Posted: by The Alt Editing Staff
If we’re being honest, what we’re all hoping for in 2025 is a change in fortunes for our country. This is a year that has already started with a new Trump reign and Nazi salutes by Twitter’s owner. We need something better, and fast. That said, at least there are still some absolutely incredible artists within the United States and around the world, and they will be releasing some much needed art this year. While very few albums have been fully confirmed, these are the albums that our staff is most excited to get to hear in 2025:
Bartees Strange – Horror (2/14)
Bartees Strange has been on my radar since 2020 when he dropped his debut album Live Forever (which lived in my head for what seemed like forever). His ability to blur the lines of genre and to illustrate how fluid music can be has that has kept me circling his orbit. Drawing on his past as a producer, it only seems to encourage the way he curates full-sounding projects regardless of them swinging from rock to country to hip-hop to gospel to dance, etc. The announcement of his third installment, Horror, to release on Valentine’s Day is another feat for Bartees. He’s described the record as a “fear-fueled” LP that sprouts from where he stands now, lyrically and sonically, instead of pulling from his past lives. He’s also teamed up with Jack Antonoff for this project, so I’m curious to hear the way he paints fear and pushes through the anxiety and confusion that encompasses fear overtop an Antonoff-influenced production. – Hope Ankney
BBGuns – TBA
A wake and bake record par excellence, BBGuns’ 2019 Help Yourself is endlessly listenable, with every aspect clicking. The beats and rhymes are a perfect combo of sunny and gloomy, but the hooks shouldn’t be ignored either as they add another register for the duo to work with. BBGuns recently reunited for their first show since their tour for Help Yourself run and apparently have a new record lined up for this year, which I’m sure to have on repeat when it drops. – Aaron Eisenreich
Blondshell – If You Asked for a Picture (5/2)
Almost three years ago Blondshell burst onto the scene as a head-turning indie project that has continued to barrel through burning gloom and wistful glamor like they were ingrained in singer-songwriter Sabrina Teitelabum’s bones. With the announcement of the project’s sophomore album, If You Asked for a Picture, I anticipate hearing how much has been built on the foundation of mesmerizing ’90s alt-rock and cooler pop musings that she has crafted since 2022. If it swings as hard as Blondshell’s self-titled debut did, it’ll be a strong hit that other alternative records of 2025 will have a difficult time matching. – Hope Ankney
Car Seat Headrest – TBA
It’s been five years and a nasty case of long COVID since Car Seat Headrest’s last record. 2020’s Making a Door Less Open was divisive for fans, with the band ditching their trademark slacker rock sound for something a little more modern. The band have all but confirmed officially that they have an album on the way in the near future, with some rumors alluding that the fabled record is nearly finished. Will Toledo and co. have a handful of festival outings on the books, including Gov Ball in NYC and Kilby Block Party in Salt Lake City, with more to be announced soon. Whether or not Car Seat Headrest will continue down the sonic path that they took with Making a Door Less Open is yet to be known, but it will be exciting to hear how the band have evolved creatively over the past half decade. – Leah Weinstein
Cardi B – TBA
People talk a lot of trash about Cardi B. Most likely this is because she is one of the most successful Hispanic women artists in American history, and she isn’t afraid to speak her mind and clown her haters. Say what you want, but Cardi has released a lot of music over the years and very little of it has been bad. In fact, I would say she’s released hits at an almost unsustainable batting average especially during her major label career. Even her feature appearances have usually been hits. However, this desire to never miss and prove everyone wrong may also have contributed to her long time between releases. Last Trump presidency, I was living in Washington Heights NYC, in the Cardi epicenter, and there were Cardi B for president posters up in the laundry mats. I hope that her return will bring about a similar pride for the Hispanic Americans of NY who could badly use a win right now. I hope she makes all her doubters eat their words. – Henderson
