Courtesy Desk: Turntable Report #084 Best of 2025 So Far
Surprise!
I have really missed communicating with y’all.
I thought I would send out my list of favorite music of 2025 so far and you know it isn’t AI because no self respecting robot would have this many typos. I can confidently say this list of releases is not something you will find anywhere else. My pursuit of new music is driven by me as an independent music fan on the hunt for new treasures, and not a guided tour led by press pitches. I am exploring music from all over the world, but not just my own rabbit holes, but I have also cast a wide net over the past 35+ years filled with interesting recommendations from my peers. I don’t have to worry about keeping advertisers happy, so this is just one person sharing their passion (okay, fine, an addiction) with fellow music obsessives (hey, that’s you!) who I know have tastes as diverse as my own. Thanks to all who continue to drop me lines about cool stuff to check out.
All is okay in my world minus all the scary big picture stuff happening all over the planet and here in America. I work full time for a law firm that specializes in the beverage industry (alc, non-alc, and hemp) as a compliance specialist. My husband and I rescued a special needs pup last year. She has changed our lives on a lot of levels (more time at home), but she is also a wagging billboard sized reminder of what unconditional love and patience can accomplish. We are heading into the studio this weekend to record the first half of a new Outer World record, so the little spare time we have had in 2025, has gone into songwriting and practicing. Without running Courtesy Desk or writing Turntable Reports, my universe feels a lot smaller, but honestly, I am okay with that. Getting to know life in my own backyard has felt like a tiny revelation. I feel powerless in many ways, but I am empowered by what a community can do when they look after one another. As more and more folks are losing support channels, I feel more driven to help those in need where I can truly make a difference.
I still post new music updates pretty regularly on Facebook and Bluesky. I am still on IG, but use it left often than I should. I am creating weekly and monthly playlists - mostly as a tool for me to keep track of favorites and the things I like enough to buy for myself or sing the praises of in hopes that others might also support these talented artists.
With love and kindness,
Tracy
Top 10 favorite albums of 2025 so far in no particular order
Chime Oblivion - S/T (Deathgod Corp) Once you know drummer David Barbarossa of Adam and the Ants + Bow Wow Wow is the percussionist behind yet another project by John Dwyer of the OSEES, you know the signature ‘80s post punk sound is in no way a tribute, it is the real deal. Add in Weasel Walter, Tom Dolas, Brad Caulkin and singer H.L Nelly, and you have a record that is as good as the Slits, Crass, or X-Ray Spex at their peak.
Artificial Go - Musical Chairs (Feel It) Cinci dub punk trio that tumbles nimbly like avant-garde Olympic gymnastics. They are a playful tilt-a-whirlwind of colorful, angular brilliance. A sincere shout out to Feel It for continuing to deliver the very goods.
Los Piranas - Una Oportunidad Mas de Triunfar en la Vida (Glitterbeat) Instrumental tropical psychedelia from South America that brings dub to surf music. I can practically feel the san in my bathing suit.
Wrong Way Up - Totally Right (Soundway) Funky afrobeat disco synth-duo that brings ESG minimalism to the Lijadu Sisters. Sexy, fun, and a sizzling summer listen.
Great Area - Good Coding (Relaxin Records) Minimal slow-core bedroom dub ALA Marine Girls, Cat's Miaow, and Young Marble Giants. This is my kind of sad girl jammer.
Self Improvement - Syndrome (Feel It) No sophomore slump here. It is 100% a homerun for these Cali art punks for fans of Domestic Departure records/Collate/Erika's MRR radio show, Artificial Go, and Spread Joy.
Mien - Miien (Fuzz Club) A group featuring members of The Black Angels, Elephant Stone, The Earlies, and Golden Dawn Arkestra sounds exactly as one would hope, expert heavy psych-rock with jittery tensions oozing out in all directions. It is epic, textured, and devilishly dynamic.
Global Charming - Four Second Fiddles (At Ease) A veering wind never blowing in one direction for too long, there is synth pop, post punk with more stabs that a Hitchcock shower scene, Velvet Underground exploring minimalism, and Amsterdam after dark - showing it's teeth.
The Mary Column - Very Sparrow (Errols Hot Wax) A Scottish interpretation of American nouveau pop and as Trouser Press would say “melodic devotionals”. This is the kind of genuine raw emotion fans wanted from The Replacements post Pleased To Meet Me, but got Don't Tell A Soul instead.
Reissues/Retrospectives
Sharp Pins - Radio DDR (Perennial) Does Kai Slater sleep? Member of Lifeguard and Dwaal Troup plus creator of Hallogallo zine, he is also the romantic jangle genius behind Sharp Pins. This LP reissue with a handful of bonus tracks will live on the record trophy shelf with classics by The Zombies, The Beatles, GBV, The Shins, Honey Radar, and The Kinks. If Keats, Shelley, and Byron were alive today, this would be at the top of their pop charts because it’s an undeniable thing of real beauty.
