1. Pulp - More
So this is what they did for an encore. Now that we are all fully grown, our heroes return with their statement on middle age. Life can still be messy and complicated - but remember that we aren’t ageing, we are just ripening!
Favourite track - The Hymn Of The North
1. Pulp - More
So this is what they did for an encore. Now that we are all fully grown, our heroes return with their statement on middle age. Life can still be messy and complicated - but remember that we aren’t ageing, we are just ripening!
Favourite track - The Hymn Of The North
1. Patience, Moonbeam by Great Grandpa
This has it all ... it's rich, orchestral, inventive, rewarding, warm, experimental, messy, beautiful, and so much more. It's meticulously perfect, it's folk-rock of the absolute highest order, and it's my # 1 album of the year. Merry Xmas!
1. Patience, Moonbeam by Great Grandpa
This has it all ... it's rich, orchestral, inventive, rewarding, warm, experimental, messy, beautiful, and so much more. It's meticulously perfect, it's folk-rock of the absolute highest order, and it's my # 1 album of the year. Merry Xmas!
2. God Save The Gun by Militarie Gun
A band rooted in hardcore who've evolved into something better. Some of the best hooks of '25, it's an album steeped in self-awareness and restless exhaustion. They'll be hard pushed to make a record better than this, but I really hope they do.
2. God Save The Gun by Militarie Gun
A band rooted in hardcore who've evolved into something better. Some of the best hooks of '25, it's an album steeped in self-awareness and restless exhaustion. They'll be hard pushed to make a record better than this, but I really hope they do.
2. Suede - Antidepressants
Sounding as vital and urgent as their 1993 debut. This announces itself as broken music for broken people. Society is disconnected and the is world getting even darker. Here are 11 antidepressants to get you through
Favourite track - Disintegrate
2. Suede - Antidepressants
Sounding as vital and urgent as their 1993 debut. This announces itself as broken music for broken people. Society is disconnected and the is world getting even darker. Here are 11 antidepressants to get you through
Favourite track - Disintegrate
3. Stereolab - Instant Holograms On Metal Film
Picking up where they left off in 2010 - the Groop bring their cool, retro-futurist aesthetic and hypnotic grooves to the Space Age Bachelor Pad with their commentary on current affairs. Très bien!
Favourite track - Melodie Is A Wound
3. Stereolab - Instant Holograms On Metal Film
Picking up where they left off in 2010 - the Groop bring their cool, retro-futurist aesthetic and hypnotic grooves to the Space Age Bachelor Pad with their commentary on current affairs. Très bien!
Favourite track - Melodie Is A Wound
3. The Dream by The Favors
Certainly the most gorgeous album I've listened to this year. Their vocals go so unbelievably well together, and the whole album is cinematic in delivery .. literally, it's like a film script set to music.
music.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
3. The Dream by The Favors
Certainly the most gorgeous album I've listened to this year. Their vocals go so unbelievably well together, and the whole album is cinematic in delivery .. literally, it's like a film script set to music.
music.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
4. Mogwai - The Bad Fire
The title referring to the personal traumas experienced by members of the band, which they have turned into music that feels euphoric and hopeful in its immersive soundscapes
Favourite track - If You Find This World Bad, You Should See Some Of The Others
4. Mogwai - The Bad Fire
The title referring to the personal traumas experienced by members of the band, which they have turned into music that feels euphoric and hopeful in its immersive soundscapes
Favourite track - If You Find This World Bad, You Should See Some Of The Others
4. Bambi by Anxious
The 00s emo scene produced some stunning albums, and this one from Anxious could sit proudly amongst them, if it was written 20 years earlier - it has a timeless feel to it. Melodically it's the best album of the year for me.
open.spotify.com/album/0BeIgF...
4. Bambi by Anxious
The 00s emo scene produced some stunning albums, and this one from Anxious could sit proudly amongst them, if it was written 20 years earlier - it has a timeless feel to it. Melodically it's the best album of the year for me.
open.spotify.com/album/0BeIgF...
