Pop in 2025 has been anything but predictable. From global superstars doubling down on their signature chaos to rising voices reshaping the genre in real time, this year’s standout releases prove that pop remains fearless, emotional, and endlessly evolving.
This celebrates the albums and artists who defined the past twelve months, whether through chart domination, bold reinvention, or songwriting that hit straight at the heart. These records didn’t just soundtrack the year; they shaped it.
sombr - I Barely Know Her
The meteoric rise of sombr shows no signs of slowing. This year, he's racked up over 3 billion streams, 10 million followers, and sold out an enormous run of global shows. With three Top 10 UK singles already under his belt and three Brixton Academy shows in 2026, he's not just rising - he's exploding. Sombr is already becoming one of the biggest global breakout stars of this year and beyond.
By Chris H.
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Tate McRae - So Close To What
Tate McRae’s So Close to What radiates pure girl-power energy, blending different shades of pop around that classic R&B core you know and love. The album hooks you with infectious melodies, emotional depth, and polished, dynamic production that lets every layer shine. Tate McRae's confidence, charisma, and fearless energy make this a record you can’t stop coming back to, full of moments that are both fun and heartfelt.
By Steven T.
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Lorde - Virgin
Lorde’s Virgin marks a bold evolution in her sound, blending atmospheric production with sharp, introspective lyrics. The album explores themes of identity, growth, and vulnerability, showcasing her ability to push creative boundaries. Each track feels carefully crafted, balancing experimental tones with the lyrical depth fans have come to expect. Virgin stands out as one of her most daring and cohesive projects to date, proving Lorde continues to evolve as an artist.
By Kitty L.
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Teddy Swims - I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 2)
Teddy Swims’ I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 2) is a powerhouse of an album that puts his incredible voice front and center. Every track feels massive and heartfelt, moving seamlessly between pop, soul, and soft-rock while keeping that raw, emotional punch he’s known for. Songs like "Funeral", "Not Your Man", and "Hammer to the Heart" are instant standouts, but honestly, the whole project is stacked. It’s bold, uplifting, and overflowing with soul, an album you’ll want on repeat.
By Ben A.
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Tom Grennan - Everywhere I Went, Led Me to Where I Didn’t Want to Be
Tom Grennan’s Everywhere I Went, Led Me to Where I Didn’t Want to Be is made for the fighters. The album delivers punchy, vibrant pop production alongside reflective moments, landing hooks that hit hard while giving quieter tracks room to catch your breath. It’s for sluggers who love a big, bold chorus, out-fighters who savor subtle nuance, and anyone in between. Tom Grennan’s charisma and heartfelt lyrics make every track land like a carefully thrown jab, immediate, personal, and impossible to ignore.
By Steven T.
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Lady Gaga - MAYHEM
This latest release from Lady Gaga is a dazzling reminder of why she’s a pop icon. Rather than reinventing the wheel, she doubles down on what makes her unique: bold theatricality, sharp humor, and emotional honesty. The album blends electro-grunge vibes with disco, rock, and industrial influences, creating a rich, unpredictable soundscape that keeps listeners hooked. Themes of identity, fame, and inner conflict run deep, with Gaga wrestling publicly and privately through tracks like “Perfect Celebrity” and “Abracadabra.” Her vocal performances range from powerful belting to playful quivers, adding theatrical flair that feels like mini one-act plays. Produced with help from big names like Cirkut and Andrew Watt, the album balances ambitious production with catchy songwriting, never losing sight of pop’s essentials. It may be packed, but it’s a confident, cohesive statement that proves Gaga still knows how to command the spotlight loudly, proudly, and unapologetically.
By Kitty L.
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Perrie - Perrie
Perrie’s self-titled debut feels like a long exhale, bright and bold pop threaded with raw emotion and touches of country warmth. It is an album that lets her voice shine in all its power and vulnerability, moving between moments of joy and reflection with ease. Co-written with Nina Nesbitt and Ed Sheeran, the record balances fun, honest songwriting with a newfound sense of independence, marking Perrie’s first solo chapter as both grounded and quietly triumphant.
By Chris H.
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Lola Young - I’m Only F**king Myself
Lola Young’s I’m Only F**king Myself puts on a firework display of unfiltered songwriting and resonant vocals. From crackling alt-pop beats and atmospheric textures, Lola shifts between her staple conversational fashion through moments of epicness and quiet fragility, like on the track “Penny Out of Nothing.” The album takes you on a fairground of bold melodies and heartfelt lyrics, mixing attitude with vulnerability and showcasing her storytelling skills and emotional range. This is a solid debut for one of the U.K.’s most interesting newcomers.
By Steven T.
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Florence + The Machine - Everybody Scream
Achingly beautiful sixth studio album by Florence + The Machine. The album was written and produced over the last two years by the multi-talented Florence Welch with a close-knit circle of collaborators, including Mark Bowen of IDLES, Aaron Dessner of The National, and American singer-songwriter Mitski.‘Everybody Scream’ treads through womanhood, partnership, aging, and dying; exposing the murky in the mundane.
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Alex Warren - You’ll Be Alright, Kid
You’ll Be Alright, Kid showcases Warren’s vocal prowess and evolving sound, bringing his rawest, most authentic energy yet. Known for his vulnerable pop melodies, passionate vocals, and lyrical candour, Warren has won over fans globally with his personal, powerful brand of pop.
By Connor C.
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