There are many elements that factor into creating a great album — innovation, storytelling or even chart success. For the Nordys, Nordic’s first official ranking of the year’s most notable albums, the question is simple: how well does an album deliver the emotions it set out to create? Under this standard, we’ll illuminate the projects that defined this year’s strongest artistic voices.
#1 Balloonerism — Mac Miller
Mac Miller’s “Balloonerism,” recorded between 2013 and 2014 and released posthumously, stands out as one of the most compelling releases of the year. Developed with contributions from producer Thundercat but shaped largely by Miller’s vision, “Balloonerism” functions as a diary for him to reflect on addiction and depression. The album effortlessly blends catchy, psychedelic production with raw, melancholic performances. Opening the first track of the album with a tambourine solo and layering bass, organs and hazy textures, Miller contrasts dark themes like death and addiction with a dreamlike, ethereal atmosphere. “Funny Papers” captures this balance especially well, following Miller as he reflects on strangers’ stories, searches for meaning in suffering and wrestles with the idea of tranquility in death.
#2 DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS — Bad Bunny
“DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS,” Bad Bunny’s sixth solo studio album, has garnered astronomical success this year, continuing the momentum of his recent releases. After “DtMF,” the 16th track in the project, achieved No. 1 on the Billboard Global 200, the album went on to win Album of the Year at the 26th Latin Grammy Awards. Bad Bunny unifies the album’s exploration of former relationships and identity with a focus on his Puerto Rican roots and Puerto Rican politics. “KLOuFrenS” highlights his emotional conflicts over a girl, tracing temptation over a relationship he knows he should leave behind. Throughout the album, Bad Bunny incorporates traditional instruments into his songs and blends them with more modern sounds to create a combination of house and reggaeton, a style of music that he has made entirely his own.
#3 Hurry Up Tomorrow — The Weeknd
“Hurry Up Tomorrow,” The Weeknd’s newest album, is a stunning 22-track conclusion to the “After Hours” trilogy — previously covered in the article ‘The Weekend to end “The Weeknd” by Daniel Su. Featuring artists such as Playboi Carti and Future, the album boasts a loud, lively energy dripping in confidence and excitement. Combined with The Weeknd’s personal blend of hip-hop and synth-pop, the album quickly became a worldwide success. Although “Hurry Up Tomorrow” isn’t The Weeknd’s most successful album, it features the hit song “Timeless,” which has amassed over a billion streams on Spotify after its release as a single in 2024. “Hurry Up Tomorrow” is a well-produced and strongly written album that reflects how far The Weeknd has come in his career and proves that he’s still one of the most influential names in the music industry.
#4 Let God Sort Em Out — Clipse
“Let God Sort Em Out,” a collaboration album performed by brothers Pusha T and Malice — who together go by the stage name Clipse — marks their first joint project in 16 years and immediately stands out as one of 2025’s strongest rap releases. Produced entirely by Pharrell Williams, the album is shaped by its distinct, rich sound, from the percussion to the unusual samples, including the North African Shaabi track “Maza Akoulou” on “So Be It.” Guest appearances from Tyler, the Creator, Nas and Kendrick Lamar intertwine perfectly with Clipse’s songs, greatly strengthening the albums sound. The result is an album that feels progressive yet nostalgic, offering some of Clipse’s sharpest and most cohesive work to date.
#5 Essex Honey — Blood Orange
“Essex Honey” by Blood Orange — the recording name of Devonté Hynes — stands out as one of 2025’s most defining albums, successfully capturing Hynes’ signature style while making it bolder and more streamlined. Written during a time of personal reflection, the album blends analog warmth with pop production, creating a hypnotic feel. Tracks like “Vivid Light” lean into a lingering, softer and more atmospheric sound, which gradually pulls listeners in. The album’s chart success reflects its slow burn momentum, but what makes “Essex Honey” resonate is how Hynes writes about his identity and vulnerability, keeping the lyrics and production quiet enough that he can be openly emotional. “Essex Honey” marks a milestone in Hynes’ career, proving he can reach out of his comfort zone in music while retaining his honesty and voice.
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