Oh March. Every year, when it comes to THE NOISE OF, I’m half looking forward to it, half scared as hell to crawl through the sheer amount of stuff. As one of the strongest months in terms of releases, March 2025 didn’t hold back at all, bringing some of the best albums of the year to the table. Let’s explore them, shall we?
downy – 8th Album”Untitled”
March 5 // Deaf Touch Records
In the vast variety of great Japanese math rock, downy are still something of an underdog – which is a shame. As one of the most consistently good bands on the scene, a new record from them is a reason to get excited, and they prove that they can’t go wrong with their latest album.
Arny Margret – I Miss You, I Do
March 7 // One Little Independent Records
Sopa Boba – That Moment
March 7 // Sub Rosa Label
Vil – Moons
March 7 // ListenRecords
One of the most stunning albums I’ve heard this year. Their label ListenRecords is a place of greatness and Icelandic duo Vil have delivered their crowning achievement with their new album Moons. An intricate and beautifully layered art-pop experience that everyone should indulge in.
Takuro Okada – The Near End, The Dark Night, The County Line
March 7 // Temporal Drift
I know Takuro Okada mainly from his collaborations with Nels Cline or Haruomi Hosono, and have never checked out his solo work. Obviously this was a mistake. His new album is a triumph in the world of guitar-driven jazz, masterfully crafted and mixed with amazing specks of dream pop and ambient.
Druma – Sores Of Our Time
March 7 // Moment Of Collapse Records
44th Move – Antheme
March 14 // Black Acre Records
The last couple of Alfa Mist releases have been a little lackluster to be honest, so I was surprised to find that his new project 44th Move, a collaboration with the extraordinary drummer Richard Spaven (who I love for his amazing work with Jordan Rakei), reminds me a lot of Tom Misch‘s collaboration with Yussef Dayes. In both cases, a fantastic drummer unlocked the potential of an artist and took them to new heights.
Sun-Mi Hong – Fourth Page: Meaning Of A Nest
March 14 // Edition Records
clipping. – Dead Channel Sky
March 14 // Sub Pop Records
Museum Of Light – Diviner
March 14 // Spartan Records
ILIONA – What if I break up with u ?
March 14 // Naïve/Jevousamour
Memotone – Pruning
March 14 // Discrepant
The thing I love most about electronica is the sheer amount of possibilities it gives you. UK artist Memotone is well aware of this, but Pruning has carved out a very specific sonic niche for himself that I’m very fond of.
Pyramid Mass – Gargling Rot
March 18 // Ossein Records
One of the best extreme metal releases of the year so far. An uncompromising, punching display of raw energy and emotion. Pyramid Mass from Richmond, Virginia even tops their last full-length Monolith with this new EP, and I can’t wait to get my ears on their next effort.
Saba & NO ID – From The Private Collection of Saba and No ID
March 18 // From the Private Collection, LLP
Men I Trust – Equus Asinus
March 19 // Independent
The fact that this is my least favorite Men I Trust album to date and I still wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who enjoys music. Even with the country-fication of their sound, Men I Trust just keep their outstanding songwriting intact and thrive even with the addition of elements that are already a bit overused these days.
STORMO – Tagli/Talee
March 21 // Prosthetic Records
What a treat. STORMO are one of those bands you can blindly trust to deliver greatness. And while I still consider Endocannibalismo to be their magnum opus, this follow-up strikes with the same ferocity and impact and is definitely worth your time if you like modern skramz/post hardcore.
CROSSED – Realismo ausente
March 21 // Through Love/Zegema Beach/a lot of other labels
Skramz again, and what a masterpiece. I have a sweet spot for Spanish skramz, and CROSSED could be one of the best skramz bands coming out of the country. This is just really nasty and highly emotional blackened skramz, and if you into those sort of things or into good fucking extreme music in general, go for it.
YHWH Nailgun – 45 Pounds
March 21 // AD 93
SAGES – SAGES
March 21 // Independent
PremRock – Did You Enjoy Your Time Here…?
March 21 // Backwoodz Studioz
Japanese Breakfast – For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women)
March 21 // Dead Oceans
Heartbreak was never as beautiful as when it’s told by Japanese Breakfast. Known for their dreamy indie sound, For Melancholy Brunettes (& Sad Women) is actually surprisingly folky, borderline country-fied (miss me with that yeehaw stuff), which adds a nice layer of warmth and wholesomeness to their sound.
Lucy Liyou – Every Video Without Your Face, Every Sound Without Your Name
March 21 // Orange Milk Records
Mercy Ties – Reflections and Criticisms
March 28 // The Ghost Is Clear Records
Hardcore is on a winning streak these days. It never really went away, but it is bursting with bands that both break new ground and revive classic tropes in interesting ways. Mercy Ties play a crusty, noisy branch of hardcore, and with their new album, they are on their way to becoming one of the most interesting and energetic acts in modern hardcore.
LABYRINTHINE HEIRS – Labyrinthine Heirs
March 28 // I, Voidhanger Records
I, Voidhanger is the ultimate MVP of weird extreme metal. A gift that keeps on giving. LABYRINTHINE HEIRS made some strange choices in sound design and production, but like a lot of Voidhanger material, it makes perfect sense. Maybe not the most accessible record you will check out today, but certainly one of the most interesting.
Apparitions – Volcanic Reality
March 28 // Deathbomb Arc
My buddy Broc recently talked to the band for our Weekly Featured Artist section, so instead of me rambling on about how amazing Apparitions are, I will let him do that. Spoiler alert: They are amazing.
Deafheaven – Lonely People With Power
March 28 // Roadrunner Records
The whole time I was writing this feature, I was thinking about how I was going to approach this. Let me just say this: I like every Deafheaven album, from their early days on Roads To Judah to their full-blown look on Infinite Granite. And this album, Lonely People With Power, is their best.
SPELLLING – Portrait of My Heart
March 28 // Sacred Bones Records
Nothing quite like SPELLLING out there. What Chrystia Cabral does with her music is nothing short of magical, and every new album is a new shade of her artistic world. Start getting into her stuff today – Portrait of My Heart is as wonderful as the rest of her material.
Grey Aura – Zwart vierkant Slotstuk
March 28 // Avantgarde Music
Dutch black metal outfit Grey Aura not only provides us with some of the best artwork in the genre, but also some of the most forward-thinking music in black metal. Zwart vierkant: Slotstuk continues what started with Zwart vierkant, and it’s as triumphant and amazing as it can be, maybe even a bit more.
Backxwash – Only Dust Remains
March 28 // Ugly Hag
SATSUMA – this is my outside voice
March 28 // Tomb Tree
Raccoon City – Fugue
March 28 // Dog Knights Production
OHYUNG – You Are Always On My Mind
March 28 // Phantom Limb
Eiko Ishibashi – Antigone
March 28 // Drag City Records
Thanks for scrolling!
