Nashville, although mostly known for country music, is becoming a musical melting pot with producers, musicians and bands of all genres relocating to Music City. Each year the music team at The Tennessean ranks some of our favorite music emerging from of our city. Whether a band or musician is based here, an album was recorded here or the majority of its songs were written here, there are a number of great albums to come out of Nashville so far this year.
We spend each year listening to all kinds of music, from rock and alternative to country and Christian. Below are a few of our favorites of 2025 — so far. If you come across one you haven’t listened to, take a moment to jam to some new tunes. You might just become a fan.
‘The Rest of the Story’ – Big Wreck
Canadian rock band Big Wreck recorded their newest album “The Rest of the Story” in Nashville.
If you think the only good music coming out of Nashville is country, think again. Canadian rock band Big Wreck spent time during 2024 recording in Nashville with Grammy Award-winning producer Nick Raskulinecz (Rush, Foo Fighters, Deftones) and the result is some of the band’s best work in years. It’s heavy in all the right places, “Dog With A Gun,” and melodic in the perfect spots, “Staff Party.”
It’s hard to decide if Ian Thornley’s best work on “The Rest of the Story” is his guitar chops or his melodic and clean vocals. Both are highly underrated. One listen to “Holy Roller” and any rock enthusiast will reach down and crank it up. — Melonee Hurt
‘Snipe Hunter’ – Tyler Childers
Tyler Childers’ album “Snipe Hunter” released on July 25, 2026.
Country singer Tyler Childers released his seventh studio album “Snipe Hunter” on July 25. Throughout 13 tracks, the Rick Rubin-produced collection balances playful Appalachian story-weaving with raucous rock ’n’ roll and country, all the while exploring themes of addiction, how fame relates to fulfillment, and religion.
Standout track “Bitin’ List” is an angsty, boot stompin’ anthem that fans have eaten up. Tried and true tracks “Oneida” and “Nose on the Grindstone” were already live fan favorites, but have found a new home on the record.
The record, which earned Childers three Grammy nominations, could land him his first Grammy Award out of 11 nominations. — Audrey Gibbs
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‘Learn the Hard Way’ – Jordan Davis
Jordan Davis’ third album, “Learn The Hard Way,” arrives on August 15, 2025
Jordan Davis comes into full focus as Nashville’s poet of the people with his third album, “Learn the Hard Way.” Faith, family and forgiveness shape the record that feels both radio-ready and remarkably real.
The Louisiana native combines his knack of creating hitmakers like “Bar None” and “Turn This Truck Around,” with his talent of wearing his heart-on-sleeve with songs like “Mess With Missing You” (featuring Carly Pearce) and “Jesus Wouldn’t Do.”
Across 13 tracks, Davis embraces reflection over reinvention, grounding his growth in gratitude. It’s the kind of album that proves growing up doesn’t mean slowing down, just learning, as he puts it, “the hard way.” — Bryan West
Backstory: From ‘Singles You Up’ to ‘Bar None,’ Jordan Davis learns the hard way
‘Foxes in the Snow’ – Jason Isbell
Jason Isbell’s album “Foxes in the Snow” released on March 7, 2025.
Singer-songwriter royalty Jason Isbell released his solo acoustic record “Foxes in the Snow” on March 7. The stripped-down 11-track album tackles conversations about heartbreak, festering anger and healing, the ephemeral nature of love and how places can become a part of us.
Produced by Gena Johnson (John Prine, Chris Stapleton), “Foxes” includes some of the most simple, yet prolific lyrical storytelling of Isbell’s career. From the stirring and self-aware “Gravelweed” to the Nashville ode “Ride to Robert’s,” Isbell walks the line between folk, Americana and southern rock. The record earned Isbell three Grammy nominations. — Audrey Gibbs
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‘Darling Blue’ – The Marcus King Band
“Darling Blue” is the latest album by The Marcus King Band
At Bonnaroo in 2025 (during one of the few shows that actually happened before the festival was canceled) The Marcus King Band took the stage and played a few new songs from the band’s forthcoming album, “Darling Blue.” Saying to the crowd, “I don’t even think I’m supposed to play this yet,” King and his band launched into the rootsy, Southern rock-infused “Here Today,” setting high expectations for the first full band record from the group since 2018.
When “Darling Blue” released in September, fans were not disappointed. After several solo projects from King, the band came roaring back delivering every Southern rock/blues guitar riff and raspy vocal fans have been waiting for.— Melonee Hurt
‘Wonder & Awe’ – Mercy Me
MercyMe’s latest album, “Wonder & Awe.”
When you’ve been making music as long as Christian act MercyMe, (“I Can Only Imagine,” “Even If,”) it would be easy, even tempting, to take a foot off the gas and release anything knowing fans will listen. But after being a band for 30 years, MercyMe came out with “Wonder & Awe,” an album loaded with sonic gems — several of them unexpected.
