Forget what’s under the tree – it’s time to unwrap the biggest pop releases of the year. 2025 treated us to the year of the ALBUM. It’s been full of stellar records that have been on repeat front-to-back. Whether you’ve been learning the art of loving, or it’s been absolute mayhem, it’s time to reflect on the biggest tunes that’ve scored our lives alongside 2025’ pop cultural landscape.
The Art of Loving by Olivia Dean
Breezy and soulful, The Art of Loving is a mirrorball in the sun. On this record, Olivia shows us all the shiny and never-ending fragments of love and life, scattering its warm light into any space so we can dance our way through. With hit singles like ‘Nice to Each Other’ and ‘Man I Need,’ Olivia’s vocals are transcendent, yet their ethos can be entertained by anyone. It’s no wonder the British sweetheart has just received her long overdue nomination for The Recording Academy’s ‘Best New Artist’. Bookended by lyrical slices of life in ‘The Art of Loving (Intro)’ and ‘I’ve Seen It’, this album is simply divine.
SWAG & SWAG II by Justin Bieber
When dropping not one, but TWO surprise albums this year – Justin returned to music with his first releases since 2021. SWAG was first announced by dropping the tracklist in full on billboards across the world, and no doubt led to JB soundtracking the summer with sweet acoustic tracks ‘DAISIES’ and ‘YUKON’. The hidden gems are plentiful in this intimate and melodic collection of odes to wife Hailey and baby boy Jack. Justin cares in such a carefree way across these bodies of work and it’s literally SWAG as hell.
Man’s Best Friend by Sabrina Carpenter
Introducing Variety’s Hitmaker of the Year… a (5ft) standing ovation for Miss Sabrina Carpenter!! This album really is the most fun companion to romantic turmoil that you could ever ask for. It’s Sabrina in all of her signature chic-cheekiness, full of windows down, scream-along summer anthems. This era is the gift that keeps on giving when hit singles ‘Manchild’ and ‘Tears’ were delivered on a silver platter with music videos that are nothing short of absolute cinema (alternate endings and all!).
The Life of a Showgirl by Taylor Swift
After the global whirlwind of The Eras Tour, Taylor returned for a glamorous encore with The Life of a Showgirl. The album sparked huge excitement immediately, with massive anticipation of Taylor’s reunion with infamous-pop-magic-collaborator Max Martin. Taylor danced through the lightning strikes of falling in love (on our wishlists), being double-crossed or cancelled (protect the family!), historic literary references (R.I.P Ophelia), and viral dances (pledging allegiance as we speak). The twelve-track run charts the classic pillars of Swift’s stardom, and as always, it’s with the catchiest hooks around.
Mayhem by Lady Gaga
17 years of wanting her ugly and her disease, Gaga shows up across genres in full-force on Mayhem. Infallible vocals lit on fire by the powerhouse persona in a fresh familiarity – this album is the pinnacle of Gaga’s legacy thus far. This record is a raw wrestle with fame and identity, coursing the stitches of alter ego with a trapeze. On tracks like ‘Abracadabra’ and ‘Perfect Celebrity’, the turmoil is captive, and it’s confident. To answer the Lady’s question – we want it BAD.
I’m The Problem by Morgan Wallen
Morgan delivered with his fourth studio album – and there’s a lot of ground to be turned over. I’m The Problem ploughs hallmark country torments of lost love, vice and sunset rumination. This record houses an absolute feat of a tracklist, clocking in at 37 songs including features from pop collaborators old (Post Malone) and new (Tate McRae). Against the charmed tough thematic edges of country, Morgan also manages to polish some real precious folk gems until they shine – see the crowning close of the album ‘I’m a Little Crazy’. There’s something to accompany everyone in weathering their feelings on this one.
Virgin by Lorde
The latest chronicle in Lorde’s discography marks a transformative interrogation into selfhood through absolutely electric honesty and striking production. Lorde’s x-ray honesty paired with a kaleidoscopic build of instrumental tension and release makes for entirely original artistry, particularly on tracks like ‘Man of the Year’ and ‘Clearblue’. This record is a simultaneous worship and unshackling from constructs of identity, physicality, and relationships. It’s rare to be able to distil truth in portraits the way she can on tracks like ‘Favourite Daughter’ and ‘David.’ Virgin is pure sonic liberation.
KPop Demon Hunters (Film Soundtrack)
A unique cultural moment this year, the soundtrack to Netflix’s ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ film took the world by storm. It’s voiced by fictional groups Huntr/x and the Saja Boys, featuring vocals from broadway vocalist Lea Salonga and K-Pop group Twice. The soundtrack has spent 25 weeks on the Aotearoa charts, 9 of those at #1, dethroning many of our pop faves – giving opening track ‘TAKEDOWN’ a medal for its real life resonance. The insane impact spotlighted the twelve-track run on mainstream pop music’s centrestage. Defying the odds, this project definitely struck a chord worldwide. For lack of better words, the power of this project – it’s golden.
