Rolling Stone Staff’s 2025 Album Picks Reveal Major Music Trends

The staff of Rolling Stone has shared its personal top album picks for 2025. Dozens of writers, editors, and producers contributed their unique lists. The results were published this week on the magazine’s website.These lists offer a distinct counterpoint to the publication’s official rankings. They reflect the wide-ranging, individual tastes of the people behind the scenes. The compilation reveals surprising trends and standout artists for the year.

Diverse Genres and Personal Stories Define the Year

The collected staff picks highlight an incredibly diverse musical year. Bad Bunny’s “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” appeared on numerous lists. Staffers praised its cultural resonance and nostalgic Puerto Rican sounds.Indie rock had a particularly strong showing. Albums by Geese, Wednesday, and Lifeguard were frequently cited. Many staffers highlighted the emotional depth and inventive guitar work in this sector.Other notable trends included powerful comebacks. Lady Gaga’s “Mayhem” and Clipse’s “Let God Sort Em Out” were celebrated returns. Pop albums from Olivia Dean, Sabrina Carpenter, and Taylor Swift also featured prominently.

Analysis: Personal Taste Versus Critical Consensus

This exercise illustrates the difference between personal preference and critical evaluation. According to Rolling Stone, these lists are about individual connection. They are not the magazine’s official critical stance.The prevalence of certain albums across multiple lists still signals broader trends. The strong showing of Latin and indie artists suggests shifting listener priorities. It points to a year where personal storytelling and cultural specificity resonated deeply.For fans, these lists serve as a discovery tool. They offer curated entry points into the year’s music from trusted industry voices. The sheer variety confirms that 2025 offered rich listening across all genres.

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The 2025 album picks from Rolling Stone staff underscore a year of rich diversity in music. From global pop sensations to gritty indie rock, the personal lists provide a unique snapshot of the sounds that defined the year for those who live and breathe music journalism.

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Q1: What was the most frequently picked album?

Bad Bunny’s “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” appeared on the most staff lists. It was praised for its cultural significance and nostalgic sound. Several other albums, including works by Geese and Olivia Dean, also had strong showings.

Q2: How do these lists differ from Rolling Stone’s official rankings?

These are personal picks from individual staff members, reflecting their unique tastes. The official Rolling Stone “Best Albums of 2025” list is a separate, critical ranking. This collection is meant to be more eclectic and personal.

Q3: Which music genre was most prominent in the picks?

Indie rock and alternative albums were extremely prominent across the staff lists. Artists like Geese, Wednesday, and Lifeguard were repeatedly mentioned. Latin pop and hip-hop also had a very strong presence.

Q4: Did any surprise or comeback albums make the lists?

Yes. Lady Gaga’s comeback album “Mayhem” was featured on several lists. The long-awaited Clipse reunion album “Let God Sort Em Out” was also a frequent highlight, celebrated by hip-hop fans on staff.

Q5: What was the overall theme of the 2025 picks?

The overarching theme was diversity and personal storytelling. Staffers gravitated toward albums with strong cultural identity, emotional depth, and inventive sounds. The lists showed no single genre dominated personal listening habits.