#DALEYPOP X 2025 AOTY picks

I keep seeing people say that 2025 has been a “quiet” year for pop, and honestly….I couldn’t disagree more. Over the past 12 months alone we’ve had brand new albums from Ava Max, Lily Allen, JADE, Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, Zara Larsson, Orville Peck, Sabrina Carpenter, Allie X, The Weeknd, Taylor Swift, Cat Burns, Cardi B, Florence + The Machine, Lorde, Tate McRae, Grant Knoche, Marina, FKA Twigs, Khalid, Doja Cat, Demi Lovato, Tyler The Creator, Lola Young and even the one and only: Mariah Carey (her first album in 84 years) so like, be serious?!

Oh and Oasis survived their reunion shows mostly unscathed, the new Elvis experience turned into a blue suede shambles and Coldplay left a couple of fans wishing they’d stayed home....

On the album front, Lily Allen released West End Girl felt like it became one of the year’s most talked about releases over night, thanks to its raw, unflinching and deeply detailed reflections on the events leading up to her divorce from Stranger Things actor David Harbour.

I’m still not over Katy Perry and Gayle King joining four other women on an 11 minute 2025 Blue Origin flight, soaring 100 km above Earth as KP performed What a Wonderful World in weightless wonder.

Mariah Carey has been living life at her own pace, as seen in her erm, relaxed 2025 MTV VMAs and Brighton Pride performances. When Scott Mills asked on BBC Radio 2 if she’d ever go to space, her viral answer instantly became a new motto capturing the diva’s energy....

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SO TRUE! Anyway, here are just a few of the albums that defined 2025. No rankings, no chart wars, just the records that made this year an absolute triumph for pop music.

Addison Rae - Addison

Addison Rae dropped her debut album in June as a bold statement to anyone still telling her to stay in her lane. From TikTok fame to supporting Lana Del Rey on tour, Addison is genuinely one of my favourite albums of 2025. She’s clearly moved beyond her origin story, she even starred as Evelyn Hartley in Netflix’s Monster: The Ed Gein Story, proving she’s exploring every side of her creativity.

Back to the album though! Addison dives head first into glossy, bold pop packed with irresistible hooks and softer, more intimate moments. It balances playful fun with genuine vulnerability, winking at internet culture without ever feeling forced and every track feels crafted to grab your attention.

The world is Addison's oyster!

Allie X - Happiness Is Going to Get You

I can’t get over how good this album is. Happiness Is Going To Get You sees Allie X returning to the piano, and diving back into self production. Written largely by Allie herself, the album feels like a “deep breath” after the intensity of Girl With No Face. Conceptually, HIGGY plays with time, nostalgia and identity through her alter ego, The Infant Marie, blending baroque instrumentation with modern digital textures to reflect a moment caught between hope and dread.
Ambitious yet deeply personal, the album leans into piano led arrangements, whimsical chamber pop flourishes and theatrical touches, exploring themes of longing, joy and reflection. With richly layered soundscapes and Allie’s trademark wit and emotional clarity, HIGGY feels imaginative, heartfelt and quietly daring. One of the most intriguing pop releases of 2025 for sure!

Lady Gaga - MAYHEM

Lady Gaga has never done subtle, and MAYHEM proves chaos is her comfort zone. Her seventh album is a full throttle return to dark, maximalist pop packed with theatrics and drama. Confident and unapologetic, MAYHEM doesn’t chase trends, it owns its place. Gaga sounds like she’s having fun again, revelling in pop as performance art and I’m still not over her Coachella set or the ongoing tour which I never got tickets for!

I’m gutted I missed out on London tickets, but if anyone has spare Madison Square Garden tickets for March/April 2026, let me know. MAYHEM has become one of Gaga’s most acclaimed albums, topping charts in 20+ countries and earning major Grammy nominations. Well she is Mother Monster.

