Best Albums of April 2025

April 2025 arrives as a richly varied month on our Best Albums of April 2025 list, where intimate songwriting, global textures, and bold experiments converge. Critics rewarded nuance and risk alike, making April's releases a compelling snapshot of music that balances tradition and reinvention.

Standout releases included Marlon Williams's Te Whare Tiwekaweka, which led the pack with an 87.5 consensus from 2 reviews, while veteran Malian voice Salif Keita's So Kono and breakout-focused indie Nell Smith's Anxious both posted strong 87.0 consensus scores across 4 and 2 reviews respectively. From the jazz-forward flair of Emma-Jean Thackray's Weirdo (84.5, 4 reviews) to the abrasive collaboration SUMAC & Moor Mother's The Film (82.22, 9 reviews), critical consensus highlights a month where established artists and risk-taking newcomers shared the spotlight.

Across April 2025 album releases a few clear trends emerge: genre cross-pollination, a return to roots-informed songwriting, and a willingness among critics to elevate adventurous production. Scroll down for the ranked list of April's top albums and fuller context on why these records are resonating in the critical conversation.