First Quarter 2025: Music Roundup

2025. Only three months in, and it’s already shaping up to be a most fucked year, politically and environmentally possibly the worst in the 49 years I’ve been on the planet. Thankfully, we have music (sweet music) to remind us of the things that matter. Namely, art, love, wash, rinse, repeat.

Here’s a handful of new releases that I’ve been digging, hard.

Freckle

The ever prolific, consistently brilliant Ty Segall joins forces here with Corey Madden (Color Green) for an understated, fresh release. Corey brings an early 70s Americana vibe that matches surprisingly well with Ty’s surrealist versatility. This time around, Ty gets in with his more melodic side for a very memorable batch of songs. It took a minute for me to get used to Corey’s ‘in the basement’ low vocals, but they offer a nice contrast to Ty’s trademark tenor, and it all meshes nicely with an acoustic guitar heavy mix.

Also, Ty has released the excellent single ‘Fantastic Tomb’, from his upcoming album Possession. If this song (and Freckle) is to be an indicator, Ty’s heading in to a more melodic direction again. However, with Ty, he can go in seemingly any direction, surprising and sometimes confusing (several of the reasons why I find him to be the most fascinating artist of the past 20 years)

Dutch Interior - Moneyball

This band has been my surprise of 2025, after seeing them play a very impressive set opening for Acetone. My partner and I were amazed by the confidence and talent of this young band. In their glacial, emotional set, they proved to be a very fitting opener for Acetone, and their new album captures the energy and charisma they displayed on stage. They veer between heady, melodic territory (reminiscent of mid period Radiohead), a handful of Slint-like driving post-rock, and a twist of California style Americana. Doesn’t seem like it would work, but it does! The songwriting and musicianship is top notch, and this is a release that demands repeated listens.

Dean Wareham - That’s The Price Of Loving Me

Twelve years into his solo (recording) career, and thirty-eight years since Galaxie 500’s debut, Dean Wareham has made one of the finest albums of his consistently great oeuvre. Reunited with G500 producer Kramer, this is not a repeat of Dean/ Galaxie’s (or Kramer’s) past achievements, but a statement that is fully modern and forward thinking. The experience and wisdom of two artists meeting again yields captivating results. Kramer’s gauzy, reverb drenched production of old is replaced here with glasslike clarity, with plenty of atmosphere.

Best of all, Dean brought in some exceptional songs, with ‘The Mystery Guest’ being my personal fave (I’m almost always smitten by an ethereal waltz). The title track is a tribute to late, great, legendary tour manager Dr Kiko. ‘Yesterday’s Hero’ is the soundtrack to a slow, spaced out afternoon at a Parisian cafe, and seems to reference one’s standing and relevance as an aging artist. Covers from Nico and Mayo Thompson add more lovely points of reference, and every track here is wonderful.

But hey, it was ME who reamed the guitar in ‘We’re Not Finished Yet’ (a tribute to Dean’s 1968 Gibson ES-335), but that’s another story. I say this playfully, and with nothin’ but love.

Horsegirl - Phonetics On And On

Chicago’s Horsegirl have released their second album, and it’s so much FUN! The dual lead vocals (and propulsive rhythms) remind me of Stereolab, but musically this is far more sparse than the keyboard heavy ‘Lab). Add in some great blasts of noisy guitar, and this album evokes a certain kinda Gen X early 90s indie rock nostalgia. This album is far more than that, though, and the spirited, ramshackle vibe is most welcome. this sounds pretty damn fresh.

Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory

This is not an easy album to digest; essentially disposing of the Gothic Americana of her past work, Sharon Van Etten fully embraces sonic texture. Her beautiful voice contrasts nicely with the heavy-on-the-electronica music. It’s repetitive, dark, and hypnotic. The type of album that reveals more and more upon each listen.

Vida Vella - Panorama

Pansy Division drummer Luis Gabriel Illades explores territory here that’s sonically far removed from PD’s punk rock core, but it’s still driven by the spirit of that legendary Queer-focused band. Remember, punk rock is, at its core, about inclusion and the power of the individual. Mostly in Spanish language, this album is a head trip; it’s often difficult to differentiate songs, but it’s far easier to simply get lost in the haze of the music. I need to spend more time with this, but from what I’ve gathered so far, it’s full of themes of unity and resistance.

Lucy Dacus- Forever Is A Feeling

I need to spend more time with this one (it’s just been released today), but on first listen it reveals itself to be another enjoyable album by this talented artist, made more captivating thanks to earthy, graphic, and realistic lyrics focused on love and sex.

Mark Pritchard & Them Yorke - “Back In The Game”

A mesmerizing teaser from the upcoming collaboration between Radiohead’s Thom Yorke and producer Mark Pritchard. Can’t wait for more!