ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — 828newsNOW and our friends at the Asheville Media Group, including DJs for Mix 96.5, 98.1 The River and La Pantera 97.3, are proud to present a list of our favorite albums of the year. Check out our favorite tunes in the roundup below.

The best albums of 2025

“Snipe Hunter” by Tyler Childers

“I know that this is low-hanging fruit, but my album of the year is without a doubt ‘Snipe Hunter’ by Tyler Childers. It’s nice to see an artist continue to grow without abandoning his roots entirely. ‘Snipe Hunter’ is produced by Rick Rubin and, buddy, it shows. There’s a certain drive and fullness to these tracks that really shines. The first single released was ‘Bitin’ List’ – a song where Tyler describes disliking someone so much that he’s imagined getting rabies to bite and infect this nemesis. In a word: perfection. Other tracks of note include ‘Snipe Hunt,’ ‘Poachers,’ ‘Tithra Yatra’ and my personal favorite, ‘Dirty Ought Trill.’ The bar has been reset.” – Bo Aughtry, Asheville Media Group Media Advisor

“People Watching” by Sam Fender

“This is Sam’s strongest work to date. He showcases his ability to write songs that tell stories that connect with the listener. Sonically, this album is more expansive and layered than his first two albums. This is a fantastic alternative rock album. The highlight songs are the title track, ‘People Watching,’ ‘Nostalgia’s Lie,’ ‘Arm’s Length’ and ‘Crumbling Empire.'” – Shawn Eckroth, Asheville Media Group Media Advisor

“Natural Light” by Dan Mangan

“Natural Light has the kind of warmth you only get when people stop worrying about perfection and let things happen. Mangan made the album in a small cottage in southern Ontario with a few close friends, and the setup was simple enough that little surprises kept slipping into the recordings. A guitar buzz here, a soft shuffle in the room, someone catching a harmony on the fly. Instead of fixing those moments, they kept them, and that choice gives the album its charm.

The songs feel like they came together the way good campfire conversations do. Someone starts, someone else joins, and before you know it, you’re somewhere honest. Mangan’s voice stays grounded and open, carrying the weight of everyday thoughts without pushing too hard.

If you’re a fan of happy accidents, this album feels like one long, gentle reminder of why they matter. The cottage, the friends, the looseness of the sessions. It all adds up to a delightful experience. By the time it’s over, you’re left with the easy calm of a night that turned out better than you expected.” – Shannon Steele, Mix 96.5 FM On-Air Personality

“is” by My Morning Jacket 

“A solid album from start to finish. No skips. Jim James takes you on a musical journey that runs through a gambit of emotion. From tugging on heart strings to head-banging rockers, this album IS everything! It also marks the first time frontman Jim James didn’t produce or co-produce an album, and that open-mindedness translates into every single song.” – Jordan Coppinger, 98.1 The River FM On-Air Personality

“Wish You Were Here 50” by Pink Floyd

“Same album. Different year. New bonus material. It’s the same amazing album we know and love. It’s the extra material that makes it stand out.

First, the pedal steel instrumental mix of ‘Wish You Were Here’ is another moving version of this classic tune. Second, the ‘Live from the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, 1975’ recordings are truly amazing. It takes you through ‘Dark Side of the Moon,’ ‘Wish You Were Here’ and material that would later make up the ‘Animals’ album. Well worth the time to enjoy this gem from the past.” – Shawn Eckroth, Asheville Media Group Media Advisor

“¿Quién trae las cornetas?” by Rawayana

“The very record that earned them the Grammy Award for Best Latin/Alternative Album this year. It blends vibrant Caribbean-Latino rhythms, modern production, and raw emotional energy that feels both fresh and timeless. It’s the kind of album you listen to end-to-end, with each track resonating on its own yet forming part of a powerful whole. Solid pick, no doubt — highly recommended.” – Omar Mayorga, La Pantera 97.3 FM Program Director

“Growing Pains” by Trousdale

“Trousdale, a West Coast power pop trio styled like the Power Puff Girls and blessed with the voices of angels, delivered with ‘Growing Pains,’ their sophomore album. From the sweet guitar riff opening, to the catchy defiance of ‘Lonely Night,’ all the way down to the melancholy strains of ‘Secondhand Smoke’ and propulsive energy of ‘Vertigo,’ ‘Growing Pains’ is great. Growing pains or not, Trousdale makes their sound look effortless.” – Pruett Norris, 828newsNOW Reporter

“NEVER ENOUGH” by Turnstile

“Perfection. On this album, the band has found that balance between trance-like melodies and melting your face off. It moves. It’s hardcore. It’s a true testament to the band’s ability to reside in a more mainstream space without losing the integrity of their true selves, and sound. They also released a visual album of ‘NEVER ENOUGH’ that takes the music to a whole new level.” – Jordan Coppinger, 98.1 The River FM On-Air Personality

“Young & Afraid” by The Vegabonds

“I’d like to nominate The Vegabonds and their new album, ‘Young and Unafraid.’ Didn’t know much about them until late summer, then had the opportunity to go see them at the Asheville Music Hall at the beginning of October. Very talented musicians, great lead singer and they write catchy songs. 

If you love bands such as Blackberry Smoke, Whiskey Myers and Kings of Leon, I’m sure you’ll also love The Vegabonds.” – Joe Oreb, Asheville Media Group Media Advisor

“Bleeds” by Wednesday

“It’s always tough for me to choose a fave album of the year. 2025 saw some of my favorite bands of all time release brand-new material: The Cure with ‘Songs of a Lost World,’ Nine Inch Nails and the ‘TRON: Ares Original Motion Picture Soundtrack,’ Public Enemy’s ‘Black Sky Over the Projects: Apartment 2025,’ and the Beatles even got in on the act with ‘Anthology 4.’ All these albums are outstanding, and definitely worth listening to, but it’s tough to rank any of them over Wednesday’s sixth album, ‘Bleeds.’ Karly Hartzman and the crew have sharpened their blades and cut an album that’s wild, funny, angry and insightful, all at once. I love the shifts between the Flying Burrito Brothers twang of ‘Phish Pepsi’ and the bone-crunching drive of songs like the Pixies-tinged ‘Wasp,’ and the album opening, ‘Reality TV Argument Bleeds.’ Wednesday has been on fire since 2021’s ‘Twin Plagues,’ and their momentum just keeps building. ‘Bleeds’ is without a doubt my favorite album of 2025.” – Mike Gibson, 98.1 The River FM On-Air Personality