European Sun - School Report

What better way to send off 2025 than with a 17-minute single from European Sun's upcoming new album "When Britain Was Great". You can get this epic track as a bonus CD if you order a physical copy of the album! FUN!
The track follows a day in the life as he discovers former school reports from his childhood. Listening to his teachers' remarks certainly makes me glad I didn't go to school in England! The chorus makes me shimmy every time it hits!
"When Britain Was Great" will be released on Jan 23rd!

My Album of the Year 2025: Brian Bilston and The Catenary Wires - Sounds Made by Humans

Of course I knew The Catenary Wires (the ever prolific duo of Amelia Fletcher & Rob Pursey), but had no idea who poet Brian Bilston was when this collaboration was announced.  Well now I do, and I love him too!  The three came together to create "Sounds Made by Humans", a collection of song poems that has won the most prestigious title of the 16h "Ooberus Oblivious Album of the Year"!!

When it was announced, I had a feeling I was going to quite enjoy the album. I used to write a lot of poetry years ago; performed in a couple poetry slams and even won one! And what are your standard song lyrics but poetry w/ a chorus! There's plenty to relate to on this album as well, as a middle-aged human. Tons that makes me chuckle and a few moments of deep emotion.

Favorite tracks include opener & lead single "Alexa, What Is There to Know About Love?" featuring AI's answers to a few of life's most philosophical questions. The jangly pop perfection of "Might Have, Might Not Have". My favorite track "To Do List", with it's most infectious doo-doo-doo chorus lead-up makes me wiggle with joy every time! "Compilation Cassette", the extremely relatable tale for any music lover who has labored so much over the perfect compilation of tunes only to never know how the receiving party felt about, or if they even listened to, your labor of love! "31 Rules of Midlife Rebellion" is a song about lists that tell you not to listen to songs about lists, but there are quite a few great rules to follow like "ignoring your Fitbit" and "listen to the radio while eating TV dinners" and especially "never wear Ramones t-shirts"! Love it! "She'd Dance" is an absolute stunner of a track, bringing a bit of melancholy to the mix.

 
The Catenary Wires are the perfect backing band for such a project. Their music and melodies blend seamlessly with Bilston's poems and each lift the other to greatness. I'm hoping there may be more collaborating between these folks in the future! And even if they don't, we'll always have this album to cherish.

My Favorite Albums of 2025 - Part 3

2. Saint Etienne - International

3. Ora the Molecule - Dance Therapy

4. MARINA - Princess of Power

5. Sophie Ellis-Bextor - Perimenopop

My Favorite Albums of 2025 - Part 2

6. Sally Shapiro - Ready to Live a Lie

7. The Hidden Cameras - Bronto

8. Alison Goldfrapp - Flux

9. Celeste - Woman of Faces

10. Stereolab - Instant Holograms on Metal Film

11. Jens Lekman - Songs for Other People's Weddings

12. Jenny Hval - Iris Silver Mist

13. Ivy - Traces of You

14. Lightheaded - Thinking, Dreaming, Scheming!

15. The Tear Garden - Astral Elevator

My Favorite Albums of 2025 - Part 1

16. Charlie Hilton - River of Valentines

17. Lake Ruth - Hawking Radiation

 

18. Pulp - More

19. Suede - Antidepressants

20. Miki Berenyi Trio - Tripla

21. Allie X - Happiness Is Going to Get You

 

22. The Dears - Life Is Beautiful! Life Is Beautiful! Life Is Beautiful!

 

23. Austra - Chin Up Buttercup

 

24. Brideshead - You Are the Light

25. Lily Allen - West End Girl

Ladytron - Caught in the Blink of an Eye

Ladytron is dropping a post-Xmas gift with their latest single from upcoming "Paradises", out March 20th!

Chilly Gonzales - Xmas Kiss (feat. Jarvis Cocker)

Jarvis on a track from the Japanese CD edition of Chilly Gonzales' festive 2000 album "A Very Chilly Christmas"! Happy Holidays, if you celebrate! And if not, Happy Any Other Ol' Day!!

The Sound Veil Society - OK

I just discovered The Sound Veil Society scouring through other folks' year-end lists. They only have two tracks out, this being the 2nd and both are lovely slices of synthpop!

Celeste - Keep Smiling

From Celeste's latest, "Woman of Faces", here's a new video!

2025 Song of the Year: Graveyard Club - Ur Baby

Graveyard Club released this song at the end of January and I have loved it upon first listen. Sweeping chorus, beautiful lyrics and a heartfelt delivery is the perfect recipe for a perfect POP! song!
The song was written as an accompanying piece to the short film "Video Barn" by Bianca Poletti which I still need to watch!

"And even if you can't save me
At least I know that I died free
The world's falling apart lately
Tell me that I'm ur baby."

