What a bummer. I’d like to introduce this in a very dramatic way – THE FIRST “THE NOISE OF” EPISODE IN 2025 – but technically it’s already the second, since the December episodes obviously sneaked into 2025.
My disappointment is immeasurable and my day is ruined. Lucky for me and lucky for you, January 2025 was absolutely packed with great albums, and if it’s any indicator of the musical year 2025, we’re in for a wild ride. Thank you for the music. You seem to know when we need you the most.
Zach Phillips – True Music
January 1 // Independent
Zach Phillips is part of the project par excellence Fievel Is Glauque, so that alone piqued my interest. Listening to this album as one of the first new releases in 2025 was a fantastic experience – jazzy, dreamy and folky, this is an invitation to another world to escape reality, even if only for a little while.
Ayumi Ishito – Roboquarians, Vol. 2
January 3 // Independent
Japanese-born, Brooklyn-based saxophonist Ayumi Ishito has turned some heads with her innovative approach to her instrument. On her new album, she’s teamed up with drummer Kevin Shea and guitarist George Draguns for some exciting and fun jazz – and it’s absolute fire.
Am I in Trouble? – Spectrum
January 3 // Independent
This is what bedroom prog is capable of. There is so much going on with Spectrum – from blackgaze to folk prog rock to downright experimental pop – and yet Steve Wiener, the man behind the project, has managed to make it all click together. Impressive. The approach reminds me of The Chemical Mind.
Obscure Sphinx – Emovere
January 6 // Independent
I just can’t pass up anything new from Obscure Sphinx – their debut album Anaesthetic Inhalation Ritual is one of the best sludge/post metal records of the last 20 years, with “Nastiez” being one of the best songs in that category. Since then, all their stuff has been steamrollering. This new EP does the same, no surprise.
Asian Glow – 11100011
January 6 // Independent
Ethel Cain – Perverts
January 8 // Daughters of Cain
Well, that was a bold move, wasn’t it? After the etheric and critically acclaimed Preacher’s Daughter, which we raved about because it was so damn good, Ethel Cain returns with a southern gothic nightmare – like a monochrome version of the last episode of True Detective‘s first season. But whatever – it’s fucking awesome.
Haunted Horses – Dweller
January 10 // Three One G
I’m not saying that Chat Pile started this trend of visceral, sludgy noise punk music (in the end, the band which this blurb is about i acutally way older than Chat Pile), but they definitely helped bring this shit to the big stage. Stuff like Dweller, the new album from Haunted Horses, is another example of something nasty and dark, yet incredibly moving within that sonic realm.
Trauma Bond – Summer Ends. Some Are Long Gone.
January 12 // Independent
After two EPs, this boy here was beyond excited to finally get his ears on a full-length album by Trauma Bond – and what can I say without being crude? This was basically extreme metal edging, and in the end I was happy and satisfied with myself and the world around me. Shit is nasty as hell.
Toru – Velours Dévorant
January 14 // Independent
Hands up to my buddy Dom for pointing me in the direction of this amazing album – French outfit Toru play amazingly mathy experimental rock. Also, it was super sweet how happy Dom was to show me something new – since I’m an obnoxious, overly snobby know-it-all, it was quite a feat. Damn, I was like that again.
U.e. – Hometown Girl
January 16 // Independent
One of those records that takes your breath away as soon as you press play. You just know there’s something special, some serious magic happening here – I live for those moments. Hometown Girl, with its phenomenal sound design and jazz-ambient-pop style, took me by storm and hasn’t let me go yet.
Son Lux – Risk of Make Believe
January 16 // City Slang
I’m not even going to pretend that I’m not a huge Son Lux fanboy anymore – with each release my appreciation for this band grows more and more. After the fantastic Tomorrows trilogy and the soundtrack for Everything Everywhere All At Once, this EP is a nice little treat for all of us thirsty for more.
Shedfromthebody – Whisper and Wane
January 17 // Independent
About a year ago, I was absolutely blown away by Shedfromthebody‘s last album, Amare – an even more flashy version of Deftones core with stellar songwriting. Whisper and Wane continues the journey, sounding more mature and confident while retaining the soul of what made the music good in the first place.
Vertex – The purest light
January 17 // LE CRI DU CHARBON
I only checked this out because Hypno5e posted about it – apparently their drummer is in this band. Well, please and thank you, because this stuff absolutely slaps. Well-produced math metal, the drums are really present and “thunderous” (such a weird adjective for drums, but you get my point) – all in all, fun.
lots of hands – into a pretty room
January 17 // Fire Talk
There is this vibe that I really like. I call it the Michael Cera vibe. It’s basically this slacker indie meets coming-of-age meets middle-class suburban America. So your typical late ’00s/early ’10s stuff – Juno, Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist, Youth In Revolt – that kind of stuff. I love that shit. And the new album from lots of hands is just that.
Flower and Pines – Unconditional Love
January 17 // Independent
A few weeks ago, I received a very unassuming, yet loving and charming email in my inbox. A Polish duo had sent me their new album – and since I literally check out everything people send me, I gave it a quick listen – and what the hell, I immediately went into our team chat and went crazy for Flower and Pines‘ Unconditional Love. The last time I felt such magic was with Low‘s HEY WHAT. And that is praise of the highest order.
Vacant Home – Can You Show Me Who I Am?
January 17 // Independent
That’s cheating. I’ve just finished crying over the wonderful Have Heart set at Outbreak Festival and I’m vulnerable. And now an Australian (!) hardcore band comes along that combines that modern post hardcore sound with the magic of the early 2000s contrast melodic hardcore phase with negative stuff like Modern Life Is War, Ruiner or Ceremony and positive stuff like Have Heart or Verse. My favourite era of hardcore.
Open Head – What Is Success
January 24 // Wharf Cat Records
menores atos – FIM DO MUNDO
January 24 // Deck
I’m really bored with the current wave of post-punk. It’s mostly the same overused aesthetics and styles. But every now and then a band comes along that takes that sound and twists it in interesting ways to create something unique. Stage, Open Head.
Ghais Guevara – Goyard Ibn Said
January 24 // Fat Possum Records
Benjamin Booker – LOWER
January 24 // Fire Next Time Records
Sunrot – Passages
January 24 // Prosthetic Records
Pink Siifu – BLACK’!ANTIQUE
January 24 // Dynamite Hill
MIKE – Showbiz!
January 24 // 10k
AskySoBlack – Touch Heaven
January 24 // New Morality Zine
Ambrose Akinmusire – honey from a winter stone
January 24 // Nonesuch Records
On the Tender Spot of Every Calloused Moment was the first album by Ambrose Akinmusire, the New York-based jazz trumpeter, and I was immediately hooked. it goes down as one of my favourite jazz albums of 2020. Since then, Ambrose has left Blue Note Records and joined Nonesuch. This is his second album for the label, following the stunning Owl Song, and it is every bit as beautiful and compelling as you might expect.
GRIEF RITUAL – Collapse
January 31 // Church Road Records
Maribou State – Hallucinating Love
January 31 // Ninja Tune
Thanks for scrolling.
