As the final days of 2025 tick away, the world of music, film, and pop culture is taking stock of a year that was anything but ordinary. In Minneapolis, the legendary record shop Electric Fetus has once again pulled back the curtain to reveal its top-selling albums of the year—a list that, as always, offers a unique snapshot of local and global tastes. Meanwhile, across the Atlantic and beyond, music fans and pop culture enthusiasts are putting their memories to the test with year-end quizzes, reflecting on a whirlwind twelve months that saw old legends celebrated, new icons crowned, and a few delightful surprises along the way.
On December 30, 2025, Electric Fetus shared its much-anticipated annual rundown of the year’s bestsellers. Topping the list was Kendrick Lamar’s "GNX," a record that has clearly struck a chord with listeners far beyond the Twin Cities. According to Bring Me The News, the top ten also featured Bon Iver’s "SABLE, fABLE," Bootsy Collins’ "Album of the Year #1 Funkateer," Poliça’s "Dreams Go," Alan Sparhawk’s collaborative effort with Trampled by Turtles, Lucy Dacus’ "Forever Is A Feeling," Durry’s cheekily titled "This Movie Sucks," Elton John & Brandi Carlile’s "Who Believes in Angels?," Lady Gaga’s "MAYHEM," and Doechii’s "Alligator Bites Never Heal."
What’s particularly interesting is who didn’t make the cut. Despite their global fame and chart-topping prowess, artists like Bad Bunny, Addison Rae, and even the seemingly omnipresent Taylor Swift were absent from Electric Fetus’s top sellers. It’s a reminder that regional tastes can sometimes buck global trends—and that Minneapolis music fans have always marched to the beat of their own drum.
Local artists were well-represented in the shop’s rankings. Poliça, Alan Sparhawk, and Durry all cracked the top ten, underscoring the enduring strength of the Twin Cities’ music scene. The shop also released a separate list of top-selling local records for 2025, which included The Replacements’ "Let It Be" (Deluxe Edition), Bon Iver’s "SABLE, fABLE," Prince & The Revolution’s classic "Purple Rain," and more. Notably, some of these albums aren’t new releases—The Replacements’ deluxe reissue dropped in 2025 but wasn’t considered a new record, and Prince’s "Purple Rain" owes its renewed popularity at least in part to the "Purple Rain" musical’s pre-Broadway run in Minneapolis this fall.
Looking ahead, several of these artists are already scheduled to grace Twin Cities stages in 2026. Brandi Carlile, Lady Gaga, Atmosphere, and Poliça have all announced upcoming concerts, with Poliça planning a residency at the Icehouse in February. For fans, the Electric Fetus list might just serve as a handy guide for catching up on albums before these musicians roll into town.
But Minneapolis wasn’t the only city reflecting on the year’s cultural highlights. Over in the UK, Smooth Radio published a quiz on December 30, 2025, challenging readers to recall the biggest moments in music, movies, and more from the past twelve months. The quiz covered everything from Taylor Swift’s interpolation of George Michael’s "Father Figure" on her 2025 album, to Bon Jovi’s decision not to announce a farewell tour (even as other classic rock acts did), and the indie film "Anora" taking home the most awards at the 2025 Oscars.
Other notable moments included Bad Bunny reclaiming the title of Spotify’s top global artist, Whitney Houston’s debut album turning 40, and Céline Dion making a surprise video appearance at the Eurovision Song Contest semi-final. Rod Stewart, ever the road warrior, played an impressive 74 shows in 2025, while England both hosted and won the Women’s Rugby World Cup, a feat that brought sports fans together in celebration.
Pop culture milestones abounded. Take That announced the return of The Circus Live Tour in 2026, and following the passing of Pope Francis in April, Pope Leo XIV was elected in May. Queen’s "Bohemian Rhapsody" marked its 50th anniversary, Gregg’s Sausage Roll was immortalized in wax at London’s Madame Tussauds, and the collectible doll Labubu became a global phenomenon. Meanwhile, the 40th anniversary of Live Aid was celebrated, and Netflix’s "Stranger Things" began releasing its highly anticipated fifth and final season, with the last episode set to drop on New Year’s Eve.
Some records were broken—literally. A UK farm created a Guinness World Record-breaking pumpkin and squash Ozzy Osbourne tribute mosaic measuring a staggering 221 square meters. In the world of food, Greggs sold an average of one million sausage rolls per day in 2025, a statistic that’s as impressive as it is mouthwatering. The hottest temperature recorded in the UK this year was 35.8°C, a full degree higher than last year, and Gladys Knight celebrated her 80th birthday, reminding everyone that some icons never fade.
The year also saw its share of notable absences and delays. Among the Smooth Icons, Elton John did not release a new album in 2025, and Robbie Williams delayed the release of "BRITPOP" to 2026 to avoid competition with Taylor Swift. In the world of cinema, "The Devil Wears Prada" did not receive a sequel this year, though fans can look forward to one in 2026.
Returning to Electric Fetus’s list, it’s clear that the Minneapolis shop remains a bellwether of both local pride and eclectic taste. The inclusion of artists like The Replacements and Prince speaks to the city’s deep musical roots, while the presence of contemporary stars like Kendrick Lamar and Lady Gaga shows that Twin Cities listeners are anything but stuck in the past. The shop’s representative told Bring Me The News that the deluxe edition of "Let It Be" was a hot seller, even if it wasn’t technically a new release. And Prince’s resurgence on the chart, fueled by the "Purple Rain" musical, demonstrates the enduring power of a hometown hero.
As the curtain falls on 2025, one thing is certain: whether you’re spinning vinyl in Minneapolis, taking a quiz in London, or streaming the latest hits from your phone, this year has been a reminder of music and culture’s remarkable ability to bring people together. With new tours, anniversaries, and releases already on the horizon for 2026, there’s every reason to believe the coming year will be just as memorable.