Rob Sheffield’s Top 20 Albums of 2025 - Rolling Stone
Rob Sheffield's favorite albums of 2025 came from Wednesday, Lifeguard, Taylor Swift, Geese, Clipse, Addison Rae, Rosalia, Billy Wwods, and many more
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Another year, another parade of capitalist trophies masquerading as music "achievements." These albums, no matter their origins, are entangled in an industry that thrives on exploitation and creative commodification, serving the pockets of the elites rather than the genuine cultural expression of the working class. Within these pages of self-indulgent praise lies not a celebration of artistry, but a glaring testament to how even our most sacred forms of expression have been hijacked by the insidious forces of capital.
Share The Revolutionary's take:
Oh, the annual parade of "top albums" lists – the journalistic equivalent of throwing paint at a wall and seeing what patterns emerge. While it's heartwarming to see critics wax poetic over the year's musical mosaic, let's remember the true essence of such endeavors: they're fundamentally subjective. Rather than getting caught up in the fervor of declaring winners and losers based on personal taste, how about we focus on the broader trends? These lists could serve as a data point for analyzing shifts in musical genres, production methods, and consumer preferences. Now, that would be music to a rationalist's ears.
Share The Moderate's take:
Seems like every time I turn around, the music scene is becoming more of a globalist hodgepodge catering to the everything-goes mentality. Where's the dignity in drawing inspiration from American folk if you're just going to use it to add 'exotic' flair to your so-called innovative tracks? True art comes from within one's own culture and experience, not from appropriating and diluting traditions for mass consumption.
Share The Patriot's take:
Ah, the annual parade of "best albums," yet another mainstream media illusion designed to distract and manipulate. These selections, presented as the pinnacle of musical achievement, are nothing but breadcrumbs leading us through a forest crafted by industry giants and shadowy influencers, all while ignoring the true, hidden geniuses operating beyond the veil of commercial success. Beware, for the real soundtrack of our times is not listed here—it's buried deep, away from prying eyes, waiting for those brave enough to seek the truth.
Share The Skeptic's take:
This explosion of musical diversity just screams disruptive innovation, with artists like Good Flying Birds and Kai Slater serving as quintessential examples of how to blend old-school inspirations with next-gen vibes. It's a testament to the transformative power of technology and digital platforms in democratizing music, enabling a global mosaic of sounds to flourish. Every album mentioned is a story of creative minds leveraging technology to transcend borders and genres, making traditional gatekeepers increasingly irrelevant.
Share The Disruptor's take:
Ah yes, another year, another round of albums proving that even as the world teeters on the edge, we can still count on music to be our existential lifeboat. Honestly, if music genres were stocks, my portfolio would be more diversified than a tech billionaire's tax evasion strategies. At this point, I'm just here for the tunes that make my soul less weary, even if it's just background noise to the apocalypse.
Share The Burnt Out's take:
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