Cover Addison Rae released her self-titled album ‘Addison’, one the top pop albums of 2025 (Photo: Addison Rae)
Addison Rae released her self-titled album ‘Addison’, one the top pop albums of 2025 (Photo: Addison Rae)
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We are half-way through the year, and these are the ultimate bangers that got us dancing, moping and all else in between. Here are Tatler’s rating of the top pop albums of 2025
We are now closer to 2050 than we are to the dawn of millennium, and what a sonic journey it has been for lovers of pop music. In the past six months alone, we witnessed powerhouses and unconventional geniuses alike drop records that were equal parts fizzy, groovy and infectious.
Miley Cyrus has returned with a sound that’s brutally honest and soaked in emotion. Meanwhile, Lady Gaga went back to her dark pop roots and shared through writing all the growth and pain she endured as a celebrity. And as if that weren’t enough, she went on to shatter records with a jaw-dropping concert in Rio de Janeiro, playing to the largest crowd ever assembled for a female pop artist.
Pop neophyte Addison Rae charmed her fans with songs you can’t get enough of. Her self-titled debut album, Addison, has made quite a remarkable impact on the global music scene.
With all that buzz, this is Tatler’s list of top pop albums of 2025 (in no particular order).
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1. Kali Uchis’ ‘Sincerely,’
Rating: 3.5/5
Release date: May 9, 2025
Why you should listen: It’s warm, soft and full of vulnerability in this part of Kali Uchis’ discography. Her album Sincerely, puts a subtle twist on the artist’s signature mellow and sensual sound, making for a more honest and intimate portrait of the artist.
Among the must-listen tracks in the album are Sugar! Honey! Love! which exudes a velvety and hypnotic rhythm that forces you to slow down, sink in and fully absorb the lyrics the way you would a Lana Del Rey song; and Daggers! which brings you to the musician's shoes as she confronts the inner turmoil and emotional struggle of a toxic relationship.
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2. Lady Gaga’s ‘MAYHEM’
Rating: 4/5
Release date: March 7, 2025
Why you should listen: Whether you like dancing or not, Lady Gaga’s MAYHEM has all the right songs to fit your vibe. For happier and more carefree times, she offers tracks like Zombieboy, Garden of Eden and How Bad Do U Want Me. For more dramatic nights, there’s Don’t Call Tonight, Blade of Grass and the record-breaking Die With A Smile featuring Bruno Mars.
Overall, the context of all the songs on her album reflects her maturity in songwriting. She has, in so far as artistic expression goes, achieved a level that most of her contemporaries have yet to reach: a well-translated storytelling that feels deeply personal yet universally relatable.
Related: Tatler review: Is Lady Gaga’s ‘MAYHEM’ an instant pop hit or slow-burner?
3. Addison Rae’s ‘Addison’
Rating: 3/5
Release date: June 6, 2025
Why you should listen: You can count on Addison Rae’s self-titled album Addison to turn any backseat moment into an intimate listening escapade. With chart-shattering standout Diet Pepsi and the irresistibly catchy Fame is a Gun, she masterfully blends R&B nostalgia with fresh pop vibes.
4. Lorde’s ‘Virgin’
Rating: 3.5/5
Release date: June 27, 2025
Why you should listen: Every Lorde album signals a new chapter of our lives, and her 2025 album Virgin is no exception. The striking choice of cover art, paired with her evocative storytelling, sets the tone immediately. As ever, the music is beautifully-written, mixing her signature poetic lyricism with lines that hit close to home.
Virgin is a compelling body of work that invites deep reflection and rewards repeated listens. It deftly brings together themes of heartbreak, growth and the navigation of adulthood.
Read also: Unique Salonga: On music, artistry, ‘Daisy’
5. Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco’s ‘I Said I Love You First’
Rating: 2.5/5
Release date: March 21, 2025
Why you should listen: In their album I Said I Love You First, couple Selina Gomez and Benny Blanco deliver a polished alt-pop collaboration that both surprises and satisfies new and long-time fans. The tracks demonstrate an equal balance between new-found love and heartaches and the bittersweet complexities of growing with a partner.
6. The Weeknd’s ‘Hurry Up Tomorrow’
Rating: 4/5
Release date: January 31, 2025
Why you should listen: Say what you will about The Weeknd, but his talent in crafting cohesive storytelling through music remains unmatched among his peers in the pop-R&B genre.
Hurry Up Tomorrow, widely regarded as the final chapter in a trilogy that began with After Hours (2020) and Dawn FM (2022), continues to build on his artistic evolution; the album is an ambitious, cohesive work that resonates deeply for fans and new listeners alike.
7. Miley Cyrus’s ‘Something Beautiful’
Rating: 3.5/5
Release date: May 30, 2025
Why you should listen: With 13 standout tracks, Miley Cyrus’ Something Beautiful delivers a work that is full of life. The album’s charm lies in its cinematic layers, which make the listening experience more immersive
Something Beautiful is arguably one of the singer’s most daring projects yet, painting a portrait of the artist she wants us to see: serious, smart and effortlessly fun.
More from Tatler: The Rise of P-pop: How today’s generation of artists pushed Filipino music forward
8. Marina’s ‘Princess of Power’
Rating: 3/5
Release date: June 6, 2025
Why you should listen: Marina (formerly Marina and The Diamonds) is here to stay, and she has an album to prove it. With leading tracks like Buttefly and Cuntissimo, the pop artist once again demonstrates her fearless approach to songwriting.
The production has proudly released a lush, layered blend of synth and electro pop that tackles feminism, artistic autonomy and Marina’s self-reclamation. Her vocals remain as rich and full as ever on the album, making it clear that it’s still her, only now with greater confidence.
9. Alessia Cara’s ‘Love & Hyperbole’
Rating: 4/5
Release date: February 14, 2025
Why you should listen: Many of Alessia Cara’s fans have grown alongside her, so it’s no surprise that her music maintains that same balance: a first-listen banger with a rhythm that invites reflection. In her 2025 album Love & Hyperbole, she thoughtfully confronts the effects of ageing, much like she did in 2015 with Know-It-All.
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Jove holds a degree in Journalism and is currently pursuing graduate studies in Philosophy at the University of the Philippines–Diliman. She has flair for in-depth, interview-driven stories that explore politics and culture, shaped by her background in national broadsheets.
When she’s not on assignment, Jove spends her days painting, sipping lemonade, and walking her dog, Jupiter. She can often be seen in Escolta with a film camera in hand, browsing novelty shops in search of rare memorabilia. For leads, reach her at Jove@tatlerphilippines.com.
