2025 has already been a great year for music with releases from artists across all genres, including The Weeknd, Sabrina Carpenter, Morgan Wallen, and more. But the year isn’t over yet. Here’s a look back at the albums that have defined the year so far, along with a preview of what’s still to come.
2025 started off strong with the release of The Weeknd’s sixth studio album, “Hurry Up Tomorrow*.”* Expansive and cinematic, the project even arrived alongside a companion film. “Hurry Up Tomorrow” **is the third of a conceptual trilogy that serves as the final chapter in a narrative delving into existential themes and Tesfaye’s journey to end the persona of The Weeknd. This album features work from legendary producers including Mike Dean, Max Martin and Metro Boomin, even featuring artists including Playboi Carti, Travis Scott and Lana Del Rey.
Justin Bieber shocked the world with the surprise release of his seventh studio album “SWAG*.”* The album was Bieber’s first in four years and contains alt/indie, R&B and Afropop production that is heavily influenced by artists like Mk.gee and Dijon, who also worked on the album. It features artists like Gunna, Cash Cobain and Sexyy Red with interludes featuring comedian Druski.
After releasing the deluxe album of her platinum number one record “Short n’ Sweet*”* earlier this year, pop superstar Sabrina Carpenter has been on a roll, including the release of her seventh studio album, “Man’s Best Friend.“ This album contains jazzy and vintage pop-like production, exploring themes of relationships, breakups and lust in a comedic and humorous manner with cheeky and raunchy innuendos reminiscent of her last album. On previous albums, Carpenter collaborated with different writers and producers, but with “Man’s Best Friend,” **she is starting a tradition of working consistently with her crew of Jack Antonoff, John Ryan and Amy Allen, who also worked with her on “Short n’ Sweet.” **
Though there have been many stellar albums released this year, there are still more to look out for before it ends.
One of the most anticipated releases of the year is Taylor Swift’s twelfth studio album, “The Life of a Showgirl,“ set to release Oct. 3. **Swift announced the project during an appearance on “New Heights,” the podcast hosted by her now-fiancé Travis Kelce. She began working on this album while on the Eras Tour, collaborating with producers Max Martin and Shellback after a conversation with Martin during the Stockholm tour stop in May 2024.
After releasing a collaboration album, “$ome $exy $ongs 4 U*”* with Toronto protege PARTYNEXTDOOR on Valentine’s day this year, Drake is expected to drop a solo studio album titled “ICEMAN*”* before the year ends. **Drake has been doing episode livestreams to tease and roll out the release of this album, releasing hit singles like “Which One,” featuring British rapper Central Cee, and “Dog House,“ featuring alt/pop singer-songwriter Julia Wolf and California rapper Yeat.
After years of anticipation, A$AP Rocky is finally set to release his fourth studio album “Don’t Be Dumb*”* later this year. Rocky has been teasing the project for several years, previewing songs during his Rolling Loud New York headline set earlier this year. In the time since the last album, he starred in two high-profile films, was found not guilty in a felony case that carried the possibility of 24 years in prison and started a family with singer Rhianna, welcoming three children. In a recent interview, Rocky confirmed that the album is complete and will drop unexpectedly without a set release date.
Lana Del Rey’s tenth studio album and Summer Walker’s third, “Finally Over It,” are on the horizon, though release dates are yet to be announced. Mariah Carey’s sixteenth studio album “Here For it All” releases Sept. 26, while All Time Low’s tenth, “Everyone’s Talking,” is set to drop Oct. 17.
With major names making returns, 2025 is shaping up to be a standout year for music fans of all tastes.
