Your early soothing, upbeat tracks to kickstart 2025
A first foray into new music you need to be listening to in 2025… (Note: A newsletter glitch means that some Spotify embeds don't come through on newsletter. Head to the main site for the full foray if you don't receive)
What’s new?
‘Prism Of Pleasure’ is a confident, fearless record, with peaks and troughs of utter ecstasy and untold grief. So said Clash Magazine when Welsh artist Elkka’s debut album was released recently.
This polished effort certainly doesn’t feel like a debut album. Standout track, second on the album, is ‘Right Here’, which was written in 40 minutes and on the morning of her father’s funeral.
Yet, as Clash affirms, it’s a positive, affirmative track, with a catchy hook and bittersweet lyrics.
Other standout track: I Just Want to Love You
Soundtracks come to life
Black Doves hit the mark on Netflix over Christmas. Accomplished Brit composer Martin Phipps provided the soundtrack and it was only when the closing scenes - once most had been shot - that the music really came to life.
Step forward The Future..
And Christmas Day, which was featured in one of the last scenes of the final episode...
If you liked these, then try this from late 2024:
Tom Rasmussen feat Self Esteem - Rescue Me
And through the bleakness of Squid Game 2, there is a ray of light when the contestants are voting O or X, thanks to Jung Jaeil’s Vote 1...
If you like that then here are 3 more recent releases:
- Julianna Barwick - Adventurer of the Family
- Last Dinner Party - Sinner
- Tara Clerkin Trio - Marble Walls, below
Single of the month
Irish singer Morgana’s I’ll Cry When I’m Dead. The accompanying video features Ardal O’Harlon. A great track.
Electronic album of the month
Australian DJ and producer Soul Wun has released a delightful, 30-odd minute album entitled Blue Light.
Banger from the old skool
Scuba has been releasing stuff since 2003 and this fresh release has all the classic piano and breakbeat loops of old.
Album anniversary
Modest Mouse's Float On remains one of the great indie tracks. If you haven't heard it, 20 years on the band have reissued an expanded album. All the better for being able to highlight Float On here...