33 Lovers - Free

Heres a track off 33 Lovers' upcoming new album "Am I in a Dream", due out January 16th!

Best Songs of 2025 - Part 7

All four of these songs have rotated through my TOP of the POP! spot all year long.  They are all fantastic!

2. Sophie Ellis-Bextor - Stay on Me



3. PinkPantheress - Tonight



4. Evripidis & His Tragedies - Just a Little Wiser



5. Marina - I﹤3 YOU

Best Songs of 2025 - Part 6

6. Lady Gaga - Zombieboy



7. Miki Berenyi Trio - 8th Deadly Sin



8. David Archuleta - Crème Brulée



9. Sam Quealy - Londontown



10. Pulp - Spike Island

Best Songs of 2025 - Part 5

11. Ora the Molecule - Intergalactic Dance



12. Ora the Molecule - Prince of the Rhythm



13. Austra - Fallen Cloud



14. Marina - Cupid's Girl



15. Art d'Ecco - Tree of Life

Best Songs of 2025 - Part 4

16. Lily Allen - Pussy Palace



17. iamamiwhoami - STILL BLUE



18. Ladytron - I Believe in You



19. Jeanines - Coaxed a Storm



20. The WAEVE - Eternal

Best Songs of 2025 - Part 3

21. Jessica Winter - L.O.V.E.



22. Anika - Walk Away



23. NEWMEN - Echo System



24. Haute & Freddy - Freaks



25. Rentboy - Pussy on the Floor

Best Songs of 2025 - Part 2

26. R. Missing - Infinifalls



27. The WAEVE - Love Is All Pain



28. Haute & Freddy - Fashion Over Function



29. Ivy - Say You Will



30. Your Heart Breaks - Love You More

Best Songs of 2025 - Part 1

It's one of my favorite times of year! Year End Music List Magic Time! Here's part 1 of 7 for my favorite tracks from this year!

31. The Burning Hell - Bottle of Chianti, Cheese, and Charcuterie Board

32. The Tear Garden - A Return

33. Miami Horror - We're All Made of Stars (feat. Telenova)

34. Jenny Wilson - Boy (Please Forgive Me)

35. Yukimi - Sad Makeup

Andy Bell - The Chance Won't Come Again (feat. Tim Rice-Oxley)

Getting to see Andy Bell tonight! Here's a bonus track from "The Crown Jewels" new, expanded collector's edition!

Blue Hawaii - holdsomeone

New single from Blue Hawaii!

Sébastien Tellier - Thrill Of The Night (feat. Slayyyter & Nile Rodgers)

New from Sébastien Tellier w/ a couple of friends! His new album "Kiss the Beast" will be out Jan 30th!

Tony & The Kiki - HOLY XTC

Tony & The Kiki released their latest EP "Fornication Under the Consent of Queens" on Halloween. Glad I've just discovered them because this is fabulous!

bis & Art Brut - Opposites Attract

bis & Art Brut have united to give us the "Sorry About That" EP featuring covers of both Paula Abdul & Mama Cass, as well as covers of each other!

TOMORA - Ring the Alarm

Tom Rowlands of Chemical Brothers and AURORA have combined energies and come up with TOMORA and this debut madness! I love it!

Cranes - Wires

Cranes return with a video from the 2008 self-titled album, recently released for the first time on vinyl!

Voxtrot - Fighting Back

Voxtrot are fully back now with news of their new album "Dreamers in Exile" (out Feb 27th) and this great new single!

Swansea Sound - Not My Order

Swansea Sound release "All Is Calm" today, a mini album featuring their old festive holiday music as well 2 brand new songs! Get it HERE!

Melody's Echo Chamber - The House That Doesn't Exist

Melody's Echo Chamber releases their new album "Unclouded" tomorrow!

Sunlit - Beside

New single from Joe Moore's Sunlit!

Sarah Nixey - Winter Solstice

The 2nd single from Sarah Nixey's upcoming new solo album "Sea Fever"! Beauty! The album will be out on February 6th!

Viola Odette Harlow - Little Dream

I had the initial thought of doing another advent calendar this year, but then I got lazy! Instead, I'll just post a sprinkling of festive-ish music throughout the month. First off, here's Viola Odette Harlow with a touching, yet sad ballad. It's beautiful. Happy December!

Poppet - Mini Mozzie (feat. Angryoldogs)

A song from the perspective of a mosquito?! Sign me up! Latest release from Poppet!

Pulp - The Man Comes Around

Pulp giving us a lovely cover of a Johnny Cash track!

The Cure - Secrets (The Show of a Lost World - Live from Troxy 2024)

Very excited to see this "show" in a couple weeks in the cinema! Rockyboo's all-time fave on the big screen!

