music
December 26, 2025
Soul-baring ballads, alt-rock fury and neon-lit techno: five-star albums you may have missed this year
Valentina Magaletti drummed for her life, Sarz got hips swinging and Daniel Avery got slinky and serpentine: our writers pick their favourite unsung LPs from 2025 The 50 best albums of 2025 More on the best culture of 2025
TL;DR
- Annahstasia's debut album, 'Tether', is praised for its unique voice, moving songs, and intimate feel, reflecting her industry experiences.
- Valentina Magaletti's collaboration with Koshiro Hino on 'Kansai Bruises' is celebrated for its exhilarating percussion, virtuosity, and textural delight.
- Madison Cunningham's third album, 'Ace', uses haunting metaphors to explore falling in love and divorce, shifting focus to woodwind and string arrangements.
- Producer Sarz's debut album, 'Protect Sarz at All Costs', is noted for its genre-fluid approach, blending various African and global sounds.
- Daniel Avery's album 'Tremor' is described as dark, industrial, and serpentine, featuring understated voices and a departure from his earlier techno work.
- Naples' latest album builds on his previous ambient techno work with a more populist approach, featuring vocal samples and playful detailing.
- A posthumous collection of unreleased studio sessions and radio tapes by pianist Radu Lupu, spanning from 1970 to 2002, is highlighted for its rare repertoire and exemplary playing.