Sunday Special: The Best Music of 2025

December 14, 2025

• 2025 described as a disappointing and stagnant year for mainstream music, with fewer standout albums compared to previous years

• Bad Bunny’s album "Debbie Didad Masvatos" praised for blending Puerto Rican musical history with contemporary sounds

• Lady Gaga’s "Mayhem" seen as a reinvention that reconnects with her dance-pop roots, highlighted by the single "Abra Cadabra"

• Justin Bieber’s two albums under the name SWAG noted for experimental indie influences and a looser, more personal sound

• Emerging artists like Doja Cat, Sabrina Carpenter, and Jabberwocky discussed for their careful career pacing and evolving styles

• Taylor Swift’s "The Life of a Showgirl" recognized for commercial success but critiqued for cultural fatigue and marketing strategies

• New York rock bands Geese and Water From Your Eyes spotlighted for fresh approaches to indie and alternative rock

• Trends identified include the rise of producer-artists like Dijon and a strong showing of British women in pop music