Similar to last year, 2025 so far has been a singles game rather than a series of excellent albums. I have even fewer on my list than I did this time last year, and only one of them is a full album — though that classification is getting murkier as time goes on. There are many familiar faces in this list alongside a few surprises and new arrivals.
What are your thoughts, readers? Leave your own picks in the comments!
BOYNEXTDOOR – No Genre
I don’t know that this is as musically varied as its title suggests, but it’s another strong collection of songs stuffed with BOYNEXTDOOR’s unique character. No other group could have released this with same flair.
Best album tracks: Step By Step, 123-78
H1-KEY – Lovestruck
I’m a sucker for summer-themed albums, and H1-KEY have delivered this year’s most convincing soundtrack to the season so far with a refreshing rock twist.
Best album tracks: Good For U, Let Me Be Your Sea
ITZY – Girls Will Be Girls
In my opinion this is ITZY’s strongest album in a long time, taking advantage of their fierce attitude with thumping, catwalk-ready beats.
Best album tracks: Kiss & Tell, Walk
NouerA – New Is Now / N: Number Of Cases
I’m combining both of NouerA’s mini albums because each is fantastic and together they forge a real treat for lovers of second and third generation K-pop. Their sound is referential but exciting and most importantly feels like K-pop with a capital “K.”
Best album tracks: Bring The Crunk, Jet Stream, Myself, Warning!
RIIZE – Odyssey
RIIZE dominated this category last year and continue to do so in 2025. This album is a whistlestop tour of boy group sounds from decades of history. There’s a little something for everyone and it’s all very strong.
Best album tracks: Ember To Solar, Another Life
TWS – Try With Us
In an already excellent discography, this mini album has slowly crept up to become (maybe?) my favorite TWS project yet. Beyond the standout singles, energetic highlights like Random Play and Go Back have become stealth highlights. Definitely my most played K-pop album of the year.
Best album tracks: Go Back, Random Play
ZEROBASEONE – Blue Paradise
ZEROBASEONE have quickly become one of the most consistent groups in K-pop and this is another no-skip album. From the unit tracks to the excellent funk pop of Devil Game, it’s all killer.
Best album tracks: Devil Game, Step Back
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
all of my favorites are here (BLUE PARADISE, No Genre, ODYSSEY) except for one – ETERNALT by CLOSE YOUR EYES
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Damn I thought girls will be girls was like a MAJOR step down from GOLD.
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Born to Be was the standout for me. Next after that is my more controversial pick of Kill My Doubt.
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Kill My Doubt was great! Kill Shot is still in my top 5 Itzy songs ever.
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Is there going to be a buried treasure later this week for h1-key’s album?
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Odyssey is definitely my top 2025 k-pop album so far (Try With Us a good second), and honestly could crack my top five overall albums for the year as well. Generally in-line with SM artists being my top album artists.
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Odyssey has truly emerged as my favorite album this year. Except for BBB, I thoroughly enjoy every track, and songs like Ember to Solar, Odyssey, Another Life, and Show Me Love have been my most played songs of the year. Admittedly, as a SHINee, Exo, and TVXQ fan, I’m a bit biased towards the sounds referenced in the album. It will be hard to beat this album for me.
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No ONF? That album has been on LOOP for me.
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If I like 3 or more songs, it’s a good “album” imo🙃
-Close Your Eyes – Eternalt
(Every single song)
-Cravity – Dare to Crave
(On my way, Swish, SetNetGo, Stadium, Underdog, ClickFlashPow, Love Me Again)
-CIX – Thunder Fever
(Thunder, Bad Moves, My Name is Shadow, My Everlasting Song)
-TheBoyz – Unexpected
(VVV, Feel the Bass, MissDemeanor)
-BND – No Genre
(I feel Good, Is It True, Georgia song)
-Ampers&One – Wild & Free (Kickstart, My Mistake, I know You)
-Daesung – D’ Wave
(Universe, Beautiful Life, Us Before)
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standout albums for me this year would be
Jisoo – Amortage
Jennie – Ruby
Seulgi/Irene – Tilt
Rose – Rosie
Lisa – Alter Ego
You know, tbf the BP solo albums are curated/produced extremely well and sonically consistent
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I haven’t heard that many but here are the best of the ones I have:
KickFlip – Flip It, Kick It!
KickFlip – Kick Out, Flip Now!
RIIZE – Odyssey
NouerA – New Is Now
NMIXX – Fe3O4: Forward
QWER – In a Million Noises, I’ll Be Your Harmony
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odyssey all the way babyyy
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I have not let go of NouerA’s album and I’m concerned that I won’t move on (not a complaint)
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Ngl, SKZ albums are charting everywhere and thought I’d see what’s all the hype about and the songs amaze me. They are definitely someone I’ll look forward to bring out more wonderful songs like that. ATE album and now a newly released Japan album called “Hollow” with the same title track
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It’s seventeen’s HAPPY BURSTDAY for me. Not only is it a celebration of SVT’s musical growth and artistry over a decade, it also includes 13 solos which gave so much insight on their individual thought process and creative direction. Moreover the title track Thunder brought back the 2nd gen feels, which was so refreshing to see after a while in the industry.
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