What a year it’s been for music! We’ve had everything, from an Oasis reunion to a ‘Brat’ summer, with plenty of breathtaking music released along the way. Here are some of our contributors’ top releases of the year. What’s been your favourite album released this year?
Kieran Tibbert | Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard & Soft
“Billie Eilish’s third studio album, Hit Me Hard and Soft, showcases her evolution as an artist, blending her signature whispery vocals with a diverse range of musical styles. The album’s title reflects its dynamic nature, balancing delicate melodies with bold, powerful crescendos that resonate deeply with listeners. Tracks like L’Amour de Ma Vie showcase Eilish’s ability to merge genres, starting with an indie-pop feel before transitioning into an energetic EDM rhythm; it fully reflects her experimental and unpredictable approach to the record. Each track feels like a distinct chapter, seamlessly flowing into the next and creating a cohesive yet varied listening experience; the album expertly shifts between moods and tempos, from the inspiring Birds of a Feather to the moving Wildflower. The record solidifies Eilish’s status as a versatile and innovative artist, capable of pushing the boundaries of pop music while maintaining a deeply personal and authentic connection with her audience.
Some other albums of a similar genre that I’ve also loved from this year include Moon Music by Coldplay, Short n’ Sweet by Sabrina Carpenter, and The Secret of Us by Gracie Abrams.”
Ollie Levy | Fontaines DC – Romance
“Still pushing boundaries and expectations but very much on their terms, the return of Fontaines DC this year with their 4th album Romance sees the band stir in everything from showgaze to nu-metal and orchestral strings on a gale force of songs and sonics. The songwriting of Grian Chatten, while may very well toe the familiar Fontaines footpath, adds a whole new layer of arresting imagery and feeling – expressing the duality of love and desire amidst the backdrop of a difficult and dystopic existence. Imagine if you will, a Dylan Thomas poem scribbled in marker pen on a most undesirable public toilet cubicle wall. It’s wonderfully uneasy and unresolved in places and despite the likes of Here’s the Thing, Starburster and In The Modern World risking overshadowing other offerings on the album, it grows on you as a complete offering (see Death Kink). This is a tall tale of hardship and agitated yearning, searching for honesty in a complex landscape and demonstrates a band continuing to raise the bar only they seem to be able to lift.”
Kieran Tibbert | Nieve Ella – Watch It Ache & Bleed EP
“Singer-songwriter Nieve Ella has had a remarkable year, releasing this eight-track EP shortly after completing an arena tour supporting Girl in Red. The EP effortlessly shifts between raw ’90s-inspired indie and refined pop, showcasing the energy and ambition of a rising artist; Nieve’s lyrics offer an authentic voice for those navigating self-discovery. Having heard two tracks, Sugarcoated and Ganni Top (She Gets What She Needs), performed at festivals over the summer, I can confidently say they are both fantastic on the EP and live. Sugarcoated blends her signature vocal range with pulsating percussion, producing bold choruses that develop a celebration of her achievements so far. Meanwhile, Ganni Top pairs sharp, fearless lyrics with a gritty, pop-infused soundscape, demonstrating her playful yet commanding style which only solidifies her place in the indie music scene. A standout track for me, Sweet Nothings, is a beautifully crafted love song that captures the warmth of affection, building to a breathtaking crescendo perfect for crowd sing-alongs. This EP highlights Nieve’s artistic growth and reaffirms why she’s on the path to stardom.
Some other Indie-pop/rock records I’ve enjoyed from this year are What Happened to the Beach by Declan McKenna, Smitten by Pale Waves, and Pink Cactus Cafe by Courteeners.”
Andy Baker | Album(s) of the Year
“When asked to think about my album of the year I felt like the mighty Sir Bobbles when he was asked to write his thoughts on Woody Guthrie in 25 words, ‘I ended up writing five pages…’ He told the audience packed into the New York Town Hall in 1963. The following poetic reading of ‘Last Thoughts on Woody Guthrie’ is, in my opinion, the single most beautiful thing that Dylan has ever written and performed and that’s saying something. My problem is that when I hear a great album it instantly becomes my favourite thing and all others slink weakly off in comparison. So here is a selection of my favourites from the year with one that has just tipped its little nose ahead of the pack on the line if you look at the photo finish with a slight squint (ask me tomorrow and I’ll say something different).”
“The Smile has treated us to not one but two great albums this year, Walls of Eyes in January and Cutouts in October. Both are companion records that were recorded at more or less the same time and they are a gorgeous listen with WoE tipping it for me between the two. My only concern is where will the boys go next? A new(ish) direction? Something that packs more of a mighty sonic punch? I’m excited for the future and wherever it goes it’s sure to be a thing of beauty.”
“Idles released Tangk in mid-February which, following WoE from January, was a very lovely start to my year. It’s a stunner which utterly delivered on my sky-high expectations. Tracks like Grace, Dancer, Hall & Oates, Gift Horse, I could go on, but it just needs to be listened to and witnessed live for those lucky gig-goers out there.”