5. The Divine Comedy - Rainy Sunday Afternoon
Whilst melancholy dominates this album - alas, no Norman and Norma this time around - Neil’s charm, wit and sophistication are never far away as mortality, relationships and life bite hard
Favourite track - The Last Time I Saw The Old Man
5. The Divine Comedy - Rainy Sunday Afternoon
Whilst melancholy dominates this album - alas, no Norman and Norma this time around - Neil’s charm, wit and sophistication are never far away as mortality, relationships and life bite hard
Favourite track - The Last Time I Saw The Old Man
5. L.S. Dunes - Violet
They've gone beyond the "supergroup" label with this album, this doesn't have the sound of a side project, it's a cohesive powerhouse of an album, significantly greater than the sum of its parts. Contains my fave song of 2025!
music.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
5. L.S. Dunes - Violet
They've gone beyond the "supergroup" label with this album, this doesn't have the sound of a side project, it's a cohesive powerhouse of an album, significantly greater than the sum of its parts. Contains my fave song of 2025!
music.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
6. Saint Etienne - International
How do you call time on a 35 year career? With this banger! Pop at it’s finest - as only they do - complete with dialogue samples and featuring old friends and new. Prepare to shed a tear at the end of “The Last Time”
Favourite track - Brand New Me
6. Saint Etienne - International
How do you call time on a 35 year career? With this banger! Pop at it’s finest - as only they do - complete with dialogue samples and featuring old friends and new. Prepare to shed a tear at the end of “The Last Time”
Favourite track - Brand New Me
6. Flycatcher - Wrench
This album has a sound that somehow just oozes coolness .. a bit like the way The Strokes did back in the day. It's also the best indie-rock album I've had the pleasure of listening to this year, it's effortlessly brilliant!
music.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
6. Flycatcher - Wrench
This album has a sound that somehow just oozes coolness .. a bit like the way The Strokes did back in the day. It's also the best indie-rock album I've had the pleasure of listening to this year, it's effortlessly brilliant!
music.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
7. David Byrne - Who Is The Sky?
David’s music always brings a smile to my face and a spring in my step! Here he delivers another 12 delightful songs to add to his incredible cannon of work! Can’t wait to see him live next year…
Favourite track - I Met The Buddha At A Downtown Party
7. David Byrne - Who Is The Sky?
David’s music always brings a smile to my face and a spring in my step! Here he delivers another 12 delightful songs to add to his incredible cannon of work! Can’t wait to see him live next year…
Favourite track - I Met The Buddha At A Downtown Party
7. Turnstile - NEVER ENOUGH
The band that transcended a genre. It's grown on me with every listen, it's such a pristine album; an incredibly well produced musical smorgasbord with hardcore at its roots. Some of the most memorable riffs of the year!
open.spotify.com/album/52yD51...
7. Turnstile - NEVER ENOUGH
The band that transcended a genre. It's grown on me with every listen, it's such a pristine album; an incredibly well produced musical smorgasbord with hardcore at its roots. Some of the most memorable riffs of the year!
open.spotify.com/album/52yD51...
8. Doves - Constellations For The Lonely
Something always seems to dog this band, but they still find a way through and produce beautiful albums. Throwing it all into the mix - psych, folk, electronics, dreamy guitars. It’s Doves - go big or go home
Favourite track - Last Year’s Man
8. Doves - Constellations For The Lonely
Something always seems to dog this band, but they still find a way through and produce beautiful albums. Throwing it all into the mix - psych, folk, electronics, dreamy guitars. It’s Doves - go big or go home
Favourite track - Last Year’s Man
8. Moving Mountains - Pruning of the Lower Limbs
If all bands returned with an album as good as this after a 12 year hiatus, then they all should do it! They've made a career best album with this one, that's haunting, mellow and massive all at once.
music.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
8. Moving Mountains - Pruning of the Lower Limbs
If all bands returned with an album as good as this after a 12 year hiatus, then they all should do it! They've made a career best album with this one, that's haunting, mellow and massive all at once.
