Sparky’s Best Albums 2025

Post November 19, 2025

We worked hard to find out what our Sac State community was listening to this year. Not only were there veteran and alumni KSSU DJs Manana, DJ Hectic and DJ Audrenism BUT some new additons like DJ Ziney and DJ bluegoose along with some KSSU extended family

All in all, 32 Sac State students helped us determine the shining stars of 2025.

With the introduction of Channel 24, Sacramento’s new midsize performance venue, Sacramento has welcomed artists like Wallows, James Arthur, Denzel Curry and Lane 8.

As per usual, Aftershock left it all on the floor and brought Sacramentans outside! Blink-182, Deftones, Korn, Lamb of God, Turnstile and Mom Jeans held it down at Discovery Park.

That’s just a taste of the hundreds of local and traveling artists, dance parties, and venues bringing in audiences this year. If you didn’t have a chance to catch any live acts in 2025, make it a priority to experience the unique magic of live music. There’s so much more in store!

We’ve been hard at work to make sure music from new and established artists filled our station’s library. Out of all of the responses to our “Sparky’s Best Albums” survey, the top-ranking entries went to:

Debí Tirar Más Fotos by Bad Bunny (5 nominations)
Never Enough by Turnstile (4 nominations)
Fancy That/Fancy Some More by PinkPantheress (4 nominations)
DON’T TAP THE GLASS by Tyler, The Creator (4 nominations)
Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party by Hayley Williams (3 nominations)
Let God Sort Em Out by Clipse, Pusha T, Malice (3 nominations)
The Art Of Loving by Olivia Dean (3 nominations)

Listen to Sparky’s Best Albums of 2025, a 2 hour block airing every weekday from 9-11 a.m. on KSSU.COM or check out this Spotify playlist. Please note that this Spotify playlist contains explicit songs.

Here’s what the KSSU extended family had to say about some of Sparky’s favorite albums of 2025:

Debí Tirar Más Fotos by Bad Bunny
- Camilla Renteria
  - This album was a cultural smash hit that connected people from all over the world through family and love for your homeland.
- Jash Rosal
  - Bad Bunny’s “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS” is an album that introduced me to Bad Bunny’s art. Reggaeton is an underrated genre and seeing how this album compares to his previous work, the sound on here is, in my opinion, genre-bending. This album holds such a strong place in giving representation to artists outside the US, especially nowadays. To me there’s an aspect of nostalgia I am obsessed with that comes with the sound on this album and I feel it needs more recognition than it has gotten.
- Justin Trujillo
  - Fantastic production! Great songs on both sides of the album. There’s a reason he got chosen to perform at the Super Bowl.
- Hector Hernandez
  - You can’t find a bad song on this album, try to, you can’t. It has bangers that I will keep playing for years to come
- Liza M. Landavazo Lopez
  - This was such a culturally important album, especially in the current political climate. It’s a statement of the hispanic/latin/latinx community, showing that we are here and we won’t leave, no matter how much people push us. It’s a celebration of the culture, its history and future.

Never Enough by Turnstile
- Daniela Torres Melendrez
  - After their tiny desk performance, I could not stop listening to this album. All the instrumentals are so good. All the songs are so good I can’t pick a favorite.
- Emanuel Davalos
  - This album has been on repeat since it dropped. It has a little bit of everything ranging from rock to more pop vibe but it’s so frickin bussin.
- Hana Cardozo
  - Basic pick, but it’s popular and acclaimed for a reason!!! So many genres are explored throughout this album, yet it still feels cohesive. There’s also no skippable songs on this album either.
- Isaac Wells
  - It’s a beautiful evolution of their sound. Iconic moments. Great film to accompany the album.

