Nice to see The Passionate Ones getting some love! It’s in my list too. I might’ve missed it, but it feels like this one just sailed under a a lot of radars this year?
Also: “Has forward momentum” is a great description of Billboard Heart.
I'm honestly still not checking most lists, but there was a fair amount of chatter about it in the discord server (that representative sample of music criticism lol). it's too bad it's not getting more attention!
I only listened to Nourished by Time for the first time last week and…i have mixed thoughts? But it seems like music critics who spend most of their time online are obsessed with him despite him eternally living under the radar.
I can’t speak for anyone else, but in my case, this record reminds me of a very specific era of late 80s/early 90s R & B and New Jack Swing. I have to imagine nostalgia is part of the calculus.
People really do love nostalgia and music critics are far from immune to that! I like that 9 2 5 song a lot but the album loses its momentum for me toward the end, even though the last song is clearly inspired by our beloved Prince
That Deep Sea Diver record is great, even though it just barely didn't make my list, and I agree that "What Do I Know," is the best song from the album. I'll need to revisit the Daughter of Swords too.
I added Daughter of Swords and Hilary Woods to my listening list! Is Deerhoof a fair RIYL for Water from Your Eyes? The second song on the album (the one with the giant distorted power chords) reminds me so much of them
i just replayed Nourished By Time’s album again last night—i’m sure that i’ll mention it somewhere in my recap, yet IDK if it’ll be ranked! i definitely didn’t give it as much attention as it deserved, but there are plenty of standout tracks.
This list fully accomplished your mission of exposing this old head to new music. I previously knew only four of these artists and had only listened to the Open Mike Eagle record prior to consuming the list.
I count nine releases out of the fifteen that immediately struck me and are in rotation now.
This after I spent all day yesterday badgering anyone who would listen with Victor Jones recommendations. AND HE TASTES LIKE CHICKEN.
If you play Cutthroat over the Natalie Bergman video you kind of get the end of the Punk Rock Loser video. 😂
The Little Barrie record is certain of a spot on my list of 20 records worthy of a #1 spot. Love it! It was the first record this year that blew me away.
Records you will either include or leave off next week: Geese (this generation's Radiohead?), Sprints (a sophomore letdown, or just a different vibe?), Car Seat Headrest (standout track: The Catastrophe), The Happy Fits (this year's Bad Nerves), Youth Sector (play The Ball on NYE!), The New Eves, Shaggo (hope they found a sock and a friend), Die Spitz (band that sounds actually most like Nirvana since the 90s), Panic Shack, Kathryn Joseph, Florry, Teen Mortgage (did I tell you I went to their show that got shut down early because a crowd surfer almost pulled a heavy light fixture down on the mosh pit? Punk rock!), Cloakroom (hardcore slowcore), Isabella Strange (shame you hate EPs, because I think you'd really like this).
Oh I get it. I'll be honest, I'm not sure how it snuck into my playlist! Also I just relistened and two of the songs are good, the other three only okay. I also forgot from my already-too-long list above Strawberry Fuzz (having fun and making "punk" rock music) and Laveda (90s rock recorded in a bedroom).
Deep Sea Diver has had a hold on me all year, but especially since I saw them live. By far my favorite album this year. Also, Jessica Dobson is a killer guitar player - I left the show with my face appropriately melted!
I’m glad I’m starting to see some names I recognize here. That Anna von Hausswolff album blew me away, quite frankly and it’s a top ten for me. Also loved the Deep Sea Diver release. The Little Barrie & Malcolm Catto and Natalie Bergman albums would’ve been there if I’d expanded my top 50 to a top 70. Now off to listen to the half dozen artists I’ve never even heard of before!!
Quite a bit to get through here for me, Gabbie. But most importantly, I didn't realise Little Barrie had done anything after Long Hair... and I watched BCS religiously 🤯
Nice to see The Passionate Ones getting some love! It’s in my list too. I might’ve missed it, but it feels like this one just sailed under a a lot of radars this year?
Also: “Has forward momentum” is a great description of Billboard Heart.
I'm honestly still not checking most lists, but there was a fair amount of chatter about it in the discord server (that representative sample of music criticism lol). it's too bad it's not getting more attention!
I only listened to Nourished by Time for the first time last week and…i have mixed thoughts? But it seems like music critics who spend most of their time online are obsessed with him despite him eternally living under the radar.
