New Music Sampler: January 2025

January provided a baker's dozen of great new albums that grabbed my attention and wouldn't let go...

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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.

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I probably listened to at least fifty new albums in their entirety over the last month. While some received multiple listens and some were a one-and-done, here are thirteen releases that really grabbed my attention and held on. While it’s way too early to say, I’m guessing that at least 3 to 5 of these will make it into the AOTY conversation.

There’s a fairly diverse set of albums here—a little more so than I’d normally expect over the course of a single month—but I can never tell when an album that’s outside of my typical taste profile (sludge metal? breakcore? UK drill?) is gonna take hold of me. That’s just one of the many joys of listening to so much new music!!

Rather than listing the albums in order of release date, they’re ordered based on when they made their way onto my musical radar.

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The Weather Station - Humanhood

Genre: Indie Folk, Chamber Pop

Release Date: January 17

Selected Track: Neon Signs

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FKA twigs - EUSEXUA

Genre: Art Pop, Alternative R&B

Release Date: January 24

Selected Track: Girl Feels Good

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Anna B Savage - You & i are Earth

Genre: Alternative Singer/Songwriter

Release Date: January 24

Selected Track: I Reach for You in My Sleep

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Dax Riggs - 7 Songs For Spiders

Genre: Sludge Metal, Stoner Rock

Release Date: January 24

Selected Track: Deceiver

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Rose City Band - Sol Y Sombra

Genre: Psychedelic Rock

Release Date: January 24

Selected Track: Radio Song

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Prism Shores - Out From Underneath

Genre: Jangle Pop

Release Date: January 17

Selected Track: Tourniquet

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Dusqk - Sanctuary OS

Genre: Breakcore, Jungle

Release Date: January 11

Selected Track: Sanctuary 1

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Circa Waves - Death & Love, Pt. 1

Genre: Indie

Release Date: January 31

Selected Track: Let’s Leave Together

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The Laughing Chimes - Whispers In The Speech Machine

Genre: Jangle Pop, Power Pop

Release Date: January 31

Selected Track: High Beams

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Brooke Combe - Dancing At The Edge Of The World

Genre: Northern Soul

Release Date: January 31

Selected Track: Shaken By The Wind

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Nyron Higor - Nyron Higor

Genre: Indie Jazz, Nova MPB

Release Date: January 31

Selected Track: São Só Palavras

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Decius - Decius Vol. II (Splendour & Obedience)

Genre: Acid House

Release Date: January 31

Selected Track: Queen of 14th St

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Central Cee - CAN'T RUSH GREATNESS

Genre: UK Drill, Grime

Release Date: January 24

Selected Track: Limitless

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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 January? Hit my me up in the comments with some of your favorites from last month!

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Albums I’m Excited About in February

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 February releases from bands I do know about and releases that I’m already anticipating:

• Federico Albanese - Blackbirds and the Sun of October (February 7)

• Heartworms - Glutton For Punishment (February 7)

• Nadia Reid - Enter Now Brightness (February 7)

• Sharon Van Etten & the Attachment Theory - s/t (February 7)

• Squid - Cowards (February 7)

• Doves - Constellations for the Lonely (February 14)

• The Delines - Mr. Luck And Ms. Doom (February 14)

Any upcoming releases that you’re stoked about? Let me know in the comments!

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