Fancy That/Fancy Some More? by PinkPantheress
- Beatrice (Kalesta) Vazquez-Wilson
  - There’s DnB in here!!! This album is so good! As always PinkPanthress gives us amazing y2k dance vibes with some touching and relatable topics. Nobody is doing it like she is.
- Eric Duplantier
  - Don’t even ask…
- Jash Rosal
  - I love PinkPantheress and Fancy That was such a fun album, then the deluxe version came out and “Fancy Some More?” introduced collaborations with a ton of artists. I really think that this album was made out of genuine enjoyment of creating music and I love everything I’ve heard. This is an album that will get you on your feet and make you dance. The energy put into making this is apparent, and you can feel it when you move!
- Layla Coulson
  - I think this is a really fun album that’s good to dance to or play in a car with your friends. Pink Pantheress herself is an amazing artist and I really love the intricacy she puts into her music which definitely shows in this album.

DON’T TAP THE GLASS by Tyler, The Creator
- Amias Bazemore
  - Again, overall great vibe. It’s genuinely for anyone who likes fun. I mean bro Sugar on my tongue…
- Justin Trujillo
  - Solid hits. Music meant to be danced to. Great replay value.
- Jethro Elazegui
  - Very unique beats and sounds. Each song builds off one another. Tyler aura in each song.
- Maya Denae Taylor
  - This sentence from the Pitchfork review really encapsulates my thoughts: “Tyler skitters through assorted sounds of that decade—electro, synth-funk, disco, and Miami bass—not to reinvent himself, but to get lost.”

Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party by Hayley Williams
- Camilla Renteria
  - This album is sonically strong and consists of powerful political messaging as well as personal reflections from Hayley Williams.
- Emilee Olander
  - Amazing lyricism and excellent production.
- Isa Rooks
  - Fun, sad, hopeful, depressing, melancholy, powerful; I feel that this solo album really covers it all.

Let God Sort Em Out by Clipse, Pusha T, Malice
- Justin Trujillo
  - Incredible production by Pharrell! Amazing vocal delivery by both Pusha T and Malice. Great replay value.
- Michael Daniel
  - Incredible rapping, incredible production , no skips (just go listen to it)
- Ryan Ferrari
  - Some really good rapping from Pusha T and Malice and some really good production. Has some of the best songs of the year such as So be it, Chains and Whips, and The Birds Don’t Sing

The Art Of Loving by Olivia Dean
- Emilee Olander
  - Every single song on this album is beautifully done. Insightful and relatable lyrics with a beautiful sound rarely heard in today’s era.
- Isaiah Larion
  - THE love album of 2025. Not only will you learn to love with this album, but you will also learn to appreciate the good and bad that loving has to provide. Essentially, Olivia expels love as an artistic expression in such a catchy, unforgettable way.
- Jash Rosal
  - Olivia Dean’s “The Art of Loving” is like a breath of fresh air. Like with Bad Bunny, this album introduced me to Olivia Dean’s discography and it’s safe to say I’ve found a new favorite artist! The album’s title perfectly encapsulates how the songs within it feel. Love is a genre often misinterpreted. While it is easy to write about, it is hard to make music that can describe the feeling of love in a new way especially since it has been done all throughout history! But this album takes that challenge and does it right. Olivia Dean has been in the game for some time now and deserves her flowers!