Cheekface – TBA
I’ve been a Cheekface fan since I heard “Dry Heat/Nice Town” back in the ancient pre-pandemic time of 2018. They are one of the few bands who can write a song about how on fire everything is that will make you laugh and bob your head. They are my go-to when everything seems dire and I feel helpless. They make me smile, let go of the things I can’t control, and give me enough comedy to make me feel like I can handle what I can control. If there was ever a year we needed a Cheekface album, it’s every year. But this year in particular, I am stoked to be able to walk through this dumpster fire with their new album in my ears whenever it releases. – Jami Fowler
Danny Brown – TBA
Danny Brown’s always reinventing himself, and even though his last album came out in 2023 he had a pretty busy 2024, featuring on music from frequent collaborator Bruiser Wolf and upstarts Joey Valence & Brae. More interestingly, though, has been Danny’s embrace of hyperpop, digicore, and all other sorts of weird, internet-warped electronic music: his appearance on femtanyl’s “M3 N MIN3,” his Frost Children feature, his collaboration with Alice Longyu Gao, his stanning of Jane Remover and underscores. He’s never been one to play it safe, and it seems likely that whatever comes next is going to be just as weird and gripping as all his other work. “They want that old Danny Brown,” he taunted on the title track to 2013’s Old, but me? I’m ready for new Danny Brown, and I’ll follow him wherever he wants to take us. – Zac Djamoos
The Darkness – Dreams on Toast (3/28)
My husband and I danced for the first time as a married couple at our wedding to “I Believe in a Thing Called Love,” and it was glorious and joyful. The Darkness has a new album coming out in March, and from what I can glean Dreams on Toast is going to be flamboyant and fun. I think we better get our dancing shoes out again. – Jami Fowler
FKA twigs – Eusexua (1/24)
FKA twigs’ new album in half a decade, Eusexua, is out on Friday, and I’ve been hype for this since her Valentino performance. This album feels like it will grant us levels of ’90s-era Björk, chains in a basement club, and a celebration of the body. “People always told me that I take my love too far” feels like a reclamation is coming in this record—and with the recently-announced tour, I’m eager to see the full album and what I’m sure will be a stunning performance. – Ryleigh Wann
Fust – Big Ugly (3/7)
Aaron Dowdy’s songwriting skills have sharpened with each new Fust release, and 2023’s exceptional Genevieve was their crowning achievement up to that point. But now the North Carolina alt-country project announced their third full-length, Big Ugly, out in early March, and the rollicking lead single “Spangled” is one of Fust’s hardest-rocking tracks yet. It leans more into the heartland rock moments on Genevieve (“Trouble,” “Searchers”) rather than the softer, tenderer sound of tracks like “Violent Jubilee” or “Open Water.” But Dowdy sounds as good as ever, and his regionalist poetry still manages to feel universal in its ultra-specificity. In a just world, Genevieve would’ve launched Fust into indie rock stardom the way so many other country-tinged artists have been gaining ground lately; hopefully Big Ugly can help them make that leap. Even if it doesn’t, it’s shaping up to be yet another masterpiece. – Zac Djamoos
Greg Mendez – TBA
Greg Mendez’s 2023 self-titled record was on our list of most anticipated records, our mid-year “best so far” list, and our best of the year published around the holidays. In the larger world, the gorgeous minimalist record was a breakthrough moment for steady-handed songwriter. After the record ran through a few vinyl and tape presses from Forged Artifacts and Devil Town Tapes, Big Indie took notice, earning Mendez a deal with Dead Oceans accompanied by a sparse EP First Time / Alone that finds Mendez splitting time between keys and acoustic. While no new full-length has been announced yet, it’s a safe bet Mendez will have new music out there this year, and an equally safe bet that it’ll be the kind of record that creeps under your skin in the way the best records do. – Aaron Eisenreich
Harry Styles – TBA
