*In no particular order*
Music today is all about clicks, views, and popularity. We are losing touch with the art quality and expression in the form of an album. Albums comprise a comprehensive piece of work that encompasses complex feelings and emotions, working together to weave a narrative in a way that can’t be accomplished in books or movies.
Music connects us all, regardless of where you are from or what you like to do; everyone enjoys music. That feeling when you are immersed in the beauty of an album is unmatched. However, it’s hard to find high-quality work, as artists today often repeat the same songs, hooks, and styles. Everywhere you look, it’s copy and paste. Here are some of my favorite listens from 2025 that will broaden your musical horizons and open your mind to new and experimental styles, coming together to create a cohesive body of work.
Ain’t No Damn Way! By Kaytranada
Album cover for “Ain’t No Damn Way!” by Kaytranada. Image sourced from [https://genius.com/album_cover_arts/1422496]
Kaytranada, the critically acclaimed hip-hop producer, chooses to switch up his style and create a groovy, dance focused album that makes your head bop the whole way through.
Kaytranada typically releases hip-hop-focused albums featuring big-name collaborators like Don Toliver, Anderson .Paak, and Childish Gambino. In this album, Kaytranada takes a different approach. A purely dance album with immaculate grooves, catchy vocal loops, and versatile synth loops that stay stuck in your head all day.
Rather than a strict concept album, Kaytranada opted for a laid-back approach. On his instagram story he said “this album is strictly for workouts, dancing and studying and for people that love beats”. His goal with the project was to create an album that would make people dance, perfect for a house party, a workout, or just as background music.
The songs on the album are uniquely produced, featuring mesmerizing and catchy loops. Luka Vukelic ’29 loves the album. “I had the track DON’T WORRY BABE / I GOT U BABE stuck in my head all morning,” he said. That one was my personal favorite.” The catchy vocal loop and addictive drum pattern come together to create a bounce that will repeat in your head all day.
Showbiz! by MIKE
Showbiz! by MIKE is an experimental sample-based hip hop album. It contains laid back beats and hypnotic lyrics. Showbiz! is an album that illustrates the chase and work it takes to reach “showbiz” or success. MIKE talks about his beginnings and dreams of success, until he becomes the “Artist of the Century” and must learn how to manage that success and continue to improve.
The start and bulk of the album is energetic and bright. With pitched-up samples and loops, and a rapping style that sounds bright and upbeat. However, after an emotional interlude, the album transitions to a more somber soundscape, featuring lower-paced rapping and deeper pitched samples. MIKE explains how it feels to become successful and how he maintains his steady growth.
I saw MIKE’s concert on his Album of the Century tour, and it was an incredible experience, at The Albatross in downtown Jacksonville. A small venue where he delivered a very personal performance. He was interactive; he joined the crowd and even held a dance competition.
The entire album is consistent and impressive, but some of my personal favorites include “Spun Out,” which features a warm, lo-fi sample and hypnotic drums that complement MIKE’s unique flow style. Another standout track is “Da Roc,” – an experimental track with a rap cadence that keeps you on your toes. “Man in the Mirror” is also a notable track, featuring a comforting pitched up sample and MIKE’s recognizable rap cadence.
Baby by Dijon
Album cover for “Baby” by Dijon, Image sourced from [https://genius.com/album_cover_arts/1420271]
Dijon creates a universe within his R&B, soul, and pop music blend on an album. Every song brings a new unique experimental production choice and strong powerful emotions. Each song shines an underlying theme of love and family, which articulate a complex personal journey.
Dijon’s unique synth and drum choices throughout the album separate him from other R&B artists. The album has a certain texture and passion that is uncommon in our musical world. This texture combined with the emotional vocals and acapella layer create a new niche “sub-genre” or R&B.
The track (Referee), the groovy drumbeat, and emotional vocals tell the story of a girl who had the chance to call it but was too late. I also enjoyed the track KindaLove, with big emotional chords and a sense of completion and contentment in Dijon’s vocals. He talks about finding a deep, passionate love that makes his heart pump.
Live Laugh Love – Earl Sweatshirt
Album poster for “Live Laugh Love” by Earl Sweatshirt, Image sourced from [https://genius.com/album_cover_arts/1427969]
Live laugh love is an experimental hip hop album by the critically praised Earl Sweatshirt. In the album, Earl sweatshirt takes a positive view on life, talking about how his life changed, becoming a father, and enjoying the things around yourself. This comes in contrast to his previously dark topic matter.
Earl sweatshirt’s rapping style is complex and iconic, with deep internal rhymes, hidden meanings, and metaphors. The combination of these deep, thorough rhymes and abstract unexpected production mix to create a beautiful piece of work that rivals his highly acclaimed previous albums.
Although all tracks on the album are incredibly creative and unique, a few tracks stick out in particular to me. Crisco contains a beautiful vocal loop and an intriguing rap cadence that keeps you engaged throughout. Tourmaline is a testament to the journey life takes you on, it has an emotional sample and delivery style. Live is also an amazing track, with a jazzy, soul feel to the first half until a beat changes, then it switches to a darker synthy groove.
Vanisher, Horizon Scraper – Quadeca
Album photo for “Vanisher, Horizon Scraper” by Quadeca, Image sourced from [https://genius.com/album_cover_arts/1360203]
Quadeca puts together an orchestral, cinematic, emotional album that sounds like the raging ocean. With big, moving chords, pulled together by ambient strings, synths, and woodwind instruments, this album truly feels like a journey through struggles.
This album is a blend of so many genres that it is difficult to describe. It contains indie, orchestral, and hip-hop influences that all pool together and become indistinguishable from each other. Every song has a very clear and moving emotional statement. Covering topics like big choices, nostalgia, and finding out who you are. Every song is lengthy but thought out and articulate. With only 14 tracks, the album is 1 hour and 9 minutes long. But every track is so diverse and interesting that you never get bored or find anything repetitive. Any time you think the album is going to go in one direction, it flips into another and keeps you on your toes.
But Quadeca wasn’t always so experimental. Kaden Townsend ’26 says he appreciates the “progression of Quadeca as an artist. He started off as this crappy YouTube rapper, but he’s evolved into this artistic musician who’s concerned about the quality of his record.” And it truly is impressive the improvement of quality that we have seen in Quadeca. He was originally this “meme” rapper who truly transformed into a respected artist who puts his full effort forward into everything he does.
