We have almost hit the halfway point of the Homicidols year (which, remember, starts each December and runs through November for REASONS), so this would be a good time for a quick check of what’s been dominating everyone’s playlists. Both Team Homicidols and the denizens of the Discord server have submitted their nominations for the best Albums, EPs, Singles, MVs, and new groups of 2025 so far. We will kick things off this week with the year’s favorite EPs and Albums.
The entries below aren’t in any particular order. Actually, if I’m being honest, I arranged them by complimentary colors of their Spotify preview cards. I mean, I didn’t want to have two matching color blocks next to each other, so I tried to make the post as aesthetically pleasing as possible. I hope the effort is appreciated.
Let’s see!
Best EPs of 2025 (so far)
BELLRING Girls Heart – Majestic Baby
Team: When one the most influential units in the history of chika idol release their first EP in years, it’s time to take notice, especially when all four tracks are by Shinri Fukui: the composer behind many of the most exceptional tracks from BGR, There There Theres, NIKLY, and Finger Runs. Majestic Baby is an unsurprisingly exceptional entry featuring the bouncy title track ballad, the emotional zombie rock of “Ending Walker,” the dark and brooding jazz-funk of “July 8th,” and some inspirational advice from “Mary and the Pistol,” (eg. “shoot at the head”).
XOXO EXTREME – Forgotten Capital
_suzu: This EP feels like a tribute to old J-Pop and anisong music. Pretty much all of these tracks could’ve been anime openings from the 90s and wouldn’t feel at all out of place. “Deus X Machina” feels especially reminiscent of certain nostalgic anime songs. “Red Sick Records” is the standout track. It does a lot in its runtime, including a really amazing violin solo. It is a little closer to XOXO’s history of prog tracks than the rest of the EP, while still experimenting with new styles. It must also be mentioned that the vocal performances are on point here as usual.
cheffie: After eight years in the scene, XOXO Extreme gets their major debut, and what a debut it is! Each of these four tracks provides a different flavor of XOXO’s signature progressive idol sound, with some sliding away from rock (not that that’s a bad thing!) for a rather esoteric composition that I can’t even begin to describe. Anyway I love this. I’ve been listening to it on repeat since it came out (special note: it came out on my birthday!), and I will be listening to it all year.
RAY – Seasons
Team: Homicidols dot com doesn’t have a RAY bias. Reality does. Case in point: RAY’s new concept EP, Seasons, a collection of four near-perfect songs including lasts year’s impeccable single, “I see the light,” two fantastic new tracks including what may be one of RAY’s best songs ever, “sunset hurts,” and a six minute remix of the exquisite “Winter Greetings” (a Christmas staple at casa de Daemon) re-titled, “A Winter Letter, P.S.”
In case it isn’t clear yet: we think this EP is more than OK.
REIRIE – Twinning Fate
Team: Homicidols’ favorite besties joined their names and destinies together on New Years Day just over two years ago and, somehow, didn’t get around to releasing their first EP until now. The duo plays with multiple genres including R&B, hyper-, dream- and synth-pop, all infused with their signature mixture of darkness and effervescence.
Fredo: REIRIE’s sound just scratches an itch that not many other idol groups can reach.
Finally – UPDATE
Team: The screaming, shotgun beat, chaos of opening track, “Hito-Kaji-Tyakka-Mic-Fire”, is practically enough to launch UPDATE onto this list all by itself, but Finally follows that up with the ska entry, “Natsu no Kaiju” and this site unequivocally supports ska idol. This is followed up by the eminently funky, “Owarinai” and a pair of excellent power rock ballads garnering this unit that has been kicking it since 2021 some well-deserved recognition, finally.
Best Albums of 2025 (so far)
airattic – Resonance
Lavo: This is airattic’s strongest release to date. Featuring high energy songs like “Distortion” and “Searchlight”, the upbeat and pop-y “Planet”, to the slower “Summer Girlfriend” (aka. “Summer’s End Apartment”), this EP showcases the breadth of genres airattic can sing with something to please almost everybody. If I was introducing someone to airattic today, this is what I would give them as a starter.
zerobansen to yoakemae – Kawaramachi Hydeout
Team: In a very short period of time, zerobansen to yoakemae has gone from relative obscurity to one of the most buzzworthy units in the genre, and that was BEFORE the understated trio dropped one of the most startlingly brilliant albums of the year. The general consensus over on the Homicidols Discord server is that, anyone who still mourns the late, great Yanakoto Sotto Mute (aka, “The Perfect Modern Idols”) should be turning to ZYSM for solace. Anyone else who is a fan of shoegaze, guitar-driven dream pop, and grungy brit pop should also tune in.
Actually, everyone should be listening to this album. Kawaramachi Hydeout is an extraordinary achievement.
9DayzGlitchClubTokyo – The Peaky (and invisible) Moralz
Team: Shortly after spending several months as 9DayzGlitchClubOsaka, our trio of electronic hardcore idols returned to Tokyo to deliver this dark, melodic, loud, beautiful, and frenetic album. Their time in Osaka proved to be productive as this album is essentially an 11-track opus, telling a complete aural story.
Chougoro: 9DayzGlitchClubTokyo’s rampage through the landscape of electro based idol groups continues as they release yet another album filled to the brim with a wide variety of different genres and inspirations. Like a selection of fine pralines.
CYNHN – INVERSIOИ
Team: After a relatively quiet 2024, CYNHN have emerged in 2025 sounding stronger than ever. That’s saying a lot for a unit that is almost universally considered to be a perennial member of the indie idol A-List. While this, their third full album, takes a few turns into jazz, electro swing, and even dissonant math rock, INVERSIOИ (and CYNHN) are at their best and most powerful on the emotive, dream pop and progressive rock tracks like “Vanilla,” “How to breathe,” and “Sorbet.” As they approach their 8th anniversary, CYNHN have every appearance of being at the top of their game.
My Criminal Lovers’ – DOGMA
_suzu: Ever since they changed agencies in 2024 and added a new member, My Criminal Lovers’ have been putting out constant quality. This album is mostly re-recordings of their existing tracks with their current lineup, but includes one brand new track leading the pack. I think the group is currently hitting a really nice vocal balance between its three members, from Noel’s death growls to Shiki’s lower range and Rato’s higher vocals. When it comes to hard rock idols, this album proves they’re one of today’s best.
Watch for next week’s entry when we will cover the best MVs and singles of 2025 (so far). As always, let us know your thoughts over on the Homicidols Discord server.
