Top 20 Albums of 2025

2025 proved to be an exceptional year for blues rock, with an extraordinary volume of high-caliber releases that made narrowing the field to just 20 albums a genuine challenge. Established legends delivered some of their strongest work in years, while rising artists continued to push the genre forward, resulting in an incredible year of blues rock.

Blues Rock Review’s Top 20 Albums of 2025 reflects that depth and diversity. The list was determined through a 50/50 voting process, with fans and readers accounting for half of the final tally, and the Blues Rock Review staff, who reviewed and covered these releases throughout the year, contributing the remaining half.

To keep the focus on studio achievements, live albums were excluded from consideration.

Here are Blues Rock Review’s Top 20 Albums of 2025.

20. Matt Schofield Trio: Many Moons Vol. 1

“Many Moons Vol. 1, is, in itself, a masterclass in blues guitar. Everything from slow blues, through shuffles to blistering solos, this album is a must-have blueprint for the modern blues player. The production value of the album is first-rate.” – Bob Liddycoat

19. Will Wilde: Blues Is Still Alive

“To sum it up, this record is awesome, just very, very good traditional blues rock stuff, really driven with intense and moving harmonica and supported by a backing band that is hard to rival. A worthy addition to Wilde’s discography, and well worth a listen for any Blues fan.” – Lee Clark

18. The Boneshakers: Live To Be This

“Whatever your musical tastes may be, Live To Be This by The Boneshakers is an enjoyable and moving listening experience. The album delivers superb musicianship, heartfelt vocals, and tight arrangements from start to finish. With any luck, I’ll get the chance to see them live soon. I strongly recommend giving this recording a listen.” – Moe Moore

17. Simon McBride: Recordings 2020 – 2025

“Undoubtedly one of the best of his generation and a fully-fledged blues-rock virtuoso, this is as good a starting point as any if you’re seeking an unfiltered introduction to McBride’s high-class blend of blues, hard rock, and jaw-dropping guitar.” – Breton Towler

16. Larkin Poe: Bloom

“I found myself repeatedly noting how much I was enjoying the lap steel, organ, and violin parts on Bloom, each doing a big lift towards making the record feel as big and cohesive as it does. The final verdict is that the album is great, with a couple far and away hits, and it’s easy to see why Larkin Poe continues to build a reputation as a fun and engaging band.” – Lee Clark

15. McAvoy/Knowles/O’Neill: MKO

“MKO feels like something of a marriage between the best work of Bad Company from the peak ‘70s and more recent efforts from Blackberry Smoke. It’s classic 1970s-style blues rock injected with a heavy dose of country-western spirit. MKO is an excellent offering from an excellent ensemble of veteran musicians. It’s simple, catchy, and above all, fun. The musicianship and ear for crowd-pleasing melodies and riffs are impressive and endlessly enjoyable.” – Lee Clark

14. Christone “Kingfish” Ingram: Hard Road

“There’s a reason Christone “Kingfish” Ingram is the hottest artist in blues/rock today. His talent and charismatic presence has captured legions of fans and staggered his peers. And, with his new album Hard Road, he has sent a strong message that he is about to get stronger by taking charge of his life and music.” – Bob Liddycoat

13. Robin Trower: Come and Find Me

“From the opening bar, fans and peers know in an instant that this is the work of the master who’s now been recording through seven decades. Each of the tracks presented in Come and Find Me can captivate, drawing you into a well-crafted musical journey through the weighty solos and distinct, clear vocals, if you’re prepared to be swept along.” – Bob Liddycoat

12. Kenny Wayne Shepherd & Bobby Rush: Young Fashioned Ways

“To summarize, perfect leads + perfect band = perfect record. To expand: Rush’s vocals remain smooth and bright, Shepherd’s guitar remains crunchy and full, and the band complements them perfectly. Young Fashioned Ways is a celebration of the history, culture, and soul of the blues, and shows off the unparalleled talents of two giants from different generations in the scene.” – Lee Clark