Addison by Addison Rae
- Eric Duplantier
  - Literally no skips, lyrics, production, choreo
- Layla Coulson
  - To my surprise I thought this was a really really really good album!! It’s an amazing mix of nostalgia and modern pop music. I don’t think it was trying too hard to replicate something of the past but it definitely takes inspiration from artists such as Madonna and Britney Spears especially in her performances. I think this was a really great album to come out in a time where a lot of people are too stuck up to have fun, an element which radiates from each song on this track list.
Alfredo 2 by Freddie Gibbs and The Alchemist
- Michael Daniel
  - I am partial to the first Alfredo installment. But Alfredo 2 is classic Freddie + Alchemist rapping and production. Samples you’ve never heard of on top of Freddie doing his thing and being controversial like always.
- Hussam Albarakat
  - As a longtime fan of Freddie Gibbs, this new album elevates on the previous Alfredo album with new jazzy instrumentals. More of what we got on the previous but still hits as this the sound is so classic and unique to the Gibbs sound. An album I can just sit back and relax to, nothing to think about, just enjoy.
Baby by Dijon
- Amias Bazemore
  - So unique and a crazy journey to listen to. Dijon as an artist is absolutely insane and he’s on a roll with helping with swag (Justin Bieber), this album is so slept and is better than swag…. I mean fire, higher, baby and automatic are all insane
- Madison Mcphaill
  - Besides being a super tender and lovely album, the way Dijon explores with mixing and sampling on this album delighted my brain. I listened to it in full driving through the Sierra mountains while the sun was setting and would recommend everyone do that as well.
Balloonerism by Mac Miller
- Erik Alcala
  - I chose this album because I am a big Mac Miller fan, but I also chose it because we got the most honest version of Mac Miller. Funny papers and Rick’s piano are my favorite songs. I love the concept, and it’s just so emotionally driven it helped me get through tough times this year.
- Liza M. Landavazo Lopez
  - Despite MM’s absence, this album still showcases his essence and spirit. I listened to it at work, don’t do that. I almost hard cried, haha.
EUSEXUA/EUSEXUA Afterglow by FKA Twigs
- Beatrice (Kalesta) Vazquez-Wilson
  - Ugh! There isn’t enough to say. Beautiful dance music, bordering on trance. Anyone out there who’s neurodivergent might love this. There’s so many fun little noises, but the real cherry on top is her poetic lyrics that combine perfectly with her beats.
- Jacob Garcia Rodriguez
  - 9, fantastic production, fantastic lyrics, FKA Twigs was able to fully immerse themselves into the practice of EUSEXUA, a celebration of human sexuality. The only downside to the album, in my opinion, was the song “Childlike Things” featuring North West. The song felt tacked on to the album, not to say the song was bad, however, it seemed to stray away from the themes of the album.
Hurry Up Tomorrow by The Weeknd
- Hector Hernandez
  - ““São Paulo,” the re-introduction for me into B funk, sparking an arc in my personal DJ Style.
    - And of course, “Timeless”, is Timeless”
- Travis McMains
  - One of my favorite artists for the last 10 years. The storytelling felt like a movie.
MAYHEM by Lady Gaga
- Casey Rafter
  - A part of me wanted to shun this album for not being able to afford tickets to go see Gaga live, but I had some friends who did and GOOD LORD what a show.
    - The album is filled with bops
- Hector Hernandez
  - I heard this whole album in proximity to my partners playlist, and the big hits show up in all my mixes
The Crux by Djo
- Daniela Torres Melendrez
  - This album genuinely changed my life. The album is about Djo’s personal growth but I felt as if I could also connect with it. He also talks about the importance of having a community for yourself. My favorite songs are “Egg” & “Link”
- Emanuel Davalos
  - Need I say anything. This album is so flipping good its a crime it wasn’t nominated for anything other than the album cover cuz the album itself is lowk a masterpiece, this busses too good its bussing
The Life of a Showgirl by Taylor Swift
- Angelica Pascual
  - Another all time favorite album for young and older crowd
- Ethan Betanio
  - I love the song “Opalite” in the album. It is very popular in TikTok and most of the older people dance to the song. I started listening to it more because of “Opalite”.
