The year in rock and alternative music on the Billboard charts is a story of two intriguing themes.

The first is, as ever, linked to the year’s No. 1 artist, which is, for the first time in over a decade, a woman.

That’s Billie Eilish, who follows Lorde as the second woman to achieve the feat since its inception in 2011, Lorde having earned top honors in 2014.

The other? If you’re looking for new blood atop a year-end ranking, look no further than 2025’s Top Rock & Alternative Artists chart, on which four of the top 10 artists are also on the year’s Top New Rock & Alternative Artists ranking.

Explore All of Billboard’s 2025 Year-End Charts

First, Eilish. Despite not releasing a new album in 2025, the alt-pop superstar crowned Top Rock & Alternative Artists for the year thanks to the c

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