Metacritic/EOY Aggregate: 2025 New Music: World

Notes

For information on what lists are consulted, and what the various abbreviations and notes mean, click here.

For reissues and compilations, click here.

Sub-Lists

Some breakdowns by genre:

Ranking

  1. Rosalía: Lux (Columbia) {230}: 45:2, AD:*, Al:5, Alt:19, BB:2, BPM:2, BV:17, C:5, Ch:19, Cl:2*, Cmp:20, CS:1*, D:7*, DIY:*, DJ:14, DS:9, DW:*, Dz:1, Em:1*, EW:1, EWi:10, Ex:9*, Fa:3, Fld:1, G:1*, GQ:++, GTV:29, HP:3, I:1*, IT:*, LBF:2, LQ:8, LW:37, MO:2*, Ni:1, NME:7*, NPR:+, NT:9*, Oo:1, P:17, Pf:16*, PM:*, PO:*, PW:44, Qt:33, Ri:2, RS:3*, RSUK:*, SC:2, Sg:4, Sk:4, Sl:10*, STi:2, TO:13; am:+*, am_l:+, asp:+, atl:3, bb6:+, bi:1, cos:+, dc:4, e:+, g_e:10, hb:2, n_ap:4, npr_as:+, npr_fc:1, npr_nc:2, npr_rh:+, npr_sp:+, npr_st:+, npr_th:+, ny_c:4, nyl:+, pi:5, sl:++, so_k:4, std:7, usw:+, v_ja:5, v_sh:5, v_tg:3, vew:2, vg:+, wp:10 -- A:93/23, TH:*
  2. Bad Bunny: Debí Tirar Más Fotos (Rimas Entertainment) {115}: AV:+, BB:1, BPM:31, Cl:39*, Cmp:1, CS:29, DW:*, Dz:5, Em:5, EW:2, EWi:33, Ex:27, Fa:4, Fld:20, G:8, HP:42, HV:+, I:4, LAT:6, LBF:11, MO:33, Ne:36*, NME:5*, P:37, Pf:5*, PO:8*, PM:*, RS:1*, S:+, Sg:35, Sl:29, TO:5, XJD:15; am:+*, am_l:+, asp:+, bi:2, cos:+, hb:1, hpo:+, npr_as:+, npr_bc:8, npr_nc:6, npr_sp:+, ny_c:9, ny_z:4, sl:++, usw:+, v_tg:1, vew:3, vg:+, vu:3 -- A:90/7, TH:***
  3. Ichiko Aoba: Luminiscent Creatures (Hermine) {30}: 45:41, BPM:14*, Cl:*, Fa:+, GTV:5, LBF31, O:*, Oo:20, P:*+, Pf:33*, PO:*, RC:*, RT:69, SC:*, Sk:*, SLi:*, Tr:47, U:*; am:+*, am_s:+ -- A:81/14, TH:*
  4. The Kasambwe Brothers: The Kasambwe Brothers (MASS MoCA) {18}: DW:**, EWi:30, PO:*, SpL:**, XCI:**; xjdc:* -- RX:A, TH:A-
  5. Mahotella Queens: Buya Buya (Umsakazo) {18}: EWi:2, PO:*, XCI:**; xde:6, xjdc:* -- RX:A, TH:A-
  6. Ale Hop & Titi Bakorta: Mapambazuko (Nyege Nyege Tapes) {16}: DW:*+, EWi:+, G:*, Pf:*, PO:17*, TN:*, U:* -- A:72/5, RX:A-, TH:***
  7. Karol G: Tropicoqueta (Bichota/Interscope) {16}: Cmp:26, EWi:+, Pf:*, PO:6*, RS:34*; v_ja:8, v_tg:5 -- A:77/3, TH:A-
  8. Mdou Moctar: Tears of Injustice (Matador) {16}: ClR:*, Mj:*, MO:*, PM:*+, RS:*, ST:+, TN:*, U:*; am:*, am_l:+ -- A:82/8, RX:**, TH:***
  9. Mulatu Astatke: Mulatu Plays Mulatu (Strut) {14}: AD:*, JC:+, PM:*, PO:*, RC:*, U:68*; am:*, am_l:+, jlbi:2 -- A:85/6, TH:***
  10. Noura Mint Seymali: Yenbett (Glitterbeat) {14}: FO:5*, Mj:*, PO:*, SpL:**, U:*, XCI:* -- A:75/4, TH:***