Lily Allen - West End Girl

Lily Allen made an utterly unexpected return to the music world in 2025 with West End Girl delivering a theatrical masterpiece that reminded everyone exactly why she’s one of pop’s most fearless voices. The album pulses with raw honesty, cinematic storytelling and a boldness that cuts through the noise of the year’s releases.

Lily basically dropped a surprise album without any warning and created her own British Lemonade. IYKYK. And her SNL performance with Dakota Johnson was....omg. Just watch it.

If success is the sweetest revenge, then West End Girl delivered it in spades. The more we immersed ourselves in its bittersweet laments, the deeper our love grew. West End Girl offered a provocative, whirlwind peek into the chaos of a rocky celebrity marriage, proving that behind the red carpets and glossy magazine covers, even the famous wrestle with heartbreak just like the rest of us. It’s the underdog album of the year: brimming with cheeky, ironically fun sing alongs that sneakily grow on you with every listen, leaving an indelible mark on 2025’s pop landscape.

Florence + The Machine - Everybody Scream

What. An. Album. Everybody Scream is Florence + The Machine’s best yet. A haunting, cathartic and wildly imaginative 2025 release. Dropped on Halloween, its title track blends indie rock, chamber pop, and ritualistic textures with Florence Welch drawing on personal experiences like recovering from a life threatening ectopic pregnancy, womanhood, mortality, mysticism and artistic survival.

From the raw opener Everybody Scream to the defiant One of the Greats and the eerie Witch Dance, the album feels like a communal exorcism of pain.

Heidi Montag - Heidiwood

I still can’t get over the fact that Heidi Montag made a massive music comeback in 2025, complete with official music videos, stunning visualisers, high profile features, a live performance at Mighty Hoopla and an entire new album!

Oh and Heidi’s legendary 2009 Miss Universe performance is finally available in full HD on YouTube. Honestly, Heidi has been serving us nonstop this year-coming back stronger than yesterday, even after her devastating start to 2025 when she and Spencer Pratt lost their home in the LA fires.

Heidiwood shows Heidi fully owning the joke. Her second album, over a decade after Superficial, dives into glossy, throwback pop unapologetic, fearless and pure escapism.

The album is unapologetic fun, with massive choruses, club-ready beats, and strut-worthy lyrics rather than soul-searching although No Going Home shows Heidi still has her soul. Sriracha turns up the heat, leaning fully into a campy, over the top club pop with a cheeky wink, not a caution sign and Icon is an energetic reminder that sometimes pop’s greatest power is simply to make you feel alive, bold and, like an icon. Icon isn't actually on the album but it's too good not to mention, Tetris is an absolute bop too.

Heidiwood is joyfully excessive. There’s a self awareness running through it that makes the whole thing feel less like a comeback and more like a victory lap she decided to take on her own terms. I'm obsessed with the "I go from an angel to an animal" line on Animal too!

Heidi sounds relaxed, playful, and completely unbothered by anyone who ever doubted her pop star ambitions. She's not trying to rewrite pop history, she's just here to have a good time and we're all invited to Heidiwood.

Heidiwood commits fully to the fantasy and pop music could always use a bit more of this energy. It's silly, shiny and a little ridiculous in the best way. It might not be trying to win critics over although I guess I'm a critic and it's won me over but then I'm an original Superficial fan and proud!

FKA Twigs - EUSEXUA/Afterglow

Not one but TWO albums in one year from FKA twigs is wild but highly appreciated so on behalf of all the Twiglets, thank you Tahliah it you ever read this!

So many gorgeous music videos too and EUSEXUA has been nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Dance/Electronic Album at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards next year.

Honestly 2025 has been the best year ever to be a Twiglet!

Twigs has even announced a huuuuge UK and European tour for 2026 too, including a massive show at The O2 in London but also arena shows in Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Paris and Berlin following a North American leg in the spring. I got a feeling she'll turn up with all bells and whistles on too for her Body High tour, her stop at The O2 marks her biggest ever UK headline show by the way.

