The Genius community has officially released its highly anticipated list of the best albums from the first half of 2025, compiled through a collaborative process involving polls, discussions, and community-submitted write-ups. This annual tradition highlights the albums resonating most with the platform's passionate music fans. The announcement, made via the official Genius Twitter account, stated, "The #genius community has come together to compile a list of the best albums of the first half of the year."
The curated selection for this summer's list notably features new works from prominent artists such as Playboi Carti, The Weeknd, and PinkPantheress. The tweet further added, "this summer’s list features albums from artists like #playboicarti, #theweeknd, and #pinkpantheress. check out the top 10 below." Other artists making the cut in the community's ranking include FKA twigs and Sleep Token.
The Weeknd, a significant inclusion, released his sixth studio album, "Hurry Up Tomorrow," on January 31, 2025. This album serves as the final installment of a trilogy that began with "After Hours" (2020) and continued with "Dawn FM" (2022). "Hurry Up Tomorrow" debuted as the biggest album of 2025 in terms of units, marking The Weeknd's largest sales week ever, according to Billboard.
Playboi Carti's presence on the list is underscored by his continued influence in the underground scene, with collaborations like "Off The Meter" with Opium co-founder Ken, featured on Ken's fourth studio album released in April 2025. PinkPantheress, another artist highlighted by Genius, has also been recognized across various music publications for her contributions in the first half of the year. These mid-year compilations offer a snapshot of critical and fan reception, setting the stage for end-of-year considerations in the dynamic music landscape.