  11. Songhoy Blues: Héritage (Transgressive) {12}: FO:*, Mj:*, MO:*, O:*, RC:*, U:62*; am:*, am_l:+ -- A:80/7, TH:***
  12. Salif Keita: So Kono (No Format) {11}: Mj:49*, MO:*, O:*, PM:*, U:* -- A:82/5, RX:***, TH:**
  13. Nandipha808: No Vocal Album (Stena Academy) {10}: PO:* -- RX:A, TH:A-
  14. Derya Yıldırım & Grup Şimşek: Yarin Yoksa = If There Is No Tomorrow (Big Crown) {10}: FO:2*, G:*, PM:*+ -- A:87/3, TH:**
  15. DJ K: Radio Libertadora! (Nyege Nyege Tapes) {9}: C:37, DJM:+, G:*, Qt:26, SpL:**; vce:9 -- A:73/2, TH:**
  16. Mon Laferte: Femme Fatale (Sony Music Latin) {9}: Ne:14*; am:+*, am_l:+, npr_fc:7 -- A:82/3, TH:**
  17. Natalia Lafourcade: Cancionera (Sony [Mexico]) {8}: BB:+, Ne:24*, P:+; am:+*, am_l:+, npr_th:+ -- A:85/2
  18. Nazar: Demilitarize (Hyperdub) {8}: Cl:15, DJM:+, Pf:*, Sk:*; am:*, am_e:+ -- A:81/2, TH:*
  19. Poor Creature: All Smiles Tonight (River Lea) {8}: FO:*, G:*, HP:*, IT:*, LQ:20, Mj:*, U:* -- A:84/7
  20. Jupiter & Okwess: Ekoya (Airfono) {7}: EWi:+, PM:*+; xjdc:*, xpb:5 -- A:80/1, TH:*
  21. Hollie Cook: Shy Girl (Mr Bongo) {6}: LW:76*, Mj:*, PO:* -- A:75/4, TH:**
  22. Mark Ernestus' Ndagga Rhythm Force: Khadim (Ndagga) {6}: C:32, DW:*, PO:*, W:43 -- TH:**
  23. Kokoroko: Tuff Times Never Last (Brownswood) {6}: AD:*, Cl:*, LBF:*, Mj:*; am:*, am_j:+ -- A:75/9, TH:B
  24. Nakibemebe Embaire Group & Naoyuki Uchida: Phantom Keys (Nyege Nyege Tapes) {6}: -- RX:A-, TH:**
  25. Gasper Nali: Chule Chule Iwe (Spare Dog) {6}: FO:36* -- A:80/1, TH:A-
  26. Diala Thukzin: 031 Studio Camp 2.0 (Dlala) {6}: EWi:+; xjdc:*, xpb:9 -- TH:***
  27. Ammar 808: Club Tounsi (Glitterbeat) {5}: AD:*, FO:*, MO:* -- A:80/3, TH:**
  28. Jazzwrld & Thukuthela: The Most Wanted (Waltz Music Group/Empire) {5}: EWi:29, SpL:** -- TH:**
  29. Adrian Quesada: Boleros Psicodélicos II (ATO) {5}: KC:27, Mj:*; am:+*, am_l:+ -- A:85/2
  30. Ata Kak: Batakari (Awesome Tapes From Africa) {4}: DW:* -- TH:***
  31. DJ Dadaman & Moscow Dollar: Ka Gaza (Nyege Nyege Tapes) {4}: PO:* -- TH:***
  32. Nadah El Shazly: Laini Tani (One Little Independent) {4}: Cl:*, DJM:+, U:*, W:46 -- A:70/4
  33. Guitarricadelafuente: Spanish Leather (Sony España) {4}: RS:46, RSh:*; cos:+, npr_as:+ --
  34. Lagon Nwar: Lagon Nwar (AirFono) {4}: JC:+ -- TH:***
  35. Lolo [Mamah Diabate/Jabel Kanuteh/Stefano Pilia/Marco Zanotti]: Lolo (Black Sweat) {4}: PO:* -- TH:***
