My process is listening to new albums, and putting any song of 'good' caliber and above on my list. I always score blindly, separating the art from the artist. Then I listen to the list, and move songs up to the other lists if they're better. Until I have a smaller, more curated list. Then I assign points to each category and add all the songs good and better to get a score of each album. After that, I painstakingly go back to each artist and see how many tracks were on the album in order to get a percent (decimal really, but you can move it 2 places). It's always a surprise to me who won, because I only put the albums in order after all of that.
This year the point system is:
Golds = 10
Awesome = 6
Great = 4
Good = 2
SPECIAL MENTIONS OF 2025:
_____I hate singles and EPs so much!
The Great Kat (many, many albums & singles)
1 good
1 good
2 great
1 great
1 great
1 awesome
1 awesome
1 awesome
I think it's a Violin String Orchestra type of thing with variations on the classics. I liked a lot of them though, so check it out!
_____I hate singles and EPs so much!
Akon
great single
great feature
Evanescence
2 Great singles = 8
OneRepublic
1 great single/EP?
1 great single/different EP?
don't waste time on singles, people. I want an ALBUM. Put together at least 10 songs before you release things. The drip drop of single, after single gets lost in the shuffle, and is hard to quantify for judging. I want the whole shebang!
72 ALBUMS MADE THE LIST FOR 2025:
Lucy Dacus
2 Good = 4
1 Great = 4
8 pt/21 tot = 0.38
The Gen-Z music is so quiet. Not a lot of beat, no rock in sight. It's difficult for me to attach to. I would like some oomph in the melodies. Maybe a stronger rhythm? Something to amp it up more.
Humankind tied for
3 Good = 6
6 pt/12 = 0.5
Seth McFarlane tied for
3 Good = 6
6 pt/12 = 0.5
If you like Michael Buble' you'll like this.
Underdogs
3 Good = 6
6 pt/11 = 0.55
Daughtry
2 Good = 4
4 pt/7 tot = 0.57
God, I used to love this band so much. My heart would grow two sizes listening. But now their music is unmemorable.
Haim
4 Good = 8
1 Great = 4
12 pt/18 tot = 0.67
Lizzo
+ 1 great single
2 Good = 4
1 great = 4
Fletcher
2 Good = 4
1 Great = 4
8 pt/11 tot = 0.73
I hate it here. I hate the concept, the self-pity, and the tricky-labeling. I'd like to see a better story and more voice and heart on the next one.
Jake Owen
5 Good = 10
10/13 tot = 0.77
Nothing More
2 Good = 4
2 Awesome = 12
16 pt/20 tot = 0.8
Bruce Dickenson
1 Golds = 10
10/12 tot = 0.83
Selena
2 Good = 4
4 Great = 16
20 pt/22 tot = 0.91
This is going to sound hater-but it's truthfully complementary. Selena is a brand and persona first and foremost, and that's impressive. It's amazing Selena's career has gone this far, an advertisement for getting PR out there to build your brand. I've seen her featured on many, many, many can't sing, lip-synching, not singing videos that are embarrassing. Girl doesn't have the vocals. I'm sure she has other talents, and her fans don't seem to care, so if she can put out whole ass albums-I guess good for her and her producer. This one was meh for the most part. But again, the fact she's working as a singer at all speaks to her talent for marketing herself.
Twenty-One Pilots
4 Good = 8
1 Great = 4
12/13 tot = 0.92
Where'd they go and when are they coming back? They were so dominant at times, defining a whole hipster generation that it's weird and sad that this iteration of the band is... different. Lacking. I want more of the old sounds please and thank you.
