The first ever global edition of independent retailer Rough Trade’s Top 30 Albums Of The Year has been announced.
The global edition of the list – based on staff choices – reflects the growing international presence for Rough Trade, which has seven stores across the UK, one in Berlin and two in New York, including a new location at Rockefeller Centre.
Alongside UK, US and EU web stores and a series of pop-up activations, Rough Trade opened two new British stores in Liverpool and London’s Denmark Street in the last two years.
The Albums Of The Year list has a focus on independent and genre-pushing artists, with a strong UK–US core and a European export presence led by Viagra Boys (pictured). The Swedish post-punk band are at No.1 in the list with Viagr aboys, the band’s first release on their own label, Shrimptech Enterprises, launched earlier this year.
The list spans indie, post-punk, experimental electronic and pop.
Alongside UK artists such as Pulp, Black Country, New Road and Lambrini Girls, the list features US names including Turnstile, Samia, Bon Iver and Hayley Williams, alongside European acts like Jehnny Beth, Smerz, Brutalismus 3000 and Buntspecht.
Rough Trade has enjoyed a strong year in 2025, marked by continued growth across all markets and the successful expansion of its global footprint
Lawrence Montgomery
“Many are signed to independent labels or maintain a fiercely independent identity, underscoring Rough Trade’s role as the tastemaker in alternative music,” said a statement. “Together, these artists reflect a vibrant cross-section of the most relevant and exciting music today.”
Lawrence Montgomery, managing director, Rough Trade, said: “Rough Trade has enjoyed a strong year in 2025, marked by continued growth across all markets and the successful expansion of its global footprint. The highlight was the opening of Rough Trade Below in New York City, a purpose-built retail and live space tucked beneath our Rockefeller Center store. The new venue has quickly become a focal point for the city’s independent music scene and another step in our mission to bring artists and fans face-to-face.
“Across our stores and event spaces, Rough Trade hosted more than 1,500 live events worldwide this year, from intimate in-stores to landmark album launches and international tours. Vinyl sales jumped by more than 20% year-on-year, underscoring the enduring and expanding appeal of physical music culture. It all comes back to what we care about most: community, curation, and discovering music together.”
Emily Waller, global head of brand and content, said: “What makes Viagra Boys so special is that their vision is entirely their own. In the seven years since we first got behind them, they’ve never wavered from that authentic path, owning it with a commitment to their music and their fanbase that feels rare and vital. For that, our Rough Trade community has thanked them again and again. In 2025, it earns them the crown.”
To celebrate the top 30 list, a selection of artists have partnered with Rough Trade to release exclusive vinyl variants available through Rough Trade Stores, including Viagra Boys, Oklou, Bon Iver, Cameron Winter, Turnstile, Geese, CMAT and many more.
ROUGH TRADE ALBUMS OF THE YEAR 2025
1 Viagra Boys – Viagr aboys
2 Oklou – Choke Enough
3 Pulp – More
4 (joint fourth) Cameron Winter – Heavy Metal
4 (joint fourth) Geese – Getting Killed
5 Turnstile – Never Enough
6 Black Country, New Road - Forever Howlong
7 Samia – Bloodless
8 Jason Isbell – Foxes In The Snow
9 Caroline – Caroline 2
10 Hayley Williams – Ego Death At A Bachelorette Party
11 Saint Etienne – International
12 Bon Iver – Sable, Fable
13 CMAT – Euro-Country
14 Lemonheads – Love Chant
15 Lambrini Girls – Who Let The Dogs Out
16 HotWax – Hot Shock
17 Saya Gray – Saya
18 Hotline TNT – Raspberry Moon
19 Say She She – Cut and Rewind
20 Jensen McRae – I Don't Know How But They Found Me
21 Clipse – Let God Sort Em Out
22 Brutalismus 3000 – Goodbye Salo
23 Jehnny Beth – You Heartbreaker, You
24 Tropical Fuck Storm – Fairyland Codex
25 Matt Berninger – Get Sunk
26 YHWH Nailgun – 45 Pounds
27 Smerz – Big City Life
28 Annahstasia – Tether
29 Quadeca – Vanisher, Horizon Scraper
30 Buntspecht – Konstrukt 5
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