..Is Your Friend by Drain
- Chrys Smith
  - Drain can sometimes be a little on the pop-punk side of hardcore, but I really don’t mind! …Is Your Friend is a positive hardcore album that still rips and creates a feeling of community. I’ll also be seeing Drain in April next year with Haywire and a couple of other bands, and I really look forward to seeing how the crowd is gonna react when they play these new songs.
All That Is Over by SPRINTS
- Hana Cardozo
  - This album is incredibly raw, gritty, and cathartic. But it doesn’t feel TOO big and extravagant, it’s quite balanced in that manner.
Alter Ego by Lisa
- Harrito Andres
  - I will start by saying I loved Jisoo’s album, AMORTAGE, but I love songs from this one more. Mainly due to it having more than Jisoo’s and how her concept of having alternate persona’s is a cool concept for an album. Definitely feel like Elastigirl or Moonlit Floor are my favorites, and Rockstar never fails to make me happy! Also very happy for her appearance as the Fortnite Festival headliner! She will replace both Ariana Grande and Shohei Ohtani as my mains, or at least until we get more iconic idols like her in the game!
choke enough by Oklou
- Eric Duplantier
  - Blending of pop + electro in an ethereal mix
Cosa Nuestra by Rauw Alejandro
- Daniela Torres Melendrez
  - This album is kind of different from his past work. This album has more explored different musical themes such as pop-rock and salsa. My favorite song is “2:12 (feat Latin Mafia)!
Describe by Hannah Jadagu
- Liza M. Landavazo Lopez
  - This being her sophomore album, shows a lot of growth musically. And its someone to keep ur eye on
Éalú by Will Wood
- Stella Fluetsch
  - Éalú is a soundtrack for the game Beyond the Bark. Will Wood’s first completely instrumental album, but still just as zany as his normal music with some extra spooky vibes thrown in there.
Essex Honey by Blood Orange
- Madison Mcphaill
  - I’m so biased because Blood Orange is in my top three artists of all time- but I think as an artist he captures emotions and periods in a way no other artist does. As someone who experienced grief this year I will hold this album dear to my heart forever. Hazy and warm and lively and sad like grief often is.
Even in Arcadia by Sleep Token
- Hassan Sabbagh
  - EIA is widely considered a masterpiece for catapulting a niche genre bending metal band to one of the most popular new bands in the world. The mysterious lead singer known as Vessel focuses his deep unique voice to complete the full gothic gospel theme and vision of what is Sleep token. From their deep lyrical insights and poetic and darker tones behind the trauma of the singer’s heartbreak and the pain of suffering. With percussion by the second mysterious member known as II, he brings a unique and powerful use of percussion and drum rhythms that have solidified himself as one of the best drummers in the world. Without his amazing drums and vessels vocals sleep token would not be the same, seeing this live is an irreplaceable experience to pure artistry, visually and musically.
Fizzbuzz by Vorso
- Adam Jones (27/4)
  - Multi-genre artist branches out from Inspected Records to self release a new album with the same IDM vibe.
For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women) by Japanese Breakfast
- Layla Coulson
  - This is a really cozy and beautiful album. It reminds me of Big Thief in a way where it makes you miss memories you never really had. It’s just fun and fresh and the vocals are really beautiful/comforting to me.
God Does Like Ugly by JID
- Michael Daniel
  - JID has no misses in his catalog. Rapping is top tier with very unique production choices along with versatility regarding JID’s artist performance
hickey by Royel Otis
- Travis McMains
  - Discovered them this year and was instantly obsessed.
I KNOW HOW YOU WILL DIE by Snooze
- Adam Jones (27/4)
  - The latest album by “Meshuggah in major” mathcore outfit Snooze leave little to be desired. Powerful and chaotic riffs propel the album into djent/metalcore but with enough new interest to keep it interesting.
I’ll Be Waving as You Drive Away by Hayden Pedigo
- Madison Mcphaill
