In part one of our three-installment 2025 holiday gift guide, we looked at the best of the year’s boxed sets, reissues and historical collections aimed at classic rock fans. Part two focused on the year’s best music books.

For this third and final segment, we’re focusing on newly recorded albums by classic rockers, including the Doobie Brothers, Santana, Ringo Starr, David Gilmour, Chrissie Hynde, John Fogerty, Elton John, Neil Young, Alice Cooper and Cheap Trick, plus many more!

The first part of this list is arranged alphabetically by artist—no rankings here because they’re all worthy—along with relevant information about the music. All of these are available on CD, many also on vinyl LP and digitally. Many can be found by clicking on the handy ordering links within the titles of the album. In some cases, there’s more information on the albums; click on the artist’s name, where applicable. For the second part, we’ve listed numerous other 2025 releases that will be of interest to classic rock aficionados.

Happy listening!

David Byrne—Who is the Sky?—Byrne’s first new LP since 2018, Who is the Sky? builds upon the optimistic themes laid out by that year’s American Utopia and its supporting tour, and more specifically spelled out by the Grammy-winning Broadway show and subsequent movie.

Paul Carrack—The Country Side of Paul Carrack, Vol. 1—“Growing up, I was hungry for any kind of music,” says former Ace, Squeeze and Eric Clapton/Roger Waters’ band member Carrack, “so, I’ve always wanted to do this.” The album focuses on music from the ’50s to the ’70s, including classics from Hank Williams, Ray Charles, George Jones, Hank Snow and others.

Cheap Trick—All Washed Up—Their 21st album, All Washed Up was produced by Cheap Trick with longtime associate Julian Raymond, recorded at various studios in Nashville and Los Angeles. The album was heralded this summer by the anthemic first single, “Twelve Gates,” joined by an official animated lyric video streaming on YouTube. The title track, below, is proof that Cheap Trick is anything but washed up!

Alice Cooper—The Revenge of Alice Cooper—The album is a successor to their era-defining ’70s albums Schools Out, Billion Dollar Babies, Love It to Death and Killer. According to the band’s label, Revenge… is “a high-voltage journey into vintage horror and classic ’70s shock rock, capturing the sound, energy, and mischief that made the original Alice Cooper band legendary.”

Dion—The Rock ’n’ Roll Philosopher—The 16-track set is an amalgam of new material, some recent offerings, as well as songs that have been part of Dion DiMucci’s repertoire dating back seven decades. “I thought I would just let it run like a concert,” he said. “That was my vision; if I had to do a set with a band, I’m gonna do these 16 songs in this order.” Check out this gorgeous remake of his huge hit “Abraham, Martin and John.”

The Doobie Brothers—Walk This Road—The album, says a press release, “showcases the band’s unique songwriting process and diverse stylistic perspectives…bringing their individual vibes to their trusted producer and songwriting partner John Shanks for what would be melded into one cohesive work, featuring the signature Doobie Brothers sound.”

John Fogerty—Legacy: The Creedence Clearwater Revival Years—The retrospective album is composed of newly recorded versions of his most beloved Creedence-era songs—backed by his family band—including “Who’ll Stop the Rain,” “Proud Mary,” “Fortunate Son,” “Born on the Bayou” and “Bad Moon Rising.”

David Gilmour—The Luck and Strange Concerts—The Luck and Strange Concerts feature 23 tracks across four LPs or two CDs, recorded at selected shows from Gilmour’s most recent tour. It includes tracks from his most recent album, Luck and Strange, among them a rendition of “Between Two Points” with his daughter, Romany Gilmour. The title track, presented here, is classic Gilmour.

Chrissie Hynde—Duets Special—Following her Bob Dylan covers album, Duets Special consists of 13 tunes, featuring collaborations with k.d. lang, the late Mark Lanegan, Dave Gahan, Cat Power, Rufus Wainwright, Brandon Flowers, Debbie Harry, Shirley Manson and more. Listen to this stunning take on a Beatles classic, featuring Julian Lennon.

Jethro Tull—Curious Ruminant—Says the album announcement: “Some of the songs are developed from unfinished instrumental demos made some years ago. Apart from the signature flute solos and melodies, accordion, mandolin, acoustic and tenor guitars feature on several tracks too, so the subtle backdrop of acoustic and folk rock serves to remind of the Tull heritage of the ’70s.”

Elton John and Brandi Carlile—Who Believes in Angels—As the two artists set out to create a genuinely collaborative studio album, they chose to mix Elton-led songs and Brandi-led songs, with both Bernie Taupin and Carlile contributing lyrics, and producer and co-writer Andrew Watt acting as the producer, mediator and creative conduit.

Alison Krauss and Union Station—Arcadia—From the announcement for their first new album in 14 years: “Even during an extended period apart—while each member was building a thriving solo career and collaborating with some of the greatest artists in the world—they never stopped searching for and patiently collecting the music that might one day bring them back together.”

Little Feat—Strike Up the Band—The new songs, says an announcement, “are as dexterous, considered and creative as any song in the Little Feat canon to date…Their lyrics are inventive, transportive, abstract and emotive in their pursuit of celebrating the good times and holding you close in the bad. Guitars scream and slide, pianos rock and boogie, drums shuffle you down the road in the way that only Little Feat can.”