Olly Alexander - Polari

Polari marks Olly Alexander’s solo debut after Years & Years. Named for the coded language of Britain’s gay community, the album-supported by the Up Close and Polari Tour-celebrates queer history and self discovery, opening with a vibrant, Janet Jackson inspired track.

Olly calls the song “an audio collage” mimicking a revving engine, a thrilling intro. With producer Danny L Harle, he crafted an ’80s club-inspired album exploring desire, intimacy, and voyeurism.

One standout for me on the album is When We Kiss, which Olly calls “an epic love song about the turbulence of deciding whether to walk away or stay together forever.”

I loveeeee Cupid’s Bow too, an absolute op that’s playful, catchy, and perfectly balances fun and desire.

Whisper In The Waves deserves a shout out and keeping Dizzy on the album was genius, it might have been too gay for Eurovision but Olly is true to himself and I love how unapologetically gay he is and is inspiring! With Pet Shop Boys style energy and Olly’s signature theatricality, Polari plays out like a carefully crafted, dramatic narrative, one of 2025’s gems.

JADE - THAT'S SHOWBIZ BABY!/THE ENCORE

THAT'S SHOWBIZ BABY! is a breakout success both critically and creatively, marking Jade Thirlwall’s emergence as a distinct voice in contemporary pop. I can't get over that JADE gave us a visual album and then, always one to go above and beyond, THE ENCORE was released which builds on that momentum, delivering additional thrills and deepening the emotional impact of her debut era. Also, fun fact: THAT'S SHOWBIZ BABY! had the biggest opening week of any debut album in 2025!

TSB! even influenced me to write my definitive ranking of every Britney Spears album HERE. JADE just keeps gagging us at Scene HQ and we can't do anything about it!

JADE’s understanding of pop is genuinely impressive. She’s a master of melody, production and vocals, balancing variety with cohesion. After a decade making pop for commercial obligation (with Little Mix), she’s now creating it purely out of love for the genre and it shows.

THE ENCORE is one of the strongest deluxe albums I've ever heard with new tracks that rival the already excellent TSB! which rarely happens in pop. I think the last comparison I can think of is Fame Monster by Gaga. Rather than padding it out with one new song and loads of remixes, JADE did a Fame Monster and effectively delivering a whole new album.

Church, Use Me, Dreamcheater and If My Heart Was a House are instant standouts though the full set hits hard. Use Me instantly makes sense knowing it was written with Kylie Minogue in mind, it sounds tailor made for Kylie. Omg imagine a Use Me remix with Kylie?!

I need to mention Church now though, the first ENCORE "single" feels ripped straight from MTV, blending sultry minimalism with explosive beats. JADE describes it as a reflection of her journey within LGBTQIA+ spaces, inspired by her first exposure to drag culture and evolving into a celebration of allyship. It’s a fitting, inclusive finale to the TSB! era, a love letter to her fans and the safe space they’ve created together.

In the official music video, JADE channels drag culture to celebrate self expression and freedom. Whether it’s glossy dance pop, camp theatrics or heartfelt songwriting, our IT girl delivers something for everyone.

Demi Lovato - It's Not That Deep

I had a strong feeling about It’s Not That Deep the moment Demi Lovato released Fast as the lead single back in August. It absolutely slapped and signalled a confident return to pop following her rock Holy Fvck era in 2022.

It’s Not That Deep is exactly that, not that deep. It’s a gloriously camp dance album and the production is razor sharp throughout making a full start to finish listen a genuinely fun experience.

My absolute favourite track on the album, Kiss might be the perfect showcase of Demi’s talent on the record. It's mmaculate production paired with a playful, tongue in cheek message, delivered with the perfect mix of restrained harmonies and bold, belted out moments. Frequency, hits you straight away with its pounding beat and sung rapped vocals, grabbing your attention from the first second. I love Here All Night too and Fast and well the whole album!

