Music 2025: Honorable Mentions

On December 22, 2025December 23, 2025 By Amy Lordan-TrippIn Baroque Pop, industrial, Music, Power Pop, Shoegaze, Synth PopLeave a comment

Here’s a slew of great releases that didn’t make it into my Top 25 Favorite Albums of 2025, but that I like quite a bit or am just falling for now. Here they are, listed alphabetically by release title. There are some fabulous EPs in there for good measure. If you’d rather just listen, check out my Best of ‘25 playlist on Apple Music and Spotify. And please, if you find something you like, support the artists by buying their music, merch, and seeing them when they tour!

Winter – Adult Romantix Power dream pop!
SPRINTS – All That Is Over Pulse pounding rock from Ireland.
Smerz – Big City Life Superb electronica from the Norwegian duo.
Wednesday – Bleeds Fuzzed out indie rock with a bit of twang.
SASAMI – Blood On the Silver Screen The former Cherry Glazerr member proves again to be versatile on this, her third album. Listeners will find a more pop/dance sound reminiscent of Robyn. It’s energetic and infectious.

Samia – Bloodless Samia’s voice is dazzling on this indie folk-rock album.
Sudan Archives – The BPM Eclectic beats, violin, and lush vocals make this album divine.

Jessica Lea Mayfield performing at 3S Artspace | Photo by Amy Lordan-Tripp

Jessica Lea Mayfield – Choose Myself EP Every track on this five-song EP is stellar. I was lucky to finally see Mayfield when she opened for Lucero in September.
Chalk – Conditions III EP Chalk is one of my favorite new artists. Excellent industrial tunes.
HEALTH – CONFLICT DLC I’m just getting acquainted with the December release from the industrial rockers. Librarians note: it’s not about the Library of Congress.
Say She She – Cut & Rewind Catchy, modern R&B/pop from three classically trained singers.
Greet Death – Die In Love It’s melodic, at times heavy-ish, alt-rock with hints of shoegaze. The vocals on “Same But Different Now” remind me of Jaz Coleman of Killing Joke.
Divorce – Drive to Goldenhammer I’m at a loss for words on how to describe this full-length debut from the British band. Just go listen to it. You’re welcome, Massachusetts*.
VLURE – Escalate Dance-y, industrial-ish, electro pop from Scotland. A poppier Front 242 mixed with Pop Will Eat Itself.

FKA twigs – EUSEXUA This album is so good that I forgive FKA twigs for co-starring in The Crow (2024). Recommended for fans of Kelli Ali-era Sneaker Pimps.
yeule – Evangelic Girl Is a Gun Dreamy glitch-pop.
SPC ECO – Hello I’m in absolute love with the title track. It woulda been on my Best of 2025 playlist but it’s not available on Apple or Spotify. It is available on Bandcamp, which is where I bought this dreamy electronica album.
The Hives – The Hives Forever Forever the Hives A rock ‘n’ roll good time.
Japanese Breakfast – For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women) I’m a melancholy brunette! And this album is for me!
The Last Dinner Party – From the Pyre No sophomore slump for The Last Dinner Party! Super excited to see them when they hit Roadrunner in Boston next year.
Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers – Glory Fun Australian pop rock.
Idlewild – Idlewild When I got laid off by Warner/Elektra/Atlantic, my friends at EMI Music Distribution took me to see Idlewild that night. Idlewild helped to soothe me. And a couple of decades later, they still soothe with an album of melodic, soaring gems.
Rhett Miller – A Lifetime of Riding by Night The Old 97’s frontman has crafted another fine, bittersweet album.
Hatchie – Liquorice Ethereal dream pop tunes. Recommended if you like Cocteau Twins or The Sundays.

