Released June 25, 2025 through Tiny Library.File under: rock/alternative

Far Caspian is Irish musician Joel Johnston, and his 6th album Autofiction is a musical feast, with softly spoken lyrics, found sounds, backmasking and samples, the album has moments harkening to artists like Sparklehorse and Elliot Smith, complete with layered accoustic and electric guitars, banjos, keyboards and drums. It’s a poetically loaded album, one with an iconography all its own, and with motifs that are vaguely recognisable. The Irish accent only peeks through on occasion, but is undeniably there under the music. This is my first introduction to Far Caspian, but it makes me want to delve deeper into their back catalog.

Listen to “Autofiction” on:Apple Music }|{ Spotify }|{ Tidal

Released October 24, 2025 through Mushroom.File under: rock/alternative/post-rock

WE WERE JUST HERE is the third full length LP from Ireland’s Just Mustard, and it’s a massive wall-of-sound, with a huge underlying bass track across each track, and the bright vocals supplied by singer Katie Ball. Guitars are meticulously layered, from clean jangly rhythms to outright harmonic distortion like the screaming of an animal heard from another room, all very carefully crafted into the soundscape. The drums seem to occupy the back of the room, but always driving the music forward. The more I listen to this, the better it gets, and I can’t think of a better compliment of a record than that. It’s more than just s series of songs, it’s a sonic journey played out over 10 songs in 39 minutes.

Listen to “WE WERE JUST HERE” on:Apple Music }|{ Spotify }|{ Tidal

Released September 19, 2025 through Dead Oceans.File under: rock/alternative/country

From the first moments of the opening track Reality TV Argument Bleeds, you just know Wednesday’s 6th full length album is going to be an intense journey. As with their previous album, the amazing Rat Saw God from 2023, this album explores ideas of small town isolation and the hidden stories that lurk beneath the surface. The signature crackling almost yodeling vocal style of Karly Hartzman, the big lazy grunge riffs, the self exploratory lyrics telling stories of simple needs and disappointments, the addition of country elements (Elderberry Wine), Never have Wednesday sounded more like Wednesday, and they sound like nobody else either.

Listen to “Bleeds” on:Apple Music }|{ Spotify }|{ Tidal

Released 24 January, 2025 through Rock Action.File under: rock/post-rock

Never a band to rest on their laurels, this album continues to experiment with musical approaches and sounds, and at the same time, manages to maintain much of the signature sound that Mogwai is known for. The album’s exploration of personal turmoil and resilience has been highlighted as a testament to Mogwai’s enduring artistry. With its blend of introspective themes and dynamic instrumentation, The Bad Fire stands as a compelling addition to Mogwai’s discography, reaffirming their status as pioneers in the post-rock genre.

Listen to “The Bad Fire” on:Apple Music }|{ Spotify }|{ Tidal

Released July 04, 2025 through Below Bird’s Robe.File under: rock/alternative/post-rock

A Single Flower is Sydney-based post-rock 6 piece band We Lost The Sea’s 6th studio album, and their experience in emotive soundscapes shines through on this release. Over an hour and ten minutes, We Lost The Sea delivers only six tracks, with the final track Blood Will Have Blood, an epic 27 minutes long. From lulls to crescendos, powerful droning guitars, crashing drums, A Single Flower offers a swirling wall of noise impossible to deny.

In the vein of Mogwai, Explosions In The Sky, Godspeed You! Black Emperor and Russian Circles, A Single Flower is an expression of raw emotion, set against a bleak backdrop of life in the 21st century. Cascading with highs and lows, this album will have you in awe of the sheer power this band can deliver.

A Single Flower comes in at my number one rock album because of the sheer emotive nature of the music delivered. If you enjoy post-rock, as I do, you’ll l love this, especially the epic aforementioned Blood Will Have Blood. It is also the prettiest album I bought this year, the double splatter vinyl resplendent in a world of boring black records.

Listen to “A Single Flower” on:Apple Music }|{ Spotify }|{ Tidal