Time flies. I can’t believe it’s already two months into 2025. The year has already proven to be jam-packed with musical highlights and other weird shit (rest of the world, hello), so once again I’m counting on music to keep us relatively sane and hopeful. February 2025, work your magic.
The Cutting Room Floor. – sheer.sonic.flux.
February 2 // Independent
As far as I know, these are the first few songs from this project, and damn. This shit is nailed, and I can’t wait to get more of this project, preferably as soon as possible. Awesome altgaze (I’m coining this term now – basically 90’s inspired gawky alternative rock/grunge, you know it) stuff.
Noctambulist – Noctambulist II: De Droom
February 7 // These Hands Melt
Oklou – choke enough
February 7 // Because Music
Moses Yoofee Trio – MYT
February 7 // LEITER
Low Roar – House In The Woods
February 7 // Tonequake Records
A very bittersweet affair. More than two years ago, founder/vocalist/guitarist Ryan Karazija passed away from complications of pneumonia – House In The Woods is Low Roar‘s final album, and it’s as beautiful as you’d expect from this amazing project. Beautiful music and a beautiful legacy.
FACS – Wish Defense
February 7 // Trouble In Mind Records
If there is one modern rock band that is way too good for how overlooked they are (well, there are thousands of them, to be honest), FACS are right up there. With their new album, Wish Defense, they prove once again how incredibly charming and original they are. Just a damn good time.
ODDLY – Swerve
February 12 // Damnably
Jolanda Moletta – Night Caves
February 12 // whitelabrecs
Not gonna lie, I kind of like it when ambient/soundscape music makes me feel a little uncomfortable – especially when it’s usually wrapped in beauty. And damn if the sound design on Night Caves isn’t beautiful.
KALI Trio – The Playful Abstract
February 14 // Ronin Rhythm Records
From the very dark, almost gritty ambient jazz of their debut album, Riot, to the playful, dreamy compositions of their new album, The Playful Abstract, KALI Trio is the best jazz band you’ve never heard of. Change that now.
venturing – Ghostholding
February 14 // DeadAir
I first came into contact with the wonderful Jane Remover when she released her second album Census Designated, which was a monumental artistic effort – now, before the third Jane Remover album Revengeseekerz is released later this year, her side project venturing is the perfect escapism for these super fucked up times. Jane always saves the day.
THEY. – LOVE.JONES
February 14 // drink sum wtr
Park Jiha – All Living Things
February 14 // Glitterbeats Records
John Glacier – Like A Ribbon
February 14 // Young UK
Comatose – Not So Far
February 14 // Independent
Bartees Strange – Horror
February 14 // 4AD
DECLINE OF THE I – Wilhelm
February 14 // Agonia Records
Puma Blue – antichamber
February 18 // Blue Flowers
Youth Lagoon – Rarely Do I Dream
February 21 // Fat Possum Records
Yes, Trevor Powers (who usually goes by the moniker Youth Lagoon, but also releases music under his real name) had me wrapped around his finger with Mulberry Violence, one of my favorite albums of the last few years, so everything that comes after that has a hard time. Nevertheless, Rarely Do I Dream is beautiful and definitely worth your time.
Wren – Black Rain Falls
February 21 // Church Road Records
One look on Church Road Records tells you that the UK metal/hardcore scene is alive and well, and Wren are no exception. The London-based noise/sludge outfit slowly grinds over you, relentlessly squishing you between its heavy riffs. That sentence turned out weirdly sexual, but here we are.
Cages – Better Mistakes
February 21 // Through Love Records
Cross Bringer – Healismus Aeternus
February 21 // Silent Pendulum Records/Consouling Sounds
We hyped Cross Bringer‘s last album The Signs of Spiritual Delusion quite a bit when it came out back in 2020, so imagine my surprise when Cross Bringer announced a new album. Their new album is a worthy continuation of their sound, amping up their massive mix of hardcore and black metal for one of the best heavy records of the year so far.
Gaytheist – The Mustache Stays
February 21 // Hex Records
Maruja – Tír na nÓg
February 21 // Music for Nations
I usually very much dislike jam bands and improvised music, because it often sounds like some stoned people meandering aimlessly through shit. This time, this shit hits different. As part of the fantastic Windmill Scene with birthed bands like Squid, black midi, Black Country, New Road or HMLTD, Maruja new project is a cascading wellspring of fantastic ideas and mesmerizing moments.
Ralph Heidel – anyways.onto better things
February 21 // Independent
Berlin-based jazz artist Ralph Heidel did some impressive collabs in the past, but this is the first time I’m hearing his solo work. This intricate piece of jazz is simply some of the best stuff I’ve heard in the genre in a while, and it will be very hard to beat as one of the best jazz albums of the year. Absolutely breathtaking stuff from start to finish.
Thomas Erak & The Ouroboros – (AU)
February 21 // Equal Vision Records
Who had ‘Thomas Erak is going to drop his best work since peak-The Fall Of Troy era with a unbuzzed solo record’ on their bingo sheet? I didn’t even know he had something cooking up, but I had so much fucking fun with this album. Surprisingly heavy, and the fact that Erak recorded all the stuff by himself is definitely impressive.
Blendreed – Tales Of Tides
February 28 // Tenorio Cotobade
Ichiko Aoba – Luminescent Creatures
February 28 // hermine
Ichiko Aoba is a gift that keeps on giving. For a long time now she has been providing us with vessels of magical escapism, and with Luminescent Creatures she has reached new heights. It may sound pretentious, but the way she uses open spaces of silence and very light drones is absolutely magnificent. I can’t praise this album enough.
GRAVE INFESTATION – Carnage Gathers
February 28 // Dark Descent Records/Invictus Productions
This is just really nasty, really dirty and dark death metal. It makes me nostalgic, thinking back to when I was a teenager and fell in love with this kind of music. I don’t listen to much old school death metal these days, but this album hit a sweet spot that is still very close to my heart.
Sepulchral Curse – Crimson Moon Evocations
February 28 // Dark Descent Records
And Dark Descent again. This time with a more modern take on death metal, but no less a dark and heavy affair. Sepulchral Curse‘s new album is probably the most extreme metal album I have listened to this year. Immersing myself in the monstrous riffs provided on Crimson Moon Evocations was nothing short of a feast.
Yazz Ahmed – A Paradise In The Hold
February 28 // Night Time Stories
Echolalia – Echolalia
February 28 // Full Time Hobby
Thanks for scrolling!
