Welcome back! We hope you all had a great holiday break, and got a chance to catch up on rest, movies, and all of the great music from last year. We certainly needed the recharge.
But we’re back now, and ready to look forward at all the exciting albums expected to come out over the next twelve months. Some of these releases are locked in, some are reasonably assured, and some are just whispers on the wind. If we’re lucky, we’ll hear new music from all of these artists this year, so a year from now, you’ll be looking back at your End of Year lists to see some of their albums and songs on them.
- Social Distortion – TBD (Release TBD)
Yes, this was our #1 last year as well. While there was some chance the album was going to be ready in 2024, a combination of frontman Mike Ness’ recovery from cancer and their touring schedule held up the finishing of the album. But, I have it right from Sue Lucarelli (president of Epitaph records), who I met at The Mint during a Calamatix show, that the long-awaited album from these punk legends will be coming out this year. And if the new songs Ness and his crew have played live are any indication, it will be a great one.
2. Sam Fender – People Watching (February 21, 2025)
The English rock star took a much-needed break after his huge tour behind the excellent Seventeen Going Under, but he’s back and sounding as great as ever on the first songs released from his upcoming third album. I loved both of his first two albums, and knowing that he had some assistance from The War on Drugs‘ Adam Granduciel on this one only builds the hype for what will likely be one of the best rock albums of 2025. The title track already sounds like a classic!
3. Catbite – TBD (Release TBD)
When I first heard 2021’s Nice One, I felt relief – there were still fresh, young ska bands out there who knew how to write great pop tunes that didn’t sacrifice all the elements that made ska and punk the genre I love. When I met the band during one of their Los Angeles shows last year, they told me they had been writing new music and were planning on releasing an album this year. I certainly hope this remains the case, as this is a band with talent and a wonderful spirit, and new music from them will certainly get me skanking in 2025.
4. Cake – TBD (Release TBD)
I’ll admit, it took me a while to get into Cake, but as the years have passed, I’ve found myself more and more appreciative of their unique voice and sound. There really is no other group from the 90’s that sound like them. Following a one-off song in 2018, the band seemed to go quiet, but in the last year, they shared a couple new songs, and toured the U.S.. Now, they finally confirmed that they’ll be dropping their first new full album this year. I for one am excited to hear what 2025 Cake will sound like.
5. Ted Leo & the Pharmacists – TBD (Release TBD)
Ted Leo hasn’t been off the grid per say. Since the pandemic, the prolific songwriter has steadily dropped songs and EPs exclusively on Bandcamp, and last year he celebrated the 20th anniversary of his masterpiece Shake the Sheets. I attended the Los Angeles date of the tour, where Leo announced the audience that he had signed with a new label (!) and that a new album would be on the way. Granted, he didn’t say the album would definitely be out this year, nor what label he signed with, but my hopes are that some new tunes grace us this year.
6. Sun Room – TBD (Release TBD)
Indie SoCal garage rockers Sun Room have been bubbling under the radar for some years now, dropping excellent EPs and singles drawing from 60’s beach party rock n’ roll sounds, and slowly evolving to to broaden their sound, making them an up-and-coming young band that just may have what it takes to get Gen Z and Alpha to be excited about rock music again (their crowd at Beachlife Festival certainly promised this). While on a call with their management earlier last year, they revealed the band have their first full-length album planned for this year. Fingers crossed it’s the release that takes these SoCal kids into the big leagues.
7. Save Ferris – TBD (Release TBD)
I’ve never kept my love of 90’s ska a secret, and having seen Save Ferris multiple times live, I can say they are still one of the best to do it. Last year, they dropped their first new original (non-holiday) song in a number of years (“Lights Out in the Reptile House”), and teased a new full length album to come this year. While few other details are available, Monique Powell has always been a force on stage and off, so I’m sure these songs will continue to get their fans singing and dancing along.
8. Tunde Adebimpe – TBD (Release TBD)
I was already excited knowing TV on the Radio were getting back together to play some shows last year (one of which I was able to attend in Los Angeles). When frontman Tunde Adebimpe dropped a surprise solo single (the electric “Magnetic”) and announced he had signed to highly-regarded label Sup Pop, I was hyped. His debut solo album is coming this year, and if the first single is any indication, it will have the same dynamic, unique sound as TVotR.