BEATrio
2 Good = 4
2 Great = 8
12 pt/11 tot = 1.09
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3kuXmzDnFroTxSiTNbVdxT?si=827c674c511f4c2b
TOP 40 OF 2025:
Jon Bellion tied for 40th
4 Good = 8
2 Great = 8
16 pt/14 tot = 1.14
Sierra Ferrell tied for 40th
1 good single
1 good = 2
2 Great = 8
1 Awesome = 6
16 pt/14 tot = 1.14
Benson Boone
2 Awesome = 12
12/10 tot = 1.2
Ugh--TOTAL disappointment. He dramatically swept the whole countdown last year. The singing brought chills. The writing inspired me to do an entire blog series on the subtext. Maybe this album is good, but Benson just knocked it so far out of the park with the last album, that this is mediocre in comparison. I wanted more. I think taking more time, and doing deeper writing, extra editing would have improved this album. Can people stop writing for Tik-tok and start putting out albums for legacy, please? Benson has such extreme talent it's a shame to see it go to waste.
King Princess- Girl Violence
6 Good = 12
1 Great = 4
16/13 tot = 1.23
The Lumineers
2 Great = 8
2 Awesome = 12
20 pt/16 tot = 1.25
Jonah Kagen tied for 36th
4 great = 16
3 Good = 6
22 pt/16 = 1.38
Sabrina Carpenter- Man's Best Friend tied for 36th
1 good = 2
1 great = 4
2 awesome = 12
18 pt/13 tot = 1.38
HATE the cover. Like, really really hate the degrading, abuse-adjacent knees and hair-pulling by old-ass, faceless guy. Even if it's a kink, or if Sabrina is calling attention to power dynamics in a feminist way--the visuals are gross to me. Whether it's pandering to pedos or the sarcastic misinterpretation of Lola, it's... yuck. If the album is trying to satirize things--well, it's not obvious enough to land with the general public. If the message seems on-brand, and isn't tipping people off that there's a nod and a wink--it's not satire at all. If the message gets garbled to the point some people understand the meta joke, but some people consume it in earnest--then it didn't meet the goal. I'll give her that some of the song melodies were catchy. But the album felt like a draft. Like it could have used some extra time and care. Also, I think this is off-putting for a lesbian? It caters too much to men-loving people to the point, I had no familiarity, or resonance with the material. And the joke-e-joke, cheeky? stuff is old. It's too much in the same way Wood (which I think was trying to emulate this style) went too far. The memes and side-eye, are just.... Can't we just have commentary that's serious? Or like depth in a way that's sincere? I can't put my finger on why I don't like this subtext, but I really, really don't. It's going to be dated, and not hold up in the way Nickleback or Swing were definite trends and products of one certain era only. I hope it passes soon.
Joe Bonamassa
3 Good = 6
2 Great = 8
14 pt/10 = 1.4
Ed Sheeran
5 Good = 10
4 Great = 16
2 Awesome = 12
38 pt/27 tot = 1.41
Another let down. What is with these lyrics? Per the usual Ed can sing his ass off and emote to high heaven. But the lyrics were shallow and odd. Maybe he should do another theme series? Something else. I love the feeling I get hearing his voice, I just wish the words said something.
Florida Georgia Line- Can't Say I Aint Country tied for 33rd
5 Good = 10
2 Great = 8
3 Awesome = 18
36 pt/24 tot = 1.5
Homefree tied for 33rd
3 great singles
1 awesome single
3 Good = 6
3 great = 12
Wild Iris Brass Band- Way Up tied for 33rd
2 Good = 4
2 Great = 8
12/8 tot = 1.5
The Carlile Family Band
2 Good = 4
1 Great = 4
8/5 tot = 1.6
They might have ranked higher had there been more songs. In a year where Brandi's album disappointed me, and the twins' album was super boring and unmemorable, the Carlile Family Band filled that hole (somewhat) of what was missing. I'll have to watch for them in the future.
Bon Iver
2 Good = 4
1 Great = 4
8 pt/13 tot = 1.63
TOP 30 OF 2025:
Beats Antique- Metamorphosis tied for 30th
3 Good = 6
1 Great = 4
Jullien Baker, Torres tied for 30th
5 Good = 10
1 Great = 4
1 Awesome = 6
20 pt/12 tot = 1.67
Michigander tied for 30th
3 Good = 6
2 Great = 8
1 Awesome = 6
20/12 tot = 1.67
I don't really know who they are or where (musically) they came from (I see the name) but they impacted my list. I was totally surprised multiple of their songs ranked very well, just because they're a total unknown to me. I'm going to look into them more now that they countdown is set, and hope to see some good offerings in the future.
