TOP 8 MOST “IF YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW” ALBUMS OF 2025
Remember the sacred Top 8 on MySpace? That little curated corner of identity, flex, and taste? This is that energy: resurrected, updated, and applied to underrated albums of 2025 that only real diggers have on repeat.
From Turnstile to Iniko, here’s our top picks of the year. No rankings. Just instinct. And if you scroll fast enough, you might discover your next obsession.
Alexis Gross
1. Turnstile — Never Enough (Hardcore meets Alt-Pop)
Aggression meets euphoria. This record moshpits in your heart. <3
Turnstile continues their genre-bending streak: hardcore roots collide with pop-infused hooks. Never Enough sounds like a sweaty warehouse in Echo Park and a rooftop party in Downtown all at once.
2. ELI — STAGE GIRL (GLITTERY POP / DIY Feels)
A Y2K‑infused debut that turns pop stardom into personal mythology. Eli blends bubblegum bravado with intimate storytelling as she steps fully into her identity and artistic voice. Stage Girl gleams with glittering hooks, nostalgic nods to early‑2000s icons, and emotionally honest moments like “I Wish I Was a Girl” and “Somebody I’m Not,” marking Eli as one of 2025’s breakthrough pop storytellers.
3. amber mark — pretty idea (shimmery neo-soul)
A shimmering neo‑soul and pop‑R&B journey through love, heartbreak, and self‑rediscovery - equal parts dreamy grooves and emotional reckoning. Pretty Idea blends disco‑infused synths, lush funk, and retro nostalgia with modern R&B flair, capturing both the thrill of new love and the bittersweet lessons that follow.
4. peggy gou — D.A.N.C.E. (90s club energy)
Pure dancefloor joy! Peggy Gou’s D.A.N.C.E. delivers sleek house energy and feel‑good vibes that hit like summer in a song. Okay, so, D.A.N.C.E. isn’t technically a full album, but if you hit repeat as much as we did, it’s like you listened to a full-length album. Peggy turned her signature house sound into a feel‑good anthem built for beach parties, late‑night sets, and joyous moments of freedom. Released as part of the F1 movie soundtrack, the track blends propulsive rhythms and hypnotic vocals to create a sun‑soaked dance experience designed to make you move and feel alive.
5. henry morris — late bloomer, early death (indie alt pop nostalgia)
An indie‑pop exploration of tenderness and late‑night reflection, weaving alt‑rock warmth with DIY intimacy. With tracks like “Venice Beach” and “LA at Night,” this Henry Morris has become a quiet favorite among underground circles and Tiktok FYPs, capturing the emotive tension between growth and nostalgia. The kind of record that feels personal from the first listen.
6. THE ACES — GOLD STAR BABY (BRIGHT & ALT-INDIE GRITTY)
Vibrant, infectious, and unashamedly fun, The Aces’ gold star baby turns alt‑pop energy into something unforgettable. Gold Star Baby finds The Aces at the peak of their alt‑pop power, weaving shimmering melodies with earnest songwriting and punchy rhythms. The result is an album that feels both immediate and timeless. The perfect blend of indie attitude and pop catchiness that sticks with you long after the last chorus.
7. YUNGBLUD — IDOLS (ANTHEMIC ALT-PUNK)
Yungblud’s Idols is bold, brash, and full of heart. It’s the soundtrack for anyone who’s ever felt like an outsider, blending his punk-infused alt-pop with honest, introspective lyrics and hooks made for singing at the top of your lungs. Somehow, it sounds completely fresh while feeling like it was always meant to exist. It’s highly recommend to crank “Hello Heaven, Hello” and “Lovesick Lullaby” on full volume whilst driving down the highway.
8. iniko — the awakening (soul-soaked lyricism)
Heartfelt, cinematic, and deeply introspective: Iniko’s The Awakening is the sound of growth, reflection, and pure emotional depth. Iniko expands on an already powerful narrative, blending alt‑R&B, soul, and atmospheric production into a journey of healing and self‑discovery. With rich vocals and contemplative lyricism, this album feels like a late‑night conversation with yourself. It’s honest, raw, and enchanting.
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