NTTR - No Time to Review

Trash Classic is an electrifying auditory assault—frantic, messy, and infectiously chaotic—blending garage punk roots with synth-driven new-wave filth. The band pushes boundaries with warped Looney Tunes samples, jittery keyboards, and sugar-fueled energy, crafting a twisted, “gutter gospel” of toxic glamour and nihilism. It oscillates between manic post‑punk bursts and darkly playful synth freak‑outs, delivering both chaos and catharsis in equal measure. The record is raw, magnetic, and malevolently fun—mocking mass consumption while inviting listeners to dance in its glorious collapse. Though the opening tracks explode with vitality, the unrelenting intensity occasionally strains as the album progresses, yet the band’s inventive spirit never lets up. Genre : Garage Punk Country : US Final Verdict: 59% (Forgettable Album) Yearly Ranking : 408th / 461 Highlight : Gutter Priestess Made me think of: Osees Devo King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard #newalbum #newalbum2025 #albumrelease #n...

Tether is a breathtaking debut that foregrounds Annahstasia’s extraordinary husky voice, operating within expansively minimal yet emotionally rich arrangements. Her vocals—simultaneously intimate and commanding—navigate relational tension, personal growth, and vulnerability, framed by subtle woodwinds, swelling Mellotron, and hush-and-swell dynamics. Purposeful silences and live-takes enhance the feeling of immediacy, making each lyric feel whispered directly to the listener. Collaborations with Obongjayar and Aja Monet feel natural extensions of her expressive landscape, adding textured dialogue rather than mere features. The result is an immersive blend of folk, chamber-pop, and soul: understated yet deeply resonant, yielding one of the most assured debut albums of 2025. Genre : Indie Folk Country : US Final Verdict: 61% (Good Album) Yearly Ranking: 322th / 460 Highlight : Overflow Made me think of: Tracy Chapman Cassandra Jenkins Raveena #newalbum #newalbum2024 #albumrelease #new...

MY FACE HURTS FROM SMILING is a bold, rapid-fire rap mixtape that finds Lizzo embracing her hip-hop roots with raw confidence and surprising grit. Across 13 tracks, including fierce features from Doja Cat and SZA, she blends braggadocio with defiant humor—dropping sharp bars and cheeky attitude over rugged, bass-heavy production. The mixtape's rough-edged textures and impromptu energy contrast sharply with her polished previous album Special , but that roughness is the point—it feels spontaneous, fun, and unapologetically Lizzo. Critics and fans alike are divided: some are high on the liberating return to her freestyle chops, while others miss the polish and depth of her mainstream work. But regardless, MY FACE HURTS FROM SMILING feels like a refreshing, unfiltered statement—Lizzo doing what she wants, mixing provocative flair with powerhouse rap for a no-holds-barred summer release. Wikipedia – My Face Hurts from Smiling (release info) Reddit r/popheads – Mixed fan reacti...

In the Big Room showcases Peter Gabriel in stripped-back, high-intimacy mode—eschewing spectacle for raw sonic presence. Recorded in a 2,000 sq ft SSL-equipped studio space with his touring band, the performance feels alive and edge-of-seat urgent as Gabriel revisits emotionally dense classics without visual distraction. The setlist blends accessible pop hits (“In Your Eyes,” “Games Without Frontiers”) with narrative-rich storytelling pieces and rarities, all with crisp mixes, dynamic musicianship, and understated arrangements. An essential listen for fans craving a thoughtful alternative to Gabriel’s theatrical concerts—capturing him at his most vulnerable, authentic, and present. Genre : Art Rock Country : UK Final Verdict: 63% (Good Album) Yearly Ranking : 252th / 458 Highlight : Signal to Noise (Live) Made me think of: Peter Hammill Talking Heads Brian Eno #newalbum #newalbum2024 #albumrelease #newmusic #albumoftheday #nowspinning #NowPlaying #musicdiscovery #ArtRock #PeterGabriel...

Phantom Island marks King Gizzard's 27th studio album and their most adventurous orchestral statement yet, blending their psychedelic and country-rock roots with lush orchestral flourishes. Tracks like the title cut and “Deadstick” bring brass and strings into their typically kraut-tinged grooves, recalling ’70s studio-slick psychedelia and Blaxploitation-era soul. “Sea of Doubt” combines twangy country-rock with intoxicating woodwinds, while “Aerodynamic” and “Panpsych” seamlessly fuse funk guitar and cinematic strings. Though some passages—like “Lonely Cosmos” and “Silent Spirit”—feel overly dense, when the orchestration clicks it’s magical, especially on “Spacesick,” a tender sci-fi reflection elevated by horns and strings. It’s a daring expansion of their palette: sometimes excess, often exhilarating, and always unmistakably Gizzard. Genre : Symphonic Rock Country : Australia Final Verdict: 61% (Good Album) Yearly Ranking: 346th / 457 Highlight : Lonely Cosmos Made me think ...

