- Does the album have a thesis and support it?
- How much does the album knock?
- Does this album speak to me/the masses?
- How many tracks standout vs fade into the background?
- How does the album stack up against its genre peers?
- Does it help me forget and/or navigate the state of the world?
25) KAYTRANADA - AIN’T NO DAMN WAY
Release Date: August 15
Runtime: 35:25
Tracks: 12
Genre: House/Dance
This may be Kaytranada's lowest ranking of his four albums, but make no mistake: this album knocks! Foregoing features (save TLC on the album's sendoff track), Ain't No Damn Way sees him return to pure beat making. Coined as an record for "workouts, dancing, and studying" by the Canadian himself, he perfectly blends 808s, snares, and melodic production with samples to send you on an experience. It's not a huge departure from Kaytra's usual sound but a welcome return to his 99.9% beginnings. This album doesn't break ground; it's a much needed warm hug - 12 tracks that allow you to turn off your brain and vibe. Ain't No Damn Way is a collection that this shouldn't be in the top 25, but every track is strong and unique enough from the last to provide a pleasant listening experience. And that's all I ask for.
Mood/Setting:
Breakdancing Between Brooding and Pondering
Hit Single:
Standout Tracks:
TARGET JOINT
DON’T WORRY BABE/I GOT YOUR BACK
24) KIRBY's Miss Black America
Release Date: August 29
Runtime: 32:29
Tracks: 12
Genre: R&B/Neo Soul
Have you been yearning for a soulful sister to spring out of Memphis singing about black joy, pain, and liberation? Well, this Kirby ain't pink, but she'll blow you away using her raspy, self-assured tone and wails. With a pin powerful enough to write for Rihanna, Brandy, Beyonce, and Blackiana (2014-era Ariana) as well as the show Swarm, Kirby uses her sophomore effort to access and channel the ancestors the way Sinners taught us. Miss Black America is a declaration of resilience and power. Horns, tambourines, and guitars add a welcome flair of funk to half of the tracks. If you ever find yourself driving from the north to the south and need battle music while riding into a sundown town, I can't recommend Miss Black America enough. I insist you blast it; extra bass, please.
Mood/Setting:
Ramping Up for the Revolution
Hit Single:
Standout Tracks:
Miss Black America (feat Big Krit)
Reparations (feat Tennessee Mass Choir)
23) Zara Larsson's Midnight Sun
Release Date: September 26
Runtime: 31:54
Tracks: 10
Genre: Dance-Pop/Electropop
Oh you wanted a new pop diva to rise from the ashes? Well move over Tate McRae, Ava Max, and JADE! Zara Larsson has arrived to prove the fifth time's the charm. Dropping music for the last decade, the Swedish sweetheart is making a big splash across the states with all the girls, gays, and theys. With writing and production help from MNEK, Zara starts strong with "Midnight Sun" - my personal song of the summer - and follows with hit after hit til the end. Tracks like "Pretty Ugly" and "Girl's Girl" prove there's nothing wrong with getting a little down and dirty to get what she wants: revenge and boys. She even finds time to stick to her roots with "Eurosummer," taking me back to the early 00s. A sample from Tiffany Pollard is just the cherry pop on top.
Mood/Setting:
Pregame to the Gay Club
Hit Single:
Standout Tracks:
22) Lola Young's I’m Only F**king Myself
Release Date: September 19
Runtime: 46:35
Tracks: 14
Genre: Pop/Rock
Lola Young may have been "Messy" last year, but she's attempting to clean up her act now. Her third album in consecutive years, I'm Only F**king Myself follows Lola as she attempts to reclaim control of herself. She uses her sultry, British voice to make confessions of bisexuality and ADHD, which is par for course with many millennials and zoomers, but it's still a big deal to sing aloud. On "D£aler," she proclaims to cut ties with her drug dealer, recently having struggles with cocaine use. And on "Post Sex Clarity" - one of my Top Singles of 2025 - she wakes up from her string of hookups that started in "One Thing" to realize it's all been a waste of time. I'm Only F**king Myself is about learning to sit with and love yourself, as hard as it may be. No more sad sob stories, eh, mate?