  36. Jako Maron: Mahavélouz (Nyege Nyege Tapes) {4}: PO:* -- TH:***
  37. Camila Meza: Portal (GroundUP Music) {4}: am:*, am_j:+, am_l:+, npr_fc:6 --
  38. Milo J: La Vida Era Más Corta (Sony Music Latin) {4}: PM:*, RS:72; npr_fc:2 -- A:80/1
  39. Youssou N'Dour: Éclairer Le Monde - Light the World (self-relesed) {4}: XCI:* -- TH:***
  40. NMIXX: Blue Valentine (JYP Entertainment) {4}: NME:49, SpL:* -- TH:**
  41. Sessa: Perquena Vertigem de Amor (Mexican Summer) {4}: Mj:*, PM:*, U:79* -- A:80/4
  42. Africa Express: Africa Express Presents . . . Bahidorá (World Circuit) {3}: PO:*; xjdc:* -- TH:*
  43. Gaby Amarantos: Rock Doido (Deck) {3}: Ne:22*, PM:* -- A:85/2
  44. Eslabón Armado: Vibras De Noche II () {3}: BB:+; am:*, am_l:+ -- A:80/1
  45. Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso: Papota (5020) {3}: BB:23, SpL:*; v_tg:9 --
  46. Effie: Pullup to Busan 4 More Hyper Summer It's Gonna Be a Fuckin Movie (Sound Republica -EP) {3}: ny_c:1 -- A:76/1, TH:B
  47. Fuerza Regida: 111Xpantia () {3}: BB:+, Cmp:42, RS:50 --
  48. HHY & the Kampala Unit: Turbo Meltdown (Nyege Nyege Tapes) {3}: PO:* -- TH:**
  49. Nyron Higor: Nyron Higor (Far Out) {3}: am:*, am_l:+ -- A:80/1, TH:*
  50. Zé Ibarra: Afim (Mr. Bongo) {3}: JC:+; am:*, am_l:+ --
  51. Illit: Bomb (HYBE/Belift Lab -EP) {3}: NME:*; am:*, am_h:+ -- A:80/1
  52. Jin: Echo (HYBE/Big Hit -EP) {3}: Cl:*; am:*, am_p:+ -- A:70/3
  53. Mádé Kuti: Chapter 1: Where Does Happiness Come From? (LegacyPlus) {3}: Mj:*, PM:*, U:* -- A:75/4
  54. MC BF & DJ Yuzak: Bebeto E Romário (Mandelão -EP) {3}: EWi:+ -- TH:**
  55. Monsta X: The X (Starship -EP) {3}: Cl:*; am:*, am_p:+ -- A:80/2
  56. Juana Rozas: Tanya (self-released) {3}: EWi:48 -- TH:**
  57. Tomorrow X Together: The Star Chapter: Together (Bit Hit/HYBE) {3}: NME:*; am:*, am_p:+ -- A:80/1
  58. Twice: This Is For (JYP) {3}: BPM:*; am:*, am_p:+ -- A:73/3
  59. Florence Adooni: A.O.E.I.U. [An Ordinary Exercise in Unity] () {2}: PM:+; bb6:+ --
  60. Ajuliacosta: Novo Tetamento (self-released) {2}: SpL:** --
  61. Antibalas: Hourglass (Daptone) {2}: am:*, am_l:+ --
  62. Astropical: Astropical (Universal Music Latino) {2}: am:*, am_l:+ -- A:80/1
  63. Marilina Bertoldi: Para Quien Trabajas Vol. 1 (Sony Music Argentina) {2}: -- TH:**
  64. Cortis: Color Outside the Lines () {2}: am:*, am_p:+ --
  65. Feid: Ferxxo Vol X: Sagrado (Universal Music Latino) {2}: Fa:21, NME:* -- A:80/1
