The New Oldies: #2 Album of the Year 2025: Mary J. Blige – Gratitude

Something seems to be missing these days. It seems that record companies, radio stations, and streaming services are pushing some the great established musicians to the background. As a result these veteran artists are not getting the attention they deserve. Enter the Top 10 Album Countdown: The New Oldies. The main point is simple – to make this list you must have at least 20 years of producing established music. The album by the artist must have been released between November 1st, 2024 and October 31st, 2025.

#2 Album of the Year 2025: Mary J. Blige, Gratitude

There is no disputing Mary J. Blige’s place in music history. This female artist has racked up Grammys and even a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Many times we see our New Oldies artists often trying to resurrect a career. In the case of Blige, she was coming off a successful album with Good Morning Gorgeous, and now her follow-up to that album Gratitude lands #2 own the New Oldies Countdown.

There were rumors surrounding the Gratitude that this would be her final studio album, but from all indications this does not seem to the case. Blige told People magazine: “The overall theme is enjoying life and understanding that, again, life is what inspires me, whether I take the good with the bad. I look at every lesson as a blessing and I understand that I’m not the only one on the earth going through things. I celebrate my triumph, and I work through my hard times. So, the album is going to be fun in that perspective.”

There were critics of this album, but it provided a sound I really like. There is a fusion of classic R&B, with some of the Hip Hop Blige became known for. For the Hip Hop she brings in guest artists: Fabolous, Jadakiss, and Fat Joe. Blige’s vocals are simply spot on, and there is some really good messaging with the lyrics of these songs.