Yes, it’s that time again: and still plenty of stuff worth listening to, despite the shitty state of the world! Check out these releases in any case, and warm yourself to these aural rays! Or Don’t….
LOLA YOUNG – I’M ONLY FUCKING MYSELF: Needless to say really, but 2025 was the year of Lola Young! She was literally, and deservedly everywhere and on repeat at my house! Unfortunately the exposure also got her a lot of criticism: she was accused of being a nepo-baby, overweight, man-hater, one-hit wonder etc. But haters will be haters, and Lola Young is one helluva talented lady and above all: real! So our young pop-goddess deserves a number 1! Let’s hope she recovers the breakdown… the industry can be life destroying and heartbreaking. Fav: Post Sex Clarity!
REDSPENCER – PRIMAL URGES: This whole album is fab, and their best to date ! David McMillan‘s voice sounds as likeable as a ever, there’s jangle galore, gorgeous chord-progressions, plenty of upbeat, sunny material, moody stuff, and for the old shoegazers some instant recognition in the track “Shifting” that takes us back to Chapterhouse‘s “Pearl“. When Real Estate become too predictable and formulaic, and you want more depth, you need this! Fav: Shifting.
FOREVER OVERHEAD – AN INTRODUCTION TO MIRAGES: I was pleasantly surprised with this little gem of an EP! Forever Overhead call themselves an “art-pop sibling duo from Switzerland“, who remind me a lot of late 90s Dutch pop-duo Bauer, who are dearly missed by yours truly. About the EP they say: “It’s a small collection of songs about distance, illusion, and the strange calm that lives in the in-between. We’re so happy to finally let it drift out into the world “. I am happy they did too! Fav: Know A Flower
EL MICHELS AFFAIR – 24 HR SPORTS : El Michels Affair is a New York based instrumental outfit lead by multi-instrumentalist / producer Leon Michels. Some of the tracks work as television or commercial tracks but it also contains collaborations with the likes of Clairo and Norah Jones. Michels‘ music houses psych-pop, jazz-fusion, tropicalia, yacht rock influences and conjures up dreamy images from late 70s New York or a premium flight to Sao Paulo including alcoholic beverages without the extra charges! Really Lovely during these dark days. Fav: Anticipate (with Clairo)
NEGGY GEMMY – SHE COMES FROM NOWHERE: Neggy Gemmy is better known to me as the girl-friend of the brilliant George Clanton, but after hearing her album, more known as the new Saint Etienne. The album is a fab hybrid of all kinds of great musical influences from the 90s, such as Rave, Break-Beat, Shibuya Kei, and Easy Lounge with the occasional bit of James Bond thrown in for good measure. Seriously: what’s not to like? Fav: Who Wanted.