In May it’ll be three years since Harry Styles dropped Harry’s House, his funkiest and most lauded record to date. Since then, he seemed perpetually on tour to promote the record before dropping off and taking arguably the longest break in his career in the middle of 2023. With rumors circling at the end of last year that he had scrapped what was to be his fourth album after being dissatisfied with its direction, it’s anyone’s guess when we will hear a new project from him. Yet it does rouse discussion over the potential pressures of producing something to follow up a record that was given the biggest title at the Grammys in Album of the Year. Fingers crossed for a late 2025 release date, similar to his sophomore record Fine Line, which dropped in December. I’m tentatively hopeful because I do miss having an interesting, amusing showman of a main Pop Boy™ in the musical stratosphere, regardless of how much I do love Troye Sivan. – Hope Ankney
Humilitarian – TBA
Philadelphia’s Humilitarian has a way of making music that sticks with you. Built from the energy of basement shows and Philly DIY venues, their power-pop sound combines jangly guitars, driving rhythms, and melodies that feel both fresh and familiar. They’ve mastered the balance between high-energy guitar hooks, incredible vocal acrobatics, and lyrics that dig into the messy parts of being human. The music hits hard whether you’re shouting along in a packed crowd or replaying it late at night with your headphones on. With a new album set to drop this spring, I’m already bracing myself for more of their sharp songwriting and undeniable energy. If their past work is any clue, this record is going to be something special. Keep an eye—and an ear—on them. – Mol White
Japanese Breakfast – For Melancholy Brunettes (and sad women) (3/21)
Regardless of whether or not you think the album title is corny, Japanese Breakfast’s fourth record, For Melancholy Brunettes (and sad women) is already looking promising. Lead single “Orlando in Love” is a gorgeous, orchestral work of singer-songwriter bliss with its chugging string section and lyrical references to mythology and classic literature. Frontwoman Michelle Zauner briefly moved to South Korea with her husband to write this record and her next book, and from the sound of “Orlando in Love,” the sonic consistency with 2021’s Jubilee is no cause for complaint whatsoever. – Leah Weinstein
Lana Del Rey – The Right Person Will Stay (5/21)
Lana Del Rey is blessing us with The Right Person Will Stay this spring on May 21st and thank the Coca-Cola gods and your local motorcycle gang, because I think this nation will need some Lana as the sun begins to creep back over wherever you call home. I’m curious about which direction her poetic storytelling will take on her tenth album—will it be an instant classic, like Norman Fucking Rockwell!, or will it be forgotten like Blue Banisters? Either way, this record will be her take on country music and the southern gothic. I’m sure she’s gained inspiration from spending time in the South with her new husband and the gators. – Ryleigh Wann
Lucy Dacus – Forever Is a Feeling (3/28)
A music video casting call for “hot mascs” is a hell of a way to kick off an album cycle. Announced just last week, Lucy Dacus’ highly anticipated fourth LP Forever Is a Feeling is only a couple months away. Her first solo release on a major label sees an amped up budget and a who’s-who of contributors (Hozier, Phoebe Bridgers, and Bartees Strange, to name a few). After listening to lead singles “Ankles” and “Limerence,” though, I’m feeling a little underwhelmed and a little anxious. “Natalie’s explaining limerence between taking hits from a blunt, high as a kite / While Rodney’s playing GTA” is not the poignant and striking lyricism that made me a fan of Dacus, and it almost evokes the same disappointment I felt after hearing “Touch me while your bros play Grand Theft Auto” in Taylor Swift’s “So High School.” I hope the other elevent tracks are able to prove me wrong. But it’s Lucy Dacus, so I shouldn’t need to worry too much. – Leah Weinstein
Pile – TBA
