The Best Albums of October 2025

This is the very last monthly roundup of 2025... because the end of your lists are COMING! Inside: the worst excuse for not listening to new music, and not nearly enough seasonally spooky music.

You know what’s embarrassing?

Not listening to new music because you’re worried how others may perceive you for it. That’s pretty fucking embarrassing.

I’ve heard a LOT of excuses before for not keeping up with new music:

• Feeling overwhelmed by how much new music is coming out? Fair.

• Not having the time to listen to new music? Understandable.

• Getting stuck in the comfort bubble of your nostalgic favorites? Relatable.

• Convincing yourself that all new music is derivative of old music and thus not worth listening to? An opinion I hate, but at least it’s worth debating.

…but this one is brand new to me. I don’t even think I’m creative enough to have conjured it up, honestly.

So from one loser to another, won’t you join me for a panic-induced romp through my last monthly roundup before I go into full Album of the Year mode?

The Best Albums of October 2025

I don’t play favorites amongst my favorites, so albums are listed in alphabetical order.

As usual, the first 3 are for everyone, the rest are for paid subscribers.

1. Aesop Rock - I Heard It’s A Mess There Too

Wait, didn’t Aesop Rock just release an album a few months ago? Yes. A good one. Black Hole Superette was star studded with the big names of hip hop’s underground and layered up with samples. This one struck me with how clean and stripped back it is. Pick your poison, I guess. (Standout track: Potato Leek Soup)

2. The Belair Lip Bombs - Again

You’ll be hearing all about this Aussie band soon, if you haven’t already. As far as I’m concerned, they’re this year’s Wishy, (or maybe Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever?) weaving together countless nostalgic influences to make their own cohesive, catchy sound. (Standout track: Hey You)

3. CIEL - Call Me Silent

For every new band that I struggle to pull older references for, there’s going to be at least one I fall in love with that sounds exactly like Metric and The Faint. This month, it’s CIEL. (Standout track: Won’t Obey)

Still to come — ‘70s glam rock, ‘80s ballads, ‘90s alternative, a touch of shoegaze, and another AOTY contender.

All of the other month-by-month best of lists are here.

The Best Albums of 2025, So Far

The playlist of the month is at the very bottom of the post. Here’s you usual reminder about the playlist of the year, free to all.

Also on Apple, SoundCloud, and YouTube