11. Robert Randolph: Preacher Kids

“There are times when hearing new music feels like a religious experience, like something a monk in an ancient text would describe receiving in a euphoric vision. This record is one of those points. At one point, I wrote down in my notes, “the spirit of Jimi Hendrix was in the room while this was being laid down.” Preacher Kids is definitely a contender for album of the year, and I cannot praise it or recommend it enough to blues rock lovers.” – Lee Clark

10. Joanne Shaw Taylor: Black and Gold

“Listening to Black and Gold, it’s easy to see why she’s among the leading musicians in the genre today. This is a very strong entry in Taylor’s discography, and all of her best qualities as a musician are on display here, perfectly accompanied by a fantastic band and guests.” – Lee Clark

9. Walter Trout: Sign of the Times

“Trout has become a master at critiquing and preaching the world’s asymmetry, while nourishing one of the great (yet unheralded) album streaks in this genre. Any self-respecting blues-rock champion cannot fail to be dazzled by this virtuoso guitarist and candid songwriter with a frugal knack for conjuring up works of utter class that are so relevant to the here and now. Themes of despair and despondency might be a sign of the times we live in, but everything gets a little better when Walter Trout puts out stuff like this.” – Breton Towler

8. Larry McCray: Heartbreak City

“Throughout his career, McCray has kept his roots deep in the blues, but never hesitated to explore and blend other genres, most notably rock and soul. The new album is no exception – Larry takes the best out of those genres and creates a truly powerful, genuine, and personal piece of work. With his seemingly inexhaustible creativity, wonderful guitar work, and rich soulful voice, Larry McCray continues to nurture and evolve the genre whilst inspiring the fans and fellow musicians alike.” – Neven Tili

7. Blood Brothers: Help Yourself

“The best compliment I can pay to an album as a reviewer is that the artists are clear and direct about exactly what the piece intends to do, and they accomplish that with skill and enthusiasm. This record is fun, joyful, danceable, and fully shows why Zito and Castiglia are at the top of the blues rock genre.” – Lee Clark

6. Robert Jon and the Wreck: Heartbreaks and Last Goodbyes

“The album is largely characterized by classic-feeling riffs and solos, with big anthemic choruses taking advantage of the two guitar and triple vocal sound of the band. Heartbreaks & Last Goodbyes is a fun and well-made album.” – Lee Clark 

5. Buddy Guy: Ain’t Done With The Blues

“If scholars were looking to teach a course on the blues, this album could serve as the entire curriculum. History will no doubt cite Guy among the last of his peers, the greatest blues generation. And, with this album, he’s accepted that responsibility and created a record that will rightfully be deemed “historic.” – Bob Liddycoat

4. Eric Gales: A Tribute To LJK

“As a tribute album, it naturally looks back, but that is its purpose. It succeeds in bringing Manuel Gales’ music back into focus while allowing Eric to honor his brother in the most fitting way. A Tribute to LJK is heartfelt, fiery, and deeply rewarding. It keeps a legacy alive and marks another high point in Eric Gales’ career.” – Fidel Beserra

3. Joe Bonamassa: Breakthrough

“After more than 35 years on the scene, Joe Bonamassa sounds fresh as ever yet so authentic and instantly recognizable, a testament to his talent, skill, musicality, and overall love for what he does. Joe once again showcases his evolution as a songwriter, guitarist, and singer by creating another immaculate collection of timeless music. Breakthrough is an amazing record that promises to become a classic.” – Neven Tili

2. Anthony Gomes: Praise The Loud

“Praise the Loud truly is an electrifying experience delivered with copious amounts of energy, virtuosity, feel and swagger. The genre is sure to thrive as long as we have artists such as Anthony Gomes – a real blues rock champion.” – Neven Tili

1. Samantha Fish: Paper Doll

“Overall, Paper Doll is bold, fun, dynamic, and driven by a clear artistic voice. You get the sense Fish and her band had a blast making it, and that feeling is contagious. The songs are hooky, punchy, and bursting with energy, making it the kind of record you’ll want to keep spinning on repeat.” – Fidel Beserra

Previous Top 20 Lists: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011
*Editor’s note: Live albums are not included in the Top 20*