Mood/Setting:
Singing to Yourself in the Mirror
Hit Single:
Standout Tracks:
F**K EVERYONE
why do i feel better when i hurt you?
21) PinkPantheress' Fancy That
Release Date: May 9
Runtime: 20:28
Tracks: 9
Genre: UK Garage
Speaking of Brits, PinkPantheress is here! Fancy That. Back with her second mixtape and clocking in as the shortest work on this list, PP has mastered the art of brevity. Compromised of eight tracks and an interlude, there's not a weak moment on Fancy That! Much like Kaytranada, she introduces us to a good time, not a long time. With samples on every track and inspiration and influence from Basement Jaxx, Groove Amanda, and Fatboy Slim oozing, somehow it feels "Illegal," but that's just how fun UK Garage music can be. The BPMs hit hard and fast every track, compelling you to at least hit a lil wiggle. PP even released a remix album, possibly influenced by Charli xcx - though not as iconic, but definitely worth mentioning. So if you fancy a good time hosted by a wispy voice, give this a listen.
Mood/Setting:
Twisting Your Hips Like Dua Lipa
Hit Single:
Standout Tracks:
Girl Like Me
20) Lily Allen's West End Girl
Release Date: October 24
Runtime: 44:46
Tracks: 14
Genre: Pop
Let's Brit one more time! You know that feeling when you're dating an actor and he tells you you'll have to audition after you inform him of your offer to be a lead in a play and suddenly you start choking on the red flag that suddenly appeared in your throat? Well, Lily Allen's West End Girl is exactly like that. Inspired by her (soon to be) ex-husband David Harbour's cruel comments and infidelity as well as her own personal struggles, Ms. Allen returns after seven years with her fifth album. She shares intense details and feelings over the length of the project, some comparing it to Beyonce's Lemonade but for savvy London girls. Each track is more ethereal than the last, from striking synths to plucky strings reminiscent of her past work. It's unfortunate scandal had to inspire Lily back to music, but that's just how the lemons roll off the branch.
Mood/Setting:
Sitting in the Dark with a Lit Cigarette (or Fag, if you will)
Hit Single:
Pussy Palace
Standout Tracks:
Ruminating
Beg For Me
19) Coco Jones' Why Not More? (Extended)
Release Date: April 25
Runtime: 41:58 (51:21)
Tracks: 14 (17)
Genre: R&B
You thought R&B was dead? It ain't dead! We still have a handful of divas raised in the church, and you can count Coco Jones amongst that number. Finally coming to us with her debut album all the way from South Carolina, Why Not More? is a showcase of what Rhythm and Blues can be while paying homage to the past few decades with samples from Britney Spears, Luther Vandross, Lenny Williams, and Brandy. The production is tight and cohesive despite its array of producers. With classic themes of love, lust, and reluctance, Coco doesn't break the mold of songwriting, but everything feels fresh with vocals like hers. What could have been another run of the mill R&B showcase, Why Not More? follows through on that promise while asking "we should level up from the situationship, right?"
Mood/Setting:
Texting Your Man That's Not Your Man
Hit Single:
Standout Tracks:
AEOMG
18) Young Franco's it’s Franky baby!
Release Date: January 24
Runtime: 28:48
Tracks: 10
Genre: Electronic/Dance
I'll be the first to admit Young Franco and his gang of hooligans probably shouldn't be this high on the list, but they are cause it's Franky baby! dropped as soon as l'orange resumed power. It helped me dance the pain away, and it's my list, dammit. If nothing else, Young Franco's debut album provides sunshine during the darkest hours. Years of determination helped this Aussie realize his dreams of jamming across the world, and I'm thankful for that. With tracks utilizing British artists, half the album has a groovy grime to it while the other half is bright and floral, like "Lose Control" featuring Earthgang. So if you like American rap and British singers over Australian beats, this is the album for you.