HaleStorm tied for 30th
4 Good = 8
1 Awesome = 6
14 pt/12 tot = 1.67
Honestly, at one point in a dreary, lackluster sea of music that this year turned out to be, I thought this album would win it all. It has va va voom. OOmph. Passion. Great singing. I really like it and followed this band to hear more.
Counting Crows
5 Good = 10
1 Awesome = 6
16 pt/9 tot = 1.78
Aloe Black- Stand Together tied for 28th
2 awesome = 12
6 Good = 12
24 pt/12 tot = 2
Buckcherry tied for 28th
4 Good = 8
3 Great = 12
20 pt/10 tot = 2
Florence & the Machine tied for 28th
3 Good = 6
3 Great = 12
1 Awesome = 6
24 pt/12 tot = 2
Zac Brown Band tied for 28th
3 good = 6
2 Great = 8
2 Awesome = 12
26 pt/13 tot = 2
The Black Keys
3 Good = 6
3 awesome = 18
24 pt/11 tot = 2.18
Lainey Wilson
3 Good = 6
6 Great = 24
2 Awesome = 12
42 pt/19 tot = 2.21
Someone to watch! She has a lot of potential and I got the impression that this is just the beginning of what we will hear from her. This album was good, but had un-tapped potential. Maybe if she can get some of that Blake Shelton or Maroon 5 money, she can drop something really excellent in the future.
Anderson East- Worthy
4 Great = 16
1 Awesome = 6
22 pt /10 tot = 2.2
Maren Morris
1 good single
3 good = 6
4 great = 16
3 awesome = 18
40 pt/18 tot = 2.22
Miley Cyrus
2 Good = 4
2 Great = 8
2 Awesome = 12
1 Golds = 10
34 pt/15 tot = 2.27
Maroon 5 tied for 22nd
6 Great = 24
1 Awesome = 6
30 pt/13 tot = 2.31
They can still put out a sparkly, track. How much is just the money behind them and how much is creative inspiration? I have a feeling it's more of a machine now, as the songs are good but somehow empty? Or canned? Ummm, rote? I wish I could hear some real feelings of any kind in their next album.
Teddy Swims tied for 22nd
3 great = 12
3 Awesome = 18
30 pt/ 13 tot (this year) = 2.31
Enough already. How many parts are on this album? It's been continuous for what? 3 years now? Can he just release one whole album and keep it at that? Going on and on like this really made my enthusiasm and patience wane.
The Head and the Heart tied for 21 st
3 Good = 6
4 Great = 16
1 Awesome = 6
28 pt/12 tot = 2.33
Lord Huron tied for 21st
4 Great = 16
2 Awesome = 12
28/12 = 2.33
The theme of 2025 was my major staple artists exciting me with an album drop, only to disappoint me. Too quiet, too short, nothing super-standout, doesn't match the energy of the rest of the catalog. All of that could be said for most of my staples this year, but it was pretty disappointing here, because I really look forward to Lord Huron's new material. BUT I WISH THEY WOULD LISTEN TO ME YEAR, AFTER YEAR, AND RELAEASE A LIVE ALBUM. Seriously, it would be the best. Groundbreaking. I guarantee it would garner new fans--as they're an entirely different, energetic, band at the concert.
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0XUBMljAhKNw1IMPPusROD?si=85dd479faf514f9a
TOP 20 OF 2025:
Mumford & Sons tied for 20th
3 Great = 12
2 Awesome = 12
24 pt/10 tot = 2.4
Ugh, I hate that these guys lost every single thing that made me like them in the first place. Now they're just vanilla, and blend in with the pack. Alright, but nothing notable.
