As one of the most well-known artists throughout the music industry, Taylor Swift’s twelfth studio album was highly anticipated. 13 tracks of upbeat pop music masked the straightforward yet solemn lyrics, examining the dark side of show business and the longing for a normal life away from fame. Many tracks, such as “Honey,” praise acclaimed NFL player Travis Kelce, her fiancé since August 2025. Others delve into the stages of grief and question what life Swift would be living had she chosen a different path.

Lewisham-born artist James Olaloye, also known as Jim Legxacy, who produced Dave and Central Cee’s 2023 smash hit “Sprinter,” burst onto the UK Rap scene when he released “black british music.” Legxacy incorporates many themes of Afrobeats, Lo-Fi Rap, Emo Rap and Jersey Club into his music, which can be seen in his interestingly named “i just banged a snus in canada water,” and his “‘06 wayne rooney,” which interpolates “Hey Ya!” by Atlanta rap duo Outkast. Legxacy’s album is, honestly, one of the best underground rap mixtapes of the year, if not one of the best in all of the rap scene. Legxacy flows very well, and his lyrics are some of the best in the UK Rap subgenre.

Retired TikTok star Addison Rae made her comeback in pop culture with the release of her debut album “Addison,” a rich blend of hypnotic hyperpop with electrifying dance music. The album included her biggest hit, “Diet Pepsi,” along with other popular songs such as “Aquamarine” and “Headphones On.” The 12 tracks have parallels to other Electronic Dance Music (EDM) artists, such as Charli XCX, with whom she previously collaborated.

By combining the modern sounds of Puerto Rico with past ones, Bad Bunny unveiled a nostalgic declaration of political statements. Released on the eve of Three Kings Day, “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” meaning “I should have taken more photos,” uses generations of Latin cadence, including salsa and bolero, to support independence movements throughout Puerto Rico and bring people of all ages together. Even for non-speakers of Spanish, DtMF brings listeners to a worry-free paradise, praising time with family and dance throughout multiple lineages.

Lady Gaga is still putting out classics somehow, and her eighth studio album, “Mayhem,” is no different. Two lead singles were released before the album: “Disease” and “Abracadabra,” which you couldn’t escape during Spring 2025. Critics lauded the album, comparing it to her six-time-platinum debut album, “The Fame,” which launched her into massive fame with its conglomeration of dance and pop. Gaga embarked on the “Mayhem Ball” tour to promote her album, which has sold over one million tickets and drawn in over $220 million in sales. She also performed a free concert on Copacabana Beach which drew in over 2.5 million attendees, the largest concert attendance since 1990.

Following her controversial divorce from “Stranger Things” star David Harbour, Lily Allen headed straight to the studio. After seven years without a new album, Allen recorded “West End Girl” in only 10 days. Reflecting her classic style of catchy electropop, Allen explored her personal and marital issues, heavily reflected in songs such as “Relapse,” “Madeline” and “Tennis.”

Perhaps the biggest release in the country scene this year, Morgan Wallen teased his fourth studio album, “I’m the Problem,” every chance he could, promoting it on Saturday Night Live, and guest-starring with Theo Von and Caleb Pressley on their respective podcasts. Five singles were released to U.S. airplay before the release of the album including the titular lead single, which peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100, and two additional songs released to country radio. Wallen described his 37-track album as “difficult,” and  “conceptual,” and it peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 200 and was number two on the year-end Hot 200. The album also had a star-studded cast of features, including ERNEST, Tate McRae and Post Malone.

Brothers Pusha T and Malice went on hiatus on April 30, 2010, before the majority of students at WHHS were born. They returned this year with their album “Let God Sort Em Out,” which has been acclaimed by many critics as Album of the Year. The album was originally scheduled for a 2024 release, but their label, Def Jam, wanted to censor Kendrick Lamar’s verse on “Chains & Whips.” However, Clipse refused, leading them to pay upwards of $1 million to be dropped from the contract, instead signing with Roc Nation to distribute the album. Pusha T also dissed many of his former labelmates from GOOD music, including Ye and Travis Scott, citing concerns over disloyalty and the controversial public comments Ye had been making.

Lorde’s “Virgin” explores the self-discovery of a powerful woman on her own, and the ongoing path of rebirth throughout her late 20s. Not only does the album feature romance and heartbreak on tracks such as “David” and “What Was That,” but it also highlights familial issues, particularly on “Favorite Daughter.” After reaching stardom at 16, Lorde had to prove her maturity and strength as an artist, especially following her controversial 2021 album, “Solar Power.” In only 34 minutes, Lorde blends Indie Pop and Electropop to demonstrate the trials she’s faced as an adult in the public eye.

Lucy Dacus’ fourth studio album explores her current relationship through mellow, hypnotising tones. Released in late March, “Forever is a Feeling” was well received by dedicated fans of Dacus, reaching number one on the U.S. Americana/Folk Albums chart and number two on U.S. Top Rock & Alternative Albums chart. Dacus’ supposed relationship with former bandmate Julien Baker was dissected and praised, mainly in songs such as “Lost Time” and “Big Deal.”

Canadian “Stranger Things” star Finn Wolfhard released his debut album “Happy Birthday” this year, and to much surprise, it was pretty good. The album sounds like it was written by an absolute music geek, and his editing and production is top notch. Although Wolfhard’s album is only 24 minutes long, it’s a very fuzzy indie rock journey that is definitely worth the time to take a listen to, with the only downside being that it isn’t any longer.