Mood/Setting:
Daydrinking in the Airport
Hit Single:
Standout Tracks:
Daydreaming (feat Franc Moody)
17) Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist's Alfredo 2
Release Date: July 25
Runtime: 47:44
Tracks: 14
Genre: Hip-Hop
And now for this year's "Real Hip-Hop Hip-Hop" Award. While Alfredo 2 isn't necessarily the best rap album of the year; it's certainly the album I expect to hear all the big bros and uncs blasting as they ride down the block. With The Alchemist supplying Freddie Gibbs with smooth beats to rhyme over, the Midwest emcee effortless slides. Themes of treachery, indulgence, and entrepreneurship power Alfredo 2, feeding the listener a rich and creamy meal that may not be good for them but it sure is tasty. With features from Anderson .Paak, Larry June, and JID, it's the perfect album to "wish a nigga would" to. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to pretend like I'm the streetwise brother-in-law to my wife's nerdy lil brother.
Mood/Setting:
Hit Single:
Standout Tracks:
Lemon Pepper Steppers
Shangri La
16) Hayley Williams' Ego Death At A Bachelorette Party
Release Date: August 28
Runtime: 66:44
Tracks: 20
Genre: Alternative Pop
Anyway, back to this sad bitch in the corner. Excuse me, that's no bitch; that's honorary black royalty and Mississippi-born Hayley Williams with her third independent album. But damn she is sad, singing about "Mirtazapine" and feeling "Glum" and lamenting about the "Good Ol' Days." It's not all woe is me, though. She also takes time to hate on bitches during the album's title track and boost herself up with "Hard." There's also laments about being the eldest daughter. Pinned by Ms. Williams and Daniel James, the lyricism is gonna hit, accompanied by a variety of acoustics, synths, and trip hop sounds. Occasionally, she shows her millennial cards and interpolates "The Bad Touch" or references surfboardt but in a perfectly cringe way. I would personally reorder the tracks a little, but that's just because I remember when she dropped all the songs as looseys on streaming.
Mood/Setting:
Staring at Your Unfolded Laundry
Hit Single:
Standout Tracks:
Love Me Different
Hard
15) Nourished By Time's The Passionate Ones
Release Date: August 22
Runtime: 44:58
Tracks: 12
Genre: Synth-Pop/Electronic R&B
Love me an indie black artist, especially when they happen to be from Baltimore. A singer, songwriter, and producer, Nourished By Time recorded his sophomore album all by his damn self. A blend of industrial and funk/soul, The Passionate Ones toes the line between anguish and hope, finding it most comfortable to skip through the darkness. His monotone singing is full of personality as he relishes the idiots and the crazy. Most of the songs are experimental in a way that isn't frustratingly difficult to engage with, using Baltimore-club inspired drum patterns as a fail safe whenever he inches too close to scaring the hoes on the track prior. If you want something you probably won't hear anywhere else, pick up The Passionate Ones.
Mood/Setting:
Slowly Slinking Backwards Off the Bed
Hit Single:
Standout Tracks:
9 2 5
14) Parcels' Loved
Release Date: September 12
Runtime: 45:47
Tracks:
Genre: Funk/Electropop
You know the fuckin viiiibez. I've long admired Parcels, but for some reasons their albums never fully curled over for me. That is until their third album Loved came into my life. Often critiqued for all their songs sounding the same, Parcels finally finds a way to sonically diversify their funk. The band keeps the pacing fresh featuring a mix of jams and pseudo-ballads. Described as an album of unity, their trademark choral singing is tighter than ever. With production led by Jules Crommelin and Patrick Hetherington, the Aussie quintet surrender their blond little hearts to us through repetition and perfectly crafted choruses. Loved is an invitation to dance like no one's watching, to shout like your neighbors are deaf, to yearn like it'll be reciprocated. So let yourself be free, to be Loved.