9. The Shins – TBD (Release TBD)
While no longer a band as much as James Mercer’s solo project with a backing band, I’m still always excited by the prospect of new music from these indie darlings. While 2017’s Heartworms (or the reimagined version of that record, 2018’s The Worm’s Heart) didn’t hit me as much as some of their past records, I have no doubt that Mercer has many a lovely musical earworm left in him to fill up an album that will warm the heart and inspire Zach Braff to write a new movie.
10. Jimmy Eat World – TBD (Release TBD)
In my book, Jimmy Eat World can do no wrong. Their albums age like fine wines, and ever new track is to be celebrated. After spending most of 2024 focusing on the 20th anniversary of their underrated album Futures, the band is said to be spending 2025 focused on writing/recording and readying a new album. While it’s unclear whether singles like the stadium-made “Something Loud” will be on the new album, it’s still a great song to tide us all over until more JEW music arrives.
11. Third Eye Blind – TBD (Release TBD)
The 90’s alt rockers have been talking about a new album for a couple years now, with frontman Stephen Jenkins admitting the hold up has been him writing lyrics for the songs. Hopefully following their tour with Yellowcard, Jenkins finally sat down and finished them so we can get a new release in 2025.
12. Phantom Planet – TBD (Release TBD)
The “California” power-pop band released a few new tracks last year (one was a holiday track), but the other two were solid new singles that hint that a new album may be on the way in 2025. Fingers crossed.
13. Bartees Strange – Horror (February 14, 2025)
Bartees Strange has skyrocketed the last few years to indie stardom. While he’s not a household name yet, though “in-the-know” know him and love him. And they should! Powerful new tracks like “Sober” and “Too Much” promise great things from his upcoming new album. Perhaps the mainstream will finally embrace this eclectic, multitalented artist and make him as beloved as his peers like Phoebe Bridgers and TV on the Radio.
14. Vertical Horizon – TBD (Release TBD)
I caught Vertical Horizon‘s 25th anniversary show for Everything I Want at the Troubadour, and during the set, frontman Matt Scannell promised not one but two new Vertical Horizon albums out in the future. While he didn’t give any specific release plans, it seems likely that at least one of the albums could be destined for a 2025 release. And in my wild hopes & dreams, they finally include a studio version of “Glass Waltz” on one of the albums.
15. Courtney Love – TBD (Release TBD)
The grunge queen’s 20 years in the main follow-up to her underrated solo debut America’s Sweetheart has been teased for a while now, but Love gave some updates last year, dropping collaborator names (Michael Stipe, Will Sergeant), and making it sound like the album is close to ready. I personally loved her first solo album, so this one will hopefully return the Hole singer to her place she deserves to be in the modern rock pantheon of great front people.
16. Sunny War – Armageddon in a Summer Dress (February 21, 2025)
Another unique voice deserving of a louder platform to be heard. I discovered Sunny War a few years ago, and was captivated by her mix of folk, blues, soul and punk spirit. There are simply no other artists out there right now who sound quite like her. New singles from her upcoming album “Walking Contradiction” and “Scornful Heart” are great examples of her genre-blending and socially conscious lyrical outlook.
17. Matt Nathanson – King of (Un)Simple (February 7, 2025)
I’ve been a fan of the Boston-based singer songwriter for decades now, and after finally seeing him live opening for Matchbox Twenty, my love for him and his songwriting has only grown. There’s always a unique perspective to his lyrics, and he never rests on platitudes. His latest single “Whitney Houston’s National Anthem” is a perfect example of the slightly humorous, yet always sincere and heartfelt narratives he unfolds in his songs. He even got some help from the Indigo Girls on this track. Whatever he puts out this year, it’s going to be worth hearing.
18. The Ataris – TBD (Release TBD)
It’s been a minute since The Ataris shared new music with the world. The last couple years they spent shaking off the rust and returning as a touring act. They celebrated the anniversary of their break-out album So Long Astoria, and opened for Everclear on a cross-country trek. Frontman Kris Roe has said the band is writing and recording new music, so in 2025, these pop-punk veterans should be making a return.
19. Alexi Murdoch – TBD (Release TBD)
Yes, this is one we’ve been “anticipating” for a number of years now (see our past lists). The Scottish folk singer has seemingly been preoccupied shouting out world-wide social injustices, and keeping his music-related output to only a hint here and there. BUT, when I directly asked him on X whether we could be expecting new music from him this year, he replied with “Yes”, so my hopes are high that the “Orange Sky” singer finally shares some elegiac new music this year.
