The Chalkys Awards 2026: Our Top Albums by Genre

Every year, the Chalkys team listens to a lot of music. Across genres, moods, formats old and new, we’re constantly discovering, revisiting, and championing great albums.

So for 2026, we decided to launch The Chalkys Awards - our celebration of the very best albums of last year, by genre, chosen by the people who live and breathe music every day.

From chart-topping pop and boundary-pushing indie to metal epics, heartfelt country and thrilling debuts, here are our winners for 2025.

Pop Album of the Year

Olivia Dean – The Art of Loving

Chosen by Kayleigh

Olivia Dean continues her unstoppable rise with The Art of Loving, a beautifully crafted pop-soul album that blends emotional vulnerability with effortless melodies.

Warm, intimate and deeply human, this record explores love in all its forms - romantic, platonic and self-reflective. With stunning vocals and lush production, it’s an album that rewards repeat listening and confirms Olivia Dean as one of the UK’s most important modern pop voices.

Indie Rock Album of the Year

Geese – Getting Killed

Chosen by Beth

Brooklyn band Geese delivered one of 2025’s boldest indie statements with Getting Killed - an album bursting with energy, unpredictability and fearless creativity.

Blending art-rock chaos with sharp hooks and restless experimentation, this is indie rock that refuses to sit still. It’s thrilling, messy in all the right ways, and packed with moments that demand attention.

Metal Album of the Year

Dream Theater – Parasomnia

Chosen by Hana

Progressive metal giants Dream Theater returned with Parasomnia, a technically jaw-dropping and emotionally immersive album that proves they’re still at the top of their game.

Complex time signatures, soaring solos and epic compositions come together in a masterclass of musicianship. Heavy, intricate and endlessly rewarding, it’s a must-have for prog and metal fans alike.

Hip Hop Album of the Year

Dave – The Boy Who Played the Harp

Chosen by Ryan

With The Boy Who Played the Harp, Dave delivers one of his most personal and lyrically ambitious projects to date.

Introspective, poetic and socially sharp, the album blends orchestral textures with raw hip hop storytelling. It’s an emotionally rich listen that cements Dave’s reputation as one of the most thoughtful and impactful voices in UK rap.

Alternative Album of the Year

Suede – Antidepressants

Chosen by Hannah B.

British legends Suede prove once again that experience brings depth, not decline. Antidepressants is dark, dramatic and emotionally resonant — packed with sweeping arrangements and Brett Anderson’s unmistakable vocal presence.

It’s an album that reflects on modern anxieties while staying rooted in Suede’s unmistakable glam-tinged alternative sound.

Country Album of the Year

Tyler Childers – Snipe Hunter

Chosen by Rachael

With Snipe Hunter, Tyler Childers delivers a deeply authentic country record built on storytelling, sincerity and Appalachian musical roots.

Raw, heartfelt and beautifully written, it’s a reminder of country music’s emotional power when stripped back to its core. One of the year’s most rewarding listens.

Best Debut Album

Lambrini Girls – Who Let the Dogs Out

Chosen by Hannah

Brighton punk duo Lambrini Girls explode onto the scene with Who Let the Dogs Out - a ferocious, funny, and politically charged debut.

Fast, fearless and fiercely outspoken, this album channels pure DIY energy with sharp social commentary and riotous hooks. One of the most exciting debuts in years.

The Sound of 2025, According to Chalkys

From polished pop and progressive metal to raw punk and poetic hip hop, 2025 delivered an incredible spectrum of albums - and these winners represent the very best across genres.

Have a favourite that didn’t make our list? Let us know - we’re always keen to discover more great music.

And if you want to own any of these albums on CD or Vinyl, view these and more highlights from 2025 at Chalkys.com, where great music lives on.