Mood/Setting:
Blindly Swaying Side-to-Side (Hippie-ly)
Hit Single:
Standout Tracks:
Safeandsound
Summerinlove
13) FKA twigs' EUSEXUA (+Afterglow)
Release Date: January 24 (November 14)
Runtime: 42:58 (+40:11)
Tracks: 11 (+11)
Genre: Avant-Pop/Techno
Well, back to the UK. Fuck America, huh? (But yeah, kinda)
In what I'd eagerly like to refer to as neo-2000 techno sounds, EUSEXUA is an eargasm of an experience. FKA twig's third studio effort blends typical trip-hop with hardcore metal and dandelion-esque vocals. Like, you know that mute girl in the back of the class who loves anime but secretly she studies dance and whispers like a perfect android? That's twigs. Her chants will have you levitating in no time. With EUSEXUA, she hopes you experience something so euphoric you will transcend the human form -- obviously. Become animalistic. Become robotic. Become alien to this universe. And if you get bored with this one, she also released EUSEXUA Afterglow as a companion fourth album to keep the party going. Oh, and a re-release of EUSEXUA with a couple tracks replaced. twigs is so extra.
Mood/Setting:
Post-Game Flailing After the Function
Hit Single:
Standout Tracks:
Drums of Death (feat Koreless)
Sushi (from EUSEXUA Afterglow)
12) Balu Brigada's Portal
Release Date: August 29
Runtime: 43:51
Tracks: 12
Genre: Rock
Hailing from Auckland, New Zealand, Balu Brigada transports us with their debut album Portal. Originally a four piece compromised of the Beasley brothers and their friend Guy, just Henry and Pierre remain as dual vocalists and multi-instrumentalist. Somehow, these kiwis have captured what I imagined it'd be to live in California (partially thanks to their song "Golden Gate Girl," probably more to due with the Atlantic Ocean connecting them.) Portals kinda sounds like if the Jonas Brothers had a residency on the OC instead of Camp Rock, in the best way possible. Or rather, Balu Brigada has a very Strokes-esque quality to them, particularly on tracks like "Politix" and "What Do We Ever Really Know?" Each guitar lick cradles your eardrum to loosen you up for the Beasley's smooth singing. So open wide.
Mood/Setting:
Highway Cruising to the Shore
Hit Single:
Standout Tracks:
11) Destin Conrad's Love on Digital (+wASH U AWAY)
Release Date: April 25 (August 28)
Runtime: 36:56 (+25:45)
Tracks: 15 (+11)
Genre: R&B (+Jazz)
Think it's time we zest it up a lil bit, no? Day ones might recognize the Florida-born Destin Conrad as the lil boy from Vine, but now he's a full fledged R&B crooner! Infamous for his EPs post-COVID, Love on Digital is Destin's first LP. It's clear he's been honing his craft as each track is more sensual and elating than the last. Love on Digital is an exploration of the human form through the streaming and digital age that will make you believe he's in the room with you, caressing every inch of your body. It's a declaration of ecstasy. It doesn't hurt Destin's ranking that he's queer, but it's easy to imagine gender neutrality - especially while singing about "Bad Bitches" with Kehlani. Teezo Touchdown, serpentwithfeet and Lil Nas X round out the cast. So let Destin make you swoon. And if you need a lil more, he also dropped wHIMSY to keep you writhing in the wind jazzily.
Mood/Setting:
Between the Sheets
Hit Single:
Standout Tracks:
THE LAST TIME (feat Teezo Touchdown)
wASH U AWAY (feat Terrace Martin, from wHIMSY)
10) Tyler, the Creator's DON'T TAP THE GLASS
Release Date: July 21
Runtime: 28:30
Tracks: 10
Genre: Hip-Hop/House
Well well well. Look who's back. Didn't I just see you last year? Returning with his ninth album, Tyler, the Creator is just here to have fun this time, he promises. DON'T TAP THE GLASS captures Tyler at perhaps his most feral since the pre-Flower Boy days, featuring as much of a mixtape feel as Call Me If You Get Lost. The production, all done by Mr. Okonma himself, features elements of house, funk, techno, New-Orleans bounce, and Miami bass music while sampling tracks from Busta Rhymes, Crime Mob, Ray Parker Jr, and himself. For the majority of the album, Tyler boasts as only he can, until he steps aside to yet Madison McFerrin and Yebba take the reins to add some emotional maturity. The album ends with the Californian hitting his classic falsetto on "Tell Me What It Is," proving he's still a secret softie.
