More Best Albums of 2025 - Honorable Mentions

 

 More of the Best Albums of 2025 - Honorable Mentions

I previously featured my Top 40 picks for Best Albums of the Year. Here I continue these Year-End Lists with more of the best albums, many more honorable mentions that were also good to very good. I've separated these into sections for the really very good, those albums that were really impressive, but that just didn't quite make my Top 40 list, and then those that I would just call good, and worth checking out, that may have had some really great moments, but also may have been uneven or had lesser tracks that made the album a bit less exemplary, but still overall, good. I've also subdivided each group into the Prog-related and non-Prog album categories (because I know that Prog is a special category that appeals to a more select group). There are just minimal comments here. For more info refer to my previous seasonal new album roundups for most of these. So here they are:

More Very Good 2025 Albums:
Prog-related 

Jean_Pierre Louveton - Post-Scriptum (jazz-inflected, guitar-driven, atmospheric French Prog)

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

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

CEN-Projekt - Carnival of Lost Souls (German composer-multi-instrumentalist Chris Engel's classic-style symphonic prog, creating wonderful melodies and compelling instrumental work).

Dim Gray - Shards (Norwegian Prog band continues exploring their blend of atmospheric, emotional soundscapes with lush symphonic backing and soaring melodies. 

Rick Miller - Perspective (strong album of mellow atmospheric prog from Canadian multi-instrumentalist, with something of a blend of Pink Floyd, Alan Parsons Project, and the Moody Blues. Soothing, somewhat dark, but very enjoyable.  

Agropelter - Book of Hours (Impressive debut from this Norwegian instrumental symphonic Prog band, a project of multi-instrumentalist Kay Olsen plus numerous guest musicians. Strong classical influences and a classic prog style, with  wonderful sections, beautiful melodies, great musicianship and instrumental prowess).  

Mostly Autumn - Seawater (Dramatic, atmospheric folk-rock with prog elements, filled with simple but effective songs and engaging melodies that are given lush treatment. Great emotional vocal performances of the main female and male vocalists are highlights))

McStine and Minneman - III (Impressive third collaboration between prog vocalist-multi-instrumentalist Randy McStine and drummer Marco Minneman, blending elements of pop, prog, art rock, and alternative, as well as mixing traditional melodic songs with bold experimentation)

Non-Prog (rock, pop, folk, etc.)

Racing Mount Pleasant - Racing Mount Pleasant (Sincere, emotional, and starkly beautiful songs given additional dramatic heft with effective use of wind and horn arrangements for a unique symphonic folk sound) 

Midlake - A Bridge to Far (Dreamy vocals and melodies, and pleasing arrangements highlight this very enjoyable folk-rock album)

Alison Krauss and Union Station - Arcadia (Alison/Union Station reunite after 14 years, with beautiful results, alternating between Alison's sweet, pretty ballads and the band's Appalachian folk songs sung by new vocalist Russel Moore)

The Head and the Heart - Aperture (A welcome return to a more folky homespun style and sound for this indie folk-rock band, with a more stripped back and lo-fi style. Fine vocals and harmonies and pleasingly simple arrangements) 

Stereolab - Instant Holograms on Metal Film (Unique Anglo-French avant-pop band, a style from early 60's French and European pop, with soft-spoken female vocals over jazzy pop and mixing in modern elements from Krautrock and electronica for a uniquely retro-futurist sound) 

My Morning Jacket - Is (The band settles into a comfortable, more pop-infused groove here, with a safe, but beautiful and highly enjoyable sound and style) 

Lou Hazel - Riot in the Red (American singer-songwriter presents heartfelt folk and Americana. Wonderful songwriting, and sparse but effective arrangements highlight his world-weary reflections and perceptive observations)

Steve Martin and Alison Brown - Safe, Sensible, and Sane (Steve teams up with renowned banjo player Alison Brown for a very entertaining album of original folk and bluegrass banjo songs and pieces. Full of delightful guest collaborators, which keeps the songs and styles varied and very enjoyable).  

Envy of None - Stygian Waves (2nd album from this pop band featuring former Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson and vocalist Maiah Wynne showcases an atmospheric and immersive sound, with better grooves and melodies and encompassing soundscapes than debut)

Mary Chapin Carpenter - Personal History (Americana singer-songwriter Mary Chapin Carpenter returns with this deeply personal album of heartfelt, introspective songs, stripped down arrangements, and touching thought-provoking lyrics)

Van Morrison - Remembering Now (Aging legend returns with his best album in decades, showing renewed spirit and a sound and style that harkens back to his earlier albums, as he looks back at his life and musical journey with touching and introspective lyrics).

More Good, Worthy Albums (though somewhat flawed, uneven, or overall less effective than those higher up on my list)
Prog-related

Steven Wilson - The Overview
IQ - Dominion
Smalltape - Tangram
Steve Morse Band - Triangulation
Arjen Anthony Lucassen - Songs No One Will Hear
Discipline - Breadcrumbs
Squeaky Feet - The Overview Effect
Magic Pie - Maestro
Cosmograf - The Orphan Epoch
Imaginearium - Siege 
Jethro Tull - Curious Ruminant
Dream Theater - Parasomnia
Dominic Sanderson - Blazing Revelations
Moon Letters - This Dark Earth
Untold Stories - Wind and Memories
Edensong - Our Road to Dust
Joviac - Autofiction
Night Flight Orchestra - Give Us the Moon
Hats Off Gentleman - The Uncertainty Principle
Pareidolon - The Unattainable Shore
Jason Bieler - The Escapologist
Jack O'the Clock - Portraits
Weather Station - Humanhood
Numen - The Outsiders

Non-Prog

Brandi Carlile - Returning to Myself
Peel Dream Magazine - Taurus
The Last Dinner Party - From the Pyre
David Byrne - Who is the Sky?
Ringo Starr - Look Up
Bernie Leadon - Too Late to be Cool
Stephen Bishop - Thimk
Ben Kweller - Cover the Mirrors
Rick Wakeman - Melancholia
Sam Fender - People Watching
Brian D'Addario - Till the Morning
Mogwai - Bad Fire

So, yes, lots of great music in 2025. Anyone that says today's music is no good just hasn't looked around, as there is great music happening all over, all the time. You just have to find your niche, your community,  and the artists that are meaningful to you. They are out there.  

Still to Come: Best Songs of 2025