Sabrina Carpenter- Short & Sweet, deluxe tied for 20th
1 good = 2
1 great = 4
1 awesome = 6
12 pt/5 new songs = 2.4
I wasn't even going to count this, because I absolutely hate late additions to albums. Put out your one album all at one time, please! I wish billboard and whatever else counting/stat companies would change the rules, because deluxe, variations, remixes, etc, etc, are really bumming me out from a ranking, and just finding the music standpoint. But this was at least a solid addition that amped up a good album even more. But wouldn't it have been even better if these 5 songs were just part of it from the beginning???
King Princess- Cherry tied for 19th
3 Good = 6
1 Great = 4
10/4 tot = 2.5
OK Go tied for 19th
5 Good = 10
2 Great = 8
2 Awesome = 12
30 pt/12 tot = 2.5
Snow Patrol
2 Good = 4
6 Great = 24
3 Awesome = 18
46 pt/18 tot = 2.56
Who knew I would be ranking Snow Patrol, a staple from my college days? Twenty plus years later they've still got it. The music landscape has changed so much since the early otts that this left me wanting something more. I can't put my finger on what element was missing, but just one more thing would have secured a higher place in the countdown.
Eric Church
3 Great = 12
1 Awesome = 6
18 pt/7 tot 2.57
Dolly Parton- The Dollywood Collection
3 Good = 6
2 Great = 8
2 awesome = 12
26 pt/10 tot = 2.6
Mariah Carey tied for 15th
3 Good = 6
2 Great = 8
1 Awesome = 6
1 Golds = 10
30/11 tot = 2.73
Sarah McLachlan tied for 15th
3 Good = 6
3 Great = 12
2 Awesome = 12
30 pt/11 tot = 2.73
It was so nice to see her back on the scene, and I enjoyed a lot of this album. There just needed to be a few songs leveled-up in some way, and it could have won. This is a great re-start or legacy piece, but left me hungry for more.
Dierks Bentley
6 Good = 12
2 Great = 8
3 awesome = 18
38 pt/13 tot = 2.92
I wished for more on this album. More originality, more feistiness, more party or breakup. But I found the work kinda derivative? Like trying to capture the past work, but falling short. I think Dierks can age, be happy (or sad) in life, and still release some cheeky hits. I missed that playfulness, and... a genuineness(?) from before.
Demi Lovato tied for for 13th
4 Good = 8
3 Great = 12
2 Awesome = 12
1 Golds = 10
42 pt/14 tot = 3
Pretty much all of my staple artists disappointed me in this year 2025. Not because this is a bad or mediocre album, but I just know she can do better. This one was mid-when rated next to her own backcatalog.
Kesha = tied for for 13th
2 Good = 4
8 great = 32
4 Awesome = 24
60/20 tot = 3
I thought this album might win, it showed up all over my Spotify Wrapped, and the concert was great. I think lyrically, a lot of these could have dug deeper, but all in all the party girl has still got it. She consistently puts out a catchy, danceable product.
Renee Rapp tied for for 13th
4 Good = 8
4 Great = 16
2 Awesome = 12
36/12 tot = 3
After last year, I figured Renee Rapp would win the countdown with whatever album she dropped next. I was wrong about that and disappointed in this. Tell me this--why don't these gals with pipes release material that shows off their singing ability??? From Christina Aguilera, to Ariana Grande, to Panic at the Disco I get these albums talking through songs, rapping, having more attitude than voice--when I know for a fact these people are superior vocalists. I'd love to hear less, sass and more voice from Renee.
3 Great = 12
2 Awesome = 12
36 pt/12 tot = 3
Taylor has set the bar high with her own catalog. And the anticipation for a new album, and the marketing and promotion behind it also raised expectations. So.... Color me a bit disappointed. Not as disappointed in this album as I was some of my staple artists, but I had hoped for more. I will say the album is a grower that gets better with subsequent listens. Also, knowing it's part of a trilogy made it better for me. But just the cringe lyrics of Wood alone, turned me off of it. The song is catchy, and the jokes are a bit funny, but it's too much. I know the showgirl is brash, and gives the (majority heteronormative) audience everything they ask for, but I'm gonna need the poet to step back in a little and take it down 3 levels. I get what Taylor's doing, with the whole performance of pop-fame and all, but I miss some older elements in her songs that, if here at all, and buried deep, deep in the subtext.
