We’re only six months into 2025, but already a number of artists have dropped albums that have topped the charts, sparked discourse and shaped this year’s culture as we know it.
And with that in mind, it’s difficult to choose a favorite. Bad Bunny reasserted his status at the forefront of Latin pop with Debí Tirar Más Fotos, while Lady Gaga made her return to dark dance-pop with the critically acclaimed Mayhem. Miley Cyrus, The Weeknd and Morgan Wallen also reemerged with new products in the first half of the year, dropping Something Beautiful, Hurry Up Tomorrow and I’m the Problem, respectively.
But in addition to those already established artists, multiple up-and-comers have scored breakout moments with new LPs as well. Addison Rae unveiled her first-ever full-length, Addison, while Tate McRae scored her very first No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 with So Close to What. One soundtrack also made waves in 2025: Sinners, which featured music from the film’s leading lady, Hailee Steinfeld, as well as Rhiannon Giddens, Brittany Howard, Buddy Guy and more.
But despite the high volume of great releases, Billboard staff still managed to assemble a list of our favorite LPs of the year thus far, from high-profile pop and hip-hop drops to less splashy but equally mighty indie and alt-rock albums. Now, it’s your turn — we want to know which of those albums grabbed your ears the most in the past six months.
Tell us which set has been your favorite in the first half of 2025 by voting in the poll below.
