The past three months since my last post have been pretty intense on more than one front as I juggled post-(minor)operation recovery which exacerbated disability/accessibility issues, my academic deadlines and creative work. I’ve also been trying to be as prepared as I can for my much-postponed music exam. I’ve listened to A LOT of music during this period and will probably forget a few in today’s post.
2025 Indie/Popular Music Releases that have been on Repeated Play
- Paradise Now by Obongjayar: This has been one of my most-anticipated albums of 2025 ever since his first single from the album. It did not disappoint. I cannot stop listening to it.
- moisturizer by Wet Leg: Feels like they’ve changed their vibes again but this has also been a most excellent album that I’ve really enjoyed.
- The Cosmic Selector Vol 1 by Lord Huron: Ahh. This is a strong contender for my 2025 album of the year. Easily my most-anticipated album of 2025 and I cannot get over how brilliant it is.
- Curse (EP) by Unknown Mortal Orchestra: I’m always happy to listen to anything new by UMO (whom I’ve seen live in two countries; in fact the first time I ever heard UMO was live at a music festival). This one has a rather haunted and Gothic vibe. Deeply enjoyed although it’s not my favourite UMO album. It did send me down on a UMO listening rabbithole, though and I’ve had weeks of obsessively listening to the older albums in their back catalogue.
Other Albums on Repeated Play
- I knew I was going to go down a Gen X rabbithole as my 50th birthday in June approached. I was not wrong! Apart from Soundgarden, I listened to a lot of The Cure, Sonic Youth, Tori Amos and Depeche Mode.
- Unknown Mortal Orchestra: Mostly II, Multi-Love, Sex and Food, plus Unknown Mortal Orchestra (2011). I cannot get enough of UMO, tbh.
- Taylor Swift: Apparently returned to Swiftie mode. Mostly Reputation, Lover, and The Tortured Poets Department this time around. Come August it will probably be Folklore and Evermore season.
- Sufjan Stevens: In June I actually listened to Sufjan the most. From Seven Swans to Age of Adz to Carrie & Lowell, which had a 10th anniversary edition released. Love the fact that I’m little over a week older than him.
Classical, Ambient, Experimental and Electronic Music
- Hélène Vogelsinger: Everything she ever released including the 2025 release Reappearance. I’ve always flirted with the idea of getting into synths but the feeling has intensified since listening to/watching her work. Not just yet, though. I need to get through my classical guitar and piano grades first.
- David Sylvian with Melaine Dalibert; a 2025 release! Vermillion Hours is a joy.
- Shida Shahabi. A new to me composer. I’ve been listening to a lot of her music, lately.
- Stanza IV by Benoît Pioulard (2025). Beautiful, haunting, evocative. All the things I come to anticipate from one of my most favourite sound artists.
- Fennesz. I continue to be obsessed with everything he releases.
- Boards of Canada’s Geogaddi (2002). I’ve been pretty musically obsessed with this album lately.
Singles
(so much time has passed since my last post that I’m having problems selecting some singles to highlight)
- Love on the Big Screen — Animal Collective. Amuses me that this was released on my birthday. Looking forward to more new music from one of my favourite bands.
- Everybody Laughs — David Byrne. Ahh, I absolutely adored this. I don’t always love Byrne’s newer music but this one was an instant love.
- Watch Me Go — Lord Huron. All the hearts for this song. Nothing more sophisticated to add.
- Elegantly Wasted — Leon Bridges, Hermanos Gutiérrez. This was a fab collaboration. I hope there’s more!
- Melodie is a Wound — Stereolab. The return of Stereolab is one of the best things about 2025 in music!