The Weeknd - Hurry Up Tomorrow

The Weeknd dropped Hurry Up Tomorrow back in January which feels like so long ago now and I’m still not over how much the album feels like a melancholic farewell. If you didn't know, I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news but....it was Abel Tesfaye’s final album released under The Weeknd name! I KNOW.

Hurry Up Tomorrow also served as the companion album to the film of the same name which, full confession....I still haven’t watched! Honestly, it’s a crime I didn’t catch it in the cinema.

The album opens with the cinematic Wake Me Up (ft. Justice), followed by the dark Cry for Me and the shimmering ’80s pop of Open Hearts (my favourite). With lush synths, smooth R&B grooves and emotive vocals, the record balances catchy tracks like Timeless (ft. Playboi Carti) with haunting moments like The Abyss (ft. Lana Del Rey), exploring fame, burnout, and self-reflection throughout.

Kesha-.

Kesha’s Period is a bold, unpredictable return to pop, celebrating her creative freedom and independence. Released on Independence Day via Kesha Records, it marks a liberated return to the glittery, chaotic energy that made her a star.

From the disco-house opener FREEDOM. to high-energy singles like Joyride. and BOY CRAZY., Period thrives on contrast blending country twang, sarcastic humor, catchy pop hooks, and ending with the reflective, emotional Cathedral.

Tom Aspaul - Cabin Fever

If you haven’t heard Tom Aspaul, you’re missing out. Hugely talented and underrated, he deserves mainstream success but thankfully, staying under the radar lets him keep his music passionate and uninhibited.

Cabin Fever is a psychedelic, introspective journey in vibrant pop and disco. Born from an acid‑enhanced Midsommar weekend in a Stockholm cabin, each track acts as a vignette through shifting perceptions and an unraveling state of mind.

Cabin Fever mixes ’70s‑inspired pop, disco, funk, and psychedelia with modern pop, creating a nostalgic yet fresh vibe confirming Tom Aspaul as one of 2025’s most inventive and sexy pop voices.

Miley Cyrus - Something Beautiful

I’m still shook that Something Beautiful by Miley Cyrus has flown under the radar this year. It’s such a gorgeous album and how wild is it that Naomi Campbell features on Every Girl You’ve Ever Loved? Somehow, it didn’t get nearly the hype or discussion I expected. The album artwork, photographed by Glen Luchford, is stunning: Miley is draped in archival 1997 Thierry Mugler couture, a striking nod to the album’s bold aesthetic and its strong visual storytelling.

The album has even been nominated for Best Pop Vocal Album at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, so Miley is still getting her Flowers and yes, that pun was intentional. I’m so glad I got to see the Something Beautiful musical film in cinemas back in June, which acts as a stunning visual companion to the album. Basically, Miley gave us a full visual album in 2025 and it was everything.

The album primarily explores existential themes, delving into healing from trauma and discovering beauty even in life’s darkest moments.

End of the World feels completely timeless, and Walk of Fame might just be my favourite Miley track yet! Well, tied with Midnight Sky and Flowers.

Ava Max - Don't Click Play

Ava Max’s long awaited third studio album finally arrived in 2025, serving up a bold and playful collection of twelve dance pop tracks. The album tackles themes like self love, online criticism and personal growth, all wrapped in infectious, radio ready production.
Don’t Click Play, released in August, features standout singles including Lost Your Faith, Lovin Myself, and Wet, Hot American Dream. I’m absolutely obsessed with the catchy production and the sheer confidence Ava radiates throughout every track.

Wet, Hot American Dream feels chaotic in a good way, it's a high energy pop banger that feels both cheeky and cinematic well and chaotic. It does! With its catchy chorus and tongue in cheek nods to classic Americana, it captures Ava’s playful side while still showcasing her vocal prowess. It’s one of those songs that sticks in your head too and I can't help but randomly sing WET HOT AMERICAN!

