New Music Sampler: February 2025
Another month, another baker's dozen of great new albums. The AOTY vibe is strong with this batch!
The New Music Sampler series is a monthly snapshot of new albums that grabbed my attention during the prior month . While there’s no guarantee that any of these releases will make my Album of the Year list come December, they all make a strong case for inclusion.
February was yet another stunning month for new releases. While January provided thirteen albums worthy of inclusion here, realistically only a few of those are likely to make it into the AOTY conversation by the time we hit December. The thirteen February releases I’m sharing are a different story altogether - I could easily see as many as eight of these albums making my top fifty this year. The last day of the month was spectacular, with fully 5 of these albums dropping on February 28th.
I’m not ranking these albums (yet) but instead listing them in order of release date.
Heartworms - Glutton For Punishment
Genre: Alt Rock, Post Punk
Release Date: February 7
Selected Track: Jacked
Nia Wyn - A Pleasure To Have In Class
Genre: Retro Soul, R&B
Release Date: February 7
Selected Track: Your Team
Sharon Van Etten - Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory
Genre: Alternative Rock, Post Punk, New Wave
Release Date: February 7
Selected Track: Afterlife
Bashful Billy - Late for an Early Grave
Genre: Power Pop
Release Date: February 14
Selected Track: Butcherbird
Please feel free to share the Joy with anyone else you know that loves music! Because, after all, sharing is caring, right?
The Delines - Mr. Luck & Ms. Doom
Genre: Alternative Country
Release Date: February 14
Selected Track: Left Hook Like Frazier
Jan Blomqvist - MUTE
Genre: Melodic Techno
Release Date: February 14
Selected Track: Midnight Sun
Robert Ascroft - Echo Still Remains
Genre: Psychedelic Rock, Space Rock
Release Date: February 14
Selected Track: Vagabond
Youth Lagoon - Rarely Do I Dream
Genre: Dream Pop, Chillwave
Release Date: February 21
Selected Track: Speed Freak
If you’re new to Joy in the Journey and like what you’ve read, why not subscribe so that any future posts automagically make their way into your inbox?
Andy Bell - pinball wanderer
Genre: Shoegaze, Trip Hop, Krautrock, Space Rock
Release Date: February 28
Selected Track: I’m in Love
bdrmm - Microtonic
Genre: Shoegaze, Dream Pop
Release Date: February 28
Selected Track: Infinity Peaking
Deep Sea Diver - Billboard Heart
Genre: Indie Rock, Indie Pop
Release Date: February 28
Selected Track: Shovel
Doves - Constellations For The Lonely
Genre: Indie Rock, Post-Britpop
Release Date: February 28
Selected Track: Cold Dreaming
Kopium - The Weeping Willow
Genre: Alternative/Indie
Release Date: February 28
Selected Track: Sail
As always, I’d love to hear what you think about these albums. When you’re finished reading, listening and watching, please hop into the comments.
Anything new for you here? Did you like it? Love it? Hate it?
Which of the thirteen tracks is your favorite?
Do you feel compelled to check out any of these albums?
What did I miss in February? Hit my me up in the comments with some of your favorites from last month!
Albums I’m Excited About in March
Quite often some of my favorite albums end up being from bands I’ve never heard of or releases that I wasn’t expected. Here are some March releases from bands I do know about and releases that I’m already anticipating:
Consumables - Infinite Games (March 7)
Pale Blue Eyes - New Place (March 7)
Throwing Muses - Moonlight Concessions (March 14)
Circuit des Yeux - Halo on the Inside (March 14)
Japanese Breakfast - For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women) (March 21)
My Morning Jacket - is (March 21)
Destroyer - Dan's Boogie (March 28)
girlpuppy - Sweetness (March 28)
Perfume Genius - Glory (March 28)
The Sure Fire Soul Ensemble - Gemini (March 28)
Any upcoming releases that you’re stoked about? Let me know in the comments!
I CANNOT WAIT FOR THE NEW THROWING MUSES!
Did I yell that? Yes. Yes I did. :)
New Jan Blomqvist!!! How awesome 🤩 I'll start listening right away