Mood/Setting:
Workouts to Hit New PRs
Hit Single:
Standout Tracks:
Ring Ring Ring
9) Laufey's A Matter of Time
Release Date: August 22
Runtime: 45:33
Tracks: 14
Genre: Jazz-Pop/Bossa Nova
Time to class up this joint. Hailing from fuckin Iceland, Laufey freezes our hearts for the third time in a row with A Matter of Time. This jazzy, swinging, bossa diva uses her singer-songwriter powers to wring out tears from us yet again as she laments about lust lost and not being good enough. No longer consumed by a need to preserve the legacy of jazz, Laufey finally explores vulnerability, even exploring body image struggles in "Snow White." She's pleading for her life, backed by beautiful symphonies. That is, until she does a lil dance during the "Cuckoo Ballet - Interlude" and enters her black swan era. Suddenly, the clock has struck and it's time for that man to die (or at least receive multiple nasty, well-worded reads back to back). So come and wag your finger to Laufey's ditties.
Mood/Setting:
Afternoon Tea Time Contemplation
Hit Single:
Standout Tracks:
Mr. Eclectic
8) Clipse's Let God Sort Em Out
Release Date: July 11
Runtime: 40:47
Tracks: 13
Genre: Hip-Hop
Back for the first time in 16 years, ladies and gentlemen: Clipse. Their fourth album Let God Sort Them Out features sole production from Pharrell Williams, proving the Virginia trio are SO back. Organs, 808s, and vocal samples litter the album as Mr. Williams brings the classic Clipse sound out of the early 2000s. For those fearing Malice may be rusty after taking time off to become a full fledge Christian and preach-rap with Lecrae, rest easy. He's here to simply spread the word of self-preservation while his brother Pusha continues to drop coke line after coke line. Again, things that should be tiring after 13 tracks, but they find unique ways to deliver the message of "what he's doing don't concern you." With features from Kendrick Lamar, Tyler, the Creator, The-Dream, Ab-Liva, and Nas, the duo prove they are indeed true to this.
Mood/Setting:
Lightin' Up at the Spades Tournament
Hit Single:
Standout Tracks:
Chains & Whips (feat Kendrick Lamar)
F.I.C.O. (feat Stove God Cooks)
7) Tame Impala's Deadbeat
Release Date: October 17
Runtime: 56:05
Tracks: 12
Genre: Electronic/Psychedelia
Kevin, come home, the kids miss you! Back for the fifth time and constantly leaving us starved, Australian-based Tame Impala has finally embraced being a Deadbeat. Inspired by rave and bush doof (outdoor dance parties in remote locations), Deadbeat definitely feels like running away from your responsibilities to hold on to your glory days before your responsibilities catch up to you while funky, trippy music plays. I definitely wouldn't know anything about that. Written and produced by Kevin with help on three songs from Sarah Aarons, he explores euphoria until the high comes crashing down with his usual echo-y, transcendent vocals. He deals with staring into "Oblivion," feeling "Obsolete," and realizing it's the "End of Summer." It's so hard to admit the party's over; so don't. Just start the album again.
