"In 2025, the best rock music radiated self-assurance. That sometimes meant staking a claim to micro-genre legacies, but just as often meant leaning hard into idiosyncrasies. This year's best and boldest rock came from Britpop veterans and emo-revival heroes who returned to level up their sound; feminist punks and indie upstarts making electrifying debuts; and regional artists fearlessly embodying local traditions."
"In 1995, it was hard to imagine Suede making a third record, let alone existing for another 30 years. Against the odds, Brett Anderson has led his Britpop survivors into the most consistent, constructive phase of their career, and Antidepressants has enough restless energy and hooks to make you believe their best days could still be ahead of them. -Sam Sodomsky"
2025's strongest rock records emphasized confidence and distinct personalities. Some records reclaimed micro-genre legacies, while many others doubled down on eccentric, singular approaches. The year featured Britpop veterans refining their craft, emo-revival artists returning with upgraded sounds, feminist punk outfits delivering charged debuts, and indie newcomers arriving with electrifying energy. Regional artists foregrounded local traditions with fearless specificity. Notable examples include Suede's Antidepressants, which channels restless energy and renewed consistency; Lambrini Girls' debut, which attacks patriarchy with fuzzy, rambunctious songs; and Chime Oblivion's project, which mixes no-wave acid trips with dubby proto-punk.
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