With 2025 concluding the WUVT staff heads reflected and shared their thoughts on their favorite albums of the past year. From indie breakouts to Superbowl Halftime show headliners, we listened to it all! Click read more to see what our staff's picks.

FMPD Naiel Habtemichael's Favorite Album of 2025
Freddie Gibbs - Alfredo II

Label: ESGN Records
Genre: Hip-Hop, Rap
Naiel's Review: The thing that I love about Freddie Gibb's is that he can write songs that seem to have great surface-level spectacle to them. They sound like songs about trapping, robbing, doing/selling coke, and on some level they are. But, so many of his songs also have this layer of subtext to them about hip hop, masculinity, drug abuse, and growing up in poverty. I don't know if people realize how deeply bleak some of his songs are, but maybe that's the beauty of it. It's like this album is encased in resin, while you, the listener, watch it delicately spin in a museum display. As the light refracts off its shining case, you can finally see the intricate web that lies inside of it. "Cowards die a thousand deaths, nigga, I got a thousand lives".

IT Director Rishi Krishna's Favorite Album of 2025
Clipse - Let God Sort Em Out

Label: Self-Released
Genre: Hip-Hop, Rap
Rishi's Review: "Ballerinas doin pirouettes inside of my snow globe."

General Manager Amir Lahoud's Favorite Album of 2025
Bar Italia - Some Like It Hot

Label: Matador Records
Genre: Brit-Pop, Indie Rock
Amir's Review: This album is the brit-pop trio’s second studio album in two years, and it comes out swinging with great tracks throughout the whole album. High production value and clean vocals overall.

Social Media Director Darby Close's Favorite Album of 2025
Lorde - Virgin

Label: Universal Music New Zealand and Republic Records
Genre: Pop, Indie Pop, Electro Pop
Darby's Review: 4 years no Lorde was so evil. It's because she was cooking up this album. Banger and banger and I KNOW BANGERS

Webmaster Declan Wasnock's Favorite Album of 2025
Turnstile - Never Enough

Label: Roadrunner Records
Genre: Rock, Hardcore, Punk Declan's Review: "Finally I can see it, these birds not meant to fly alone."

Air Director Cailin Flatla's Favorite Album of 2025
Racing Mount Pleasant - Racing Mount Pleasant

Label: R&R
Genre: Art Rock, Indie Rock
Cailin's Review: This band has such a captivating sound. There's some kind of weight it carries that feels comforting and raw. It feels tangible. Horns and soft voices combine to bring an emotion to this indie folk rock band's sophomore album that I can only describe as wanting. My favorite parts are the soaring harmonies of the brass- it's so powerful, I could listen forever.

Music Director Mak Kanekkeberg's Favorite Album of 2025
Racing Mount Pleasant - Racing Mount Pleasant

Label: R&R
Genre: Art Rock, Indie Rock
Mak's Review: Such an incredible album in terms of production and lyrics. Flawless follow up to their first album, a great build of their original sound. I love the use of horns in music, and this album is full of them. Can't imagine how they sound in person, would love to see them in concert. Perfect autumn album for long car drives!!

Chief Engineer Meyer Stangl's Favorite Album of 2025
Deftones - Private Music

Label: Reprise and Warner
Genre: Alternative Metal
Meyer's Review: It introduced me to some of Deftones' newer sounds and got me to listen to their other more recent releases. I don't think I would have discovered a lot of their more modern albums without first being introduced to Private Music. Also, the album art is a snake which is awesome.

Business Manager Hanya Hudgen's Favorite Album of 2025
Geese - Getting Killed

Label: Partisan Records
Genre: Indie Rock, Alternative Rock
Hanya's Review: I loved this album because it’s fresh, raw and unique. They expanded their sound from 3D Country - more varied and challenging, very interesting to listen to and oddly catchy lyrics. A truly innovative rock album, and makes me very excited to see where they will go next. Great stuff.

News Director Mary Peyton Marble's Favorite Album of 2025
Flipturn - Burnout Days

Label: Dualtone Records
Genre: Indie Rock
Mary Peyton's Review: Flipturn’s sophomore album feels so familiar, like something I’d listen to in another life, just out of reach. Light synth, higher production, incredible lyrics, and pop-y elements with an alternative core, it’s everything you could want in an album for a band you’ve loved since its inception. My favorite song is Swim Between Trees

Physical Promotions Director Aaliyah Royster's Favorite Album of 2025
Bad Bunny - DeBí TiRAR Más FOTo

Label: Rimas Entertainment
Genre: Reggaeton, House
Aaliyah's Review: 10 out of freaking 10. my faves are DtMF, Eoo, and BAILE INoVIDABLE.