20. Brand New – TBD (Release TBD)
I realize including these guys carries some controversy. They were basically canceled due to some very inappropriate behavior by frontman Jesse Lacey, and have been radio silent since. Yet, last year, the band reportedly played a secret show in Nashville for friends and family, where it is said they played NEW SONGS. Does this mean the band are going to dip their toes back in the light and see if the public are ready to forgive Lacey and welcome them back? As someone who has been a huge fan of the band’s music since the early days, I admit I am hoping Lacey has turned a corner, improved himself, and that the band takes the slow steps of returning to musical glory.
21. Hamilton Leithauser – TBD (Release TBD)
The Walkmen frontman shared the fantastic new track “This Side of the Island” towards the end of last year, and announced a new solo album was on the way. While other details are sparse, Hamilton’s wife worked on the new track with him, so perhaps she’s involved in the whole record. Either way, I’ve been a fan of his work for a while so I’m sure this will be one to watch out for.
22. Fishbone – TBD (Release TBD)
These ska punk legends have kept trucking along, with frontman Angelo Moore leading the way. While few of the original band members are still with the group, the new music they’ve been writing is still sounding as vital as ever. While it’s unclear if the one-off single “Racists Piece of Shit” dropped last year will be part of the upcoming collection that Moore announced during their live show last December, the best thing about Fishbone is you never know what to expect from them.
23. Billy Idol – TBD (April 2025)
Another punk legend, Idol has been actively teasing his upcoming new album on X, saying in one post “The new idol album doesn’t have much keyboards. @Stevestevens has used his guitar and effects to fill in around my singing… it’s basically a rockin’ guitar record…” I will always be happy to get a Billy Idol rock record, so excited to hear it in April.
24. Jay Malinowski – TBD (Release TBD)
My love for Bedouin Soundclash is no secret, so a new solo album from B.S.’s singer will be music to my ears. Malinowski has said on social media that he is prepping to release new music this year. He hasn’t released a solo album since 2011, so it will be nice to hear what stylistic directions he decides to go on this latest one.
25. The Cure – TBD (Release TBD)
C’mon – it wouldn’t be a “Most Anticipated Album” list without The Cure on it, right? And yes, last year we FINALLY got the excellent Songs of a Lost World after 16 long years. But, Robert Smith has said the band has another album’s worth of material ready to go, so is it crazy to think we may get another record from the famed band in 2025? Crazier things have happened.
Other Expected Releases in 2025:
Benjamin Booker – Lower (January 24, 2025)
Bite Me Bambi – TBD (Release TBD)
Bob Mould – Here We Go Crazy (March 7, 2025)
Breaking Benjamin – TBD (Release TBD)
Coheed & Cambria – The Father of Make Believe (March 14th, 2025)
Counting Crows – TBD (Release TBD)
The Darkness – Dreams on Toast (March 28, 2025)
David Gray – Dear Life (January 17, 2025)
Durry – TBD (Release TBD)
Felicity – TBD (Release TBD)
Franz Ferdinand – The Human Fear (January 10, 2025)
The Head and the Heart – TBD (Release TBD)
Hotel Mira – Pity Party (March, 2025)
Incubus – TBD (Release TBD)
Jason Isbell – Foxes in the Snow (March 7, 2025)
Lana Del Rey – The Right Person Will Stay (May 21, 2025)
The Lemonheads – Love Chant (Release TBD)
Lit – TBD (Release TBD)
Michael Stipe – TBD (Release TBD)
Mod Sun – TBD (Release TBD)
Motion City Soundtrack – TBD (Release TBD)
Mumford & Sons – Rushmere (March 28, 2025)
Reese McHenry – TBD (Release TBD)
The Rumjacks – Dead Anthems (February 7th, 2025)
The Starting Line – TBD (Release TBD)
The Strokes – TBD (Release TBD)
Trever Keith – TBD (Release TBD)
U2 – TBD (Release TBD)
War Girl – TBD (Release TBD)
Winona Fighter – My Apologies to the Chef (February 14, 2025)
The Waterboys – Life, Death and Dennis Hopper (April 4, 2025)
The Wombats – Oh! The Ocean (February 14, 2025)
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