Top of the Tops: Our Standout Albums of the Year

Album of the Year Overall - Brat by Charli XCX

With a certain je ne sais quoi, this summer has seen the rise and rise of Charli XCX. She's taken the music that grounded her - aggressive hyperpop, mixed with virtuosic and achingly vulnerable songwriting, developing that club classic sound into something iconic. With glee & audacity, she's taken this worldwide. Brat is a celebration of what remains when you're left ciggie in hand with the crystalised core of a musical tour de force.

By Connor W, Community Manager

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Indie Album of the Year - Romance by Fontaines DC

Romance is a bold and transformative step forward for the Irish band Fontaines D.C., blending their post-punk roots with experimental and emotional soundscapes. The album explores love in its many forms—beautiful, messy, and chaotic. Songs like "Starburster" and "Death Kink" capture emotional intensity, with raw lyrics and powerful instrumentation, while tracks like "Favourite" bring a dreamy, melodic close, offering a moment of introspection and serenity amidst the chaos. Drawing from both their Irish identity and more global influences, Romance showcases the band's evolution as they push boundaries both lyrically and sonically. This captivating journey through love and identity solidifies Fontaines D.C. as one of the most dynamic bands in the modern rock scene, blending heartfelt emotion with a distinct edge that continues to resonate with fans worldwide.

By Kamil H, Marketing Manager

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Pop Album of the Year - Short ‘n Sweet by Sabrina Carpenter

The follow up to "Emails I Can't Send" Sabrina's 6th album contains the massive summer hits, "Espresso" and "Please Please Please". This album is not heavy or self-indulgent like some current pop, but cheeky, clever, effortlessly executed with a superb sense of humour. It's not just about two hits though, highlights include "Lie To Girls" which showcases her impressive vocal range delivering the usual sharp lyrics. The country lite "Slim Pickins" is such a fun song and encourages her lyrics should be screamed too as well as sung. And a favourite of mine "Sharp Tool". A simple song that packs such a punch. The current hit "Taste" shows again how unexpectedly addictive this album is.

By Tony F, Music Manager

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Metal Album of the Year - POST HUMAN: NeX GEn by Bring Me The Horizon



Bring Me The Horizon’s Post Human: NeX GEn is a daring blend of genres, from metalcore to hyperpop, showcasing the band's ability to continuously evolve. Tracks like “Kool-Aid” and “LosT” deliver stadium-ready choruses, while songs like “n/A” explore deeper, introspective themes. Collaborations with artists like AURORA and Lil Uzi Vert bring unique textures to the album, especially on the explosive “AmEN!” The album closes with the ambitious “DIg It,” which ties together the diverse styles found throughout. NeX GEn is both a nostalgic nod to their post-hardcore roots and a bold leap into new territory.

By Kamil H, Marketing Manager

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Electronic Album of the Year - In Waves by Jamie xx

Jamie xx's first album since In Colour (2015) is a mesmerizing journey through soundscapes that blend deep house, minimalist beats, and textured samples. Opening with a gentle ebb, the album gradually unfolds into a vibrant tapestry of emotions, seamlessly merging electronic and organic elements. Each song feels meticulously crafted, inviting listeners to lose themselves in the atmospheric depth. For those xx fans dying for a reunion... on Waited All Night the three are back together in full force.

By Steven F, Music Buyer

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Country Album of the Year - Fathers & Sons by Luke Combs 

Luke Combs' New Country sits squarely in the old traditions. Here, he explores the thread running through masculine generations; the narrative is sentimental and filled with snapshots of ordinary family life in the best possible way.

By David A, Head of Music & Tech

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Rock Album of the Year - Luck and Strange by David Gilmour

The 5th solo outing from David Gilmour is very much a family project with lyrics written by wife, the author, Polly Samson - who has contributed lyrics to all her husband's solo work as well as the last two Floyd albums - but also youngest daughter, Romany adding vocals to two of the tracks. The additional influence of co-producer Charlie Andrew may well have proved pivotal in coaxing a great album from Gilmour. Arguably Floyd's finest moments came from the friction between Gilmour and Waters - in Charlie Andrew, he's found a voice to challenge the go-to guitar solo and lengthy fade out. Not that Luck & Strange is without those components, but there is so much more: harp skips over the album, strings and choirs lift it and there's swampy blues chugging beneath Gilmour's signature solos. It may be inevitable, certainly understandable from a septuagenarian that much of the album looks back, often recalling childhood and growing up in 20th century and expressing the hope that such golden times aren't gone forever. That said Gilmour sounds at peace and still with something to say in his time in life.

By David A, Head of Music & Tech

So there you have it our best of the bests… It’s safe to say the last year has been a big year for music - from Pop to Country and Rock to Electronic there’s something for everyone here. Happy listening!