Throughout most of the year, there’s wayyyy too much music coming out at once to definitively say what your favourite releases are. This is where December comes into play – the stream of new albums is on the wane, work dies down a little, and you can finally think about what music topped your own personal chart this year.
As such, the Secret London team have been tasked with the extremely difficult task of choosing just a select few of their top albums, songs, and live concerts of 2025. Our list has a healthy dose of sadboi anthems counteracted by the girlypop anthems, debut albums and early standalone singles weaved in between releases from established acts, and live shows that you either saw or had severe FOMO over at some point in the year.
Ready? Let’s gooooo…
…IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER
Secret London’s Albums Of 2025
1. Getting Killed by Geese
“When the band kicks into the chorus – I mean, my God, those drums – and Cameron Winter screams, again and again – “There’s a bomb in my car! There’s a bomb in my car!” – all worry is laid to waste.”
Not my words, Carol. The words of Nick Cave… on hearing the first notes of Trinidad, the first song on Getting Killed.
It all starts even prior to what Cave references, with the 1.5-second guitar line, before the bass and drums join, managing to etch itself into my skull for the home stretch of the year. Jerking from the frenetic jubilance of the aforementioned ‘THERE’S A BOMB IN MY CAR’ and its title track, to the swooning laments of Half Real and the heartache of Au Pays du Cocaine, this record jumps around with frequency while managing to keep a concise grip on Geese’s unique blend of noise.
If frontman Cameron Winter’s solo debut Heavy Metal gave us a peek into the inner workings of his young mind by way of idiosyncratic wordplay and nods to Brian Jones, Getting Killed parts the sea to invite you into an odd little party, where you will ‘break your own heart from now on’.
Jack Saddler, Senior Staff Writer
2. Black British Music by Jim Legxacy
Jim Legxacy, where do I even begin? Legxacy’s new album feels like someone threw the internet, heartbreak and an early 2000s iPod into a blender and somehow it came out this gorgeous. Black British Music skips between indie guitar lines, drill drums and raw vocals – it’s an album that feels distinctly modern yet deeply personal. He’s the ultimate soundtrack to your 20s – chaotic, genre-less and way too real.
Vaishnavi Pandey, SEO Staff Writer
3. moisturizer by Wet Leg
For the follow-up album to their breakout debut, Wet Leg leaned into the sound of their full band for a rollicking, raucous work. It’s the sound of a group rocking out and enjoying themselves, with lyrics that draw from singer Rhian Teasdale falling in love with a new partner. They haven’t lost any of their angular spark, though, or the tongue-in-cheek wit that made their eponymous debut so popular and polarising. Just listen to tracks like catch these fists (‘Some guy comes up, says I’m his type / I just threw up in my mouth) and mangetout (‘You think I’m pretty, you think I’m pretty cool / You wanna fuck me, I know, most people do’)
Sam Barker, Staff Writer
4. Don’t Tap The Glass by Tyler, The Creator
After his incredibly serious and introspective album Chromakopia in 2024, it was so nice to see Tyler, The Creator let his hair down with his latest project. Full of quirky bangers and paying homage to rap artists before him, it encourages the listener to groove. A much-needed respite from the world right now, I’d say. The breakout track was the TikTok sensation Sugar on My Tongue, but if that’s the only song you’ve listened to, I encourage you to give the whole LP a listen.
Kim Bansi, Editor
5. The Life Of A Showgirl by Taylor Swift
Despite another year of my Spotify Wrapped trying to gaslight me into believing that I’m the world’s biggest Kidz Bop fan (ffs), I’m not going to even try to pretend that my favourite album wasn’t The Life of a Showgirl, because it truly was. Well, that or the Wicked: For Good soundtrack. I love being Secret London’s resident loser x
Katie Forge, Staff Writer
6. EURO-COUNTRY by CMAT
CMAT delivered the goods this year! I was lucky enough to see her twice, and she is such an incredible live performer – proper superstar vibes. Made me fall in love with her new album even more; my fave songs are Jamie Oliver Petrol Station and Lord Let That Tesla Crash, although the latter is absolutely heartbreaking.
Jack Rattenbury, Staff Writer / Secret Club
7. People Watching by Sam Fender
His third album had big shoes to fill after Seventeen Going Under, but the boy smashed it. Top songs for me are Nostalgia’s Lie and Rein Me In, absolute ballads.
Tash Snaith, Senior Project Manager
8. Hopefully! by Loyle Carner
Loyle Carner has always been a favourite of mine, and having been fortunate to have seen him several times, he is undoubtedly one of the top artists. This year, he released hopefully! and in my opinion, it feels so him and really captures his essence.