Romeo Void - Never Say Never

Last night Rockyboo and I watched an old episode of VH1 Bands Reunited featuring Romeo Void. I'd never seen an episode but highly enjoyed this one! Seeing the band so happy for the chance to reunite, hearing how horrible the industry/corporations have always been, and just the overall love of good music.

I've only ever known a couple of their songs but the show definitely makes me want to dive in for more! I've always loved this song.

Tulpa - PSYOPS

Third single off Tulpa's upcoming debut album "Monster of the Week"! I absolutely love this track and it's infectious chorus! The album is out this Friday.

Blondfire - Do It Again

New single from Blondfire!

Art School Girlfriend - The Peaks

New from Art School Girlfriend off upcoming album, "Lean In", out March 11th!

Say She She - Shop Boy

Here's a fun one from Say She She's album "Cut & Rewind"!

Jonathan Bree - Live to Dance (feat. Princess Chelsea)

New single from Jonathan Bree with a sentiment I live strongly by! On my way to a party to DANCE DANCE DANCE!

Ladytron - Kingdom Undersea

Ladytron with the 3rd new track off of upcoming new album "Paradises", out March 20th!

Would-Be-Goods - The Gallopers

New from long-time fave the Would-Be-Goods who will be releasing a new album via Skep Wax! "Tears Before Bedtime" will be out Feb 13th!

Ora the Molecule - Prince of the Rhythm

Seeing Ora the Molecule open for Cut Copy last week was the perfect reminder of how awesome her new album "Dance Therapy" is! I haven't danced to an opener like that in a while and getting to yell "prince of the rhythm" for this track was so fun!

Hercules & Love Affair - Someone Else Is Calling (feat. Hips & Lips)

Hercules & Love Affair have just announced a new EP and here is the title track featuring vocals by Hips & Lips and production by Quinn Whalley! "Someone Else Is Calling" will be out Dec 12th!

Vox Rea - Art Oracles

New from Vox Rea and it's gooood!

VTSS - Can't Catch Me

Love this new track from VTSS!

Brideshead - Worn Out Rhymes

I've barely gotten around to listening to Brideshead's latest album "You Are the Light", their first in a decade! Jangly, indie goodness all around!

Daphne Guinness - 2B or Not 2B

NEW from my queen diva of 2024, Daphne Guinness! Magnifique!

Robyn - Dopamine

New Robyn! Serving us that Robyn-POP that she has mastered!

Sam Quealy - Love Lasso

So pleasured to have discovered Sam Quealy recently! Her two new tracks/videos are awesome!

Allie X - 7th Floor

Allie X just released her new album "Happiness Is Going to Get You" last Friday!

Telenova - The Deep

A new Telenova album for 2026!! Next year is getting better and better already! Telenova release their new album "The Warning" on Feb 27th!

Sarah Nixey - Witness Tree

New track from Sarah Nixey! It's from her forthcoming new album "Sea Fever" which will be out February 6th!

Romy - Love Who You Love

New single from Romy!

Agnes - EGO

Agnes has finall announced her new album, "Beautiful Madness"! It will be out Jan 23 and may this be light that we need to lead us into a wonderful 2026!!

Few BIts - Nowhere in Love

Another new track from Few Bits! New album "Brick Houses" will be out Nov 21st!

Franke Dour - All My Friends Are Dancing Crazy Without Me

Fun track I came across randomly from Franke Dour out of Brisbane!

Cigarettes After Sex - The Crystal Ship

Beautiful cover of The Doors' track by Cigarettes After Sex! It's a b-side to their latest single "Anna Karenina".

Vanity Fairy - Vive la vie!

Another joyous slice of pop magic from Vanity Fairy!

Anthony Rochester - Nail on the Head

The 11th EP in label Too Good to Be True's 2025 series is Anthony Rochester's latest "He's Taken Up Walking"! Based on the first track, this should be wonderful!

Melody's Echo Chamber - Eyes Closed

2nd single off Melody's Echo Chamber's upcoming new album "Unclouded"!

Still Corners - The Crying Game

Beautiful cover by Still Corners of this beautiful track!

Gina Birch - I Will Never Wear Stilettos

Got to see Gina Birch (of The Raincoats fame) and she was a fantastic, good time live! Here's one of my favorites off her 2023 album "I Play My Bass Loud"!

Tiga - Ecstasy Surrounds Me

Tiga returns! Sooo gooood!!

Miki Berenyi Trio x Lol Tolhurst x Gray - Stranger

Saw Miki Berenyi Trio tonight and this was their closer! Live version was nice but cannot beat the dreamy beauty of the recording!

Rentboy - Pussy on the Floor

TWo songs with the P-word in just a few days! My blog is going to get flagged for indecency!! Love this new single from Rentboy!!

Baby Alpaca - What If It Was the End?

Baby Alpaca released their new album "Stars Above" on Friday! More dreamy vocals and beats to soothe our beings!

