Released June 20, 2025 through XXIM.File under: jazz/funk

An obviously crafted personal project, Gogo Penguin have given a glimpse into some of the forces and influences that drive their music. Of Necessary Fictions their label XXIM Records says: “The record represents a deep dive into identity, authenticity, and transformation.” This is another genre defying album, where experimental electronica sounds brush up against live instrumentation, creating a lush album of varied and emotive sonic journeys.

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

Released August 22, 2025 through On-U Sound.File under: dub

Dub legend Adrian Sherwood, formerly of electronic royalty Tackhead, and pioneer of ReggaeEDM, has created this solid groove from start to finish, his first solo outing on over 13 years. Known for his experimentation and instinctive music production, Sherwood’s The Collapse of Everything is aptly described on his Bandcamp page as “A meticulously constructed album from the master mixologist, pushing his ever adventurous sound into new frontiers.”

Featuring collaborations with the likes of Brian Eno, Keith Le Blanc (Tackhead), Cyrus Richards (Rasites), Alex White (Fat White Family), and Doug Wimbish (Living Colour). If you’ve never delved into the world of dub music, then you could do worse than start here.

Listen to “The Collapse Of Everything” on:Apple Music }|{ Spotify }|{ Tidal

Released August 22, 2025 through One Little Independent.File under: classical crossover

Polar: Dusk has been described as “classical crossover”, somewhat due to its unconventional us of some very-not-classical instruments and sounds, and also due to the fact that these tracks are unmistakably contemporary songs. Unconventional? Yes. Utterly stunning? Absolutely. From the very first notes on Polar: Dusk I knew I was in for something special.

Gabríel Ólafs is only 26 and has already released 7 albums, his first release when he was only 19. His songs are beautiful and lulling. His soundscapes are rich with musical depth, and evoke the title of the album: a polar dusk complete with aurora, vast starscapes, the beautiful desolation of polar living.

It’s a very short album, only 14 minutes with most songs being under 2 minutes. It presents itself as an an addendum to his album from February of 2025 Polar, a 12 track, 39 minute journey through the same landscapes and climes, so if you do thirst for more, be suer to listen to the rest of his catalogue. Polar: Dusk, however presents itself almost like punk-classical, in that it’s over before you realise it. I do wish it went longer, but what it does give me is a gift of music I’d never had. And that’s gift enough.

Listen to the whole album on YouTube:

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

Released March 28, 2025 through Roadrunner.File under: black metal/shoegaze/alternative

Produced by Justin Meldal-Johnsen at EastWest Studios in Hollywood, California, the album features guest appearances from Jae Matthews of Boy Harsher and Paul Banks of Interpol.

Critics have praised the album’s blend of aggression and emotional depth. Described as “unexpectedly heavy and entirely expectedly brilliant,” an “artistic triumph,” and “a dizzying return to the blackgaze heights which only Deafheaven have ever climbed”, noting that it combines the strongest elements of their previous works, this album showcases the band’s honed musicianship and songwriting abilities.

Running for over an hour, the songs on “Lonely People With Power” are immense, sometimes sprawling on for over 8 minutes, but with never a dull moment. Standout tracks are “Doberman”, the epic that is “Amethyst”, and the “fast-slow-fast” instant metal classic “Revelator”. Every track on this album speaks to the intense emotional power that only Deafheaven can bring, and in spades too.

Listen to “Lonely People with Power” on:Apple Music }|{ Spotify }|{ Tidal

Released May 23, 2025 through Duophonic and Warp.File under: alt pop

This marks a massive “welcome back” to out favourite Franco-pop favourites, Stereolab returns with their eleventh studio album, “Instant Holograms on Metal Film”. This marks their first studio release in 15 years, following 2010’s “Not Music”.

The album blends Stereolab’s signature elements; drum machine-esque rhythms, vintage synths, and leftist political themes; with fresh energy and warmth. Sweet, soft lyrics and syncopated beats, swirling guitars and percussion, this albem harkens back to earlier releases, but also points the compass in the direction Stereolab are headed.

Listen to “Instant Holograms on Metal Film” on:Apple Music }|{ Spotify }|{ Tidal