Fleur Bailey, Senior Community Manager
9. Addison by Addison Rae
From TikTok star to pop star…dare I say one of the best rebrands of all time? If you’re looking for escapism or manifestation music, this album gives you exactly that. Addison has clearly done her homework and understands what Gen Z wants from a pop album. Plus, all the music videos for the singles are amazing…she just gets it!
Fareedah Shardow, Digital Content Creator
10. Virgin by Lorde
Solar Power’s lyricism, Melodrama’s soundscape, and Pure Heroine‘s gut-wrenching juxtaposition of naivety and knowledge.
Phoebe Anderson, Video Producer
11. Bleeds by Wednesday
I can’t get over how good this band are. And how I hadn’t listened to them until this year. Thankfully, it was Bleeds that made me take notice, with the instantly recognisable guitar playing of MJ Lenderman (who dropped one of the best albums of this decade himself last year) taken to new heights with a delightful rhythm section carrying the songs along. But the cream of the crop is one of the strongest vocal performances you’ll hear in any year from Karly Hartzman, jumping between angular screaming to lackadaisical, floating verses and over to bouts of melancholic optimism.
Townies and Phish Pepsi take the crown; the former offering up an infectious opening verse before a sharp bite, while the latter boasts a guitar line that’ll never leave your head. Elderberry Wine is a great entry point, and if nothing else, keep the line ‘Everybody gets along just fine ‘cos the champagne tastes like Elderberry Wine’ in your head for the rest of the Christmas period before Dry January looms.
Jack Saddler
12. Ego Death At A Bachelorette Party by Hayley Williams
Hayley Williams is undeniably one of the most powerful and talented vocalists to be making music today, and Ego Death At A Bachelorette Party sees her unleashing without the constraints of what is or isn’t Paramore. Across 20 tracks (which have seen fans diving deep into the lyrics and hypothesising as to who or what they might be about), Williams floats high on love, dreams of future possibilities, mourns loss, calls out racism and xenophobia, and more.
Sam Barker
13. Essex Honey by Blood Orange
Dev Hyne’s last album, Angel’s Pulse, felt like the soundtrack of my third year of university in 2019 and, six years later, he returns with Essex Honey with a mature, reflective introspection that captures both nostalgia and nuance that feels just as poignant in my late 20s. Essex Honey takes that unmistakable Blood Orange glaze – nostalgic synths, velvet vocals, and a sprinkle of melancholy, one that you want to play on repeat on a long, long drive.
Vaishnavi Pandey
14. Drive To Goldenhammer by Divorce
After a scattering of EPs that showed Divorce know how to pen a chorus, Drive To Goldenhammer is a shoo-in to be remembered as one of the best debut albums of 2025. Antarctica, the album’s opener, immediately shows off their strength in harmony, with co-vocalists Tiger Cohen-Towell and Felix Mackenzie-Barrow bouncing off of one another with a knack for a catchy and unusual hook. Much like in a later single released this year (O Calamity), Divorce also show their chops for writing a beautifully aching slow number, with Parachuter and Old Broken String elevating the record far beyond what their shorter works could achieve, making the prospect of LP2 a gorgeous one, since this is just the start.
Jack Saddler
15. The Mocking Stars by Lausse The Cat
Lausse is your mysterious art‑school mate who disappears for months, then returns with a concept album. The Mocking Stars feels part poetry reading, part fever dream – jazzy, hazy, and maddeningly cool. The Mocking Stars is abstract but inviting with poetic verses drifting over soft percussion and layered soundscapes. Not to forget, the signature meows to confuse you with your own pet.
Vaishnavi Pandey
Secret London’s Songs of 2025
1. Spike Island by Pulp
I saw Pulp at a festival in 2024 and it was (to be honest, unexpectedly) one of the best live shows I’ve been to. Then this year, they released a new album, 24 years after their last one, and it sounds sort of like no time has passed.
Tash Snaith
2. BIRDS by Turnstile
While it (quite rightly) has been used to crown their glorious live shows this year, BIRDS hits like rocket fuel when it comes in on their album, NEVER ENOUGH. The bounce, the riffs, the ‘FINALLY I CAN SEE IT’ line – this one melds all that makes Turnstile tick into just over two-minutes of noise.
Jack Saddler
3. Bonnet of Pins by Matt Berninger
Berninger’s second LP was a strong contender for album of the year, but really, I just found myself replaying this song over and over again and wringing every drop of emotion that I could out of it. I don’t care how many times you almost said you missed me / It’s a cup trick shell, it’s a puff of smoke / And it gets me every time, it’s a pretty good joke / I know that you miss me.
