Album of the week through 2025

28/03/25

I stumbled upon this band completely by accident while aimlessly searching for live music in Wellington and happened upon their album launch gig.

They've got a fairly simple indie rock sound, not something that usually catches my interest, but it's an album I keep coming back to ... so they must've done something right!

They're great live too!

21/03/25

I went to see EBB play live in London on a whim last year ... didn't know anything about them. I was pretty blown away by both the music and the performance art aspect of their live show.

I bought this album and their latest EP on the way out, which says a lot about how great the gig was!

Annoyingly I haven't managed to catch them live since, but this album has had plenty of play time!

14/03/25

I’ve been described as “an acolyte of Steven Wilson” so I think it’s a great show of restraint to wait until March to post an album by him. His new album "The Overview" is out today, so I figured I'd post my personal favourite SW album.

This was my gateway into his music, and what an album it is. It's inspired by the story of Joyce Carol Vincent who passed away in her 40s in a flat in London and no one missed her or discovered her body for over 2 years.

The track "Routine" and its video are up there with the most moving and impactful pieces of music and film I've ever seen.

I don't usually like comparing albums, but this album has been described as "The Wall for the Facebook generation" and there's definitely some element of truth to that!

07/03/25

I've discovered so many amazing artists through support slots for bands I like, and Quantum Pig is another one. This album is a fantastic bit of commentary on politics and current events through stellar songwriting and production.

The track "Keep The Nation Warm" is an epic, and goes up a level live.

28/02/25

This album is just out today! Gleb’s a virtuoso pianist and one half of the band iamthemorning.

I’m just headed back from his album launch gig. This is probably my favourite of his solo albums.

If you like piano driven instrumental music, give this a listen!

21/02/25

A duo spun off from the band Mostly Autumn. Heather Findlay on guitar and vocals; Angela Gordon on keyboards, flute, and vocals. This is their second album. The style is quite folksy ... simple instrumentation under some amazing harmony vocals!

14/02/25

A conceptual Prog epic. It's loosely based on the story The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan. Mike Portnoy (of Dream Theater fame) has described this album as "one of the defining works of his career".

If you like narrative driven conceptual rock in the vein of Tommy, Quadrophenia, or The Wall, then give this one a go!

07/02/25

This is one for metal fans. I never understood death metal until this album ... I guess because it's fairly eclectic and transcends any single genre.

I also think the song "Spirits Will Collide" is one of the greatest songs ever written. Of all time. My sanity has been questioned several times for this opinion, so make of that what you will.

Oh, and it also features Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger on a death metal track called "Hear Me". Go figure ...

31/01/2025

The first album under the "Lonely Robot" moniker by the genius that is John Mitchell and the first in the so-called "Astronaut Trilogy" of albums.

This album and its two "sequels" explore sci-fi themes such as the human condition, and the idea that life originated outside Earth. Conceptual space rock at its best!

The standout track for me is "Oubliette", with stellar vocals by Kim Seviour.

24/02/2025

I'd describe Big Big Train as the personification of England in the form of a rock band, which is amusing because their current lineup only has one Englishman 😝. This was their second album with singer David Longdon who sadly passed away in 2021.

The highlights of this album for me are "Swan Hunter" which is about the ship building industry in the North-East, and "East Coast Racer" which tells the story of the LNER Class A4 4468 Mallard which holds the speed record for a steam locomotive.

17/01/2025

I bought this album after seeing her support another band called The Beggs Sisters last year. It's just a great singer-songwriter style pop album. "Fallin' Angels" especially is an absolute banger.

10/01/2025

I discovered them in 2022 after enough people had recommended them that I had to check them out.

This is their second album, and the one that resonates with me the most, especially the track “Different”.

03/01/2025

My favourite discovery of 2024. I saw them at The 100 Club in London last year almost by accident. I'd gone to see the support act, Ebony Buckle!

Solstice completely blew me away. They're a fusion of folk, rock, and pure joy.