I really wanted to see King George Strait’s album, “Cowboys And Dreamers”, on this list…but it was released in 2024.
Country music saw some great country albums and we have some of our own favorite releases from this year. There were some great releases that I feel didn’t get enough attention too.
Thanks to Shooter Jennings for producing two of the best country music albums delivered this year as well. Country music definitely needed these two albums in my humble opinion.
Here are “HILLBILLY LIVE’s Top 10 Best Country Albums of 2025” according to our very own Hillbilly, Brian Taylor…
1. Waylon Jennings came back to life with the first of three albums produced by his son, Shooter Jennings. “Songbird” was released October 3, 2025 and it’s sounds amazing.
2. Parker McCollum released one of best albums to date of his career. His self titled and fifth studio album dropped June 27, 2025. I can’t stop listening to track number three, “Solid Country Gold”, because this album is.
3. Chase Rice has basically reinvented himself with his last four albums and in a great way. Ever since he quit chasing radio hits, his music has gotten real, and radio unfortunately quit playing him. His latest album, “ELDORA”, is a damn fine country album that needs be heard. Make sure to knock on neighbors door to make sure that know about this man’s new music. Have a listening party with them if need be too.
4. Jake Owen the best modern day outlaw music ever released with his album, “Dream to Dream”, on November 7, 2025. This album was produced by Shooter Jennings and simply a masterpiece of a country album to. I mean mainstream country radio ain’t playing it…you know it’s absolutely amazing. Well done on this project, Jake…and Shooter.
5. Zach Top dropped his sophomore album, “Ain’t In It For My Health”, on August 29, 2025. Just like his first album, which should’ve produced at least five number one songs, was obviously almost ignored by mainstream country radio. Luckily it still saw some success in the digital world thanks to country music fans wanting to this man’s music. Zach also sold out shows literally everywhere he played. He’s doing his best to help save traditional country music and country music fans have definitely welcomed him.
6. Morgan Wallen’s “I’m The Problem” was released May 16, 2025 and it broke all kinds of records. He’s obviously Billboard’s Top Artist of 2025, because everyone on planet earth keeps streaming his music. Even though the mainstream country radio and music industry tried to cancel him back in 2021…he only got bigger as an artist. The ticket sales and streaming numbers don’t lie. You can’t cancel what the people want.
7. Colter Wall’s “Memories And Empties” was released in November 14, 2025 and it’s just solid country music to me. He’s song “1800 Miles” is a big FU to music row and I’m here for that.
8. Lainey Wilson and her “Whirlwind (Deluxe)” album dropped August 22, 2025. It’s album you can listen to from track one to track nineteen. Every song is solid. It also helped Lainey earn nine number one songs in 2025…and rightfully so.
9. ERNEST released his “Live From The South” album on November 21, 2021 and the tour to promote has already been planned. Got the chance to see Ernest open for Lainey Wilson on her tour this year and I was impressed. He and his band sound flawless. His music is actually country as it comes. He’s representing hillbilly music with passion.
10. Randy Houser and his voice are still music worth listening to for me. His album, “Note To Self (Deluxe)”, was released February 21, 2025. “Still That Cowboy (feat. Miranda Lambert)” and “Cancel (feat. Cody Johnson)” are on my personal playlist. I mean the whole album should be on everyone’s playlist to be honest. Mainstream country radio has not played any of this man’s music from this album, which is stupid of them, but more of reason for me to stream the hell of it.
11. Jake Worthington’s album, “When I Write The Song” , was released on September 12, 2025. I mean it should’ve been in the top ten…but we ran out of room. The man’s music is straight up country and it pairs perfectly with any whiskey.
There’s our HILLBILLY LIVE Top 10 Country Albums of 2025.