Sam Barker
4. Take A Sexy Picture Of Me by CMAT x Man I Need by Olivia Dean
Can’t, shan’t and won’t choose between the two. And yes, I obviously know (and slay) the TikTok dances for both.
Katie Forge.
5. Mind Loaded (featuring Caroline Polachek, Lorde & Mustafa) by Blood Orange
Dev Hynes really said “let’s build a dream sequence” and then actually did it. Three celestial voices orbiting around one shimmering soundscape – it’s the musical equivalent of a holy trinity. Caroline Polachek brings the gloss, Lorde brings the guts, and Mustafa threads it all together with emotion. It’s basically sonic couture.
Vaishnavi Pandey
6. Arm’s Length by Sam Fender
It’s no secret I love Sam Fender, and choosing one favourite from his album is HARD (ironically, I didn’t put this as my fave as Tash beat me). Arms Length is an absolute beauty of a song though. I think the special thing about Sam Fender is the way he tells a story and this song is no different and explores (IMO) emotional distances in relationships.
Fleur Bailey
7. Gabriela by KATSEYE
If you’re anything like me, you’ll have been addicted to the Netflix show Dream Academy, where this girl group was formed in an intensive K-Pop bootcamp. After the band was very publicly put together, fans were eager to see if they could deliver, and boy, did they in 2025. One of their standout releases was the Spanish-influenced “Gabriela”, which had outstanding choreography to match.
Kim Bansi
8. Better Now by Len Blake
New Zealand’s next big voice? Part of me hopes yes, and part of me hopes she will play tiny Dalston Curve garden shows forever. A smooth mix of Jazz, RnB and soul, she has one of those raspy, buttery voices and an ear for a delicious drum.
Phoebe Anderson
9. Cali Man by EsDeekid & Rico Ace
UK underground scene, not so underground anymore… great song, UK rap on top!
Fareedah Shardow
10. I <3 You by MARINA
Have been a HUGE Marina fan forever, so I was thrilled with the release of her brand-new album Princess of Power this year. My standout track is I <3 You, which is a trippy, ABBA-esque dream of a pop track.
Jack Rattenbury
11. It hurts to know you’re there by Love Is Noise
Dropping their debut album, To live in a different way, on Valentine’s Day, it was a toss-up between this and opener Devotion for player of the match. This has the edge, though, through its crushing lament and a standout drumming performance on a record full of rhythmic prowess. I’ve kicked myself since missing their show with Loathe earlier this month, but I won’t be making any such mistake next time.
Jack Saddler
12. Subliminals (featuring Kasst 8) by Saint Ludo
2026 Ins: Scouse rappers. 2026 Outs: Every other rapper. Miss Ludo drives the sound on her iconic track with rapid-fire beats, jungle-inflected percussion, and thunderous basslines, while Liverpool MC Kasst 8 sums it up best in the song itself: “A Scouser and an Italian, that’s a lit companionship.” You gotta hear it, to really appreciate it.
Vaishnavi Pandey
13. Stateside by PinkPantheress
Literally a perfect song.
Fareedah Shardow
14. Play Me by Fcukers
Big up to my pal Becky Buckle for putting me onto them. It kicks off with these woozy half-time vibes, then flips into full-on drum & bass frenzy – think thunderous bass, zippy snares, and jungle hooks that have you bouncing like it’s 1995 all over again. Shannon’s tossing out sassy lines like “If you wanna play me, we’re taking turns,” all silky and teasing over chopped synths and a cheeky DJ scratch from none other than Kenny Beats. It’s chaotic fun and pure party fuel.
Vaishnavi Pandey
15. Milk Of The Madonna by Deftones
Any year Deftones release music will see them end up in such lists around these parts. And Milk of the Madonna is perhaps the best song from the best album (private music) the band has released in over a decade, so spin it before going to see them in Victoria Park in the summer.
Jack Saddler
Secret London’s Concerts Of 2025
1. Kendrick Lamar and SZA on the ‘Grand National Tour’
So good, I went twice. We were blessed with Kendrick’s GNX album at the end of 2024, and a Super Bowl performance in February 2025 (he’s been a very busy lad), so when he announced a world tour, I had to get my hands on tickets. The show itself was a masterpiece and Kendrick’s attention to detail was a true delight to behold. Mix that with the effortless stage presence of SZA and you have yourself a 10/10 show.