Steve Martin and Alison Brown—Safe, Sensible and Sane—“With the banjo, there are so many styles you can work with, but Alison and I both have an ear for its more melodic, melancholy aspect,” said Martin. “We got together and played music for days.” The album incudes guest appearances by Jackson Browne, Vince Gill, the Indigo Girls and others.

Van Morrison—Remembering Now—This new album represents Morrison’s first collection of original music since 2022, ‘returning to transcendent, uncategorizable rhapsodies across soul, jazz, blues, folk and country,” says an announcement. Critics have called it Morrison’s best work in decades, reminiscent of his classics of the ’70s.

Willie Nelson—Workin’ Man: Willie Sings Merle, Oh What a Beautiful World—Nelson has recorded numerous tributes to friends and artists he’s admired. The latest finds him taking on Merle Haggard classics like “Okie from Muskogee,” “Workin’ Man Blues” and “Mama Tried.” Oh What a Beautiful World, meanwhile, is devoted entirely to songs written or co-written) by the formidable Rodney Crowell.

Robert Plant with Suzi Dian—Saving Grace—From a press release: “It was in the English countryside that Plant connected closely to this diverse group of musicians, who through their own experiences had a shared lean toward his much-loved corners of evocative song. They spent the past six years growing into a wide-ranging workshop of styles and personalities, weaving through time and circumstance with joy and abandon.”

Santana—Sentient—The retrospective album features collaborations with Michael Jackson, Smokey Robinson, Miles Davis, Paolo Rustichelli, Darryl “DMC” McDaniels and Cindy Blackman Santana. “I’m always driven by passion, emotion and inner instinct,” Santana said. “When I first heard these tracks floating around in the house, I said, ‘Why don’t we put these all in one place?’”

Boz Scaggs—Detour—Scaggs’ first new studio effort in seven years is described as “a captivating and deeply personal exploration of the Great American Songbook…interpreting timeless standards with tender insight and profound emotional sophistication.” Said the artist, “It was all very casual at first, just an opportunity to explore a style of music I’ve always liked.”

Mavis Staples—Sad and Beautiful World—The latest by the R&B legend “spans seven decades of the American songbook—a range nearly as vast as Mavis’ career—and includes reinventions of timeless songs as well as original music,” says the album announcement. The album includes guest shots by Buddy Guy, Bonnie Raitt, Jeff Tweedy, Derek Trucks, MJ Lenderman and others.

Ringo Starr—Look Up—Produced and co-written by T Bone Burnett, Ringo’s country album pays tribute to a genre he has always adored (he sang most of the country tunes in the Beatles’ repertoire, after all). The album has help from Billy Strings, Larkin Poe, Lucius, Molly Tuttle and Alison Krauss. Here is the title track.

Barbra Streisand—The Secret Life of Partners, Vol. 2—If you’re wondering why this decidedly non-rock singer is featured in a roundup of rock releases, maybe this list of her guests will explain it. Streisand’s second collection of duets includes team-ups with Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan (has to be heard to be believed), James Taylor, Sting and others.

Tedeschi Trucks Band—Mad Dogs & Englishmen Revisited at LOCK’N (with Leon Russell)—The album marks 10 years since the great contemporary band’s iconic tribute performance to Joe Cocker at the Virginia-based festival. Participants included the late Leon Russell, who was part of the original troupe. “What an honor to share the stage and music with Leon and all of those incredible musicians and people,” said guitar great Derek Trucks.

Neil Young—Coastal, Talkin’ to the Trees—Coastal is the soundtrack to a documentary on Neil Young as he cruises the West Coast on his 2023 solo U.S. tour (the majority of tracks were recorded in L.A.). Talkin’ to the Trees, Young’s 49th studio album, finds him working with a new band, the Chrome Hearts, that includes Micah Nelson (Willie’s son) on guitar and vocals. The group’s debut album, it features 10 new songs by Young.

More 2024 New Releases (click on the album title for further information, and to order)…

Bryan Adams—Roll With the Punches

Eric Andersen—Dance of Love and Death, Blue River—Live in Tokyo

Jon Anderson & the Band Geeks—Live—Perpetual Change

Bon Jovi—Forever Legendary Edition

Joe Bonamassa—Breakthrough

Belinda Carlisle—Once Upon a Time in California

Eric Clapton—Meanwhile

Dr. John—Live at the Village Gate

Jason Isbell—Foxes in the Snow

Taj Mahal/Keb’ Mo’—Room on the Porch

Bob Mould—Here We Go Crazy

My Morning Jacket—Is (Summer Sky)

Willie Nile—The Great Yellow Light

Vicki Peterson and John Cowsill—Long After the Fire

Jonathan Richman—Only Frozen Sky Anyway

Bobby Rush and Kenny Wayne Shepherd—Young Fashioned Ways

Mitch Ryder—With Love

Sparks—MAD!

The Speaker Wars—The Speaker Wars

Spinal Tap—The End Continues

Benmont Tench—The Melancholy Season

The Third Mind—Right Now!

Jeff Tweedy—Twilight Override

Various Artists—Play On: A Raspberries Tribute

Various Artists—Can’t Get Enough: A Tribute to Bad Company

Loudon Wainwright III—Loudon Live in London

Roger Waters—This Is Not a Drill: Live From Prague

Paul Weller—Find El Dorado

Remember: In part one of our 2025 holiday gift guide, we looked at the best of the year’s boxed sets, reissues and historical collections aimed at classic rock fans. Part two focused on the year’s best music books.