Jane Remover Releases AOTY

Out of the many great albums released in 2025, I have compiled a list of my personal favorites along with a brief description of each. Ultimately, Jane Remover’s Revengeseekerz tops the list as the finest album of the year.

Revengeseekerz: Jane Remover
On the most enthralling and abrasive record of the year, Jane meshes rage, electronic, and her genre-creation of digicore for her new magnum opus. Beyond just the instrumentals, her writing and performances shine throughout the uber-consistent tracklist. I haven’t been into new releases in the past year, but this album from Jane Remover kept me thoroughly entertained.

Half Blood: Slayr
As just a teenager from Philly, Slayr struck gold on this 29-minute album. It’s by far the best written, rapped, and produced deep-underground rap album I heard this year. I wouldn’t say it’s perfectly consistent, but the highs like “Love Blur” and “Holding” are completely unmatched. This album had me in a choke hold in November, and that will only continue as time progresses.

Let God Sort Em Out: Clipse
Every year, the “real hip hop” audience picks their album hill to die on. Clipse’s comeback album was theirs for this year, and for good reason. The brothers look to have not missed a step in the 16 years since their last album, with razor-sharp writing over Pharrell’s electric sampling and instrumentation. Beyond Clipse, the features throughout the album all pull their weight confidently.

F.L.I.N.T. (Feeling Like I’m Not Through): Rio da Yung OG
Musical junk food in its purest form. This is Rio’s most consistent and entertaining album performance, and it’s truly a treat to listen to. He’s so fun to watch freestyle, and that free nature makes his music so singular. In recent listens, I’ve remembered how good the vast majority of this album is, especially tracks like “Never Switched” and "AGGRESSIVE FLOW.” The album isn’t a generational creation, but it’s the perfect auditory junk food.

Magic, Alive!: McKinley Dixon
His 2023 album Beloved! Paradise! Jazz!? wasn’t my favorite album of 2023, but this followup from Dixon blew me away. The instrumentation is littered with these beautiful strings and live drums, making the album feel real, not automated. His writing is touching and human, and the whole album’s summery vibe is such a treat.

In a rough order:

• God Does Like Ugly: JID
• black british music (2025): Jim Legacy
• Vanisher, Horizon Scraper: Quadeca
• BLACK STAR: Amaarae
• Goyard Ibn Said: Ghais Guevara
• Ghostholding: Venturing a.k.a. Jane Remover
• MUSIC: Playboi Carti
• Alfredo 2: Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist
• HYPERYOUTH: Joey Valence & Brae
• Willoughby Tucker, I'll Always Love You: Ethel Cain