We are already in August, and July is over – 2025 goes by in such a rush, and reality feels bizarre and distorted. We come to places like this to focus ourselves (I guess), or to find loud and angry noises (I’m sure of it) – so let’s fucking do that.
Alkuperä – Sendero Desesperanza
July 1 // Independent
I saw that two members from Drei Affen, one of my favourite modern skramz bands, had started a new project and I was immediately intrigued by it. It turns out that this is some of the best skramz music of 2025 – Spanish skramz does it again! I’ll say more about that later on in the list.
thistle. – it’s nice to see you, stranger
July 4 // Venn Records
open carry state – ill live in this discomfort
July 4 // Independent
As you know, I’m a big fan of the current skramz scene. No surprise there — THE NOISE OF is pretty much a platform for getting as many cherry-picked skramz projects as possible into your ears. This Atlanta, Georgia-based trio plays the kind of basement skramz/hardcore that I love and grew up with, and I can’t recommend this little collection of songs enough.
Erebor – Infinitus Somnium
July 4 // Independent
I didn’t connect with many metal metal albums this year — I mostly find this more traditional style of sound and songwriting elusive. However, UK quintet Erebor managed to pull it off in just three songs (all over 10 minutes long), elegantly merging prog and death metal. Good stuff.
Jonny Nash – Once Was Ours Forever
July 4 // Melody As Truth
In a sense, this is ambient country music. Or is it country ambient? Who knows? Once Was Ours Forever is a beautiful and intricate piece of music with stunning guitar arrangements and delicate vocal layering, creating a warm and wholesome sound. It’s a record that just feels warm.
Nuvolascura – How This All Ends
July 8 // Zegema Beach Records/I.Corrupt
Five years ago, Nuvolascura shook the scene with As We Suffer from Memory and Imagination, which is still widely regarded as one of the best modern skramz albums. After facing many challenges due to the pandemic and personal issues, the band has returned with their highly anticipated new album, How This All Ends. How This All Ends is slightly sassier than previous material, but is still full of chaos, despair, and energy. What an outstanding band!
Digital Negative – Intersect
July 11 // Independent
Denisa – St. Bernadette
July 11 // Deathwish Inc.
Quite recently, my friend Dominik published his article on Deftonescore. While preparing it (it was a rather spontaneous affair, if I recall correctly), he asked for recommendations of cool music from this year that would fit the article. Denisa, an Indonesian artist, and her fantastic new album St. Bernadette came to mind, and they won my friend over almost instantly. If you like Shedfromthebody, you’ll love this.
TURQUOISEDEATH – Guardian
July 11 // Independent
In the mid-1990s, drum and bass was all the rage in the UK, particularly in the clubbing scene. Since then, the genre has experienced highs and lows, but has managed to stay relevant by incorporating new influences to keep its timeless sound fresh. TURQUOISEDEATH is one of the most interesting artists currently experimenting with atmospheric drum and bass, and the new album Guardian is an awesome introduction to that sound.
Qur’an Shaheed – Pulse
July 11 // Leaving Records
Ólafur Arnalds & Talos – A Dawning
July 11 // Opia Community/Mercury KX
In recent years, I have reconsidered my opinion of Ólafur Arnalds‘ material through multiple collaborations. In my mind, he was always just a one-trick pony. His most recent collaboration was with the late Eoin French, also known as Talos. The story behind this album is heartfelt and special — French was battling cancer while working on A Dawning, and he knew he wouldn’t live to see its release. Tragedy gave birth to beauty, and these two artists found life in the face of death.
Kokoroko – Tuff Times Never Last
July 11 // Brownswood Recordings
The London jazz scene is still thriving, and it sometimes feels as though it is one of the main cornerstones of contemporary jazz. One of the most prolific groups is Kokoroko, who are finally back with their new album, Tuff Times Never Lasts, following their amazing 2022 album, Could We Be More. Influenced by afrobeat and a diverse palette of African folk music, Tuff Times Never Lasts is fun and lively from start to finish.
Flooding – object 1
July 11 // Independent
The slowcore/doomgaze band Flooding caught my attention with their excellent last album, Silhouette Machine, which ended up being one of my favourite albums of 2023. This new EP continues their massive sound, creating abrasive and tense bursts of energy amid contemplative, meditative moments of calm.
Clipse – Let God Sort Em Out
July 11 // Independent
I didn’t grow up with US rap and was never influenced by it. To this day, I don’t really care about the ‘soap opera’ side of things: who said what about whom; who has beef with that pedo Drake right now; all that stuff — I absolutely don’t give a damn. I understand that this aspect is an important part of how US rap is perceived, and I’m sure I would love Clipse‘s new album if I were invested in that aspect. But I’m not, so all I can say is that this is a damn fine hip-hop record.
Barry Can’t Swim – Loner
July 11 // Ninja Tune
Matt Jencik & Midwife – Never Die
July 11 // Relapse Records
I was really intrigued by this collaboration. Midwife is always great, and hearing stuff by Matt Jencik of Implodes and Don Caballero only made me more interested. It’s noisier than Midwife‘s last album, No Depression in Heaven, and adds a fantastic new dimension to her impressive repertoire.
Milena – Where to Begin
July 11 // WAVY
From the moment I pressed play on Where to Begin, I knew I was going to fall in love with this album. South Korean artist Milena has created a beautiful, elegant take on soulful jazz pop, full of rich instrumentation and silky-smooth vocal lines. I’m eager to see what she does next. In the meantime, I’m going to listen to it 1000 times.
Vines – I’ll be here
July 18 // Independent
Hauntingly beautiful and simply stunning. Vines, aka Cassie Wieland, has been producing fantastic music for a while now, and I’ll be here is her crowning achievement. I’m still baffled by how thoughtful and intricate those songs are, and I highly recommend taking a listen for yourself.
DJ Haram – Beside Myself
July 18 // Hyperdub
Natalie Bergman – My Home Is Not In This World
July 18 // Third Man Records
Spy Balloon – Spy Balloon
July 18 // Independent
Expectations are high when a beloved band returns, even under a different name. Spy Balloon is a quasi-continuation of Exotic Animal Petting Zoo, a band with a very dedicated fanbase. Those who are aware of Spy Balloon‘s existence will have some expectation, although the buzz around this project is pretty much non-existent. If you can cast these aside, you’ll find this is an awesome little gem of adventurous prog rock, and I enjoyed it.
Boneflower – Reveries
July 25 // Deathwish Inc.
On the subject of Spanish skramz, Boneflower are back. After the absolute masterpiece that was Armour, I was extremely excited. Reveries sounds more mature, but the band has managed to retain the youthful energy and enthusiasm, making this a satisfying next step in their journey.
Humans As Ornaments – Flowers On Display
July 25 // Independent
The Option to Disappear was an overlooked gem when it was released in 2021. Now, the Berlin-based art rock band Humans as Ornaments are back with their new album. Flowers On Display is less abrasive but equally creative and colourful, and will fascinate anyone who likes a more compelling, artsy take on modern rock.
Quadeca – Vanisher, Horizon Scraper
July 25 // Independent
Quadeca‘s Scrapyard mixtape was one of the best releases of 2024, and now the artist is back with a “real” album. Vanisher, Horizon Scraper is a triumphant display by an artist who grew up with access to all kinds of music and who doesn’t care about genre limitations. This album is all over the place in the best possible way, and it’s clear that the artist had a lot of fun making it.
Blankenberge – Decisions
July 25 // Automatic Music
Thanks for scrolling!
