Best Albums of 2025 So Far (Favorite First-Half Albums)

 

Best Albums of 2025 So Far (Favorite First-Half Albums)

Well, now that we have surpassed the half-way [point of the year, and I have already reviewed a slew of top-notch albums, it's about time to look back and see what the very best albums of the year have been, so far (at least, my personal favorites of the year). I've listened to nearly a hundred new albums so far and there have been quite a few really good ones, and now, after having some time with them, here are the ones that have stood out thus far. Since I have already done short reviews for most or all of these, I will provide only a very brief description of each, as well as a link back to where I reviewed the album (E25, SP1, or SP2 roundups, to check out if you haven't already). Without further ado, here's my top 25 favorite albums of the year so far.

25. Jean-Pierre Louveton - Post-Scriptum (jazz-inflected, guitar-driven, atmospheric French Prog) SP2

24. Lux Terminus - Cinder (Dynamic, vibrant, piano-driven eclectic instrumental heavy Prog with jazzy overtones) SP2

23. Glass Hammer - Rogue (Welcome return to symphonic Prog, with mostly mellower melodic prog and an emphasis on vocals and pop-rock melodies) SP1

22. Van Morrison - Remembering Now (Van returns to an earlier classic style that is warm, comforting, beautiful, and nostalgic for his best album in decades) SP2

21. The Head and The Heart - Aperture (Return to a more folky, homespun, stripped-back style that highlight the personal, introspective, and inspiring songs) SP2

20. Cosmic Cathedral - Deep Water (Neal Morse's latest band features a jazzier approach to Neal's signature style and sound) SP1

19. Mary Chapin Carpenter - Personal History (Deeply personal album of heartfelt, introspective songs, stripped down arrangements, and touching thought-provoking lyrics) SP2

18. Little Feat - Strike Up the Band (Mix of old and new players bring back the classic Feat sound and style for a triumphant new album) SP2

17. Nad Sylvan - Monumentata (Nad's chameleon vocal style, strong songwriting, and contributions from numerous guest artists create a strong album that combines prog and mainstream rock) SP2

16. The Doobie Brothers - Walk This Road (The return of Michael McDonald, along with founders Tom Johnston and Patrick Simmons, together for the first time, provide great variety and create some new Doobie Brothers classics) SP2

15. King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizards (Latest from this prolific genre-hopping band presents breezy, upbeat psych-rock with added orchestration (strings, winds, horns) for fuller richer sound)  SP2

14. Jacob Roberge - The Passing (Canadian multi-instrumentalist's 1st album is a grand excursion in symphonic prog, highlighted by the epic title track featuring multiple styles and dynamics, embracing the classic bands and modern influences) E25

13. Solstice - Clann (Tasty mix of folk, jazz, and melodic prog in an upbeat, joyful style that is accessible and engaging, with great vocals and harmonies E25

12. Coheed and Cambria - The Father of Make Believe (Wide variety of styles and strong melodic sense highlight this latest entry in their ongoing series of albums) E25

11. Bjorn Riis - Fimbulvinter (Guitarist from Airbag presents moody, atmospheric soundscapes with poignant, introspective, and personal feel for a wonderful, powerful album)  

10. Motorpsycho - Motorpsycho (Another wonderful, eclectic album featuring a great mix of lighter and heavier fare showing their psych, prog, and hard rock roots) E25

9. Pattern-Seeking Animals - Friend of All Creatures (Great modern melodic Prog, beautiful and well-played, with great vocals and musicianship, and the full range of emotions, dynamics, and instrumentation) E25 

8. Rocking Horse Music Club - The Last Pink Glow (Worthy follow-up to their previous masterwork, Circus of Wire Dolls (2023), incorporating prog, pop, folk, jazz, and blues into a presentation of Jack Kerouac's A Haunted Life) SP1

7. Counting Crows - Butter Miracle: The Complete Sweets (Great new album from the 'Crows that highlights their classic sound and also moves forward in new directions, great mix of songs) SP1

6. OK Go - And the Adjacent Possible (All-out, fun, good-timey pop songs, featuring well-crafted, imminently tuneful, clever, and catchy songs in a variety of pop styles. Great summer album)  SP1

5. Karfagen - Omni (keyboard-centric symphonic prog from prolific Ukranian musician Antony Kalugin's band, featuring emphasis on vocals and melodies.) SP1 

4. Lars Frederik Froislie - Gamle Mester (Splendid album of Norwegian symphonic Prog from Wobbler's keyboard master featuring richly textured, complex, and dynamic songs that are fresh, warm, and adventurous) SP1 

3. Echolyn - Time Silent Radio ii & vii (Returning with their unique rockin' prog sound, mixing classic melodic rock and power pop with sumptuous symphonic prog for a wonderful set of albums) E25

2. Karmakanic - Transmutation (Brilliant modern symphonic Prog, Jonas Reingold and crew, extremely creative and inventive arrangements, production, and instrumentation, intricate, exciting themes and melodies. Best Epic of the year).E25 Close contender for album of the year, but in the end, had to go with:

1. Great Wide Nothing - A Shout Into The Void (Bold, dynamic, hard-rocking, yet still maintains a strong melodic sensibility, with catchy melodies and hooks throughout. Love this album, have played it repeatedly over the past couple months, and love it more and more each time. Every song great, no weaknesses, such that I have increased my rating to 5ó , a masterpiece (only one of the year so far), and undoubtedly the best album of the year thus far. SP1

OK, so that's my mid-year wrap-up. been a fine year with some great music, and certainly more to come. What were your favorite new albums for 2025 so far?