Whenever someone says something to the extent of “there’s no good political rock music anymore” I feel like I’m going to throw up. One, because Pile exists, and two, because they’re clearly a dope and I’m allergic. Not only do Pile absolutely shred, they write emotional songs about how the American capitalist experience is empty and why our conservative government is so despicable. “From a long line of translucent lizards comes our boy Stephen / That inferiority complex passed down generations” (from “The Soft Hands of Stephen Miller”). Importantly, songwriter Rick Maguire writes largely from his own perspective, that of a white male citizen, usually Uncle Sam’s proudest cheerleaders of the empire. People are looking for a window into the emotional core of masculinity and a new way forward, and while Pile aren’t going to be that cure-all, their work is a good start. Whatever they do next, especially considering their new partnership with Sooper Records, it is sure to be interesting. – Henderson Cole
Pretty Bitter – TBA
I heard through the grapevine that Washington, D.C.’s Pretty Bitter is gearing up to drop a sick album! Made up of Emma Bleker, Miriam Tyler, Zack Be, Stephen Rodriguez, and Chris Smith, this indie dreampop band knows how to pair lush, atmospheric soundscapes with lyrics that feel like they’re speaking directly to your life. Their music is the perfect mix of dreamy and gut-punching—ethereal enough to get lost in but grounded by the raw emotions running through every track. Pretty Bitter captures that bittersweet tension between joy and heartbreak, making their songs feel as relatable as they are compelling. This upcoming release promises to bring even more of what fans love about them: shimmering melodies, heartfelt lyrics, and that cinematic vibe that makes every listen feel like a moment worth savoring. Pretty Bitter is carving out a space that’s all their own, and it’s clear they’re just getting started. – Mol White
Pretty Rude – TBA
Rat Tally – TBA
Rat Tally’s been hinting at a followup to their 2022 debut In My Car lately, and it’ll be exciting to see where Addy Harris’ songwriting goes from here. The Chicago band took a big step on that LP, embracing bolder, more colorful instrumentation and a few guest appearances, but they didn’t lose the intimacy or warmth that made When You Wake Up such an arresting EP. Whatever shape Rat Tally take on their next release, they’ve more than earned our trust and, contrary to what Harris sings on “Prettier,” that trust is something solid to hold onto. – Zac Djamoos
Sasami – Blood on the Silver Screen (3/7)
Sasami may have first gotten on my radar as a member of the band Cherry Glazerr, but she has long since surpassed that claim to fame. Her solo work has established her as a serious artistic contender in a time when that’s so rarely attempted (or rewarded). At its best, her music is entrancing instrumentally and vocally poetic. Her debut is in my ‘riding the NYC subway soundtrack hall of fame‘ many times over, and its all due to the music’s all encompassing calming abilities. That’s not to say that she is only capable of a sleepy soundtrack, more a thoughtful embarkment into what music can be. I am very interested to see sonically where she goes with this record, especially considering the violent title. – Henderson Cole
Spiritbox – Tsunami Sea (3/7)
Spiritbox has been climbing up the metalcore ladder at full force. Their intense and well thought-out blend of modern metalcore has certainly captivated the community and beyond. Their upcoming record Tsunami Sea already is promising: their latest single “Perfect Soul” is raw and raunchy, pushing their sound further as the band continues to explore how to blend pop-elements into their style. It’ll be interesting to see how they integrate those pop elements into their ever-growing sound whilst holding ground on their metalcore roots. – Sarah Knoll
Wednesday – TBA
According to frontwoman Karly Hartzman, the fourth LP from Asheville indie rock quintet Wednesday is finished but may not be out until much later this year. With guitarist MJ Lenderman having his own breakout year in 2024, he and multi-instrumentalist Xandy Chelmis (who plays in both bands) have been without downtime for nearly two years. Hartzman explained that while the group are excited to share the Rat Saw God followup (including what she described as a “spiritual successor to ‘Chosen to Deserve’”), the group need some time to not actively be in an album cycle. The handful of tracks from the new record that Hartzman played on her solo tour in December, despite being just her and an electric guitar, have already begun to prove that Wednesday’s hot streak won’t be ending anytime soon. – Leah Weinstein
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