Don’t Click Play feels like Ava Max at her absolute most confident, fully embracing her strengths while sounding freer and more self aware than ever. Instead of chasing trends, the album leans into polished pop craftsmanship, delivering an addictive, replay worthy collection of tracks. It firmly cements her status as one of modern pop’s most reliable hitmakers, and I’m genuinely excited to see what she has in store next.

Bad Bunny - DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS

Benito Ocasio aka Bad Bunny released DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS this year, a triumphant and deeply personal celebration of Puerto Rican identity that pushes the boundaries of Latin pop and urbano music with both reverence and innovation. I love how the album blends blends reggaetón with traditional Puerto Rican genres like salsa, plena, and bomba, featuring collaborations with artists such as Chuwi, Omar Courtz, Los Pleneros de la Cresta, Dei V, and RaiNao.

It just makes me imagine being in a warmer climate! DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS received widespread critical acclaim and won Album of the Year at the 2025 Latin Grammy Awards as it should!

What makes DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS so compelling is how it manages to feel both culturally rooted and universally powerful. Bad Bunny doesn’t just craft catchy rhythms and inventive production, he invites listeners into a vibrant, emotional world where the joy of dance and the weight of memory coexist, making it one of his most enduring and affecting works to date.

Mariah Carey - Here For It All

After a long seven year recording hiatus, Mariah Carey finally released a brand new album this year, the follow up to her album Caution oh and it's her sixteenth studio album!

Here For It All offers fans a rich, heartfelt blend of pop and R&B that feels both classic and refreshingly personal and features collaborations with Anderson .Paak, Kehlani, Shenseea and The Clark Sisters and showcases a mix of soulful ballads, upbeat bops and reflective moments that highlight Mariah's versatility as a songwriter and performer. Type Dangerous is iconic and Play This Song is stunning.

Here For It All stands out as one of Mimi's most rewarding albums in years. its blend of emotional depth, playful flair and vocal warmth makes it feel like a conversation with an old friend you’re thrilled to hear from again and reminds listeners why she’s one of the most enduring voices in music, making this album a joyful and satisfying addition to her legendary discography.

Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco - I Said I Love You First

Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco released I Said I Love You First this year, a charming and musically adventurous pop album that captures both artists at a moment of creative and personal closeness. The album was Selena's seventh studio album and Benny's second and features collaborations with Gracie Abrams, The Marías, Tainy, and J Balvin and it debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 with the biggest first-week sales of each of their careers.

Some critics have noted its stylistic range but I genuinely think I Said I Love You First succeeds beautifully by offering a rich variety of sounds from introspective piano ballads like Younger and Hotter Than Me which I'm sure a lot of us can relate to on some scale, to playful pop rock and Latin infused touches giving listeners both emotional depth and moments of pure pop joy.

Marina - Princess of Power

Marina made a dazzling and joyful return to music in 2025. Princess of Power is one of her most fun era's yet, and celebrates self-discovery, feminine strength and pure pop exhilaration.

I mean, only Marina could get away with an absolute bop called CUNTISSIMO. P.O.P. was Marina's sixth studio record, blending disco, euro pop and synth laden hooks with themes of empowerment, love, and transformation. My personal faves are well, CUNTISSIMO, Butterfly, I <3 YOU and Cupid's Girl oh and it marked her first album released independently on her own label, Queenie Records.

I'm still obsessed with the I <3 YOU offiical video, it feels like Marina at her most liberated and creative. Each track though is brimming with effervescent energy and clever pop craftsmanship that invites listeners to dance, feel and celebrate. The record’s blend of whimsical disco pop and emotional candor makes it not just a fun listen but a genuinely uplifting journey that solidifies Marina’s place as one of modern pop’s most inventive voices.

Rose Gray - Louder, Please

Louder, Please is a vibrant and exhilarating debut album from Rose Gray that captures the energy of London’s club culture with irresistible dance-pop flair.

