Rolling Stone 2025 Album Rankings: Top Artists and Highlights
Rolling Stone's 2025 Album Rankings
Rolling Stone has unveiled its comprehensive list of the 100 best albums of 2025, celebrating a year of diverse musical innovation and artistic achievement. This annual ranking showcases the year's most compelling releases across multiple genres, highlighting both established artists and emerging talents who have made significant contributions to contemporary music.
Featured Artists and Standouts
The curated selection features prominent names including Lady Gaga, Clipse, Rosalía, and Geese, among numerous other influential musicians. These artists represent the breadth of 2025's musical landscape, from pop and hip-hop to alternative and experimental sounds. Each album on the list demonstrates exceptional production quality, creative songwriting, and cultural relevance that defined the year in music.
Why This Ranking Matters
Rolling Stone's annual album rankings serve as a definitive guide for music enthusiasts seeking quality recommendations. By recognizing outstanding achievements across genres, the publication helps listeners discover significant works and understand the artistic movements shaping contemporary culture. This list remains essential reading for anyone passionate about music.
```About the People Mentioned
Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga, born Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta on March 28, 1986, is an American singer, songwriter, and actress renowned for her artistic versatility and influential presence in popular culture. She rose to international fame with her 2008 debut album *The Fame*, which included global hits like "Just Dance" and "Poker Face." Her follow-up projects, including *The Fame Monster* (2009) with singles such as "Bad Romance" and "Telephone," solidified her status as a leading pop icon. Known for her dynamic image reinventions and bold fashion statements, Gaga has continuously evolved artistically, exploring genres from electronic dance music to jazz, as exemplified by her 2014 Grammy-winning collaboration with Tony Bennett on *Cheek to Cheek*[1][3][5]. Throughout her career, Lady Gaga has amassed an impressive array of accolades, including 14 Grammy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, and a Sports Emmy. Her 2011 album *Born This Way* became a cultural milestone, addressing themes of self-empowerment and LGBTQ+ rights. In addition to her music, Gaga has garnered critical acclaim as an actress, notably for her lead role in the 2018 film *A Star Is Born*, which earned her an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, and a Grammy[1][2][5]. In recent years, Lady Gaga has maintained prominence by releasing new music, such as her seventh album *Mayhem* in 2025, which featured the hit single "Abracadabra." She also announced the *Mayhem Ball* tour and appeared in the second season of the television series *Wednesday*. Additionally, she contributed the song "Dead Dance" to the *Wednesday* soundtrack, further showcasing her multifaceted talents[6]. Beyond entertainment, Gaga is noted for her advocacy on mental health, inclusivity, and LGBTQ+ rights, connecting deeply with her fanbase known as "Little Monsters." Her influence extends across music, film, fashion, and activism, making her one of the best-selling and most impactful artists of her generation[1][2][6].
Rosalía
Rosalía Vila Tobella, professionally known as Rosalía, is a Spanish singer-songwriter, producer, dancer, and actress born on September 25, 1992, in Sant Esteve Sesrovires, Barcelona, Spain. She is internationally acclaimed for her innovative fusion of traditional flamenco with contemporary pop, hip-hop, and urbano music styles, creating a distinctive sound that has significantly influenced modern Latin music[1][3][4]. Rosalía's debut album, *Los Ángeles* (2017), was an experimental flamenco project that garnered critical attention. Her major breakthrough came with her second album, *El Mal Querer* (2018), which won the Latin Grammy Award for Album of the Year twice (2019 and 2022) and was listed in Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. The album's single "Malamente" became a defining song of the decade and gained widespread popularity, with its music video reaching over a billion views on YouTube[1][2][3]. This album propelled Rosalía into global stardom and earned her the distinction of being the first Spanish-singing artist nominated for Best New Artist at the mainstream Grammy Awards[2][3]. Her third studio album, *Motomami* (2022), departed from her flamenco roots, incorporating more experimental reggaeton and urbano influences. It received critical acclaim and was the best-reviewed album of the year on Metacritic, featuring hit singles such as "La Fama" and "Saoko"[3]. Rosalía has accumulated numerous accolades, including a Grammy Award, eleven Latin Grammy Awards, four MTV Video Music Awards, and an MTV Europe Music Award. She holds the record for the most number-one singles by a local artist in Spain, with eleven chart-toppers[2][3]. Beyond music, Rosalía has ventured into acting, making her debut in Pedro Almodóvar’s film *Pain and Glory* (2019). Her global influence continues, with extensive touring and sustained streaming success. In November 2025, she released her latest album, *Lux*, further cementing her ongoing relevance in the music industry[1].
About the Organizations Mentioned
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is an iconic American media organization best known for its influential magazine, which has shaped music, politics, and popular culture since its founding in 1967. Established in San Francisco by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J. Gleason, Rolling Stone began as a biweekly publication with a mission to give rock music and counterculture a serious journalistic voice. The first issue, released in November 1967, featured John Lennon on the cover and quickly gained traction for its provocative photography, in-depth reporting, and coverage of the era’s most important musical and political movements. Rolling Stone’s early success was rooted in its fearless editorial approach and its ability to blend music criticism with political commentary, notably through the work of writers like Hunter S. Thompson. Over the decades, the magazine evolved, broadening its focus to include youth-oriented television, film, and pop culture, while maintaining its reputation for boundary-pushing journalism. Its covers have become cultural touchstones, featuring musicians, politicians, athletes, and actors. In the 21st century, Rolling Stone faced financial challenges but adapted by expanding its digital presence through Rollingstone.com and launching international editions. As of 2025, there are 15 international editions, including the recently launched Rolling Stone Philippines. The magazine is now fully owned by Penske Media Corporation, which acquired it after a series of ownership changes. Rolling Stone’s legacy is marked by its ability to document and influence cultural shifts, making it a vital player in both media and technology-driven content distribution. Its blend of investigative journalism, cultural commentary, and digital innovation continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.