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds at Agganis Arena in Boston | Photo by Amy Lordan-Tripp

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Live God Yeah, yeah, yeah-Another live Bad Seeds release! I’ll take it! I got to see them tour Wild God and it was an ebullient experience.
Sparks – MAD! Sparks have been together for over 50 years and their music is still relevant, infectious, and witty. Do yourself a favor and, if you haven’t already, watch Edgar Wright’s documentary, The Sparks Brothers, about the Mael brothers.
Laufey – A Matter of Time On this, her third album, the Icelandic chanteuse channels singers from the 1940s with aplomb.

Depeche Mode at TD Garden in Boston | Photo by Amy Lordan-Tripp

Depeche Mode – Memento Mori: Mexico City The first time I listened to this, I got goosebumps. It is a bit tender listening to their first live album since the death of Andrew Fletcher.
bdrmm – Microtonic Sumptuous electronica.
The Cure – Mixes of a Lost World I had very high hopes for this remix album, as I’m a big fan of both Mixed Up and Songs of a Lost World. But I’m not a huge fan of remixes in general. I’d take a live performance or b-side over a remix most days. But I still like Mixes, most notably the tracks remixed by Paul Oakenfold and Chino Moreno.
Wet Leg – Moisturizer Super catchy alternative rock.
Throwing Muses – Moonlight Concessions Raw, indie rock. Kristin Hersh has been a staple in my music collection since high school.
terraplana – natural Brazilian shoegaze that reminds me of Boston’s Drop Nineteens.
Neko Case – Neon Grey Midnight Green Another gorgeous album from Case. It makes a great companion to her heartfelt and gritty memoir The Harder I Fight the More I Love You.
Travels With Brindle – No. 1 in Heaven EP On this spunky EP, Travels With Brindle delights with a ukulele-based take on Sparks’ Giorgio Moroder-produced classic.
Hammock – Nevertheless Tranquil ambient/functional music that’s a trip.
Marissa Nadler – New Radiations Haunting, ethereal, goth-folk.
White Lies – Night Light A swell album from White Lies. If you haven’t heard them, they sound kinda like Interpol, if they were British. On this, their seventh album, they’ve matured and branched out a bit.
Sophie Ellis-Bextor – Perimenopop My queen of English dance pop reigns and celebrates perimenopause!

Wishy performing in NYC | Photo by Amy Lordan-Tripp

Wishy – Planet Popstar EP Charming dream pop with a dash of shoegaze hooked me. The Indiana band is fantastic live.
Labrinth – Prelude EP I’m pretty sure that Labrinth, AKA Briton Timothy Lee McKenzie, came from the future to share his innovative music with us. Expect a new full-length album, Cosmic Opera: Act I, on January 30.

Deftones’ alternate artwork | Photo by Amy Lordan-Tripp

Deftones – private music Despite being around since last century, Deftones have created an album with a modern, thrumming intensity.
Hotline TNT – Raspberry Moon Sweet hooks, distortion, and songs that remind me of both Catherine Wheel and Teenage Fan Club.
Die Spitz – Something To Consume Aggro, alternative rock.
BLACK CROSS HOTEL – Songs for Switches Darkwave industrial from Chicago.
The Beths – Straight Line Was a Lie I’m so late to The Beths party! The Kiwi indie-power pop rockers delight on their fourth album. Recommended for fans of Velocity Girl and Alvvays.
Swim School – Swim School This album was so close to making my Top 25, but I’ve only just stumbled onto the Scottish band. I have listened to this album a couple of times and I really love it.
Gelli Haha – Switcheroo Futuristic, fun, dance pop.
Guided by Voices – Thick Rich and Delicious The hooks, they are aplenty!
Beluga Lagoon – The Tombs O’ The Faeries Traditional Scottish folk music that sticks with ya.
Bryce Dessner – Train Dreams (Soundtrack) Yup. Bryce Dessner of The National doubles as a scorer of films. I recommend watching the movie, starring Joel Edgerton, and checking out this beautiful and haunting score. Plus, there’s the touching title track collaboration with Nick Cave that has been short-listed for an Academy Award nomination.
Melody’s Echo Chamber – Unclouded 1960s-inspired Gallic pop with a flowing, warm sound.
Winter Gardens – Uncomfortable/Unlovable EP A perfect goth/shoegaze/dream pop EP.
Gwenno – Utopia The former Pipette dazzles with an alternative pop album.
Viagra Boys – viagr aboys Fun rock ‘n’ roll.
Luvcat – Vicious Delicious If you ever wondered what Kylie Minogue would’ve sounded like if she continued to work with Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds beyond “Where the Wild Roses Grow,” Luvcat is for you.
Just Mustard – WE WERE JUST HERE Shoegaze/alt. rock plus a vocalist who sounds a bit like Alison Shaw from Cranes. Yes, please.
Lily Allen – West End Girl Such a poppy, fun … breakup album!

