Category 2025

This week, we have confessional power pop from NZ’s The Beths and socially conscious folk from Portland’s Anna Tivel. Enjoy! The Beths Straight Line Was a Lie 2025, 8.5/10All of The Beths’ albums feel like therapy, but this one more…

Music from three different continents this week: Jens Lekman Songs for Other People’s Weddings 2025, 8.5/10 On my first album there was a song called If You Ever Need a Stranger (To Sing at Your Wedding) which wasn’t really meant…

Cass McCombs might be the best singer-songwriter operating at the moment. Alex G’s ‘Afterlife’ might be my favourite song of the year. And Erika de Casier is back quickly with another classy album of smooth pop – enjoy! Cass McCombs…

Paramore’s Hayley Williams and London’s Wolf Alice continue to make high-class pop Meanwhile, Nashville’s William Tyler creates exploratory guitar instrumentals. All three are well worth your time. Hayley Williams Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party 2025, 8.5/10Williams is best known…

Three different continents this week. We conclude our Springsteen marathon with Perfect World, the rock album of the set. Ghana’s Florence Adooni makes her international debut with A.O.E.I.U.. And London post-punk band Caroline released an excellent second album. Florence Adooni…

It’s a strong week, with the best record from Springsteen’s Tracks II and Justin Bieber’s most palatable record (I assume!). But my favourite release from the week is from maverick R&B producer Dijon. Bruce Springsteen Twilight Hours 2025, 8.5/10The best…

This might be the worst collection of album art I’ve ever featured in this column. Addison Rae’s debut has passable art, but Bruce Springsteen and Tyler’s art directors both mailed it in this week. Bruce Springsteen Inyo 2025, 6.5/10Disc five…

This week Hotline TNT go power pop, Springsteen goes country, and Stereolab keep on sounding like Stereolab. Read on for details. Bruce Springsteen Somewhere North of Nashville 2025, 4/10Disc four on Springsteen’s Tracks II set was recorded in 1995, at…

This week we have missives from New Jersey, the Isle of Man, and the Scottish highlands. Read on for details… Bruce Springsteen Faithless 2025, 7/10If you’re keeping track at home, we’re up to the third disc in Springsteen’s Tracks II…

A couple of bands are in tough spots in this week’s column. Black Country, New Road lost their lead singer four days before they released their previous album. Arcade Fire dealt with allegations against leader Win Butler. Both albums struggle,…

This week, it’s the boss, the complainant, and the defendant. Bruce Springsteen recently dropped seven albums at once – let’s start with 1983’s LA Garage Sessions. Little Simz’ Lotus is often preoccupied with her former producer and friend Inflo, who…

We’re sticking in Mother England and her colonies this week. Enjoy the urban narratives of Real Lies, the art-rock of These New Puritans, and Lorde’s intimate pop-poetry. Real Lies We Will Annihilate Our Enemies 2025, 8/10It’s always tough following a…

Hopefully there’s something for everyone – the smooth pop/rock of California’s HAIM, Ezra Furman’s intense psychedelia, and The Mars Volta’s jazzy Latin rhythms. HAIM I Quit 2025, 7/10It’s been five years since HAIM’s last record. In the meantime, Alana Haim…

We have music from both sides of the pond this week. There’s folk from Richard Dawson and blackgaze from Deafheaven. The two acts don’t have much in common, but both vocalists are acquired tastes – Dawson’s warbling and George Clarke’s…

All female and all American this week – Suzanne Vega plays folk (with some punk). while two non-country artists make a country album together. Suzanne Vega Flying With Angels 2025, 8/10New York singer-songwriter Suzanne Vega produced one of the 1980s’…

Alt-rock and prog rock this week. Blondshell’s refined her angsty alt-rock, while Neal Morse recruits a veteran band and gives them a hokey name. Blondshell If You Asked For A Picture 2025, 8.5/10Sabrina Teitelbaum took a while to find her…

Two rock records this week. The Hold Steady’s Craig Finn teams up with The War on Drugs’ Adam Granduciel for his sixth solo album. Meanwhile, Ex-Vöid layer harmonies onto their punk roots. Craig Finn Always Been 2025, 8/10As much as…

Duets keep popping up on the music I write about this year, and today’s batch is no exception. Marlon Williams teams up with Lorde, while Justin Vernon duets with several female vocalists. Meanwhile, with only two tracks, Steven Wilson doesn’t…

Two new records from indie stalwarts. Lucy Dacus edges closer to the mainstream with the genteel Forever is a Feeling. Meanwhile, Dan Bejar continues his erstwhile path, mellower but unmistakably Destroyer. Lucy Dacus Forever is a Feeling 2025, 7/10 From…

Two female artists this week. Confusingly, Ichiko Aoba is Japanese, while Japanese Breakfast’s Michelle Zauner was born in South Korea. Both records are brief and mellow, but still substantial. Japanese Breakfast For Melancholy Brunettes (and Sad Women) 2025, 8.5/10Zauner’s discography…

Two new-ish records this week. The erotic pop of FKA Twigs and the power-pop of The Tubs. One is extremely solid, the other is probably the worst album I’ll cover in this column in 2025. Find out which is which!…

This week’s acts have toned down their idiosyncrasies as their careers have progressed. Nadia Reid has transitioned from a serious-minded singer-songwriter to warm pop songs. Squid’s music has become less edgy and experimental. Nadia Reid Enter Now Brightness 2025, 8/10Dunedin…

It’s another eclectic week of new reviews with: All three records are highly recommended. Read on for details. Fievel is Glauque Rong Weicknes 2024, 8/10I’ve never ventured into the world of Zach Phillips before. The San Diego-born musician is prolific.…

As a music reviewer, 2025 started quickly. Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny dropped a wide-reaching album in 2025’s first week. Canadian sophisti-pop act The Weather Station released Humanhood in mid-January. Meanwhile, I’m still catching up with 2024, hence the smooth…