2025 isn’t even half over, and with Stereolab dropping their new album on May 23rd, this year still has a lot to give. However, some of the best music has already released. Here are just a few of the albums that have defined the year so far:

Forever is a Feeling – Lucy Dacus

Lucy Dacus performing on The Tonight Show. Credit: GettyImages/NBC

Almost ten years from the release of her debut album, Forever is a Feeling released on March 25th 2025 and has received continuously good ratings from critics. Rolling Stone awarded the album 4/5 stars. Forever is a Feeling features the melancholy, but sweet feelings found throughout Lucy Dacus’ discography and improves upon 2021’s Home Video. As she continues to grow as an artist in award-winning Boygenius, she grows as a solo artist, and even without their names on the project, you can feel the impact of Pheobe Bridgers and Julien Baker. Her fourth album is a beautiful effort in indie pop, surrounded by fairy lights and flowers. It feels similar to Look Blue Go Purple, giving a timeless energy and showing that anyone can find something to love.

The album reached number five on the UK charts, an immense build on Home Video’s 85. This pairs with number 16 on the Billboard 200. Lucy Dacus has amazing potential, and a back catalogue of three other great albums, and Boygenius has propelled her even further.

She plays the Glasgow’s Barrowland Ballroom on July 1st.

The Human Fear – Franz Ferdinand

Franz Ferdinand performing in 2017. Credit: Kevin Winter/GettyImages

It’s difficult to look back and see where Franz Ferdinand came from. Their second single, Take Me Out, was a number one and The Human Fear was a Scottish number one.

But Franz Ferdinand comes from a world of small Scottish guitar bands that played shows at GSA and The 13th Note, which were organised by frontman Alex Kapranos himself. Alex Kapranos was one of many bass players for The Yummy Fur. Paul Thomson, the drummer. Franz Ferdinand came together with danceable, guitar-heavy pop music and a distinctive art style. Paul Thomson left in 2021 and continued to be one of Glasgow’s best drummers, but the guitars and the art have remained. They’ve shown an ability to grow and change while keeping their distinctive and great features.

The Human Fear has angular and trippy artwork with the monochromatic colour schemes that Franz Ferdinand are known for. The album stands out both on shop shelves and when you hear it. It is distinctly Franz Ferdinand in 2025.

They play the Galvanisers Yard on August 14th.

Oh! The Ocean – The Wombats

The Wombats perform in Australia. Credit: GettyImages/Matt Jelonek

The Wombats had a lot to live up to on their sixth album. Their previous effort, 2022’s Fix Yourself Not the World, gave the band their first UK number one. Despite landing at number four, Oh! The Ocean is a solid entry in The Wombats’ catalogue.

The ‘Bats entered the British music scene in the height of indie sleaze with guitar-heavy floor-fillers. As time passed, they developed their sound to involve pop and electronic influence, which is evident in This Modern Glitch. They’ve developed their sound into a unique indie pop that is perfect for festivals. Their live shows are laced with energy and dancing, and so is this record.

They support Catfish and The Bottlemen at Glasgow Green on July 9th.

2025: The Best Albums So Far