*Willoughby Tucker…* on vinyl | Photo by Amy Lordan-Tripp

Ethel Cain – Willoughby Tucker, I’ll Always Love You This forlorn album was my number one bedtime pick over the last few months.
Conan Gray – Wishbone I adore Conan Gray. His Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade performance was stellar. Wishbone is a sort of glorious pop bildungsroman. I’m wicked excited to finally see him next year.
Lovina Falls – Would That It Were EP Lovina Falls is the brainchild of Boston’s Valerie Forgione (ex-Mistle Thrush). This EP collects three alternative rock/baroque pop singles and adds two new lovely tracks.
Jehnny Beth – You Heartbreaker, You Just in case you thought I was going too pop with my “Conehead” selection, the indomitable Jehnny Beth should ameliorate any worries. This is another record that was almost in my Top 25. It’s like a mix of Tool and PJ Harvey.

*Divorce’s song, “Fever Pitch,” ends with the line: “Thank you, Massachusetts.” I can only presume that it’s about the Red Sox.

Top 25 Albums of 2025

On December 15, 2025December 20, 2025 By Amy Lordan-TrippIn Music1 Comment

It was really hard to narrow down my favorite albums of this past year. Here’s the cream of the crop. Stay tuned for my Honorable Mention list soon!

25. Billy Nomates – Metal Horse A solid release from Billy Nomates AKA Victoria Ann “Tor” Maries. Love “Dark Horse Friend,” which features Hugh Cornwell of The Stranglers.

24. NewDad – Altar They’re brooding, yet there’s also a lightness. I kept thinking that they reminded me of a darker version of The Glee Club, and it turns out that they’re both from Galway!

23. Anika – Abyss Hearing Anika sing, “Sometimes I know, life can just suck,” resonates with me. Recommended for fans of Broadcast and baroque pop.

Juliana Hatfield and Ed Valauskas at The Burren Backroom in Somerville, MA | Photo by Amy Lordan-Tripp

22. Juliana Hatfield – Lightning Might Strike Just under the wire, Hatfield’s latest indie rock album came out on December 12. I actually held off publishing this list because I was waiting to hear it. The wait was worth it. If you haven’t kept up with Hatfield’s prolific career, Lightning Might Strike is the perfect album to reconnect with. It’s a nervous breakdown with melodies and hooks for days.

21. Alison Goldfrapp – Flux My favorite dance/pop album of the year.

20. Coach Party – Caramel This album is sweet and energetic. I’m jealous of everyone who got to see the Ash/Coach Party double bill in the UK!

19. Steve Queralt – Swallow Of course, the bassist from Ride released a gorgeous and sublime album of soundscapes. Guest appearances by Emma Anderson (Sing-Sing/Lush) and Verity Susman (Electrelane, MEMORIALS) complete this dreamy concoction.

18. Andy Bell – pinball wanderer Bell is perhaps best known as the guitarist/vocalist of Ride and the bassist for a little act called Oasis. Full of Madchester beats, Andy Bell’s solo foray is groovy.

