In search of new sounds? Worry no more, as 2025 seems to be loaded with excellent new Finnish records! In this list, we uncover the freshest in Finnish pop, rock, indie, electronic, metal, jazz, and folk in the first half of 2025 – nearly 40 albums! Scroll down to find a Spotify playlist of choice cuts and advance singles from these albums, embedded below the article!

Is the list missing an important album? Let us know and we’ll add it!

January

Yotto: Odd Ones V3 (Out Jan 9th on Odd One Out)

Yotto’s Odd Ones album series are not exactly new albums by the popular electronic producer, but actually compilations of music he has put out on his Odd One Out label. Besides Yotto’s own track “Illusion”, the third one on the series includes artists like Jesabel, Deeparture, and Naeiiv.

Listen to Odd Ones V3 on Apple Music or Spotify.

Kärtsy 4 Sale: Änblack (Out Jan 10th on Emsalö Music)

The legendary voice of Finnish crossover metal is back! And the first word that comes to mind when going through the cover choices of Kärtsy Hatakka's duo Kärtsy 4 Sale is boldness, as the album includes, among others, “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen. Other covers, in addition to songs by his own band Waltari, include Foo Fighters, Ed Sheeran, Lady Gaga, Green Day and Finnish legend Rauli Badding Somerjoki.

Listen to Änblack on Apple Music or Spotify.

Harri Kuusijärvi: Aallot (Out Jan 17th on Flame Jazz)

Harri Kuusijärvi is one of the most distinctive figures in today's Finnish accordion music. On his latest album, Kuusijärvi is accompanied by an acoustic jazz rhythm section, consisting of Finnish jazz music's leading names, bassist Jori Huhtala and drummer Mika Kallio. The result is minimalist, northern, earthy, and groovy electro-acoustic music that is hard to compare to – at least not with what has been done with the accordion before.

Listen to Aallot on Apple Music or Spotify.

Siinai: Tanssi I (Out Jan 17th on Soit se silti)

Siinai is an instrumental space rock/shoegaze band with severe krautrock tendencies. The original quartet was formed in 2010, and their lineup has grown into a seven-piece over the past few albums, with percussionist Jussi Peevo, trumpeter Tapio Viitasaari and Johanna Tarkkanen elevating the band's sound to increasingly strange realms. Siinai's 4th "basic" album (as the band has also made two albums with Moonface a.k.a. Wolf Parade's Spencer Krug) Tanssi I is the band's version of a psychedelic-inspired celebration of dance.

Listen to Tanssi I on Apple Music or Spotify.

Shedfromthebody: Whisper and Wane (Out Jan 17th, self-released)

The fourth album Whisper and Wane from Suvi Savikko’s one-woman doomgaze (with hints of sludge, grunge, and alt-rock) band Shedfromthebody picks up where her last album Amare (2023) left off. According to the website No Clean Singing, “Whisper and Wane shifts its focus, ever so slightly, towards the doomier (and, at times, dronier) side of the spectrum”. Crushingly heavy, melodic and melancholic, Shedfromthebody can be recommended for fans of Deftones, Chelsea Wolfe, Sólstafir, Alcest, and the like.

Listen to Whisper and Wane on Apple Music or Spotify.

Kemopetrol: Engine (Out Jan 24th on Playground Music)

After a 13-year hiatus, Kemopetrol releases their sixth album, Engine. Three singles have been released from the album: “I Can See Across the World,” “Something’s Got to Change” and “Are You Coming Home?”. They have proven that the characteristic features of Kemopetrol’s sound are still intact: deep bass lines and a dreamy atmosphere combined with Laura Närhi’s captivating vocals. Kemopetrol’s return has also been noticed around the Nordics, as Spotify’s Danish, Norwegian, and Icelandic branches have all added “Something’s Got to Change” to their own “New Music Friday” playlists.

Listen to Engine on Apple Music or Spotify.

Kadi Vija 3: Freedom (Out Jan 24th on Eclipse Music)

Jazz artist Kadi Vija found a new artistic direction by taking her time, improvising and discovering new collaborators. The result is an album called Freedom, where her new trio’s music is full of joy, freedom, and room for experimentation. Vija’s interpretation is influenced by instrumental jazz music, flowing thoughts, and abstraction.

