Crucial Releases: January 2025

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Welcome to the new year and what I consider the first full New Music Friday of 2025. I have a few releases for you to check out this week, starting with my top selection, Perverts by Ethel Cain.

I want to start off by saying Perverts is not for everyone, in fact it’s not an enjoyable music experience at times. It’s unsettling, haunting, and anxiety inducing in some aspects. And at other times it’s shockingly beautiful.

There were a number of times I almost stopped listening because I didn’t like the feeling I had, but I pressed on and that feeling was usually replaced by a beautiful segment of a song or her amazing voice. It’s a roller coaster ride that I envisioned as the soundtrack of a black and white horror film. I also haven’t stopped thinking about it since I listened yesterday. Simply put, it’s a magnificent piece of art.

Along those lines, I absolutely love the music video for the song “Punish” off the album. It fits exactly the feeling I had while listening to the album. And to top it off, it’s just a beautiful song.

I enjoyed Cain’s debut full length album, Preacher’s Daughter, released in 2022. It mixed folk, Americana, and pop through a sort of gothic lens. It also received a lot of critical acclaim, which seemed to be unexpected and unwanted based on my research for this post. Cain didn’t like the attention and fame, so it only makes sense that her follow-up album was an anti-success album, which unfortunately (for her) she did really well. It won’t garner the same kind of mass fandom that her debut delivered, but I think it will be one of those cult classic albums that people view as a piece of art over being an album you listen to casually.

I also don’t think you necessarily have to like most of the genres or elements associated with this album, like slowcore, ambient, drone, loops, etc. to appreciate or more importantly EXPERIENCE the album. Heck I don’t even like goth music, nor am I a huge horror fan. But, at an hour and a half long, it’s a commitment and I do ask that if you do listen, you give it the entire time. I’m interested to know if folks have the same experience I had!

My favorite tracks: “Punish”, “Vacillator”, “Amber Waves”

Weeks like this are why I like doing this column. There weren’t a ton of new records this week, but the ones that caught my ear were good AND I discovered three new (to me) artists/groups. Not to mention a sophomore followup from a band I like AND a solo album from the lead singer of one of my favorite bands from the early 2000s.

With that all said, we will jump right into my pick for the week: into a pretty room by lots of hands. lots of hands is a new to me duo from the UK that combines lo-fi folk with slowcore, shoegaze, and glitchy electronic sounds. Fans of Alex G, Hovvdy, Chanel Beads, Elliott Smith, and Jay Som will appreciate this group.

lots of hands is longtime friends Billy Woodhouse and Elliot Dryden, who met at 16 through a school music program. Prior to this album, the duo self released three albums. into a pretty room is their debut for Fire Talk and their first fully collaborative album.

From the label:

into a pretty room exists in the tear-stained early mornings of adolescence, just as the sun makes its first appearance over the horizon and thoughts of the night before begin to subside. A collage of reworked demos, freewheeling session standouts, and swatches of instrumental electronics, into a pretty room offers a touching rumination of grief and loss, growing up and letting go.

The first of my 3+ listens got me interested in sharing this record, but with each repeat I picked up little elements I missed earlier and then this album grew to be something special. Whether it’s a glitchy recorded melody underneath a few songs or the meandering banjo on “backseat 30”, these songs keep giving with each listen. A highly recommended way to spend 40 minutes (or more!)

Fave songs: “game of zeroes”, “barnyard”, “masquerade”, “rosie”, and “backseat 30”

Another week, another new-to-me band earning the top spot. This time, it’s the band Ditz from Brighton, England. Ditz combines noise rock with post-punk and post-hardcore to create brutal, “ominous tension” as Stereogum writes in a recent feature on the band. And it’s damn good. Quite honestly, given how this year has started, I think more music like this is on tap for the foreseeable future.

Ditz formed in 2016 and has released one full-length (The Great Regression) prior to releasing Never Exhale this week. If you are a fan of IDLES, SPRINTS, Jesus Lizard, Shellac, TV Priest, Heavy Lungs, or McLusky you’ll find something of interest in Ditz.

Favorite tracks: “Taxi Man”, “Space/Smile”, “Four”, and “The Body as a Structure”

Never Exhale by Ditz

Bandcamp

Listen – (all streaming services)

Honorable Mentions

Insert text introduction

A Binding Life by Home Star

• 💿 Released: 21 February on Dirty Hit Records
• 🤘 FFO: power pop x emo, Weezer
• 🎧 Your first song: “Milk & Honey”
• 💰 Support: Bandcamp | Listen

Who Let the Dogs Out by Lambrini Girls (Listen)
Finally the debut full-length from the Lambrini Girls, who I’ve heard a lot about ever since Chris saw them last year. It’s a great album that combines the political, noise-y punk energy of SPRINTS and IDLES, with the snotty fun of Amyl and the Sniffers. Highly recommended.

FFO: snotty funny political punk, SPRINTS, Amyl and the Sniffers, IDLES

Spiral Your Way Out by zzzahara (Listen)
The third solo album from Zahara Jaime, the guitarist from The Simps and U.S. Velvet, combines three genres I like into a very solid release. I wasn’t familiar with them prior to listening, but glad I stumbled upon this record… particularly the song “In Your Head.”

FFO: melodic indie rock, shoegaze, dream pop, Johnny Marr songwriting

In Love Again by Ex-Void (Listen) - jangly, noisy indie rock with sweet melodies and fuzzy hooks. I enjoyed their 2022 debut *Bigger Than Before *and this release takes them to another level. Well done!

FFO: Bob Mould, Velocity Girl, The Tubs, Guided by Voices, Sloan, Illuminati Hotties

Swirl by Flora Hibberd (Listen) - rich, elegant folk that makes you feel like you are in a European cafe. A fantastic full-length debut from this UK singer-songwriter.