17. Maria Somerville – Luster A divine album of swirly dream pop.

16. The Cords – The Cords Absolutely charming indie pop from Scotland.

15. Lambrini Girls – Who Let the Dogs Out Fantastic noise-punk from the UK. Be sure to check out the Peaches remix of their instant classic single “Cuntology 101.”

14. Ólafur Arnalds & Talos – A Dawning An understated and gorgeous album of ambient pop.

13. Miki Berenyi Trio – Tripla Former front person of Lush and Piroshka delights with her latest project.

12. Saint Etienne – International Efferfescent pop tunes. Possibly one of the best albums of their storied career.

11. Black Honey – Soak Recommended for fans of Metric and Catatonia. So many great, sing-along earworm tracks like “Insulin,” “Dead,” and “Shallow.”

10. Shame – Cutthroat Ugh. I looooove Shame so much. They’re like a grittier Kaiser Chiefs. Their fourth album is full of vim and vigor.

9. Wolf Alice – The Clearing Upon first listen, I was a bit disappointed, as I felt Wolf Alice had gone in a different direction from their last release. But this album has grown on me, and it’s now in “Bloom Baby Bloom.” It’s full of seventies warmth while still retaining a current edge. They’ve matured and evolved.

8. Goddess – Goddess I am enamored with this project from Fay Milton of Savages. Each track features a different, dynamic vocalist. I sought it out because Ex:Re (AKA Elena Tonra of Daughter) was featured, and I ended up loving the whole album.

7. Deep Sea Diver – Billboard Heart Infectious indie rock! I’m obsessed with this album.

Matt Berninger at an in-store performance at Rough Trade in NYC | Photo by Amy Lordan-Tripp

6. Matt Berninger – Get Sunk A stunning sophomore effort from the voice of The National. After releasing his first solo album, Berninger found himself enduring a period of writer’s block. A move from Los Angeles to Connecticut and a new way of writing-scribbling on baseballs-broke the curse. And alas, we found ourselves with two new albums from The National in one year (2023), and with this beautiful, sombre meditation that is Get Sunk. Personal note: Every time I hear “Bonnet of Pins,” I feel happy because Berninger and I sang a few lines from it together at an in-store performance at Rough Trade NYC. He has such a gifted way of connecting with audiences.

Nine Inch Nails performing at TD Garden in Boston | Photo by Amy Lordan-Tripp

5. Nine Inch Nails – TRON:ARES This soundtrack has everything: great score work we’ve come to expect from Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, a banging NIN single (“As Alive As You Need Me to Be”), and haunting pieces like “Echoes” and “I Know You Can Feel It.” Do note: “Who Wants to Live Forever?” is not a cover of the Queen song from the classic film Highlander, but rather it’s a duet with Reznor and guest vocalist Judeline.

4. Suede – Antidepressants This album is so good! These songs are anthemic, soaring, and speak to my soul. With lyrics like, “Oh, oh, well it’s broken music and it’s broken people | Who will save the world, oh oh save the world.” Brett Anderson just gets me.

Pulp performing at Suffolk Downs in Boston | Photo by Amy Lordan-Tripp

3. Pulp – More I did, indeed, want More from Pulp. I’m glad the Sheffield Britpoppers got back together for their first album in 24 years. More, their eighth studio album, ranks up there with Different Class, His ‘n’ Hers, and This Is Hardcore, and is sort of a mix of the three.

2. Ash – Ad Astra A power pop opus is how I described the ninth studio album from Ash in my full review.

Shirley Manson of Garbage at Roadrunner in Boston | Photo by Amy Lordan-Tripp

1. Garbage – Let All That We Imagine Be Light Garbage’s eighth album picks up where No Gods No Masters left off, and is, dare I say, optimistic? The whole album sounds fantastic. The quartet, led by the indomitable Shirley Manson, is not going down without a fight. For example, a portion of the lyrics to “Chinese Fire Horse”: “You say my time is over. Over, over. That I have gotten old. So old. That I no longer do it for you. And my face now leaves you cold … And I should just retire. Retire, retire. Just a fucking minute. Who you talking to?”