What makes Louder, Please so thrilling is how it turns every track into a celebration of freedom, youth, and uninhibited joy—whether it’s the euphoric anthem I Don't Speak French (not a Girls Aloud cover by the way) or the sultry Switch making it feel like the perfect soundtrack to both late night dance floors and sun soaked weekends with friends.

With its combination of bold sonic ambition and genuine pop heart, Rose Gray has crafted a debut that not only stands out in the dance-pop landscape but also leaves you excited for what she’ll do next.

Doja Cat - Vie

Doja Cat always goes above and beyond and Vie is no different. tgy is a dazzling and stylish return to her most playful pop instincts, blending slick ’80s-inspired production with seductive grooves, smart lyricism, and genre-bending flair that keeps the album feeling fresh from start to finish.

I adore the vibrant energy and 80s vibes even though my mum said it's not really like the 80s.

Vie feels like one of Doja Cat’s most irresistible and confident works yet. It’s fun, flirty, and full of personality with playful vocal performances and rich, nostalgic soundscapes that make it a joy to revisit, proving she’s still one of pop music’s most inventive and charismatic voices.

Brandi Carlile - Returning To Myself

Even though Brandi Carlile is kind of a big deal in the US, with 11 Grammy Awards from 28 nominations, I only just discovered her music this year! Thanks to my boyfriend but also thanks to Elton John. I was at my BFF's house one weekend and my boyfriend was at home and caught An Evening with Elton John and Brandi Carlile on TV and he instantly fell in love with Brandi's voice and personality so he was intrigued and dived in head first and even ordered 2 of her albums on vinyl that night and text me telling me alllll about his new discovery and the Bramily (IYKYK). Annnnd then a few months later, Brandi released Returning to Myself so it was perfect timing to become a new fan. Oh and we've got tickets to see her on tour next year in Lisbon!

Returning To Myself though, is a deeply moving and beautifully crafted album that finds the celebrated singer-songwriter exploring themes of identity, connection, and personal evolution with both grace and emotional depth that we can all relate to. The album has been widely praised by critics for its reflective songwriting, contemplative production and Brandi's powerful vocal performances. Human in particular feels like one of Brandi's most affecting songs on the album, capturing Brandi's spirit with its quiet power and heartfelt sincerity. Returning to Myself ultimately feels like a warm, reassuring companion, an album that doesn’t rush for grand statements, but instead finds its beauty in honesty, compassion and the courage it takes to simply be yourself.

The whole album is a blend of tender folk inspired ballads, thoughtful lyricism and even occasional rock-tinged punch not only showcases her immense artistry but also invites listeners into a deeply human journey of self-rediscovery, making it an uplifting and profoundly resonant album that rewards repeated listens. Also, one more thing, I just need you to watch Brandi's Church & State (Live From Red Rocks) performance above. SO GOOD!

Zara Larsson - Midnight Sun

I really wish this soan-soaked album had dropped in the summer or at least just before it because it’s such a perfect summer vibe. Released in late September, it's possible that Zara Larsson might have released her best album so far. Midnight Sun totally matches the energy of the album cover if that makes sense?! Eurosummer is my absolute favourite track on the album, I just know I’ll be blasting it again next summer and every summer after that. It instantly took me back to 2010-2012, when Romanian dance pop was huge. Remember INNA and Stereo Love by Edward Maya? Pure nostalgia and I still listen to them now when I go on holiday. And honestly Hot & Sexy and Pretty Ugly slay.

I loveee the Pretty Ugly music video, it brings that song’s fierce, fun attitude to life with spirited choreography and chaotic charm that perfectly matches its confident spirit, right?!

Crush stands out too as a club ready anthem with dazzling production and relatable lyricism about unrequited attraction while the title track’s Midnight Sun music video matches the album’s euphoric energy and carefree dancing that bring the song’s celebratory spirit to life.

Ultimately, Midnight Sun feels like Zara at the peak of her pop powers, delivering a vibrant collection of songs that make you want to dance, sing along and come back for more again and again.