The first single off the album was, “Oh Death,” a Walker Hayes co-written ditty about death. That’s right. It’s a real toe-tapper. A bop you might say. It shot straight up the charts and became a fan favorite. Called, “a joyful look at the fear of death,” the song garnered a Song of the Year nomination at the KLOVE Fan Awards and remains possibly the only song in the genre taking a lighthearted, celebratory stance on death.
Backstory: MercyMe on the ‘secrets’ behind the band’s longevity, new album and an ‘I Can Only Imagine’ sequel
The remainder of the album reaches creatively in different directions without abandoning the core of MercyMe. Listeners might find influences ranging from “O Brother Where Art Thou,” to Tom Petty and Mutemath. But the album also has core MercyMe anthems fans have come to love like “Sing (Like You’ve Already Won).” — Melonee Hurt
‘Where I’ve Been Isn’t Where I’m Going: The Complete Edition’ – Shaboozey
Yes, Shaboozey’s third studio album “Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going” was originally released on May 31, 2024, featuring 12 tracks. However, the genre-bending pioneer expanded on its success with the deluxe version, “Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going: The Complete Edition,” released in April 2025 on the heels of five Grammy nods.
It’s a project well worth inclusion on this year’s list of outstanding albums. The record not only showcases Shaboozey’s seamless fusion of country, hip-hop, and other genres but also reflects his growth as a storyteller and cultural force.
The expanded edition, of course, includes his history-making single “Tipsy (A Bar Song)” along with other fan favorites that cemented his breakout status in the industry. It also features five new tracks, including collaborations with country heavyweights like Jelly Roll on “Amen” and Nashville-based singer-songwriter Sierra Ferrell on “Hail Mary.” — Caché McClay
Review: Shaboozey brings hits, heart to Nashville’s Pinnacle stage on Great American Roadshow Tour
‘Ego Death At A Bachelorette Party’ – Hayley Williams
Hayley Wlliams’ album “Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party” released on July 28, 2025 via Post Atlantic.
Hayley Williams’ solo record “Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party” may be one of the most notable Nashville-inspired alternative records of all time. The 36-year-old Paramore frontwoman and Nashvillian dropped the record on August 28, first inconspicuously releasing the tracks on her website.
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William’s 20-track album expertly blends genres, pulling from alt-rock to pop-punk and even reggae. Through raw vocals, Williams works through complex feelings about Nashville and the South. She tussles with shedding her old self, pushing forward in her relationships and career, and questioning her artistic identity. It’s angry in all the right moments, hyper critical and jaded, but hopeful.
On Nov. 7, the record earned Williams four Grammy Award nominations. — Audrey Gibbs
‘The Mirror’ – Trisha Yearwood
Trisha Yearwood’s latest studio album “The Mirror” arrives on July 18, 2025
After three decades as one of country music’s most beloved singers, Trisha Yearwood finally embrace picking up her pen and co-writing every song on “The Mirror.” The 15-track collection marks her long-awaited debut as a songwriter, peeling back layers of vulnerability with wisdom and wit.
More info: Trisha Yearwood ushers in the holidays with ‘Christmastime’ music video, forthcoming album
Songs like “Fearless These Days” and “Fragile Like a Bomb” trace the power in owning your story, while the title track turns self-reflection into liberation. Surrounded by trusted collaborators like Leslie Satcher, Erin Enderlin, Bridgette Tatum and Sunny Sweeney, Yearwood sounds fearless and free. And the album is only the beginning of her songwriting journey. — Bryan West
‘2.0’ – Brett Young
Brett Young performs “Mercy” at the Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix, Arizona, on May 1, 2025.
For Brett Young, “2.0” isn’t a redo, it’s a rebirth. The California-born hitmaker leans into reinvention, pairing self-discipline and honesty with a decade’s worth of country-pop polish. The 10-track project, plus a reimagined “In Case You Didn’t Know,” reflects the version of Young who swapped late party nights for morning workouts and found purpose in balance.
2.0: Brett Young enters ‘2.0’ era with new music, ripped arms and no alcohol
Standouts like “Say Less” and “You’ve Still Got It” fit into his earworm craftmanship. And tracks like “Full House” and “Who I Do It For” (featuring Lady A) show the artist who is a family man, husband and dad. Young delivers his most grounded record yet: sleek, soulful and unmistakably him. — Bryan West
Bryan West, Caché McClay, Audrey Gibbs and Melonee Hurt contributed to this story.
Follow Taylor Swift reporter Bryan West on Instagram, TikTok and X as @BryanWestTV, Follow Caché McClay, the USA TODAY Network’s Beyoncé Knowles-Carter reporter, on Instagram, TikTok and X as @cachemcclay, reach Audrey at [email protected] and Melonee at [email protected] or on Instagram at @MelHurtWrites.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville’s best albums of 2025 include Hayley Williams, Jason Isbell
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