The Faint - Projector Project!

The Faint return with their first new music in 6 years! They're also headed on tour with Hercules & Love Affair!

Lily Allen - Pussy Palace

Lily Allen released her new album "West End Girl" today and this track popped out as an instant fave! Cuddles and I have been bouncing to that chorus all morning!

Faded Paper Figures - Out of Control

Latest track from Faded Paper Figures!

Psychic Stunts - Wind Up the Sound

Psychic Stunts only released one album in 2009, "Panic in Motion". This track features in my brain often and I love it! This is the single version released in 2010.

Slow Down Tallahassee - Candy

Slow Down Tallahassee only released a couple of albums and this track is one of my faves off their 2008 album "The Beautiful Light"!

R. Missing - Ola Tremble

I love R. Missing's vibe so much! Their latest!

Jens Lekman - The First Lovesong

Rockyboo and I are headed to my co-workers' wedding today so there's no better time to share another track from Jens Lekman's latest "Songs for Other People's Weddings"!

Irish Basement - My Valerian (feat. Furniteur)

New track from Irish Basement off their EP "Burn This on CD". Featuring the vocal loveliness of Furniteur! The track is a cover of a song by The Max Levine Ensemble off their 2015 album "Backlash, Baby".

Ladytron - I See Red

Another new single from Ladytron and I say YESSSSSS!

Tulpa - Transfixed Gaze

2nd offering from Tulpa off their upcoming debut album "Monster of the Week", out Nov 21st via Skep Wax!

beautymark - To The Grave

Another beautiful slice of dreamy pop from beautymark!

Stereolab - Fed Up With Your Job

Here's a new single from Stereolab, released as a AA-side last month!

Sam Quealy — Londontown

This track has be dancing! New track from Sam Quealy! Love it!

Andy Bell - Xanadu

"Xanadu" is a long favorite song (AND MOVIE!) and I'm hoping Andy Bell will be performing this during his solo stop here in December!

The Dears - Tomorrow and Tomorrow

The third track shared from The Dears upcoming album "Life Is Beautiful! Life Is Beautiful! Life Is Beautiful!", out Nov 7th!

Flare - (Don't Like) The Way We Live Now

Playing through my library on random and this came up the other day. Hadn't heard it in awhile and absolutely loved it! From Flare's 2003 album "Hung"!

Allie X - Reunite

Another new track from Allie X! Her new album "Happiness Is Going to Get You" is out Nov 7th!

Danz CM - Lärm II (Valhalla)

New from Danz CM off upcoming new album "LÄRM!", out Nov 7th!

Austra - Siren Song

2nd single from Austra off upcoming new album "Chin Up Buttercup" out Nov 14th!

Melody's Echo Chamber - In the Stars

Melody's Echo Chamber has announced a new album and dropped its first single! "Unclouded" will be releasedd on December 5th!

Magdalena Bay - Second Sleep

A new track from Magdalena Bay who are currently on tour!

Automatic - Black Box

Digging this track off Automatic's new album "Is It Now?"!

Lou Rebecca - À La Plage

Yasss new track from Lou Rebecca!

Miki Berenyi Trio - Doldrum Days

A new single from Miki Berenyi Trio, just in time for their tour where Rockyboo and I will see them later this month!

Cindy Wilson - Man of the People

Cindy Wilson has a new EP called "Second Sight" and it features this track!

Felix Cartal & Vox Rea - Dissociate

Felix Cartal will be releasing his new album "i, sabotage" on Oct 17th. It features a whole bunch of guests and one of those is Vox Rea adding lovely guest vocals to this dancey track!

Marina - Princess of Power

I'm just sharing this because it is an absolute perfect album opener! Cannot wait to see MARINA next month w/ StevenBoo! Dance to "Princess of Power" NOW!

Goldfrapp - You Never Know (Goldfrapp Remix)

It's insane that Goldfrapp's "Supernature" was released 20 years ago! This year sees the 20th anniversary reissue of this awesome album!

White Lies - Keep Up

New track from White Lies! New album "Night Light" will be out Nov 7th!

iamamiwhoami - STILL BLUE (acoustic)

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The Tear Garden - In the Name Of

The 2nd track off The Tear Garden's upcoming new album "Astral Elevator" which releases Oct 24th!

The Cords - When You Said Goodbye

The third single from The Cords' upcoming debut! The album's closing track is the perfect send off to what is sounding like it's going to be a spectacular album! It's out Friday!

Auntie Hammy - Night Owl

Auntie Hammy is the reason the internet was invented! Random discovery via the Instagram algorithm!

Confidence Man & JADE - Gossip

I only just found out about Confidence Man from their collab w/ Saint Etienne this year, which is just wonderful. In checking them out, this was the first song that popped up and I love it! They've been around a bit, so I've got some further listening!!