Bandcamp Friday Picks 10/3/25

On October 3, 2025 By Amy Lordan-TrippIn industrial, Music, Shoegaze, Synth PopLeave a comment

Hooray! It’s Bandcamp Friday again! My favorite semi-monthly holiday. Here’s what I’ll be picking up:

Sunlight Echoes (Pre-Order) by Whitelands – This album is scheduled for release on Sonic Cathedral in January 2026, which seems like forever away, but it’s actually not! Backing vocals on their track “Sparklebaby” by Emma Anderson, formerly of Lush and Sing-Sing, make this album a must for me.

THE BPM (Pre-Order) by Sudan Archives – Due for release on October 17, I’m pre-ordering THE BPM and also getting Sudan Archives’ previous release Athena. The intriguing Sudan Archives is the brainchild of violinist Brittney Denise Parks.

Songs For Switches (Pre-Order) by ʙʟᴀᴄᴋ ᴄʀᴏss ʜᴏᴛᴇʟ – This sumptuous industrial/darkwave album is being released on the perfect day: Halloween. The Chicago group features former members of Stabbing Westward and The Atlas Moth.

“Girl, so confusing” by Hinds – Once a quartet and now a duo, Hinds take their lo-fi brand of garage pop and put a unique spin on the Charli XCX hit.

Pratts & Pain by Royel Otis – I’m over a year behind on this one. “Sofa King” is so infectious, I have to get Pratts & Pain in addition to this year’s (Hickey), which, unfortunately, isn’t available on Bandcamp.

Caramel by Coach Party – Synthpop crossed with your favorite industrial-gloom-pop band. Maybe She Wants Revenge? With a dash of The Killers for good measure.

Is It Now? by Automatic – If you ever wondered what Ladytron would sound like if they were from Los Angeles, here is your answer and it is gorgeous!

“Little Black Dress” by Francis of Delirium – A new single from my favorite artist from Luxembourg.

“Doldrum Days” by Miki Berenyi Trio – If it’s new music from a former member of Lush, I’m going to buy it. Lush is pretty much my all-time favorite band. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Bury the Key by TOPS – My friend, Phillip, made me curious about this album when he described it as “breezy.” (If you knew Phillip, you’d realize how good an artist would have to be for him to be into a “breezy” sound.) Indeed, Bury the Key is lovely! It sounds like dream pop with a hint of yacht rock.

Dance Called Memory by Nation of Language – Upon first listen, I was like, “This sounds incredible.” And then I realized that I was bewitched by the nostalgia of my goth days in college. I’m fine with that. Recommended for fans of Future Bible Heroes.

All That Is Over by Sprints – If you haven’t heard the Sprints’ debut, Letter to Self, you need to fix that. After you’ve bought that barn burner, put your headphones on and listen to their sophomore effort. They manage that soft-loud-soft angst so well. And do try to catch them on tour. I’ve already got tickets for their February 3, 2026 show at The Sinclair in Cambridge, MA.

Adult Romantix by Winter – It’s shimmering-twee-shoegaze-indie pop and that’s for me!

California Songs

On October 2, 2025November 17, 2025 By Amy Lordan-TrippIn MusicLeave a comment

I’m heading west to Los Angeles next week, so I’m updating my “California Adventure” playlist. Following is my current list of songs about L.A. and/or California. Some popular songs are omitted because I’m just not a fan of the artist (Sorry, RHCP fans!) or I’ve heard them one too many times (i.e., “California Girls”). My playlist starts with “Intro,” which is a bit of dialogue from the Gregg Araki film Nowhere. It’s spoken by actor James Duval and is sourced from the soundtrack. The second track is “Back to Cali,” by LL Cool J, but after that, it’s pretty much a jumble that fills ten hours. The playlist can also be found on Apple Music.