Top 3 Albums of 2025

In the past, I have had long year end lists that have gotten shorter and shorter. Rather than forego it entirely, I figure a top 3 list is simple. If it gets these amazing albums listened to at all, then it’s certainly worth it.

1. Bioscope – “Gentō” (Ear Music)

This was an album I was waiting for. Marillion’s Steve Rothery teaming up with Thorsten Quaeschning of Tangerine Dream. Rothery had done some live sessions with Tangerine Dream back in 2022. Those were released on a box set and also as part of the “From Virgin to Quantum Years” set from the same set of shows. That was released this year as well. So I was very excited for this album and I was not disappointed. I knew after a few listens that “Gentō” was my favorite album of 2025. This is one of the best albums of the last decade. If you are a fan of either band, you need to check this out. A special mention to the third party involved in this album, drummer Alex Reeves of Elbow who does an amazing job of giving each track exactly what it needs.

2. Ian Boddy & Erik Wøllo – “Transmissions” (Din)

This year has been amazing for me. I’ve found so much great music and this album is a huge part of that. Erik Wøllo is an amazing guitar who gets sounds out of a guitar that often don’t even sound like one. Then he will play something so beautiful and melodic to elevate the track. Ian Boddy is legendary in the world of electronic music. His label DiN has some incredible releases, this being one. He has a way of melding with whoever he plays with and his chemistry with Erik Wøllo is nothing short of perfection. They sound like they always play together. “Transmissions” is a live album that thankfully doesn’t have audience noises. It features songs from their other collaborations on DiN, all of which are highly recommended!

3. Umphrey’s McGee – “Blueprints” (Hanging Brains Music)

Shocking absolutely no one who knows me, Umphrey’s McGee is in my top 3 with one of their most interesting albums, “Blueprints.” They play a lot of jams live of course so the idea was that they would select some of their favorite jams and let the fans decide which should make the album. It’s way more complex than that! They assembled all of these jams into 6 songs. If you like long songs that take you on a wild ride, this is the album for you. They did show where each jam was stitched to the next by labeling them as “legos.” This could have gone horribly wrong but instead, the songs are amazing and it all works. This is definitely the prog side of Umphrey’s McGee.

So that’s it. That was much easier than a top 20 or whatever. Let me know what you think and what your top 3 albums of 2025 are!