We’re only a couple months into the year, but 2025 is already shaping up to be an exciting one for music. Even as headline-grabbing names soak up most of the attention, it’s often the under-the-radar releases—or the quiet reinventions from seasoned pros—that end up resonating the longest. From soul-stirring duos to genre-defying singer-songwriters, these five albums are proof that some of the year’s finest work doesn’t come with the biggest spotlight.
The War and Treaty – Plus One
There’s nothing manufactured about the emotion in Michael and Tanya Trotter’s music. Their story—combat veteran meets singer, they fall in love, heal, and create—is the stuff of legend, but it’s their sound that stays with you. Plus One leans more into country this time around, but make no mistake: it’s country reimagined. Collaborations with Billy Strings and Miranda Lambert stretch the genre’s boundaries, while the duo’s signature gospel-inflected harmonies bring raw soul to every note. Their voices intertwine with a warmth and ache that feels lived-in, honest, and downright electric.
The Lumineers – Automatic
The folk revivalists who once gave us “Ho Hey” have quietly reinvented themselves without ever fully stepping out of the limelight. With Automatic, The Lumineers return with a record that fuses their acoustic roots with slicker, more electronic touches. The production is sharper, but the emotional pull is the same—melancholy, anthemic, and intimate all at once. It’s a balancing act that’s paying off, considering they’re still pulling stadium-level crowds. The sound may have evolved, but the heart behind it remains unmistakable.
Sharon Van Etten & the Attachment Theory – Sharon Van Etten & the Attachment Theory
Sharon Van Etten has always been a master of raw, soul-bearing songwriting. On her latest, she trades in some of the solitary introspection for collaborative spark. The result? A groove-heavy, synth-laced record that still feels grounded in her voice and vision. “Idiot Box” critiques our scrolling culture with sly rhythm and winking melancholy, while “Afterlife” and “I Want You Here” stretch into moody, cathartic territory. This isn’t a reboot—it’s an expansion. And watching Van Etten widen her artistic lens this deep into her career is quietly thrilling.
Kip Moore – Solitary Tracks
Kip Moore has taken the road less traveled, and Solitary Tracks is the map of that journey. No longer playing to Nashville’s formula, Moore taps into punk energy and Americana grit on an album that’s sprawling, personal, and defiantly independent. With 23 tracks, it risks feeling overstuffed, but Moore’s steady hand keeps things grounded. From reflections on solitude to soul-baring confessions, this album isn’t chasing radio—it’s chasing truth. And in doing so, Moore has crafted a record that might be his most authentic yet.
Michigander – Michigander
Jason Singer’s debut full-length as Michigander is a gleaming, emotionally charged ride through power-pop terrain with touches of emo and indie polish. There’s a youthful clarity to the melodies, even as the lyrics dig into vulnerability and emotional inertia. “Emotional” feels like an unofficial mission statement—anthemic yet deeply personal, slick yet sincere. With its bright hooks and occasional bursts of saxophone nostalgia, this album manages to make millennial melancholy feel like a celebration rather than a lament.
In Summary
From tender duets to indie-rock catharsis, the year’s best albums so far aren’t chasing trends—they’re building their own lanes. Whether you’re looking to be lifted, soothed, challenged, or simply moved, these records offer something more enduring than virality. And that’s worth hitting play on again and again.