“There are so many others: Wild God by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Hysterical Strength by DEADLETTER, and Love Changes Everything by Dirty Three. Add to this the album that I only picked up two days ago on release day and can’t stop playing – the sublime Small Changes by Michael Kiwanuka. An album that will be missed off many end-of-year lists due to the late-in-the-year release but is as good as any Sunday morning album out there.”
“But, the winner, by a nose (just), is the wonderfully rich and glorious Perceive its Beauty, Acknowledge its Grace by the incredibly talented devotee to music Shabaka. I had the absolute pleasure of watching him perform solo snippets of this at a Resident music instore in Brighton. He not only plays with hypnotic care and delicacy but he talks about his craft and music in a way that makes you feel blessed to be sharing the same air. A true gent and an absolute musical hero. This album has a complex simplicity about it that enchants with every listen. It’s become a favourite album to read a book along with and has brought me many hours of gentle bliss since I brought it home with me. There, is not exactly the sprawling opus that is Last Thoughts by Woody Guthrie but still a tough choice to name just one, there are others. It’s been a great year for music – already looking forward to what drops in 2025.”
Alisa Fridman | Luke Hemmings – boy
“Three years after a stunning debut solo project, Luke Hemmings returns with boy – a masterful exploration of nostalgia, loss, and rediscovery. This seven-track EP delicately balances melancholy and optimism. taking us on a bittersweet journey through the complexities of his late twenties. Grappling with the inevitability of growing older served as a perfect creative catalyst for boy, which beautifully captures the struggle to reconcile who we once were and who we’ve become. While my only issue with this project is that it only has seven sones. Hemmings uses the EP’s concise 24 minutes to confront the weight and guilt of lost time with remarkable depth. Tracks like “Close My Eyes” revisit themes of depression and body dysmorphia from his debut album, When Facing The Things We Turn Away From (2021), while *I’m Still Your Boy” offers a dreamy ode to past regrets and the relentless pull of nostalgia. “Shakes” is a shimmering exploration of love and melancholy, while “Garden Life” highlights the small, fleeting moments that take on profound emotional weight and significance. The standout “Close Enough To Feel You” delivers a haunting exploration of emotional loss and longing for help, his wife Sierra Deaton adding depth to the track’s aching intimacy with her harmonies.
Sonically, boy draws inspiration from early 2000s post-punk revival bands like The Strokes and LCD Soundsystem, as well as the emotional resonance of Cocteau Twins and The Verve. Hemmings weaves these influences into a deeply personal soundscape, further influenced by cinematic works such as Wim Wenders’ Paris, Texas and Sofia Coppola’s Lost in Translation. The result feels timeless, replaying like a 2000s indie coming-of-age film. Closing with the tender instrumental notes of “Promises,” boy stands as Hemmings’ most refined work to date, showcasing a fresh maturity and artistic evolution from his debut album. What makes boy my standout album of the year is that, with its themes of reconciling past mistakes, yearning for connection, and unwavering loyalty and commitment to love, it arrived at a time when I needed it most. Hemming’s ability to channel the bittersweet complexities of life into music made me feel seen and understood in a way few albums ever have. At its core, it is a stunning narrative of growth and self-discovery stitched together with vulnerability, resilience and hope.”
Dennis Halfhide-Smith | Album(s) of the Year
“This year has been a real rollercoaster for music. I’ve seen and heard a lot of new upcoming bands give a name for themselves, old bands get back together and more tragically seen bands split up. But I think this year has all been about ‘Eras’. What I mean is that bands such as The Macabees, Oasis, and Sex Pistols are getting back together for the younger generations to watch and enjoy. Bands such as The Libertines, Green Day and Eminem, have all released music which pays homage to their early days of music, sending everyone on a real trip down memory lane. It feels like we’ve all gone back in time with music but in a good way. Seeing and hearing bands play their classic albums in full such as The Twang, Kaiser Chiefs and Bloc Party…2025 already looks promising with announcements of new music from the likes of Andrew Cushin, Louis Dunford, Pastel and a return from the infamous Babyshambles. The top 3 albums for me would have to be as follows, these albums I can listen to back to front without skipping a track and feeling the same excitement for them every time they get played. Albums that I can go and listen to no matter how I’m feeling:
1. The Libertines – All Quiet on the Eastern Esplanade
2. Eminem – The Death of Slim Shady
3. Fontaines D.C. – Romance”
Hannah Kenyon | Snow Patrol – The Forest Is The Path
“After six years, Snow Patrol released their new album, ‘The Forest Is The Path’, which showcases a beautifully crafted mix of melodies and thoughtful lyrics focused on reflection, self-discovery, and exploration. The Forest Is The Path is a deeply emotional and reflective album by Snow Patrol that explores intricate emotions and life decisions. It resonates with themes of vulnerability and resilience, highlighting the band’s artistry and significance in today’s music scene, making it a valuable experience for both fans and newcomers. 10/10 album of the year!”
What will 2025 have in store for us? Happy New Year, from all of us here at Erazer Mag!