Listen to Freedom on Apple Music or Spotify.

Hildá Länsman & Tuomas Norvio: Dajan (Out Jan 24th on Fierran)

Joik singer and songwriter hailing from Ohcejohka, now based in Guovdageaidnu, Hildá Länsman seamlessly blends her rich cultural heritage with contemporary music and visual arts. She has been making a career as the front-figure of several critically acclaimed Sámi music groups suh as Solju, VILDÁ, Gájanas and now she will release her pioneering debut album with Tuomas Norvio, which fuses artistic electronic joik, rap lyrics, poetry, and dance music, resulting in an extremely unique sound.

Listen to Dajan on Apple Music or Spotify.

KO:MI: Belonging in Nature (Out Jan 31st on Minna Records)

KO:MI's third album, ”Belonging in Nature”, is a concept album based on Sanna Komi's (Pintandwefall etc.) doctoral dissertation research, in which she examines the societal challenges of wolf conservation from a political ecology perspective, especially through power structures. The album was produced by Lau Nau and aims to expand the understanding of what experimental, genre-crossing pop music can be, mixing experimental contemporary classical, art pop and field recordings.

Joona Toivanen Trio: Gravity (Out Jan 31st on We Jazz)

Joona Toivanen Trio’s new album Gravity has been called a landmark work for the long-standing group, showcasing the band’s forward-looking sound and moving way beyond the basic scope of the "piano trio." The connection between pianist Joona Toivanen, drummer Olavi Louhivuori, and bassist Tapani Toivanen goes back a very long time, as Joona and Tapani are brothers, and Olavi Louhivuori has been Joona’s friend since they went to elementary school together as kids. Even if the trio is now geographically split between Gothenburg, Sweden (Joona), Copenhagen, Denmark (Tapani), and Helsinki, Finland (Olavi), the unit now sounds together as ever.

Zangoma: Faka Mulilo (Out Jan 31st on Svart)

Zangoma hails from Tampere, Finland, and comprises the Zambian vocalist Waina Kolomwe, singer/guitarist Ville Salonen, singer/bassist Riku Pirttiniemi (Death Hawks, Dust Mountain), and drummer Miikka Heikkinen (Death Hawks). They play “zamrock,” a genre that gained popularity in Zambia during the 1970s: A fusion of traditional African music and psychedelic-, garage-, and hard rock with some funk and blues in the mix. Bands like Black Sabbath, Funkadelic, The Rolling Stones, Blue Cheer, Cream, and Deep Purple had a big role in shaping the music.

Antti Lötjönen & Kalle Kalima: Stings, Bites and Scratches (Out Jan 31st on Eclipse Music)

Internationally noted guitarist-composer Kalle Kalima and bassist Antti Lötjönen have joined forces for their debut album Stings, Bites and Scratches. The album was captured in 2024 at the Hietsu Pavilion in Helsinki as a studio live recording, and the duo members share the composition and production duties. As its name suggests, the 44-minute recording scratches the surface of free jazz. Lötjönen, who was awarded the Yrjö Prize in November 2024, plays in The Five Corners Quintet and Ilmiliekki Quartet, among others, while Kalima is actively touring in Central Europe with his bands, including Lampen, K-18, Klima Kalima and Tenors Of Kalma.

February

Annamaret Luohteilbmi: Luođit (Out Feb 6th, self-released)

Ánnámáret Luohteilbmi, the new band of Sámi musician Anna Näkkäläjärvi-Länsman, performs traditional luohti (Northern Sámi yoik) in ethno-electro arrangements. The band's debut album Luođit will be released on 6 February 2025 on the occasion of the Sámi National Day, and has already been preceded by the single "Sálmmo Duomis".

Marko Hietala: Roses from the Deep (Out Feb 7th on Nuclear Blast)

Marko Hietala has a history in Finnish metal spanning over four decades: he started as a founding member in heavy metal band Tarot, and has been a key member in the supergroup Sinergy (alongside e.g. Alexi Laiho) and, of course, a long-staying member in symphonic metal greats Nightwish. His thunderous bass lines and rich vocals have been heard in venues such as Wembley Arena and festivals like Rock in Rio. Hietala now makes an impressive return to solo music with the full-length Roses from the Deep, a “timeless hard rock classic,” according to his own statement.