  66. The Good Ones: Rwanda Sings With Strings (Glitterbeat) {2}: am:*, am_l:+ -- A:80/1
  67. Yasmine Hamdan: I Remember, I Forget (Hamdanistan) {2}: Mj:*, U:* -- A:73/3
  68. Ikonika: Sad (Hyperdub) {2}: G:*, Ni:32 -- A:75/2
  69. Le Sserafim: Hot (Source Music/HYBE) {2}: NME:*; am:* -- A:80/2
  70. Mark: The Firstfruit (SM Entertainment) {2}: Cl:*, NME:* -- A:80/2
  71. Ouri: Daisy Cutter () {2}: Fa:17 --
  72. P1Harmony: Duh! [D Ver.] [Barnes & Noble Exclusive] () {2}: am:*, am_p:+ --
  73. P1Harmony: EX [Game Lovers Club Version] [Barnes & Noble Exclusive] () {2}: am:*, am_p:+ --
  74. Seventeen: Seventeen 5th Album: Happy Birthday () {2}: am:*, am_p:+ --
  75. Anoushka Shankar: Chapter III: We Return to Light (Leiter) {2}: am:*, am_l:+ -- A:76/2
  76. Theodora: Mega BBL () {2}: Fa:15 --
  77. Time Cow: Scaring 1100 Chickens to Death (Kullijhan) {2}: C:21 -- TH:*
  78. Akira Umeda & Metal Preyers: Clube Da Mariposa Mórbida (Nyege Nyege Tapes) {2}: PO:* -- TH:*
  79. Neton Vega: Mi Vida Mi Muerte () {2}: Fa:12, S:+ --
  80. Zeyne: Awda () {2}: -- npr_ap:5
  81. Ryan Castro: Sendé () {1}: BB:40 --
  82. Cazzu: Latinaja () {1}: BB:+ --
  83. Chaeyoung: Lil Fantasy Vol. 1 (JYP/Republic) {1}: RS:86 -- A:70/1
  84. Djonga: Quanto Mais Eu Como, Mais Fome Eu Sinto! (A Quadrilha) {1}: SpL:* --
  85. Easykid: I'm Part () {1}: Fa:38 --
  86. Fanfare Ciocarlia/Adrian Raso: The Devil Rides Again () {1}: XCI:* --
  87. Fola: Catharsis (Dargbana Republik) {1}: RS:88 --
  88. Gao Hong/Baluji Shrivastav: Neelam (ARC Music) {1}: -- TH:*
  89. Jisoo: Amortage (Blissoo/Warner/Empire -EP) {1}: NME:* -- A:80/1
  90. Kasai: 〽 () {1}: Qt:46 --
  91. Katseye: Beautiful Chaos (HYBE/Geffen -EP) {1}: DW:* --
  92. Kingdom Molongi: Kembo (Nyege Nyege Tapes) {1}: PO:* -- TH:B-
  93. Kurayamisaka: Kurayamisaka Yori Ai Wo Komete () {1}: Tu:30 --
  94. Polo & Pan: 22:22 (Hamburger) {1}: KC:13 -- A:70/1
  95. Rachel Reis: Divina Casca (Altafonte) {1}: SpL:* --
  96. Rizwan-Muazzam Qawwali: At the Feet of the Beloved () {1}: Mj:* -- A:80/1
  97. Sarz: Protect Sarz at All Costs (1789 Entertainment) {1}: RS:27 --
  98. Sevdaliza: Heroina (Twisted Elegance) {1}: v_ja:10 --
  99. Sumni: Heart Maid (Abyss) {1}: SpL:* --
  100. TripleS: Assemble25 (Modhaus) {1}: Spk:* -- A:80/1
  101. Yves: Soft Error: X () {1}: Fa:48 --
  102. Zerobaseone: Blue Paradise (Wakeone -EP) {1}: am:* -- A:80/1