Kim Bansi
2. Pulp at Glastonbury Festival
Sneaking into the festival under the guise of Patchwork in what might be the worst-kept secret of the year, Pulp celebrated 30 years since their Glastonbury headline set. Jarvis Cocker and co had the audience in the palm of their hands from the first notes of Sorted For E’s And Wizz came through as ‘Pulp Summer’ splayed across the big screen, before Disco 2000 sent Worthy Farm into bedlam. For those who didn’t catch them at Glasto 1995, their euphoric, Different Class-heavy set this year showed each generation that Pulp are just that.
Jack Saddler
3. Lana Del Rey at Wembley Stadium
Nothing beats seeing an artist you love flourish over the years, and watching Lana sell out Wembley Stadium was truly magical. Her vocals alone would have been enough, but the set production was also beautiful and told a story throughout. She performed all her classics, truly one of the best nights of my life.
Fareedah Shardow
4. JADE at Glastonbury Festival
Seeing JADE at Glastonbury was absolutely epic. I’ve been obsessed with her solo career since her debut last year. She brought out Confidence Man, covered Madonna, and there was a Little Mix mega-mix. I rightfully sobbed throughout the entirety, but especially during her last song, Angel of My Dreams.
Jack Rattenbury
6. Mac DeMarco at Eventim Apollo
Mac DeMarco mesmerised London, weaving fresh tracks from his recent album Guitar with timeless bangers like ‘Ode To Viceroy’ and ‘Chamber of Reflection’ into a seamless 27-greatest-hits epic that never lost steam. Definitely a bucket list moment for me.
Vaishnavi Pandey
7. Chaos Theory Festival at Signature Brew
Discovering new artists is the greatest joy of attending day-long gigs and celebrations of music. And this particular festival, celebrating “15 years of beautiful, mad, diverse, niche and exploratory music, art, creativity and community” was FULL of talent. Standouts were the unceasingly energetic CLT DRP (worth the admission alone) and Sly & The Family Drone, whose performance had the entire venue under a shrieking spell.
Sam Barker
8. Lorde at The O2
I thought people were incapable of attending a gig and not pulling out their phones until this show. I have never seen so many Gen Zs that present and happy and connected.
Phoebe Anderson
9. Chappell Roan at Primavera Sound
Pop queen Chappell live was one of my highlights of this year – when she sang Good Luck, Babe! and Kaleidoscope. She cried, I cried, everyone cried.
Tash Snaith
10. CMAT at All Points East
Deciding to go to APE at 5 pm on the day and managing to catch CMAT in the bank holiday sun was pretty special.
Fleur Bailey
11. Justice at Alexandra Palace
Quite possibly the best sounding live act out there, at least in the world of dance music. A French duo hasn’t packed a punch like this since the midfield of Patrick Vieira and Manu Petit in the double-winning Arsenal team and national team. Showing off extended versions from their latest album, Hyperdrama, alongside blisteringly heavy renditions of classic material like Genesis and D.A.N.C.E., this one blasted the February cold out of a cannon and into a sweaty Ally Pally.
Jack Saddler
12. Mount Kimbie at Forwards Festival, Bristol
Witnessing Marilyn live as the sun set behind us on a summer’s day was probably the best moment of my life.
Vaishnavi Pandey
13. Nine Inch Nails at The O2
There isn’t much more that can be said about the form Nine Inch Nails is on right now. No one else on the planet could open a gig with a track like Right Where It Belongs alone on the piano in the ‘middle stage’ before bringing out the cavalry quite like Trent Reznor did . This had the classic ‘sets within sets’, but with the production this band brings, it’ll blow most acts that have done this trick before out of the water. From Wish and March of the Pigs back on the main stage to a dancier return to the B-stage with Boyz Noise before a small matter of Mr Self Destruct, Closer, Head Like A Hole, and Hurt in the closing set. Stamped in history as one of the best live acts of any era.
Jack Saddler
14. Ezra Collective at Cross the Tracks in London
Ezra Collective made jazz feel like a victory parade. Horns blaring, beats bouncing, and everyone collectively forgetting their knees aren’t built for that much dancing. I’ve never ever danced so much at a festival.
Vaishnavi Pandey
15. NONE!
I’m just not a gig girl, I’m SORRY. Ask me what musicals, comedy shows, or countries I’ve been to this year and I sound WAY more interesting… but for now, I have nothing x
Katie Forge
See you in 12 months for our list in 2026! Katie might even go to a gig next year.
[Featured image LEFT TO RIGHT: Sam Fender (Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Coachella); Tyler, The Creator (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Coachella); SZA (Jamie Squire/Getty Images); Jarvis Cocker (Leon Neal/Getty Images); Hayley Williams(Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management); and CMAT (Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images)]