The Best Albums of April 2025
April didn't shower; it POURED. Let's wade through some of the month's greatest records together. Plus - save the date for our next listening party/record giveaway on May 18th!
April was shaping up to be a little humdrum until the very last release day, which SLAPPED US ALL ACROSS THE FACE AND CALLED US COWARDS.
Previously:
There’s actually so much worthwhile new music this month that I finally caved and made my first month-specific playlist1 just to keep it all contained. Boxed up and orderly in its little enclosure, where it can’t hurt us.
I’m going to level with you. I probably excluded your favorite pick. I do this every month, but I especially did it this month. I’m sorry. Kinda.
I didn’t do it to spite you, but I’m warning you now: you probably aren’t going to see some of the albums you’re expecting on the list — not because I didn’t like them! — but because there can only be nine2.
You have a few options if you want to register your complaint:
Hit the reply button (if you’re seeing this in your inbox)
Leave a comment
Head to the chat or the Discord
A reminder that monthly album roundups past the first three are for paid subscribers, but this MONSTER of a public playlist just keeps. On. Growing.
Playlist: Best Tracks of 2025
Also on Amazon, Apple, Tidal, and YouTube
The Best Albums of April 2025
I don’t rank; these are listed alphabetically.
1. Anika - Abyss
I’m glad that my ordering system favored Abyss this month, because I haven’t heard much buzz about it, if any. My initial impression essentially boiled down to “Oh, I bet she lives in Berlin.” I’ll let you envision the noise I made when I found out I was right. A must-listen for any PJ Harvey or Velvet Underground fan. (Standout track: Walk Away)
2. CHIME OBLIVION - CHIME OBLIVION
Can you even begin to conceive of the sonic turbulence that would unfold if you asked Bow Wow Wow and Osees to make music together? I know, it seems absurd. But that’s literally what CHIME OBLIVION is: David Barbarossa, John Dwyer, and a full cast of supporting characters to round out a no wave frenzy reminiscent of The Slits. (Standout track: THE UNINVITED GUEST)
3. Daughter of Swords - Alex
Over on the NBfOH Discord,
and I have frequent (friendly!3) spats over the right way to listen to new music.
Suffice it to say that Daughter of Swords did not pass his initial skim test. My insistence (after a full, thorough listen, naturally) that it was one of the most interesting records I’d heard this year convinced him to throw it on his second chance pile. I hope you do the same — you won’t regret the Khaela Maricich/The Blow flashbacks.(Standout track: Hard On)
6 more albums after a quick diversion!
May 18th Listening Party - Penfriend
Remember last week’s Known Unknowns, where I hyped up the incredible ? Well, she also released a new album in April, and we’re going to listen to it together.
Penfriend Discord Listening Party
When: Sunday 5/18/25 at 3pm Eastern
Where: The New Bands for Old Heads Discord Server
What: Q&A with Laura Kidd + live chat while we listen
(P.S. The record doesn’t exist on any streaming platforms! But you can buy it on Bandcamp.)
Can’t make it? All paid subscribers (as usual) are automatically entered to win a copy of the album on vinyl. This time, I’ll pick a winner the same day as the party.
Still to come - industry plants, Swedish politics, and genre-bending funk… oh my!
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