Best Pop & R&B Albums of 2025
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Blood Orange — Essex Honey
Essex Honey finds Dev Hynes at his most reflective, combining R&B, indie-pop, and electronic textures into a record that's as intimate as it is cinematic.
СОЮЗ / SOYUZ — KROK
Written after the band’s relocation from Minsk to Warsaw amidst political unrest, KROK finds composer and vocalist Alex Chumak shifting to his native language for the first time and expanding the group’s sound with contributions from Brazilian musicians Sessa and Tim Bernardes.
Domenique Dumont — Deux Paradis
With Deux Paradis, the Latvian duo of multi-instrumentalist/producer Arturs Liepins and vocalist Anete Stuce give us 10 tracks that float by like a perfect day, each one a little scene of dubby pop that feels gently out of time.
Buy Domenique Dumont - Deux Paradis vinyl here
John Glacier — Like A Ribbon
One of the most impressive debut albums in recent memory, Like A Ribbon is a cool, low-key blend of post-punk riffs, electronic beats, and John Glacier's deadpan vocals, which land with more bite than their quiet tone suggests.
Nyron Higor — Nyron Higor
Nyron Higor builds a world of sunlit Brazilian melodies and soft MPB glow, crafting a debut that feels both deeply rooted and touched by something otherworldly.
Buy Nyron Higor - Nyron Higor vinyl here
Jaco Jaco — Gremlin
A colorful mix of ’70s funk, light psych, and indie-pop hooks that’s equal parts carefree, catchy, and easy to keep on repeat.
James K — Friend
A shape-shifting pop record that moves from trip-hop moods to drum’n’bass bursts, held together by James K’s calm, immersive vocals.
Buy James K - Friend vinyl here
KOKOROKO — Tuff Times Never Last
KOKOROKO fire on all cylinders here, delivering an Afrobeat-driven joy burst packed with tight grooves, radiant horn lines, and infectious vocals.
Buy KOKOROKO - Tuff Times Never Last vinyl here
Nina Maia — Inteira
A striking debut that blends Brazilian songwriting with smoky trip-hop tones and jazz-leaning production, all anchored by Nina Maia’s captivating voice.
Buy Nina Maia - Inteira vinyl here
Peki Momés — Peki Momés
Peki Momés arrives like a bolt of charisma, gliding through Turkish disco, psychedelic shimmer, and leftfield pop with a voice that hooks you instantly.
Buy Peki Momés - Peki Momés vinyl here
Samplelov — The Look of Adoration
Samplelov pieces together dubbed-out soul loops and tender vocals into a wavy, slow-burning R&B dream you can live inside.
Smerz — Big city life
Smerz sharpen every edge on Big City Life, fusing shadowy club beats and deadpan pop into their most confident, emotionally charged record yet.
Buy Smerz - Big city life vinyl here
Georgie Sweet — I Swear To You
Georgie Sweet delivers a soulful, jazz-kissed sophomore album full of warmth and honesty, her voice carrying the whole thing with ease and heart.
Buy Georgie Sweet - I Swear To You vinyl here