Summer has ended, and many artists have spent this season releasing new albums. If you listened to the radio, went to the grocery store, or even just walked around, you probably heard at least one or two of these hits. From the good to the better, these are six of the most notable album releases of the summer and six honorable mentions.
Disclaimer: The albums below are listed in release order, not best to worst. If an album isn’t featured, that doesn’t mean it’s bad. Most of the honorable mentions were either ones that weren’t technically albums or that I didn’t feel I was the right person to talk about. Read on, and enjoy!
American Heart – Benson Boone (June 20)
Benson Boone released his second studio album on June 20, and it topped the charts for the rest of the summer. Throughout the album, Boone demonstrated his singing chops, switching between powerful belts and his characteristic croon. While some have found the pop-rock album formulaic and shallow, others have praised it for the fizzy feeling it evokes and its catchy sound. However, one could say that the biggest impact of this album is the lyric “moonbeam ice cream,” which garnered so much attention that the Crumbl company turned it into a chilled cookie.
DON’T TAP THE GLASS – Tyler, the Creator (July 21)
Released July 21, Tyler, the Creator’s ninth studio album is hard to categorize. Topping out at ten songs totaling twenty-eight minutes, it’s his shortest album to date and focuses on capturing a high-energy, dance-focused, house-funk sound. While some believed the album was too conceptual and lacking emotionally, others noted its excellent production work and uninhibited nature. Fans are hopeful that it is a contender for the next Grammys.
Bite Me – Reneé Rapp (Aug. 1)
Reneé Rapp’s sophomore album was released on the first day of August. Taking on more of an R&B vibe than her previous album (though with plenty of influence from female alt-rock artists like Joan Jett and Alanis Morissette), “Bite Me” feels fresh, raw and authentic. While some critics believe that the album is sharp and emotional, others have called it unfocused and repetitive. However, Rapp’s talent is undeniable, and it’s clear to see that she is starting to find her voice as a pop star.
Wishbone – Conan Gray (Aug. 15)
Released on Aug. 15 by Conan Gray, the pop album “Wishbone” is his fourth studio album, one that he (mostly) conceptualized and wrote while on tour. Gray’s characteristic storytelling style of songwriting shines through, weaving emotional performance and thoughtful lyrics together to create a narrative around a painful heartbreak, following a failed relationship from start (“This Song”) to finish (“Eleven Eleven”). While some have found the album uneven, with some songs being harder than others, other critics have called the release dynamic and introspective, praising Gray for his return to and improvement upon previous vocal work and style. Personally, I found the album to be touching and vulnerable, and would highly recommend it. I loved the rhetoric surrounding winning as well as losing, and the metaphor about wishbones.
A Matter of Time – Laufey (Aug. 22)
Icelandic singer-songwriter Laufey’s third album, while preserving some of the liveliness captured in previous albums, marked a shift toward a new sound that the artist used to explore a more vulnerable side of herself. It was released on Aug. 22 to widespread praise, with critics noting that the blend of traditional jazz and more modern lyricism showed Laufey’s growth in both her artistry and career. The album is characterized by its timeless, dreamy sound, with many of the songs themed around beauty or romance. All in all, definitely a release to check out.
Man’s Best Friend – Sabrina Carpenter (Aug. 29)
Sabrina Carpenter’s latest album, which sparked controversy with its suggestive cover, came out on August 29. Described as unfiltered and unapologetic, Carpenter’s pop album uses influences from ‘70s disco, R&B and synth pop to create a vibe that feels uniquely suited to her style of songwriting and singing. While some have characterized the album as silly or inconsistent, others see it as Carpenter’s way of reinforcing the artist persona she cultivated with “Short n’ Sweet” and coming into her own. At the end of the day, the numbers look great: the album broke the record for most first-day streams for a female artist in 2025 on Spotify and is projected to debut at #1 on the Billboard 200.
Honorable Mentions:
Animated movie “K-Pop Demon Hunters” soundtrack – Netflix (June 20)
Electronic pop EP “Beautiful Chaos” – Katseye (June 27)
Synth-pop LP “Virgin” – Lorde (June 27)
Rap album “GOD DOES LIKE UGLY” – JID (Aug. 8)
Alt/indie mixtape “Rocket” – Dominic Fike (Aug. 22)
Indie pop-rock album “I Barely Know Her” – Sombr (Aug. 22)