Mary Ann Hawkins: Helsinki Surf City (Out Feb 7th on Svart)

Riding the mighty new wave of Finnish Surf Rock, Mary Ann Hawkins are the No. 1 surfing group in the country. Equally comfortable surfing the arid spaghetti western desert as well as the thousand lakes of Finland, these sweaty but impeccably dressed young men present you with twelve tunes just right for surf-dancing. On their sophomore album Mary Ann Hawkins has added a twist to their instrumental surf sound by adding renowned local vocalists to feature on some of the tracks: rapper Stepa, old-school crooner Marko Haavisto, visual artist Maria Stereo and art-pop luminary Minja Koski (known as M) add the cherries on top of the whitecaps!

Flamenco Duo Murtola & Widenius: Estrella del Norte (Out Feb 7th, self-released)

Nordic melancholy meets flamenco’s intense rhythms, and profound traditional flamenco styles meet Finnish folklore. Even if Estrella del Norte is their debut album, longtime friends Anna Murtola and Joonas Widenius share a musical path and over two decades of playing together. The duo's long musical journey has honed the communication typical of flamenco into a tight playing and engaging interpretation that has garnered praise at home and abroad. While both artists have a solid knowledge of the tradition and techniques of traditional Spanish flamenco, they want to bring their own backgrounds to the music – hence the album includes e.g. a flamenco interpretation of the poem "The Birth of Iron", known from the epic Kalevala.

Pauanne: Joku raja rakkaudessakin (Out Feb 7th on Nordic Notes)

Pauanne's third album offers Finnish folk music with a modern twist. Once again, the band takes its listeners on a journey where musical eras merge. Finnish and Karelian archive tapes recorded in the early part of the last century take the listener to an unadorned but comforting soundscape. The violin, Hammond organ, and various acoustic and electronic percussion instruments played by Pauanne’s musicians contribute to creating a timeless atmosphere and strive to speak the language of folk music with a modern accent and to make the tradition understandable to people today.

Kivimäki, Anne-Mari: Kotiin (Out Feb 7th on Rockadillo)

Anne-Mari Kivimäki is a composer, folk musician, and singer known for her work with the groups Suistamon Sähkö and Puhti, as well as her solo albums. Kivimäki’s new album, Kotiin, features a number of well-known Finnish and international contemporary folk music composers and musicians. Kivimäki’s 2015 album Lakkautettu kylä received awards and nominations in both Germany and Finland, including the Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik. The album reached the 10th spot on World Music Charts Europe.

Tuomo & Markus & Verneri Pohjola: Music For Roads (Out Feb 14th on Grand Pop)

Music For Roads is a new instrumental collaboration between psychedelic indie folk group Tuomo & Markus (Tuomo Prättälä and Markus Nordenstreng) and jazz trumpet virtuoso Verneri Pohjola. The cross cultural collaboration between Nordic jazz and indie folk/Americana players has been said to create a cinematic soundscape. The album includes international guest musicians such as guitar legend Marc Ribot and saxophone player Sylvain Rifflet.

Knife Girl: CUM 2 (Out Feb 14th on Soliti Records)

Released 15 months after the original CUM album, Knife Girl’s CUM 2 consists of unreleased tracks that didn’t land on the original record, as well as some remixes, a cover of Jenni Vartiainen’s 2007 smash hit “Ihmisten edessä”, and a “stripped” version of one track. Knife Girl calls CUM 2 “their way of closing the CUM chapter.”