Dropkick Murphys
3 Good = 6
3 Great = 12
4 Awesome = 24
1 Golds = 10
52 pt/17 tot = 3.06
Anti-work? I can totally get behind this upbeat, pro-labor album! I played it more than I even realized and one of the songs showed up on my Spotify-Wrapped.
Ben Kweller
6 Good = 12
3 great = 12
1 Awesome = 6
1 Golds = 10
40 pt/ 12 tot = 3.33
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3wI9mr9DpMSD23XxZyFNCN?si=a9ea5ada0736493d
TOP 10 OF 2025:
Brandi Carlile 10TH
4 Good = 8
2 Awesome = 12
1 Golds = 10
34 pt/10 tot = 3.4
Oh, what to say about Brandi Carlile, once firmly planted in my top 3 bands of ever. . . I wanted to really like this, hoped it would be a grower. But I found it firmly adult contemporary. Safe. Boring. I hate to even put that because I don't wanna grow apart from her, but... I want edge, and beat, and--where the fuck are the twins? Or her high risk, crazy-good vocals, for that matter? Honestly, I can't even believe Returning to Myself made it this high on the list, because I was mostly disappointed.
Lady Gaga
3 Great = 12
6 Awesome = 36
1 Golds = 10
58 pt /17 tot = 3.41
She put this record out early so I was hoping it wouldn't be forgotten. Edge? Check. Moag? check. Vocals? Check. Catchy, dancy beats? Check and check. I thought she might win the countdown and am happy she landed in the top 10.
Blake Shelton
2 Good = 4
4 Great = 16
4 Awesome = 24
44 pt/12 tot = 3.67
I didn't take into account any personal lives in my ranking, because if I had Blake would not be here--I am firmly on Miranda Lambert's side (you call me crazy, I get more crazy). But he was equally fun and sentimental and the songs held up--to my surprise.
Florida Georgia Line- Here's to the Good Times/...Roll
6 Good = 12
13 Great = 52
5 Awesome = 30
1 Golds = 10
104 pt/28 tot = 3.71
I found myself gravitating to this party country throughout the year, though I did wonder just how many tracks were on this album, as it seemed never ending.
Kaleo
3 Good = 6
1 Great = 4
3 Awesome = 18
1 Golds = 10
38/10 tot = 3.8
Rob Thomas
3 Great = 12
5 Awesome = 30
42/ 11 tot = 3.81
Where has he been? I don't know if the Barbie spotlight inspired him to get going, or if he just had been on hiatus, but I appreciated hearing him again, and per the usual he didn't disappoint.
Green Day
5 Good = 10
5 Great = 20
7 Awesome = 42
2 Golds = 20
92 pt/24 tot = 3.83
Ellise
5 Good = 10
3 Great = 12
4 Awesome = 24
2 Golds = 20
66 pt/16 tot = 4.125
I like the anger, and love the bitter breakup songs!
Morgan Wade
2 Good = 4
4 Great = 16
5 Awesome = 30
2 Golds = 20
70 pt/16 tot = 4.38
Linkin Park
1 Great = 4
6 Awesome = 36
3 Golds = 30
70/14 tot = 5
I didn't think Chester Bennington could be replaced, nor could Linkin Park continue without him. I thought one of my initial staple bands were done. Kinda like there's no TLC without Lefteye. But, this iteration of Linkin Park is the perfect solution! Emily Armstrong can scream, growl, roar, and emote similarly to the way Chester did, but it's a different enough sound due to her female voice. She's not a replacement, she's the second wave, another iteration, part 2. I like that they didn't try to find a dude that sounded exactly the same (impossible! disrespectful!) and I love that they didn't change their sound altogether. Aside from my utter awe, at the vocal changes, this album stood out easily ranking 3rd or 4th best in a strong catalog.
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