Here's a look at our 'Best of' 2025 so far:
Jacob Alon - in Limerence
Jacob is a sensitive(some might say fragile) performer. The 12 beautiful songs on this album reveal every ounce of that fragility. The album is almost completely Jacob's voice with acoustic guitar. No further layers needed. (I'm not the biggest advocate for this kind of comparison but 'for fans of Villagers').
Si
Blondshell - If You Asked For A Fire
Some excruciatingly beautiful songs on this album. The way it has been produced just pushes all my favourite elements to the front. On tracks like " Thumbtack" (delicate and introspective ) & "T&A" ( rough around the edges & emotional)..Sabrina's voice and her lyrics are the focus making them two perfect examples. As many reviewers say...this album is a blend of Phoebe Bridgers and the Cranberries and that's right in my wheelhouse at this point!
Jim
caroline - caroline 2
Although recorded in a studio, the second album from caroline does an excellent job of conveying the fragile, emotional and occasionally slightly out of control nature of their live shows.
While sticking to their familiar sound and patterns of repeated lyrics, there are also new techniques - vocal treatments, distant dance beats, and a guest vocal from Caroline Polachek - which help them slightly evolve.
They still remain a completely unique band with a sound that can polarise opinion, but for me that’s better than them occupying the bland centre ground.
Russell
Divorce - Drive to Goldenhammer
'Most enchanting band of the day' - so said a Rock Club reviewer following this band's performance at Ceremony 3 Festival in 2023. Since then Divorce have matured into an indie force to be reckoned with. With two excellent EP releases under their belt, this their debut album loses none of the fledgling enchantment and moreover delivers a set of 12 superb songs bursting with lyrical imagination, indie hooks aplenty and harmonies to drool over, not least on Old Broken String, a doleful ballad tucked away toward the end of this excellent record
Lou
Florist - Jellywish.
Emily Sprague’s nasal speak/singing over delicate, mainly acoustic backing creates an enchanting, delicate soundscape. The lightness of touch belies the sometimes heavy subject matter, but something I keep coming back to for comfort. Beautiful. I’ll be front and centre at EOTR later this year.
Keith
Little Simz - Lotus
Once again one of Britain's most creative and challenging artists has produced a stunning album. This time it's personal.
Her fall out with Inflo is documented in 'Thief' and lush string arrangements of 'Hollow'. There's an imaginary conversation with her brother in 'Blood'. Feelings of vulnerability and self-doubt in ' Lonely' and the simple finger-picked guitar lines of 'Blue'. Best moment is the epic title track which features a duet with Michael Kiwanuka.
Ali
The Waterboys - Life Death & Dennis Hopper
Waterboys fans know to expect the unexpected, so when Mike Scott announced a concept album based on the life of Dennis Hopper I kept an open mind. Turns out it is their best album in years, since 'Modern Blues' I'd say. It is a mad collage of a thing, with many guest appearances (Steve Earle's is my favourite), instrumentals for each of Hopper's five wives, spoken word bits and best of all some great songs, sung by Mike: 'Andy', 'The Tourist', 'Golf They Say'.
Helen
Neil Young & The Chrome Hearts - Talkin to Trees
A wonderful album which is full of emotion, memories, anger at the world today and a gentle tenderness towards the years gone by.
Pete