  - I saw Hayden Pedigo perform two years ago at Goldfields and it was intimate and took my breath away. He builds from silence as opposed to feeling the need to fill it in and it gives you time to sit and saturate in the melodies. Close your eyes in a field and breathe through your lungs for the first time in years type beat type album.
I Love My Computer by Ninajirachi
- Jethro Elazegui
  - Story based so the experience is 10x when listening from front to back.
    - Amazing sound design with intricate and subtle details.
      - Talks of life behind the computer screen while also recognizing the beauty of the real world experiences.
In My Bones by Baby Bugs
- Stella Fluetsch
  - In My Bones is an acoustic album that explores the singer’s history of mental health, religious trauma, and unhealthy relationships. The album is greatly off-putting in the best way possible.
Jonatan by Yung Lean
- Isaac Wells
  - Some of his most beautiful vulnerable stuff yet. A perfect blend of other ventures yet still coherent and pretty
KPOP Demon Hunters (Soundtrack from the Netflix Film) by KPOP Demon Hunters Cast
- Ethan Betanio
  - I chose this album as #1 because I literally mix it on my show almost every Friday and I have to listen to this album Monday-Friday at the school I work at and I will be DJing a Kid’s Party with that theme as well. I have listened to it a lot that I have gotten to like it more besides watching the movie more than 10-15 times.
Lover Of A Ghost by VIOLENT VIRA
- Hassan Sabbagh
  - A TikTok driven young singer debuted her first full album this year with Lover of a Ghost, truly capturing the vibe that sparked her viral tracks through TikTok and the punk rock scene. Violent Vira recently performed in Sacramento at Aftershock2025 and seeing her perform and hearing her album shows this is the start to an amazing career.
LUX by ROSALÍA
- Isaiah Larion
  - This classical, orchestral rendition is everything I’ve hoped for in music. Rosalía revives this traditional soundscape in the most respective way possible, and exceeds expectations by tackling this historical sound. Of course, I can’t forget to mention Rosalía’s integration of diverse languages all throughout this album, showcasing her ambition as an artist and her dedication to her craft.
Man’s Best Friend by Sabrina Carpenter
- Angelica Pascual
  - I love all of Sabrina Carpenter songs
Moisturizer by Wet Leg
- Casey Rafter
  - So excited to see Wet Leg step back into the ring. Catch These Fists is such an anthem for those moments when your brain is saying “aw hell no” and your body is itching to jump in.
Music by Playboi Carti
- Erik Alcala
  - Banger, after banger, after banger. The tracks go crazy for clips on social media, and the new Carti just hit different. Seeeahhhh
No One Was Driving The Car by La Dispute
- Chrys Smith
  - La Dispute’s No One Was Driving The Car is a gut-wrenchingly emotional album. I’ll be seeing them next April, and while this newest album is sonically different from my favorites of theirs, the rawness of the feeling put into its creation bumped it to my top 3 for this year.
October Country by Ghost Mountain
- Isaac Wells
  - After years of absence, this debut tape is everything I could have wanted. Amazing synths, abrasive energy, and unapologetic in its choices.
Pantheon by Dance Gavin Dance
- Hassan Sabbagh
  - The local powerhouse of Dance Gavin Dance powered by the legendary Will Swan released their newest album this year, there was a lot of pressure for DGD to re-establish themselves now with a new singer. With Pantheon not only do they set themselves apart from the previous iterations of the band but they have really shown the roots of the band and the original style of their lyrics and balance of screaming and singing between two singers. While Will Swan inspired an entire new genre of post-hardcore, known as swancore, the vocals accompanied by Will’s rhythmic style and guitar continues to set DGD apart from other bands.
Phantom Island by King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard
- Adam Jones (27/4)
  - King Gizzard’s 27th continues the folk rock streak of the last album but adds an orchestra. Killer to hear live.
Piqued by Jeffrey Runnings
- Hana Cardozo
  - This would go to show that you don’t need lyrics to create a world in your music (even though some songs have lyrics, most are instrumental). There’s such a dreamy, dark, and nostalgic atmosphere to this whole album. It’s also noting that the artist was dying while he was making this album, which makes this album even more poignant, like a musical interpretation of his life flashing before his eyes.