Mood/Setting:
Rolling in the Backyard Mud while Ignoring Your Wife & Kid
Hit Single:
Standout Tracks:
No Reply
Piece of Heaven
.jpg)
6) Chance The Rapper's Star Line
Release Date: August 15
Runtime: 67:48
Tracks: 17
Genre: Hip-Hop
I know, I know, I'm surprised to see Chano up here, too. This decision doesn't come lightly. I spent MONTHS wrestling rather this album was good or not. After attending his concert this Fall, I still wasn't convinced... until I spent uninterrupted time cleaning and listened to all the lyrics and instrumentation. Everything blended so well together, and the beats hit. Star Line is Chance the Rapper's second studio album, and while he has NOT returned to dropping acid or other drugs, his grown man flow has regained some of his mixtape appeal and shed the shame garnered from The Big Day. Even as a self-proclaimed Christian rapper, his faith doesn't obstruct his lyricism. At its core, Star Line is a tribute to the African-American community, with plenty of references to icons and clips reflecting the general mindset. Records like "No Old Men" and "The Negro Problem" set out to uplift the listener, while songs like "Gun in Yo Purse" and "Tree" represent carefree attitudes needed to balance out the album. All in all, I have no choice but to proclaim Star Line "The Blackest Album of the Year."
Mood/Setting:
Modern Sanctified Housecleaning Music
Hit Single:
The Highs & The Lows (feat Joey Bada$$)
Standout Tracks:
Letters (feat Rachel Robinson)
.png)
5) Turnstile's NEVER ENOUGH
Release Date: June 6
Runtime: 45:14
Tracks: 14
Genre: Hardcore Rock/Alt Rock
I'm disappointed in myself. I heard whisperings of Turnstile from their work with BADBADNOTGOOD but didn't place them as a notable band until AFTER their huge, free benefit show in one of their hometown parks: BALTIMORE. I jumped on the bandwagon at the right time. Returning with their fourth album, NEVER ENOUGH is a perfected rowdy ruckus. With pounding drums and violent guitars, Turnstile makes you feel like you didn't miss out on crowd surfing rock days of the late 90s/early 00s. Yet, being from Charm City, that make use of Bmore Club structures whenever they can, particularly on "LOOK OUT FOR ME." The record is a cohesive body of work, seamlessly flowing from one track to the next lead by Brendan Yates' raw, multi-faceted voice. If they'll have me, I'd like to reward them the "Restored My Faith in Rock" award, but I'm sure it's still not enough.
Mood/Setting:
The Drive to Work Before Asking for a Promotion
Hit Single:
Standout Tracks:
SUNFLOWER
.png)
4) RosalÃa's LUX
Release Date: November 7
Runtime: 49:27/60:03 (physical only)
Tracks: 15/18
Genre: Orchestral Pop/Avant-Pop
You hoes don't know dedication like Rosalia knows dedication. When are you gonna spend over three years learning to sing and write (Google Translating and then taking it to an expert) in 14 languages to impress yourself and your peers globally? Hanging up her Motomami ways and returning to angelic singing, Rosalia's fourth album pays tribute to multiple female saints across religions and tongues, including: Catalan, Spanish, Arabic, English, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Mandarin, Portuguese, Sicilian, and Ukrainian. Divided into four acts (1st: Sacred vs Profane, with dramatic orchestral flourishes, 2nd: Grounded and Earthly, with carnal, pounding sounds; 3rd: Grace, Divinity, and Femininity, featuring triumphant tones; and 4th: Farewell, with sounds of affirmation), she accomplishes her goal to appeal to your humanity through multiple musical stylings with tales of woe, scorn, and victory, even if you can't understand it all. Rosalia is at her best when she's singing for the heavens. With the world salad behind me, it only makes sense I award LUX "The Most Conceptual Album of the Year."
Mood/Setting:
High and Introspective on a Balcony
Hit Single:
Berghain (feat Björk & Yves Tumor)
Standout Tracks:
Reliquia
3) Durand Bernarr's BLOOM
Release Date: February 18
Runtime: 76:23
Tracks: 15
Genre: R&B/Soul
Your favorite cousin on yo daddy side has arrived to the family reunion all the way from Cleveland. Placing Durand this high is long overdue and well deserved with this black queer's third studio album: BLOOM. Raised in the church but free from it, Durand Bernarr will be the first to remind you he can saaang by showing not telling. One minute he's crooning to the sky on "Completed," the next he's stomping in the basement. That's range, baby. His production choices would make Sade, Luther, and Destiny's Child proud. Durand's lyricism, sensuality, and humor continue to be unmatched, from words of affirmation like "I won't become what I've been through" on the album's intro to warning a friend not to step outta line on "PSST!" BLOOM prioritizes friendships, situationships, and fun in that order. It's only natural that BLOOM earn the "Singin' Ass Album of the Year."
