Tag: Throwing Muses

Music 2025: The Rest of the Best

On By Amy Lordan-TrippIn Baroque Pop, industrial, Music, Power Pop, Shoegaze, Synth Pop1 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 shoegaze.
  • 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.

Favorite Albums of 2020

On By Amy Lordan-TrippIn Music, Pop CultureLeave a comment

Other than hugging my mom, what I missed the most this year has been concerts. When I saw Soul Asylum and Local H in February, I had no idea that it would be my last show of 2020. When I worked in the music industry, some weeks I’d be at shows every night. One night, when I worked at Ryko Distribution, I saw three separate concerts (at three different venues) on one night. I saw more shows on that one night than I have in all of 2020.

The upside of all of this quarantining at home, aside from reading way more than usual, has been the bonus music exploration time. KEXP, WERS, Hot Press, Bandcamp, and Vanyaland were some of my favorite sources for new tunes. When I wasn’t reading, you could find me playing Animal Crossing while blasting music.

As someone who’s immunocompromised and spent three months quarantining when she was 12, escaping through music has been a big part of my life. I wouldn’t have been able to make it through this year without these albums (and many, many others). Without further ado, here’s my top ten favorite albums of 2020!

Top Ten Favorite Albums

Matt Berninger’s Serpentine Prison | Photo by Amy Lordan

10. Matt Berninger – Serpentine Prison The frontman of The National released his first solo effort and it’s quite excellent. It picks up where The National’s Trouble Will Find Me left off.

9. Butch Walker – American Love Story This is Walker’s musical! Maybe someday it’ll be on the stage. For now, you can enjoy its many power pop ear worms like “Fuck It (I Don’t Like Love)” and “Everything White.” And if songs like Walker’s “Joan” are among your favorites, then your heart will break for the “Sunset Grill”-sounding “Out In the Open.”

Nine Inch Nails performing in Mansfield, MA in 2009 | Photo by Amy Lordan

8. Nine Inch Nails – Ghosts V: Together Atmospheric, ambient, and haunting. This release, along with Ghosts VI, is available for free on the Nine Inch Nails website. Go grab them both. As the description on the website says, “TWO DIFFERENT RECORDS FOR TWO DIFFERENT MINDSETS. DOWNLOAD NOW FOR FREE. STAY SAFE!” This year, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross of Nine Inch Nails also released scores for the films Soul and Mank. That Emmy, Oscar, and Grammy award winner Reznor knows how to stay busy. Maybe Reznor should collaborate with Butch Walker on a musical so that he can get his Tony?

7. Run the Jewels – RTJ4 Remember that feeling in college you’d get when you listened to Consolidated? That’s the buzz I get from this politically-charged album. I get goosebumps every single time I listen to “Walking in the Snow” and I hear the lyrics, “Until my voice goes from a shriek to whisper, ‘I can’t breathe.'”

6. Phantogram – Ceremony This was my go-to album when I needed a pick-me-up. Songs like “Dear God” and “Into Happiness” capture how I miss my friend with lyrics like “Take me out of this world I’m living in | Tell, tell my friends ’cause I know I’mma see again” and “Wish you could be here | No more loneliness | You’d make it perfect.” Also, it has a good beat and I can dance to it.

5. Pillow Queens – In Waiting This is the Irish quartet that’s missing from your collection. Wistful. Melodic. Shimmering. Kinda sounds like Teagan and Sara gone shoegaze and power pop. From 2:51 of “Holy Show” to its end is truly glorious.

4. Hinds – The Prettiest Curse Ah! Sweet power pop meets lo-fi garage rock. The Spanish quartet’s third album is a gem. They straddle the lines of pop and rock perfectly, and they even throw in a dash of synth-pop. It’s like Apples In Stereo, Fuzzy, and CSS had a baby and that baby is Hinds.

Deftones at the House of Blues in Boston in 2013 | Photo by Amy Lordan

3. Deftones – Ohms Hands down my favorite Deftones album since White Pony. Some tracks are kinda thrash metal (“Urantia”) while others (“The Link Is Dead”) meander into Angelo Badalamenti territory.

Nick Cave performing with Grinderman at the House of Blues in Boston in 2010 | Photo by Amy Lordan

2. Nick Cave – Idiot Prayer This is my kitten’s favorite album of 2020. She has a penchant for Nick Cave (and also Harry Styles). Everytime we play Nick Cave, she has to jump up to the speakers and be as close as possible to them. I think she gets that from me. Whenever I’ve seen Nick Cave live, whether it’s with Grinderman or the Bad Seeds, I always want to be close to him. I think that Cave is the most brilliant lyricist of his generation. With Idiot Prayer, Cave’s lyrics seem even more poignant in this stripped down, solo live performance. Idiot Prayer was recorded at Alexandra Palace in London and was streamed globally to ticket holders online on July 23, 2020.

1. Hum – Inlet I am obsessed with this moody, brooding, sonic masterpiece. When I found myself in the emergency department because of an intractable migraine, this was one of the albums that soothed me. It’s so easy to get lost in Inlet. I was particularly drawn to “In the Den” with the lyric “Find me here on the ground and in need of you” and wishing that my partner could be by my side. But that’s life during a pandemic.

Honorable Mention

  • Grimes – Miss Anthropocene
  • Pet Shop Boys – Hot Spot
  • Morrissey – I Am Not a Dog On a Chain (Yes. I’m just as confused as you that this isn’t in my top albums. It starts out strong and then just peters out.)
  • Bohren & Der Club of Gore – Patchouli Blue
  • The Rentals – Q36
  • Lanterns On the Lake – Spook the Herd
  • Throwing Muses – Sun Racket
  • Yumi Zouma – Truth or Consequences
  • Greg Dulli – Random Desire
  • Jarv … Is – Beyond the Pale
  • Doves – The Universal Want
  • Songhoy Blues – Optimisme
  • Taylor Swift – evermore (Yes. I’m just as confused as you that this is in my honorable mention section. It might even bump out one of my top ten albums! Why? Because this is basically an album by The National with Taylor Swift. Aaron Dessner of The National co-produced both of Swift’s 2020 album releases. In the past, I’ve tried to get into Taylor Swift, but had no luck. This time, I was like, “She does a song with The National? I gotta hear it.” So I did. I listened to “Coney Island” and then I listened to the whole album. And then I listened to the whole album again. And I’m in love. Particularly with “Champagne Problems.”

For more of my favorite tracks from 2020, including new singles by Dubstar, New Order, and Parlour Bells, check out my Spotify playlist.