FFO: Nick Drake, Serge Gainsbourg, Cate Le Bon, Elliott Smith, Vashti Bunyan

Force Majeure by Delivery (Listen) - fun and energetic sociopolitical garage/punk rock from this Australian band. I missed their 2022 debut album, so I’m glad to finally be on board.

FFO: Fidlar, Wire, Omni, Parquet Courts, Courting

The Singing Winds Pt 3 by Kele (Listen) - from the singer/guitarist of Bloc Party, his third installment in a project born out of the pandemic. (See The Waves Pt. 1 and The Flames Pt. 2). More electronic-based than Bloc Party, but the songwriting, lyrics, and his voice remain to make something familiar, but new at the same time.

FFO: Bloc Party X LCD Soundsystem

Baloonerism by Mac Miller (Listen) - Miller’s second posthumous record, originally recorded in 2014. I re-stumbled upon Miller’s 2018 Tiny Desk concert recently, so this was a timely release. I wasn’t his biggest fan, but that performance was something special and I grew to appreciate him solely based on that…

FFO: if you know hip-hop, you know Mac Miller

You Are the Morning by jasmine.4.t (Listen) - Manchester UK singer-songwriter Jasmine Cruickshank’s debut album, produced by boygenius and released on Phoebe Bridgers’ Saddest Factory Records. Jasmine.4.t were recently named Billboard’s Rock/Alternative Rookie of the Month for January. I’d also like to point out the entire band is made up of trans women. I wish society was in a place where this didn’t matter, but January 20th (yesterday) made it even more important to support trans people, so please listen and share. 🏳️‍⚧️

FFO: indie folk/rock, boygenius, Julien Baker, Lucy Dacus

The Bad Fire by Mogwai (Listen) - Mogwai has been around for a long time –since 1995 to be exact. I got super into them while living in Seattle and saw them on their Rock Action tour. My wife claims she fell asleep during the show, but I was absolutely blown away by seeing “My Father My King” live. This record is closer to that period of the band the last few records, so I’m definitely glad to have them back in my life.

FFO: slowcore, post-rock, dynamic/cinematic instrumental guitar music. If you like bands like Godspeed You! Black Emperor and Explosions in the Sky, I’m sure you know Mogwai… but if not, there you go.

EUSEXUA by FKA twigs (Listen) - more dance pop & electronica than her previous albums. Still elements of that haunting, futuristic alt R&B she’s been known for since LP1 and Magdalene, though.

FFO: Kelela, Grimes, Charli XCX

Permanent Ink by Boldy James (Listen) - prolific to say the least, with two albums in 2025 already and four last year. Not sure James is breaking any new ground with any of these records, but they are a solid listen if you like grimy, gritty stories over inventive beats.

FFO: indie hip-hop, Freddie Gibbs, Griselda

Goyard Ibn Said by Ghais Guevara (Listen) - sociopolitical hip-hop from this Philly rapper/producer… AND a two-act concept album: “The first act highlights the triumphs of being a rapper, while the second act focuses on the tragedies.” Honestly, if I hadn’t missed this, it would be in serious contention for the album of the week… it’s that good.

FFO: underground hip-hop, billy woods, JPEGMAFIA, Armand Hammer; other influences: Andre 3000, Outkast, Earthgang, Mos Def/Yasiin Bey

Hurry Up Tomorrow by The Weeknd (Listen)
I’m not a super fan, but The Weeknd certainly knows how to craft songs and a vibe. At 22 songs and 85 minutes it’s a bit of an investment to get through the whole thing, but time passed quickly. Not a classic, but it’s another solidly good, not great album from The Weeknd. Something he apparently specializes in… Favorite tracks: “Enjoy the Show”, “Cry for Me”, “Timeless”

FFO: Michael Jackson, Khalid, Frank Ocean, pop, alt R&B… you know The Weeknd

• Big After I Die by Charlie Houston (Listen)
  I wasn’t familiar with Charlie Houston prior to listening, but I saw the release was on one my favorite Canadian record labels (Arts & Crafts, home to Broken Social Scene, Feist, Hannah Georgas, Hovvdy, and others), so I dug in with interest. Really well done indie pop, that I was pleasantly surprised with… I think if there were maybe a one or two more standout tracks, I’d have featured it this week. Favorite tracks: “Pink Cheetah Print Slip”. “Lewps”, “Lighter”, “Spiral”

FFO: Anna Burch, Clairo, Lorde, bedroom/indie pop

• Showbiz! by MIKE (Listen)
  MIKE’s 14th full length or mixtape and he’s been consistently growing with each release. His 2023 album with Wiki made #23 on my end of year list and this release may be even more consistent and high quality than Faith is a Rock. MIKE mixes soul samples and lo-fi beats with a sort of stream of conscious storytelling. If you are a fan of underground hip-hop, this is well worth checking out. Favorite tracks: “Lost Scribe”, “Bear Trap”, and “Then we could be free…”

FFO: underground hip-hop, Earl Sweatshirt

• The Purple Bird by Bonnie “Prince” Billy (Listen)
  A country themed album from the prolific Will Oldham, his 34th release since 1999. Known under the names Palace, Palace Brothers, Palace Songs, and Bonnie “Price” Billy, he’s been a mainstay in the alt folk & lo-fi genres. Much like another prolific band, Guided by Voices, I tend to find most of his records fall into the “has moments” category vs. a complete start-to-finish listen. The Purple Bird is one of his more solid releases, however. Favorite tracks: “London May” and “Tonight With the Dogs I’m Sleeping”

FFO: country/folk, Neil Young, Nick Cave, Smog, John Prine