Ginger Evil: The Way It Burns (Out Feb 14th on Frontiers Music)

Ginger Evil is a collaboration between guitarist Tomi Julkunen and bassist Veli Palevaara, known from the classic rockers The Milestones, drummer Toni Mustonen, and the strong-voiced vocalist Ella Tepponen. “From Foo Fighters to Fleetwood Mac” is how the band hears their music, with Ella bringing a whole new kind of twist to their rock expression. In 2022, Ginger Evil signed a deal with Deadfall management and Frontiers Music Srl, the home to Def Leppard, TOTO, Whitesnake, and Journey. The debut album is produced by Teemu Aalto (Insomnium) and mastered by Grammy-nominated Svante Forsbäck (Rammstein, Volbeat, Sunrise Avenue, Apocalyptica).

Rioghan: Kept (Out Feb 14th, self-released)

Founded in 2019 and centered around poet-singer Rioghan Darcy, her namesake band has garnered international attention since the release of their debut EP, Blackened Sky. Their rising career was quickly boosted by their debut album, Different Kinds Of Losses (2022), which they recorded in collaboration with Leprous' Einar Solberg and Katatonia's Jonas Renks. The second full-length has been preceded by four singles with short sand striking names: “Hands”, “Skin”, “Distance” and “Edge”.

Horizon Ignited: Tides (Out Feb 21st on Reaper Entertainment)

Horizon Ignited, who have slowly but surely worked their way up the European metal ladder since 2017, will release their third album Tides in February via Reaper Entertainment. The album was recorded together with Swallow The Sun guitarist Juho Räihä at Inka Studio in Orimattila, Finland, and mixed and mastered in the UK by Chris Clancy (Machine Head, Kataklysm). The new full-length will hopefully send up Horizon Ignited’s metalcore-flavored, guitar-driven melodic death metal to even higher highs!

Frigg: Dreamscapes (Out Feb 21st on Bafe's Factory)

Already 25 years in the game, Finnish folk mainstays Frigg unveil their 12th album Dreamscapes, where their signature acoustic sound blooms vibrantly, with rich timbres, and intricate layers. For Frigg, the anniversary year 2025 will be a year of celebration, innovation, and renewal.

Arion: The Light that Burns the Sky (Out Feb 28th on Ranka Kustannus)

Waving the flag of traditional melodic metal, Arion will continue to build on its legacy with a brand new full-length in February! The Light that Burns the Sky is a collaborative effort, featuring songs written by Iivo Kaipainen, production and mixing by Matias Kupiainen of Stratovarius. The album will be available through Ranka Kustannus in their home country, Avalon Label / Marquee Inc. in Asia, and RPM in all other territories.

Havukruunu: Tavastland (Out Feb 28th on Svart)

With their combination of extreme pagan black metal, classic heavy metal hooks, and Finnish folk music influences, Havukruunu has ascended into a cult status since releasing their debut Kelle surut soi in 2017. Now signed to Svart Records (who also recently reissued Havukruunu’s earlier releases), the quartet readies to release their fourth album Tavastland – expect breakneck tempos, mournful melodies, epic guitar leads, huge choirs, and Finnish lyrics howled with total frenzy.

Shereign: Black Halo (Out Feb 28th, self-released)

Founded ten years ago and fronted by vocalist Sara Strömmer (End of Aeon, Fear of Domination), Shereign will release the follow-up to their debut “Ghost Diaries” (2023) in February. With the new album, the band promises to “invite listeners on a cosmic escape, during which they encounter different forms of evil, sink into deepening despair, until in the end, hope is found amidst all the gloom.” Shereign’s music is a furious combination of modern metal and dark alternative rock, with Strömmer’s vocals varying between harsh screaming and clean melodic singing.

March

Balance Breach: Save Our Souls (Out Mar 7th on Out Of Line)

With nearly a decade of experience shaping their sound, Balance Breach pushes the boundaries of modern metalcore with their upcoming third album Save Our Souls, blending ferocious riffing, haunting atmospheres, and emotionally charged lyrics. The record’s lyrical themes have been said to include existential crisis, vulnerability, and hopelessness.

Himmelkraft: Himmelkraft (Out Mar 7th on Reaper Entertainment)

Led by Sonata Arctica frontman Tony Kakko, Himmelkraft gained momentum in the shadow of his main band. With the self-titled debut, Tony Kakko… erm Himmelkraft, we mean, opens the curtains into a strange new world. The album has been said to present Kakko’s talents in a completely new, unexpected, and thrilling way. “I don’t think it would make any sense releasing Sonata-type music through another band,” Kakko has stated of the new project.