Mood/Setting:
Watering the Garden that is You
Hit Single:
Standout Tracks:
2) Lady Gaga's MAYHEM
Release Date: March 7
Runtime: 53:04
Tracks: 14
Genre: Synth-Pop
Put your paws up, ya monsters. After nearly a decade of Stefani playing in our faces (aka enjoying her life and experimenting with other genres and acting), Lady Gaga returns to her The Fame/Artpop ways and reinvents her classic sounds to give us MAYHEM. With production help from Andrew Watt, Cirkut, and Gesaffelstein, the album spans a range of genres from industrial dance, electro, disco, fun, and pop rock to bridge the gap between the 1980s and 2180s. Gaga flexes her freak throughout while exploring themes of fame, desire, and chaos. One second she's casting spells on you with "Abracadabra," the next she's trying to "Vanish Into You." She also takes time to pay tribute to the late Zombieboy, the infamous fully tattooed man during her Born This Way-era, in a track of the same name. MAYHEM at it's core is a fun and exciting getaway, with moments of seriousness towards the end with "Blade of Grass" and "The Beast." It'll have you wanting to contort your body in ways only Lady Gaga and FKA twigs could accomplish. With that, I present MAYHEM with the "Nasty Lil Freak" award.
Mood/Setting:
Pregame to Anarchy (or a Night Out)
Hit Single:
Standout Tracks:
Zombieboy
How Bad Do You Want Me?
1) Bad Bunny's DeBà TiRAR MáS FOToS
Release Date: January 5
Runtime: 62:01
Tracks: 17
Genre: Reggaeton/Salsa/Bomba
More than ever, this one truly is for Puerto Rico.
Bad Bunny returns with his sixth studio album DeBà TiRaR MáS FOToS, or I Should Have Taken More Photos for all us that took French in high school, like un idiota. This album is a love letter to Puerto Rico. Primarily holding on to his reggaeton roots, Benito explores genres he loved in his childhood like plena, jÃbaro, salsa, and bomba, and he uses them well. Each shows his appreciation for a land he calls home and wants to protect. In "Lo Que Le Pasó a Hawaii," he desperately warns Puerto Rico to not go out like Hawaii, to maintain it's independence. There's tremendous pride, and I admire that.
However, there's another major theme to DeBà TiRaR MáS FOToS: the war/duality between Sadboi and Fuckboi. Throughout the album, Bad Bunny whines about wishing he never knew a woman and trying to fuck away the pain in truly poetic and hilarious ways. For instance, in "BOKeTE" he warns "you're beautiful, but you love to lie/stay in your fantasy, 'cause when you land, no one's gonna clap." Petty lyrics will always hold a special place in my heart.
Though all the heartbreak and songs of loss, DeBà TiRaR MáS FOToS is not not a summer album to shake your ass to. You just get to dance with a little introspection while singing along and cursing out your ex. What the album truly is - it's a dedication to memories and wanting things to last forever. And if they fade away, at least you took a few pictures while you could. It's my honor to present our first non-English "Best Album of the Year" as well as the "Pettiest and Shadiest" awards to Benito for his fine work this cycle.
Mood/Setting:
Crying into Your Photo Album
Hit Single:
Standout Tracks:
DtMF
Thank you again for jamming with me all these years. So, what'd you think of this year's lineup? Did I rank something too high or low? Did I miss your favorite? Please let me know; I love new music, if you couldn't tell. Til next year, my dear friends and associates.
Oh, don't forget, you can check out my back catalog here:
2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019,
2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, and 2013.
And of course, a playlist of this year's picks can be found below.
