So we’ve released our “Top 10 Songs of the Year” for 2025, and now our attention is turning to the albums…
It has been another big year for album releases. Close to home, the likes of Lambrini Girls “Who Let The Dogs Out”, Wolf Alice “The Clearing”, Shame “Cutthroat”, and Divorce “Drive to Goldenhammer” have impressed, with other stellar releases from the likes of Olivia Dean, The Amazons, Black Country, New Road, CMAT, and Squid.
Globally, albums such as “Getting Killed” (Geese), “NEVER ENOUGH” (Turnstile), and “Loved” (Parcels) have been stand-out releases, along with Royel Otis’ “hickey”, Viagra Boys’ “viagr aboys”, and Tame Impala’s “Deadbeat”.
But once again, for our end-of-year album list, we are focusing on northern UK releases here at Northern Chorus.
So, who has made our Top 10 Albums in 2025?
10) Biffy Clyro – Futique
Kilmarnock alt-rock trio, Biffy Clyro returned with their new album ‘Futique’ this year, blending their signature explosive riffs with a reflective, emotionally honest core. Built around the idea of “future meeting antique”, the record explores memory, love and friendship with anthemic hooks like “A Little Love” and heartfelt moments such as “Goodbye”. Recorded at Berlin’s Hansa Studios, the album marries stadium-size rock with vulnerability, marking one of the band’s most personal records yet.
9) The Lathums – Matter Does Not Define
On their third album, Wigan group The Lathums have stepped into indie rock maturity, crafting jangly, thoughtful songs that expand on themes of identity, growth and introspection, while exploring new genres and sounds. With standout singles like “No Direction” and “Stellar Cast”, the band balances energetic indie anthems with reflective lyricism. The title itself underscores a central message: personal worth isn’t dictated by external labels but by lessons learned and connections made along the way.
8) Franz Ferdinand – The Human Fear
Franz Ferdinand’s sixth studio record is a sleek return to form from the veteran Scottish indie outfit, retaining their dance-rock DNA while engaging with the theme of fear in its many forms. From the infectious opener “Audacious” to character-driven narratives like “The Doctor”, the album blends sharp guitar hooks, glam-pop flourishes, and the band’s characteristic wit. Though it doesn’t reinvent their sound, it’s a confident addition that reaffirms their enduring knack for catchy, thought-provoking indie rock.
7) Brooke Combe – Dancing At The Edge Of The World
The long-awaited debut from Scottish singer-songwriter, Brooke Combe, landed at the start of 2025. The soulful first full-length record delivers a polished collection of tracks that showcases Brooke’s incredible and instantly recognisable voice and artistic evolution since emerging on the indie scene in 2021. Drawing on old-school soul and contemporary pop, “Dancing At The Edge Of The World” saw Brooke teaming up with The Coral’s James Skelly, and proved to be worth the wait for fans.
6) Jacob Alon – In Limerence
One of our ‘Ones to Watch’ in 2025 is here now, and what a year it has been for Jacob Alon. The debut album “In Limerence” is a deeply evocative exploration of infatuation and emotional intensity. Named after the state of obsessive romantic longing, the album blends seamless production with intimate songwriting, drawing listeners into its nuanced take on desire and vulnerability. Each track feels like a chapter in an emotional journey – meticulous and expressive. It earned Jacob a coveted BRIT Awards Critics’ Choice nomination for 2026.
5) bdrmm – Microtonic
With a change of pace, in at #5 are Hull’s shoegazing innovators bdrmm with their incredible 2025 record, “Microtonic”. The perfect concoction of the band’s signature shoegaze-inflected sound, layering swirling guitars and hypnotic rhythms to create immersive atmospheres. The album navigates contrasts with dreamy textures versus sharp grooves, yielding an introspective, intoxicating experience that grows with each listen. It’s a standout in modern dream-rock for its sonic depth and emotive scope.
4) Self Esteem – A Complicated Woman
South Yorkshire artist Self Esteem’s third album amplifies her bold, theatrical pop persona with a vivid blend of empowerment, self-reflection and storytelling. Rebecca Lucy Taylor doesn’t shy away from complexity, weaving choral arrangements, dance-pop energy and candid lyricism into tracks that range from defiant energy to poignant introspections. The result is an ambitious, emotionally layered record that confronts identity, vulnerability and strength head-on. The evolution of the live show aligns with the boundary-pushing music too, and this was the perfect comeback after a major breakthrough with previous album “Prioritise Pleasure”.
3) The Royston Club – Songs For The Spine
Opening the top three is Welsh indie outfit The Royston Club, who delivered a confident and progressive sophomore album full of crisp guitar pop and breezy melodies. “Songs For The Spine” balances rich, anthemic hooks with lyrical touches on love, memory and self-worth, highlighting the band’s knack for crafting accessible yet substantive indie rock with stellar songwriting. Its blend of raw energy and melodic charm makes it a highlight of the UK scene this year, with fourth single ‘Cariad’ providing to be a big hit with fans and a defining track on the band’s journey to date.
2) Pulp – More
Narrowly missing out on the top spot for 2025 is iconic Sheffield group, Pulp. “More” was Pulp’s first new album in 24 years and continues the band’s legacy of sharp social commentary wrapped in artful pop craftsmanship in fine style. With frontman Jarvis Cocker’s unique storytelling at the helm, the album blends witty observations with smooth, loungey arrangements, reflecting on modern life with both humour and bite. It’s a worthy entry in their catalogue, familiar yet fresh, reminding listeners why Pulp remain a defining voice in British music and why it truly was a “Pulp Summer” this year.
1) Sam Fender – People Watching
And our Album of the Year for 2025 goes to Sam Fender’s Mercury Prize-winning third album, “People Watching”. A stirring collection of songs battling personal and societal struggles, marked by emotional honesty and razor-sharp songwriting. Sam has mastered his craft with this one, and the accolades and critical acclaim are nothing short of deserved. Incredibly four years on from his ‘Seventeen Going Under’ sophomore success, Sam returns from a more mature perspective as he balances the life he once knew as a regular kid in a small North Eastern town, with being a 30-year-old in a new-found spotlight. The beauty of the record is in the messaging. This is Sam Fender’s most powerful album to date, and a true coming of age story.
So there are our Top 10 Northern Albums of 2025. Do you agree? Disagree? Have your say!
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