New-To-Me Albums I Loved in 2025

Probably the only truly cool dudes in Boston right here.

Cut your hair, change your life, go to Florida.

These guys get it.

Choice Trax: The Floridas, Dumb But True

I'm biased because I put this compilation together... but damn my friends killed it!

Choice Trax: jelly rain, BGM_END, Nextasty, Hypnogogia

Brendan Dyer secret side project. Crying in my computer room to this one every night.

Choice Trax: mission 6, electric relaxation

More GODHAND hand-fed to us this year. These dorks have the plunderphonics revival on lock.

Choice Trax: YEAH HOE, INDIGENOUS IMMIGRANT, RIDIN' IN THE WHIP PT. 2

Benito's magnum opus!

Choice Trax: NUEVAYoL, EoO, EL CLúB, CAFé CON RON

WHEREVER MY FRIENDS GO I FOLLOW ALONG! This is some nerd rock for girly pops, definitely.

Choice Trax: Follow Along, Oh Man, I Like My Odds, Lie Down

I discovered GODHANDUSA this year and it ruined my life. These guys fucking rule. Mark me down as Freddie Dredd's number one fan.

Choice Trax: MEMPHIS_SWAG_BOUNCE_REMIX.logicx, 9MM (KURT COBAIN), DEVIL IN MY DREAMS

These motherfuckin' South Koreans are absolutely DOMINATING the new jungle revival that's been happening the last couple of years. Jungle Fatigue Kru does not miss; every single release hits just as hard as the previous ones.

Choice Trax: New Horizons, Acid Rain (Fatigued V.I.P. Mix), Become

Harper makes an insane amount of music. This one happens to be shaping the future sounds of dungeon synth. It's very IDM-infused and filled with samples, which I love. The production is amazing: he's definitely taken all his skills and really put them to the test on this one.

I listen to this thing constantly. Steadfast is one of my favorite songs I've heard in a very long time; that breakdown is ridiculous.

Choice Trax: steadfast, what did i tell you, no reason to do the right thing

This is an incredible beat tape. I can't believe these kids are out here propelling samplehop forward like this. I listen to this on my MP3 player every time I mow the yard or go to Walmart. Ben fucking killed this thing.

Choice Trax: Jocky, Changes, 30 Rock, Malibu Ben

Everyone's favorite Swede is back and he's sober!! Unfortunately, sobriety doesn't usually bode well for the quality of most artists' work, but it kinda looks good on Lean. I already know this project is not going to be for everybody; don't expect the icy drugged-out bangers like those on "Stranger" or "Starz."

This album sees Lean embed the musical style of his "Jonatan" side project into his mainstream alter ego, awful singing and all, but I think it works really well. It's weird as fuck but I keep listening to it.

Choice Trax: Changes, I'm Your Dirt, I'm Your Love; Teenage Symphonies 4 God, Terminator Symphony

There's too many goddamn songs on this album.. but I still love it because I'm an insufferable Carti fanboy.

Choice Trax: FINE SHIT, WAKE UP F1LTHY, OLYMPIAN

dj lucas the most whitty mf on the east coast

Choice Trax: I-91 Corridor, The Climb, Glass

I'M IN AUSTRALIA EATIN' KANGAROO WIT A MANGO!

Choice Trax: Thinkin Bout, Super Bowl, Proof of Income (Bonus)

NY blog hop is back in a big way, and Papo2oo4 and crew are leading the charge. This album is fucking awesome and just so fun to listen to. Subjxct 5 is truly killing it on the production. The combo of tracks 4+5 is some of the most fun I've had listening to hip-hop in a long time.

Shoutout to DJ Lucas for the standout verse on "Macaroni Wit The Cheese." I love that guy!

Choice Trax: Macaroni Wit The Cheese, Chopper City, Counter Strike

I love Yeat. I definitely think he's going to be a guiding light for mainstream rap over the next few years, moreso than he already has. There's something on this record for anyone who's into rage/experimental rap, but I dont think it's his best work.

You could cut off the back half and it would be one of my albums of the year, but there's just too much filler in the middle and the ending tracks are disappointing. No matter, the production fucking rules. The beats on Yeat's songs are always worth the listen.

Choice Trax: U DONT KNOW LYFE, GEEK TIMË, LYING 5 FUN, BË QUIET

Harper is a true innovator. I love everything about this record, but his production skill level is at an all-time-high here.

Choice Trax: hush, cinnamon, I Think of You

DR. GABBA is my shit and this is probably my favorite EDM album that I've heard so far this year. Blue Potion is a great mix of jungle, classic/jazzy house, ambient, garage, and other "PSX"-esque 90s/2000s sounds.

Choice Trax: Jellyfish, Bubble, Side Effects, Airship

Oklahoma's biggest rock stars return with a banger. This shit had me cryin' at first-listen.

I think the singles are definitely the best tracks, along with its cowboy closer, but it's all well worth listening to. Original Guilt is one of the best songs I've ever heard in my entire life.

Choice Trax: Original Guilt, I Swear, Think I Pass, Dreamin'

I love Tecca; he's killin' it in the Geek'N'B genre space. I always love to see a complete nerd like this gets famous.

Just like his past records, PLAN A is a little inconsistent on quality, but almost-solid all the way through! I'm really looking forward to where he goes from here.

Choice Trax: BAD TIME, I CAN'T LET GO, 4U, D1