Like Losing Me” “Rain Brain”
13. Tenielle Neda – The Way of Love (Devotional Folk/Pop)
Overall:
This was a big part of my bedtime and wind down time this year. Her voice is hecka soothing. Very pleasant devotional pop focused on Jesus.
Favorite Songs:
“If I Have No One Else” “The Invitation” “Steadfast Love” and “The Way of Love”
12. Graham Jones – Eyes Renewed (Indie Singer Songwriter)
Overall:
Warm vocals, fantastic guitar work, relatable songwriting. This is a singer songwriter not to miss.
Favorite Tracks:
“Open Spaces” “Eyes Renewed” “Set a Table” “Grsteful”
11. The Big Reveal – Shoot Out the Satellites
Overall:
Shoot Out the Satellites, is a radiant homage to ’90s pop-rock. On it, they channel the genre’s infectious melodies and earnest energy. This record is a testament to the band’s knack for crafting songs. These tunes feel like rediscovered gems from a ’90s alt-rock playlist, elevated by consistently stellar songwriting.
Favorite Songs:
“New Scars” “The World and All” “Me and You” and “Shootout the Satellites”
10. Strings and Heart – Plastic Wine (indie Alt/Pop/Rock/Surf)
Overall:
Fun surf pop rock. Great for driving. For fans of Colony House, Gable Price & Friends, and Switchfoot
Favorite Songs:
“Kerosene” “Oasis for my Soul” “Flowers Dressed in Blue” “Evergreen Love”
9. Former Ruins – In Your Field
Overall:
My big surprise album of that year. I listened to it when it came out and still liked his lyrics but couldn’t get into the musical style. Until…roughly 10 days ago, I tried again and it unlocked. Re-reading a review from Casey at indievision.com helped inspire me to give it another shot.
Favorite Songs:
“Back Into a Body” “To Wonder” “One Hundredfold” “All Ages Run” “Watering Flowers”
8. Jess Ray – Matin (Complete)
Overall:
Another quiet time and mood record this has been in constant rotation since I first gave it a go. I would have it on in the background with the mix of originals, hymns, and praise choruses subconsciously ministering when all of a sudden a lyric or song would grab me. This has been very ministering to my spirit.
Favorite Songs:
“Lillies and Spareows” “What If” “D Y B T H L Y” “I Need You “Humble Heart” and “Grace & Mercy”
7. The Gray Havens – This is Not the End
Overall:
despite the annoying slow single drip release style the songs were too strong to deny. This Is Not the End might just be The Gray Havens’ finest hour. It dances through the weight of the journey with whimsical grace, offering a balm for the broken and a spark for the soul.
Favorite Songs:
“Anywhere” “Where the Living is Deep” “The Magic” “Shine” and Give Me Rest”
6. Johnnyswim – When the War is Over
Overall:
This album was my #1 at the halfway point of the year, but a large margin. Then it kept dropping and almost missed my Top 10, but one more listen reaffirmed that this is top notch and probably their most cohesive record yet. Another listen sent them rightly inside my Top 3.
Favorite Songs:
“Psilocybin” “Alchemy” “She Checks the Weather” “Frank Gehry” and “When the War is Over”
5. Twenty One Pilots – Breach
Overall:
Breach, both the album and the duo, refuses neat resolutions, instead tracing a drag path of relentless loops of thought and emotion that mirror anxiety and depression. In “City Walls,” Tyler Joseph revisits the pleading words “entertain my faith” from Holding Onto You, staking the album’s claim: survival is messy, cyclical, and never guaranteed, but motion itself matters.
Favorite Tracks:
“Drum Show” “Downstairs” “The Contract” “One Way” “City Walls” and “Drag Path”
4. Madison Cunningham – Ace (Singer Songwriter
Overall:
Ace, maybe more than any album did it’s slow work on me the more I came back to it this year. It’s been particularly gripping my listening time as the last two months and the holidays they contain have approached, flown by, and still promise to deliver memories. Eschewing her trademark guitar soloing/riffs for a more laidback chamber piano-led pop with baroque stylings was a choice I wasn’t quite sure about at first. But, as many great albums do with time I adapted to the pace, moving from thinking it was too sleepy to recognizing its brilliant sadness. Cunningham remains a favorite I continue to return to and look forward to any of her creative works.
Favorite tracks:
“Shore” “Skeletree” “Wake” “Break the Jaw” and “My Full Name”
3. Andrew Peterson – A Liturgy, A Legacy, The Songs of Rich Mullins
Overall:
No one carries Rich Mullins’ tattered banner quite like Andrew Peterson. Both are poets of the thin place variety, where earth and eternity brush close. Each of them craft songs that ache for transcendence over the glossy churn of CCM. Peterson’s 2017 live recording at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium — A Liturgy, A Legacy, & the Songs of Rich Mullins — isn’t just a tribute to Mullins’ 1993 opus; it’s a communal revelation.
Favorite tracks:
“Buenos Noches from Nachogdoches” “If I Stand” “Calling Out Your Name” and “Elijah”
2. John Van Deusen – As Long As I’m in This Tent of A Body I Will Make a Joyful Noise Pt. 1
Overall:
Yes. It’s long, but I have no issue with it as John’s sincerity and ethos in creating always resonates with me. Also, for whatever reason I’ve been incredibly patient with long albums this year.
Favorite songs:
“Answer Me God,” “Red Sea Within Me,” “Gracious Powers,” “Anything Other Than What I Am Right Now,” “Close Enough,” “All of Me/All of You”
1. Jon Guerra – Jesus
Overall:
I needed this album in a bad way this year. The centering on Jesus, his words, his life, has been a good recentering for me as I’ve struggled with anxiety and my identity being in other things than Jesus.
Favorite Tracks:
“I See the Birds” “Who is Greatest” “Reckoner (An Axe Laid at the Root)” and “Gethsemane”
Happy listening, ya jukebox junkies!
-Josh