private music by Deftones
- Beatrice (Kalesta) Vazquez-Wilson
  - Yay! I really like this album, which I can’t always say for alternative/nu metal bands that release new music. The riffs are heavy and booty-shaking sometimes, like some of my other favorite songs from their albums Hexagram and Koi No Yokan. What sets this album apart is how they manage to combine that with the spacier sounds we’ve heard from them on Albums like Diamond Eyes or Ohms.
Rebel by EsdeeKid
- Hussam Albarakat
  - This album is so unique, genre pushing, and full of high octave energy. Due to his scouser accent and relentless vocals, eskdeekid gives rage its definition to the fullest extent. Aided by wraith9’s production and raunchy underground feel, Rebel by esdeekid has broken boundaries.
Return to the Spectrum of Intergalactic Happiness by Zeds Dead
- Jethro Elazegui
  - Sound design that is interesting but isn’t over the top. Humanistic themes.
Ruby by JENNIE
- Harrito Andres
  - So many good songs and vibes come from this album in my opinion. Like JENNIE has always been iconic and Mantra will forever be a favorite of mine. Whichever mood I feel, Ruby has a song for it. Seeing it mixed in Kpop Night made the memories unforgettable for me too, it will forever be a reminder of my university days when I graduate.
Sincerely, by Kali Uchis
- Emilee Olander
  - Every song is beautifully produced with angelic vocals
Sister by Frost Children
- Emanuel Davalos
  - Bro. This album is so frickin good. It’s like hyperpop and also electronic vibes. My fav song on here is blue eyes its bussin, i would def tell people to check it out if they’re into more electronic stuff.
SO CLOSE TO WHAT by Tate McRae
- Harrito Andres
  - I’m personally biased for this as I attended her Sacramento stop of the Miss Possessive Tour! Seeing her in person made me go from a normal enjoyer of her music to a mega fan! Similar to Ruby, I feel like there’s always a song for a mood that I feel. Also her single outside of the album, TIT FOR TAT, was such a banger. I’m glad it’s in the deluxe edition!
$ome $exy $ongs 4 U by PARTYNEXTDOOR & Drake
- Erik Alcala
  - Sometimes, you just need some sexy songs to set the vibe when you clean up the house.
Something Beautiful by Miley Cyrus
- Casey Rafter
  - The accompanying album to the film of the same name. Miley continues to process the struggles of her life in the art she creates. And just look at the album cover. This is an artist. For people of her generation, she is THEIR artist. Always evolving and vulnerable. A true creative.
The Father Of Make Believe by Coheed and Cambria
- Isa Rooks
  - Mix of old and new with pop-punk, thrash metal and rock influence.
They Left Me With The Sword by Paris Texas
- Amias Bazemore
  - Just a great vibe, They are making music that we’ve never heard before. It’s just so fun.
THIS IS FOR by TWICE
- Ethan Betanio
  - This album is one of my favorites, especially the songs “FOUR” and “THIS IS FOR”. I love this album because I have played multiple times on my show and I just love the vibes of the album.
Vanisher, Horizon Scraper by Quadeca
- Isaiah Larion
  - Wow. Just wow. The layers that this album has is so intricate and complex, and the aesthetic that Quadeca provides to this album is so vast and really encapsulates you into the scenery of being stuck at sea, yearning for something that only escapes from you.
Violet by L.S. Dunes
- Isa Rooks
  - This is L.S. Dunes sophomore album and I think it really nicely continues their adventures in melodies and riffs.
Water Dog by Penelope Scott
- Stella Fluetsch
  - Water Dog combines Penelope Scott’s more synth-heavy side of her music with her extremely talented playing to create the album. A wonderful combination of her Public Void album and her Girl’s Night EP.
Willoughby Tucker, I’ll Always Love You by Ethel Cain
- Camilla Renteria
  - This album is consistently crafted with lyrical storytelling and a beautiful soft sound.
Wrong Side of Heaven by End It
- Chrys Smith
  - I saw End It in October of this year, and there’s a solid chance that their show was the best one I saw (and I go to a show every week or so!). The topics broached through their lyrics and the overall composition of the album is great, and their frontman just knows how to get a crowd going.

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