VA - Can't Stop It Australian Post-Punk 1978 - 1982 (Chapter) This iconic collection of weirdo punk first released in 2001 gets it first vinyl reissue. Here where members that went on to form Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Einsturzende Neubauten, Dirty Three and The Go-Betweens got their start (among so many other oddball gems).
Exo - S/T (Roachleg demo 2024/ La Vida Es Un Mus Discos LP reissue 2025) Precious DIY punk enriched with gang melodies and moments as delicate as a butterfly wing for all you Entomologists out there as each song is insect themed. If you like it when Mary Timony gets weird with a keyboard, you will LOVE this.
The Lijadu Sisters - Danger (Numero) Widely considered one of the best Afropop records of all time, there is also enough reggae, jazz, delivered by two worldly women in this 1976 classic to speak to just about anybody with ears. Their honey harmonies turn revolutionary language and subversive political lyrics into dance songs for the ages (much like Tropicalia). Also for you “sampled by folks”, Nas used “Life’s Gone Down Low” for a 2006 mixtape which was never properly credited. Hmph!
Edison Machado - & Boa Nova (Far Out) In 1976 Edison Machado (collaborator with Stan Getz, Sergio Mendes, Antônio Carlos Jobim, Milton Nascimento, and Chet Baker) faced political exile from Brazil’s military dictatorship, sold his drum kit, and fled to New York City. It was at this time that the legendary drummer known for helping to develop the Bosa Nova sound, formed a brand new ensemble which included: Paulinho Trompete (flugelhorn/trumpet), Ion Muniz (tenor sax), Steve Sacks (baritone sax), Mozar Terra (piano), and Ricardo dos Santos (double bass). Together they made hard bop with an unmistakable South American edge and this long lost session is seeing the light of day for the first time in 2025.
VA - Lost Coast: Some Visionary Music from California 1980-1992 (Goaty Tapes/House Rules) Light that incense, grab your favorite crystal, and get into that favorite yoga pose. Every track was pulled from tapes found at flea markets, thrift stores, barn sales, outside gem and mineral shops, and best of all, a ranch of a retired mescaline dealer. I know a bunch of you dig new age outsider material and you won’t find a more obscure and enjoyable collection of earth music in all its spiritual and genre vibrations.
Other Notables
Biche - B.I.C.H.E. (Ca Va Sounds) As soothing as a sleepy ocean at dawn caressing the shoreline with shimmering opal tones. RIYL: En Attendant Ana, Stereolab, The Clientele, Morr Music, and unforgettable French vacations.
Dumbells - Up Late With Dumbells (Mind Meld) + Exploding Flowers - Watermelon/Peacock (Meritorio): power pop, Big Star, reimagined British Invasion with a tinge of psychedelia
The Tubs - Cotton Crown (Trouble in Mind) Husker Du in kilts AKA the best possible punk with hooks for miles.
Cathedrale - Poison (Modular) Toulouse post -punk that smoulders like a controlled burn.
The Sick Man of Europe - S/T (Leaf Label) RIYL: Krautrock, Ian Curtis, coldwave, Suicide, and Dub Narcotic baritone bellows.
Brandee Younger - Gadabout Season (Verve) I am not a medical professional, but I feel 100% better after listening to her healing spiritual jazz harp playing.
Lifeguard - Ripped and Torn (Matador) Hits like being baptized in a fountain of youth, vitality personified and making post punk feel reborn again.
Lake Ruth - Hawking Radiation(self released) Angelic baroque dreamscapes that blaze like raindrop comets racing across cool glass. Innocence (space) Mission goes astral Jazz.
The Convenience - Like Cartoon Vampires (Winspear) New Orleans duo makes me think of Flin Flon, Girls Against Boys, Patois Counselors, The Police reconfigured as a post=punk band, and Omni’s righteous angles.
Marc Melia - Pieces Monophonique (Vlek) Arpeggiating modern classical meets fantasy building chiptunes using only a monophonic synthesizer with no overdubs. Less isn't just more, it is a gorgeous universe.
Eraser - Hideout (Siltbreeze) Skronky no wave goodness from Philly that marries blaring dial tone synths to daredevil guitars that loop, spin, and roll dramatically with non melodic vocals acting like a tap dancing secondary drummer.
Leather Hearse, Comet Gain, Crayon Cats, World of Pooh, Juniore, The Ex, Fugitive Bubble, Violet Mindfield, Daily Toll, The Vultures, and Harry the Nightgown.
Playlists