Cats of Transnistria: IV (Out Mar 21st on Soliti)

Cats of Transnistria, formed in 2014 by sound designer Tuomas Alatalo and vocalist/keyboardist Henna Hietamäki, builds slowly swelling guitar and violin feedbacks and melancholic melodies that bring to mind a feverish dream. Their unique style of delicate, slow and experimental pop music has been influenced by post-rock, classical minimalism, shoegaze, dream pop and sound art, resembling something akin to the works of Slowdive, Cocteau Twins and Grouper. After a few years’ hiatus, the duo returned in 2024 with the single “Big Sleep”, which will be followed by the new full-length in March.

Erja Lyytinen (title TBA) (Out Feb 28th on Tuohi Records)

Finland’s number one blues music export and “the queen of slide guitar”, Erja Lyytinen will be back with her yet unnamed new studio offering in late February!

The Snake: Always Bites Back (Out Feb 28th on Svart)

The Snake is a new indie rock fivesome on Svart Records, whose charisma stems from a passion for a heartfelt, strong guitar sound, bright vocal harmonies, and lyrics straight out of a diary. This group of old and new friends quickly found a meaningful connection with each other and started creating. Having released two singles and played a handful of shows before their debut album Always Bites Back, The Snake has built an engaging reverberant world under the influence of music from the 60s, strong fuzz, and simple 90’s echo and hints even from country music.

31.3. Lordi: Limited Deadition (Reigning Phoenix Music)

Known for their theatrical style and unique blend of 80s-inspired rock and heavy metal, LORDI's latest creation is a nostalgic celebration of retro 80s toys, infused with a fresh and powerful energy. Building on the success of their 2023 album Screem Writers Guild, Limited Deadition ventures into heavier riffs and faster tempos, creating a soundscape that is both familiar and invigorating. Recorded at IluSound Studio and Finnvox Studios in Helsinki, the album is produced by Mr Lordi, mixed by Ilkka Herkman, and mastered by Pauli Saastamoinen.

April

Luna Kills: Deathmatch (Out Apr 4th on SharpTone Records)

Another metal band going places right now is Luna Kills, a quartet led by singer Lotta Ruutiainen. The alternative metal group's anticipated debut will be released on SharpTone Records, and is promised to be “a powerful collision of vulnerability and aggression that captures the chaos and conflict within the mind with unflinching honesty.” Lyrical themes on the album’s tracks will, for example, delve into the complexities of mental health and the longing for escapism.

Carla Aakre: Debut album (Title and release date TBA, Kieku Records)

Indie folk/pop singer-songwriter Carla Aakre's debut album will be released in February 2025. The album release has been preceded by three singles in 2024: “Watercolour”, “Through” and “These Hours”.

Herd: Live vol 2. (Release date TBA, Doorbell Music)

Helsinki-based jazz trio, consisting of Panu Savolainen (vibraphone), Mikko Pellinen (bass), and Tuomas Timonen (drums), Herd was formed in 2009. After a six year hiatus – their latest offering being 2019’s album simply titled X – Herd is now back with a new live album Live Vol 2. The album title refers to the trio’s debut album, the live recording Live! (2011).

Maija Pokela: Lohdun sanoja (Release date TBA, Self-released)

Maija Pokela is a Finnish kantele player, singer, and folk musician who has toured around the world with her bands like Kardemimmit and Enkel. Pokela has an extensive discography with different groups along and other studio work as a guest musician. She has also composed music for the Star Stable Online game. Pokela's debut solo album Lohdun sanoja (Words of Comfort) will be released in April 2025.

May

Janita: Mad Equation (Out May 16th on ECR Music)

With this new record, co-produced, recorded, and mixed by Blake Morgan (Lenny Kravitz, Lesley Gore), singer-songwriter Janita continues to demonstrate that much like contemporaries PJ Harvey and St. Vincent, the only formula she’s interested in following is her own. Billboard Magazine writes, “This woman’s got the goods. Janita has created a timeless, sensuous, musical mosaic that deserves to be heard.”