In a year filled with soul-baring ballads, alt-rock fury, and neon-lit techno, a crop of remarkable albums from both emerging and established artists have captivated music fans across the UK. From the raw emotion of Annah Sta ia’s debut “Tether” to the dizzying percussion of Valentina Magaletti and YPY’s “Kansai Bruise,” these five-star records deserve to be celebrated.
Annah Sta ia’s “Tether” is a stunning introduction to the singer-songwriter’s unique voice and vision. Blending folk, soul, and alt-rock, the album is a triumph of intimate songwriting and powerful vocals that cut straight to the listener’s heart. Tracks like “Silk and Velvet” and “Believer” showcase Annah Sta ia’s remarkable talent, as she navigates the turbulent realities of the music industry with honesty and artistry.
Meanwhile, the collaborative project between Italian drummer Valentina Magaletti and Japanese musician Koshiro Hino, aka YPY, is a thrilling display of virtuosic percussion. “Kansai Bruise” is a 37-minute adrenaline rush, as the duo weave together hypnotic rhythms, textural delights, and dizzying sonic flourishes. The result is a captivating, genre-defying exploration that demands the listener’s full attention.
California-based folk musician Madison Cunningham also delivered a career-best effort with her third album, “Ace.” A deeply personal record about the complexities of love and rebirth, “Ace” sees Cunningham moving beyond her acclaimed guitar work to harness the power of sweeping woodwind arrangements and slicing strings, capturing the terrifying and breathless possibilities of starting over.
In the world of Afrobeats, Nigerian producer Sarz has firmly cemented his status as a genre-defining force with his debut album, “Protect Sarz at All Costs.” Blending traditional African percussion, orchestral flourishes, and futuristic afro-pop textures, the record is a masterclass in curation and sonic enchantment, featuring collaborations with the likes of Asake, Wizkid, and the Ndlovu Youth Choir.
Finally, Daniel Avery’s “Tremor” is a brooding, industrial-tinged exploration that sees the electronic producer venturing into darker, more experimental territories. Described as sounding “like furtive behaviour,” the album is a seething, serpentine journey that lingers in the mind long after the final notes have faded.
These five albums, each in their own unique way, have left an indelible mark on the musical landscape of 2025. While they may have flown under the radar for some, their powerful, boundary-pushing artistry deserves to be celebrated and shared with music fans across the UK and beyond.