music.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
9. Mark Pritchard & Thom Yorke - Tall Tales
It may appear impenetrable to begin with - experimental music with Thom’s beautiful voice mutated - but it soon becomes apparent how playful this album is. Anything goes - and makes for an absorbing listen
Favourite track - Back In The Game
9. Mark Pritchard & Thom Yorke - Tall Tales
It may appear impenetrable to begin with - experimental music with Thom’s beautiful voice mutated - but it soon becomes apparent how playful this album is. Anything goes - and makes for an absorbing listen
Favourite track - Back In The Game
9. Bon Iver - SABLE, fABLE
I fell out of love with Bon Iver following his first couple albums, but this has rekindled my feelings. Back to his absolute best with this. If this is the final album from him, he's gone out on a massive high note.
open.spotify.com/album/3L3Ujp...
9. Bon Iver - SABLE, fABLE
I fell out of love with Bon Iver following his first couple albums, but this has rekindled my feelings. Back to his absolute best with this. If this is the final album from him, he's gone out on a massive high note.
open.spotify.com/album/3L3Ujp...
10. Aperture by The Head And The Heart
Their 6th studio album and quite possibly their best as far as I'm concerned. It's infectious, heartfelt and joyous, and it's been the album I've turned to this year when in need of a musical pick-me-up.
open.spotify.com/album/5wyhyz...
10. Aperture by The Head And The Heart
Their 6th studio album and quite possibly their best as far as I'm concerned. It's infectious, heartfelt and joyous, and it's been the album I've turned to this year when in need of a musical pick-me-up.
open.spotify.com/album/5wyhyz...
10. Florence & The Machine - Everybody Scream
We were introduced to this by a video clip of Florence Welch digging a hole, leaning into it - and SCREAMING. Confronted by darkness, she took that painful experience and turned it into this triumph
Favourite track - One Of The Greats
10. Florence & The Machine - Everybody Scream
We were introduced to this by a video clip of Florence Welch digging a hole, leaning into it - and SCREAMING. Confronted by darkness, she took that painful experience and turned it into this triumph
Favourite track - One Of The Greats
One of my favourite finds of the year. The track Surviving You blew me away - then she was playing nearby about 2 weeks later, so I went to see her do a great show.
Nested In Tangles, by Hannah Frances.
hannahfrances.bandcamp.com/album/nested...
One of my favourite finds of the year. The track Surviving You blew me away - then she was playing nearby about 2 weeks later, so I went to see her do a great show.
Nested In Tangles, by Hannah Frances.
hannahfrances.bandcamp.com/album/nested...
11. Rocket - R Is For Rocket
I’m a 90s indie kid at heart. This is hardly news, but it’s always great to see new guitar bands with this as an influence. Like Rocket - loud guitars, beefy bass, drums whacked hard, angelic vocals. The 90s would be proud
Favourite track - Number One Fan
11. Rocket - R Is For Rocket
I’m a 90s indie kid at heart. This is hardly news, but it’s always great to see new guitar bands with this as an influence. Like Rocket - loud guitars, beefy bass, drums whacked hard, angelic vocals. The 90s would be proud
Favourite track - Number One Fan
11. R Is For Rocket by Rocket
A recommendation from the great @ricrus77.bsky.social
An album that could have lived in the alt-rock 90s, it's unbelievably assured, it's full of catchy, exuberant, melancholic songs which are produced to perfection.
music.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
11. R Is For Rocket by Rocket
A recommendation from the great @ricrus77.bsky.social
An album that could have lived in the alt-rock 90s, it's unbelievably assured, it's full of catchy, exuberant, melancholic songs which are produced to perfection.
music.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
12. Japanese Breakfast - For Melancholy Brunettes (& Sad Women)
While its songs talk about grief, loss and self-identity - the lush strings, reverbs, guitars and soft vocals makes it feel warm and intimate. Jeff Bridges makes an appearance as well
Favourite track - Orlando In Love
12. Japanese Breakfast - For Melancholy Brunettes (& Sad Women)
While its songs talk about grief, loss and self-identity - the lush strings, reverbs, guitars and soft vocals makes it feel warm and intimate. Jeff Bridges makes an appearance as well
Favourite track - Orlando In Love