Best of January 2025
Finding the silver linings in this dumpster fire of a month.
Greetings readers!
2025 is off to a terrifying start for us Americans, and my disassociation tactics are in full effect given, well, *gestures at everything*. I did get to escape for a bit to France and Belgium for a bit, where I enjoyed delicious food, art, and culture, and considered cancelling my return flight.
Nevertheless, we have music, and I like to lean into new music and gigs as a release and a celebration of all of the great things that are being produced out there by creative, loving, and intelligent people. My January concert log included great sets from Been Stellar at PhilaMOCA, Speedy Ortiz/The Tisburys at World Cafe Live, L’Imperatrice at Franklin Music Hall, and a much needed pent-up anger release with Mannequin Pussy/Militarie Gun at The Queen.
Debuts
You can check out my rundown of favorite debuts in my January and February articles.
Overall, my standouts had to be from Lambrini Girls, The Backfires, and Pebbledash.
You’ll also find a new addition to the playlist from pop artist/singer-songwriter Charlie Houston - I plan to write more in depth about this release in my next debut recap, but here’s a spoiler below:
Spotlight Albums & EPs
Delivery - Force Majeure (Bandcamp)
This artist just surpassed my typical 100k limit, but they’re fresh enough that I still wanted to highlight their release. A fantastic garage-punk sophomore album from Australia. Hoping to catch them at New Colossus next month in NYC.
Boyfriend Sushi Town - Dogwood (Instagram)
A folk/hardcore group from Salt Lake City that just may be one of Utah’s best kept secrets. I was a big fan of their 2023 album Player, and this follow up doesn’t disappoint - gives me early Modest Mouse energy.
Tarnish - View From My Window (Instagram)
A full throttle EP from California’s Tarnish, providing a perfect blend of hardcore, pop punk, and emo. One of my most repeated plays last month, and a band to watch out for if you’re a fan of this scene.
Cape Crush, Good June, Impossible Dog - Good Dogs Wear Capes (Bandcamp)
Much thanks to my Philly live music pal (and fantastic photographer) jerseywallphl for putting me on to this collaborative EP from Massachusetts. It combines and highlights the strengths of these three great emo and alternative bands into raw and emotive tracks that showcase the chemistry in each pairing.
Honorable mentions:
Motherhood - Thunder Perfect Mind (New Brunswick art rock)
Pentire - Love On TV (Herefordshire indie pop rock)
Them Flying Monkeys - Best Behavior (Portuguese indie rock)
Spotlight Tracks
Lots of hot tracks this month from rising artists! Here’s a small selection - but be sure to check out the playlist for more!
Cruel Sister - “XOXO” (Dublin alt-gaze singer-songwriter)
Ultra Lights - “It’s Your Funeral” (Atlanta post-punk revival)
Two Man Giant Squid - “Weird Recordings (you’ve got some)” (Brooklyn art-punk)
Midcard - “Sick” (Austin alternative emo)
FIEP - “Same Boat” (Amsterdam indie pop)
Honorable mentions:
Pigeon Dog - “Wet Washing”
My Son The Doctor - “Lawrence Bigando”
Consumables - “Great Design”
Equal Parts - “The Fly”
The Pill - “Money Mullet”
Earworms and Big Hits
Hot releases from hot bands!
zzzahara - Spiral Your Way Out (Bandcamp)
New to me this month, a great indie songwriter from Los Angeles!
DITZ - Never Exhale (Bandcamp)
A great new album from the Brighton post-punk group - it seems that city can do no wrong when it comes to this scene.
Vundabar - “Spades”
Ever since I heard this track live, I’ve been dying for it to be released. One of my favorite indie rock bands to see in concert.
Benjamin Booker - “SLOW DANCE IN A GAY BAR”
This singer-songwriter track destroyed my soul. If you’re like me and were stuck in a perpetual state of disassociation mid-January, this was the perfect soundtrack to stare at a wall for 10 minutes.
Squid - “Building 650”
This new single from another Brighton post-punk band Squid has me so excited about their next era of music.
Honorable mentions:
Blondshell - “T&A”
Bartees Strange - “Wants Needs”
Momma - “I Want You (Fever)”
Franc Moody - “Space Between Us”
The Murder Capital - “The Fall”
You can find my entire Monthly Highlights playlist below - this playlist will reset on the 10th, so be sure to Save it to keep up with next month’s releases. I’ll also try to keep track of them over on YouTube.
You can find all of my Spotify and Youtube playlists in the corresponding links.
Thanks for reading, and happy new music discovery!
x Erin