Album: Fairyland Codex
Quick Thoughts: Tropical Fuck Storm gives me the feelings a lot of weird, angular indie acts in the early 2000s did in that they're provocative and undefinable and yet compelling no matter what. This new album is more of what I expect, with what might be considered a more polished approach than their previous efforts. Either way, when the songs hit hard they hit hard and I'm glad we have a new album from them.
Songs of Note: "Irkandji Syndrome," "Goon Show," "Bloodsport," "Moscovium," "Bye Bye Snake Eyes"
Artist: Lukas Nelson
Album: American Romance
Quick Thoughts: I don't know on first listen whether ditching The Promise of the Real was purposeful, but I do know that this feels more traditionally country than Lukas Nelson's full-band efforts, and songs like "Ain't Done" are truly some of his best work so far. Worth your time.
Songs of Note: "Ain't Done," "Born Runnin' Outta Time," "Friend in the End"
Album: God Park
Quick Thoughts: Speaking of solid indie pop, "Clouds" hit my radar and I fell in love immediately. That might be your experience with Water Machine as well, who offers a record here that's a lot of fun in a time where, frankly, we kind of need it. A welcome listen this week.
Songs of Note: "Clouds," "Hot Real Estate," "Dog Park"
Album: I Promise No One's Watching
Quick Thoughts: Lead track here, "Feel Anything," starts off quiet and slow, which I didn't expect from Nxdia's debut album. About a minute in, however, the album explodes open with noise and we get one of the better singer-songwriter alt-pop listens of the year. So much to love here from start to finish, but "More!" in particular is a true winner in an album full of them. Mandatory listen.
Songs of Note: "Feel Anything," "Jennifer's Body," "Puppet," "More!"
Album: Affect You
Quick Thoughts: I don't know how St. Catherine's Child hit my radar, but the title track from This Might Affect You vaulted to a favorite of the year, and the album as a whole is such wonderful, gorgeous songwriting that I haven't been this excited to get back to an album in a while. One of the best releases of the summer so far, if not in all of 2025.
Songs of Note: "The Other Side of Twenty Five," "The Stranger," "This Might Affect You," "The Faraway," "Negative Space"
Of note:
* Coming Up Roses - How Did We Fall So Far (Solid slice of alt-pop.)
* Death Pill - Sologamy (Loud and angry and angsty and fun.)
* Haim - I quit (Still the most adult alternative of their adult alternative catalog yet.)
* University - McCartney, It'll Be OK
* S.G. Goodman - Planting by the Signs
* Matmos - Metallic Life Review
* Kelsey Waldon - Every Ghost
* Dorio - Super Love 3
* Freezepop - Fog Twenty Five
* Amon Tobin - Nomark Selects, Vol. 2
* Ambre Ciel - still, there is the sea
* Neggy Gemmy - She Comes from Nowhere
* Everything is Recorded - Solstice Equinox
* Hotline TNT - Raspberry Moon
* Eric Hilton - Midnight Ragas
* W O L F C L U B - Lake Street
* U.S. Girls - Scratch It
* GoGo Penguin - Necessary Fictions
* Michael Robert Murphy - Chaos Magick
* Tan Cologne - Unknown Beyond
* Shadow Wizard Money Gang - Symbolism
* Ghostemane - Phonked Up
* Swivel - Devil's Advocate
EPs:
* Sorry Mom - bummer!
* Kwengface - Victim of Circumstance
* Pote - Baby, Hold Me
* W.ANNA.W - Petals of Nehan
* PVA - i ain't scared of living
* Sorcha Richardson - hard drive songs
* Una Jensen - Bad Decision
* Eaters Digest - Charcuterie
* Unknown Mortal Orchestra - Curse
* Lief Maine and Jackson Mathod - Transformations
* Bee Blackwell - Nine Lives
* Girl Group - Think They're Looking, Let's Perform
* Ric Wilson - America Runs on Disco
* Darling I Dreamt - Wake Up
* Sam Austins - The Woods, Vol. 1
* Che Noir - The Color Chocolate 2
* Nikki Nair - Violence is the Answer
* Goat Girl - Below the Waste (Orchestrated)
Live albums/Compilations/Reissues:
* The Feelies - Rewind (Collection of covers and such from the 1980s.)
* Sweet Relief: We Can Help
* Small Pond Sessions: Vol. III
* fabric presents Pretty Girl
* From Indian Lakes - Head Void (Void Drip)
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