I can’t speak for anyone else, but in my case, this record reminds me of a very specific era of late 80s/early 90s R & B and New Jack Swing. I have to imagine nostalgia is part of the calculus.
People really do love nostalgia and music critics are far from immune to that! I like that 9 2 5 song a lot but the album loses its momentum for me toward the end, even though the last song is clearly inspired by our beloved Prince
Oh wow I've never listened to Daughter of Swords before but this album is just lovely. Thank you!
you're so welcome
Oh I just found out about the pôt-pot record on Bandcamp Friday! I’m really enjoying it!!!!!
i think I learned about it from Bandcamp as well!
ditto!
That Deep Sea Diver record is great, even though it just barely didn't make my list, and I agree that "What Do I Know," is the best song from the album. I'll need to revisit the Daughter of Swords too.
Forgot about that Daughter of Swords album! Lots of my favorites listed here
I added Daughter of Swords and Hilary Woods to my listening list! Is Deerhoof a fair RIYL for Water from Your Eyes? The second song on the album (the one with the giant distorted power chords) reminds me so much of them
yeah. i think that's a fair comparison!
i just replayed Nourished By Time’s album again last night—i’m sure that i’ll mention it somewhere in my recap, yet IDK if it’ll be ranked! i definitely didn’t give it as much attention as it deserved, but there are plenty of standout tracks.
This list fully accomplished your mission of exposing this old head to new music. I previously knew only four of these artists and had only listened to the Open Mike Eagle record prior to consuming the list.
I count nine releases out of the fifteen that immediately struck me and are in rotation now.
This after I spent all day yesterday badgering anyone who would listen with Victor Jones recommendations. AND HE TASTES LIKE CHICKEN.
Thanks for all you do Gabbie!
HIGH FIVE MY FRIEND
If you play Cutthroat over the Natalie Bergman video you kind of get the end of the Punk Rock Loser video. 😂
The Little Barrie record is certain of a spot on my list of 20 records worthy of a #1 spot. Love it! It was the first record this year that blew me away.
Records you will either include or leave off next week: Geese (this generation's Radiohead?), Sprints (a sophomore letdown, or just a different vibe?), Car Seat Headrest (standout track: The Catastrophe), The Happy Fits (this year's Bad Nerves), Youth Sector (play The Ball on NYE!), The New Eves, Shaggo (hope they found a sock and a friend), Die Spitz (band that sounds actually most like Nirvana since the 90s), Panic Shack, Kathryn Joseph, Florry, Teen Mortgage (did I tell you I went to their show that got shut down early because a crowd surfer almost pulled a heavy light fixture down on the mosh pit? Punk rock!), Cloakroom (hardcore slowcore), Isabella Strange (shame you hate EPs, because I think you'd really like this).
i don't hate EPs, I just need a goddamn break 😭😭😭
Oh I get it. I'll be honest, I'm not sure how it snuck into my playlist! Also I just relistened and two of the songs are good, the other three only okay. I also forgot from my already-too-long list above Strawberry Fuzz (having fun and making "punk" rock music) and Laveda (90s rock recorded in a bedroom).
Natalie Bergman...
1) how the heck did I miss this earlier?
2) stumbling across it now is the reason I'm here.
so happy to read this!
Deep Sea Diver has had a hold on me all year, but especially since I saw them live. By far my favorite album this year. Also, Jessica Dobson is a killer guitar player - I left the show with my face appropriately melted!
jealous!!!
SHAME HIVE RISE UP!!! I gotta check out a good chunk of these
Delighted to see my #1 album of 2026 - Anna von Hausswolff's "Iconoclasts" - included. And Hilary Woods and Open Mike Eagle too. Great records!
are you already living in the future, david?
Always. It's how I stay ahead of the pack ;-)
I’m glad I’m starting to see some names I recognize here. That Anna von Hausswolff album blew me away, quite frankly and it’s a top ten for me. Also loved the Deep Sea Diver release. The Little Barrie & Malcolm Catto and Natalie Bergman albums would’ve been there if I’d expanded my top 50 to a top 70. Now off to listen to the half dozen artists I’ve never even heard of before!!
Quite a bit to get through here for me, Gabbie. But most importantly, I didn't realise Little Barrie had done anything after Long Hair... and I watched BCS religiously 🤯
and this is me trying to keep it manageable!
Just wondering if you’ve looked at Drink the Sea?
Beautiful music…