. A Sober Conversation is BC Camplight’s most daring and cohesive album to date—a quasi-rock opera unflinchingly exploring childhood sexual abuse, addiction, and the journey toward sobriety. Through theatrical piano, orchestral pop, noirish balladry, and synth-soaked textures, Brian Christinzio excavates trauma in tracks like “The Tent” and the confrontational “Where You Taking My Baby?,” while cleverly balancing humor and pathos in songs like “Two Legged Dog” and “A Sober Conversation.” Each song feels meticulously constructed—melding tragicomic storytelling with lush, often nostalgic arrangements. The delicate instrumental closer “Leaving Camp Four Oaks” offers a poignant sense of release and resolution. Overall, the album delivers emotional complexity with melodic clarity, making it both harrowing and deeply affirming—a triumphant testament to resilience and creative evolution. Genre : Art Pop Country : UK Final Verdict: 60% (Good Album) Yearly Ranking: 358th / 456 Highlight : Two...

Winged Victory brims with reverence and revolt, weaving labor hymns, cowboy ditties, queer anthems, and personal storytelling into a carnival-folk tapestry. Carlisle opens with the militant IWW hymn “We Have Fed You All for 1,000 Years,” then navigates polkas, a cappella chants, concertina-led swirl, and hymn-like spirituality. Tracks like “Work is Work” and “Sound and Fury” confront economic injustice and capitalist absurdity with both pointed lyricism and sing-along energy. He champions the overlooked—whether wildflowers, dementia ward elders, or non-binary diners—with humor (“Big Butt Billy”) and urgency. By blending covers from Utah Phillips, Lavender Country, Richard Thompson, and obscure folk, Carlisle connects past and present, asserting folk music as a living archive of resistance, celebration, and community transformation. Genre : Americana Country : US Final Verdict: 60% (Good Album) Yearly Ranking: 361th / 455 Highlight : Old Bill Pickett Made me think of: Bonnie “Prince”...

Imperium Delirium sees Shadow of Intent forging a masterful fusion of crushing deathcore breakdowns and razor-sharp symphonic death metal precision. The album opens with relentless fury and grandeur, blending technical riffs, bludgeoning drums, and orchestral accents. Tracks like “Feeding The Meatgrinder” (featuring Cannibal Corpse’s George “Corpsegrinder” Fisher) and “They Murdered Sleep” spotlight the band’s ability to seamlessly integrate brutal heaviness with cinematic symphonics. No filler moments: even instrumental piece “Apocalypse Canvas” sustains tension for full immersion. Each breakdown and tempo shift feels purposeful, never gratuitous—balancing nostalgia for their early deathcore roots with evolved songwriting and polished production. A confident, focused album that cements Shadow of Intent’s place among the elite of modern symphonic deathcore. Genre : Deathcore Country : US Final Verdict : 66% (Good Album) Yearly Ranking : 103th / 454 Highlight : Apocalypse Canvas Made m...

Planting by the Signs is a deeply immersive roots-rock odyssey centered in Goodman's Kentucky upbringing, characterized by intimate storytelling and vivid character portraits—from a dying pet to small-town tensions—woven into meditative, slow-burning arrangements. Vocally grounded and tremolo-tinged, her style channels Lucinda Williams via Cat Power's introspective edge, riding on sparse but impactful instrumentation that spaces out emotional resonance. The album unfolds like a narrative tapestry: “Satellite” critiques modern disconnection, “Fire Sign” plants celestial metaphors in everyday struggles, and the epic “Snapping Turtle” delivers a shocking act of small-town justice. Featuring Bonnie “Prince” Billy and her co-producer Matthew Rowan, it balances heartbreak, reconciliation, and nature’s cycles in both story and sound—an Americana statement with profound personal and regional roots. Genre : Americana Country : US Final Verdict: 65% (Good Album) Yearly Ranking: 148th ...

Egotrip sees John Michel and producer Anthony James deliver a lush, seamless blend of jazz, soul, and rap that refuses to pause for fillers—every track hits. The production feels expensive and thoughtful throughout, layering warm horns, rich keys, and crisp beats. Michel’s lyricism is polished and introspective, navigating both braggadocio and vulnerability without losing emotional resonance. Collaborations are tastefully placed, enhancing without overshadowing the duo’s chemistry. The result is a focused, fulfilling listen—an underground hip-hop record blending sophistication and accessibility, with only a few moments where familiar patterns emerge. Genre : Jazz Rap Country : US Final Verdict: 67% (Good Album) Yearly Ranking: 87th / 452 Highlight : NOBODY (feat. Kennadi Rose) Made me think of: Kendrick Lamar Mick Jenkins Noname #newalbum #newalbum2024 #albumrelease #newmusic #albumoftheday #nowspinning #NowPlaying #musicdiscovery #JazzRap #JohnMichel #US #LP #Album #release  

do it afraid is a celebration of courage and complexity, delivered through Yaya Bey's smoky, soulful vocals and richly layered production. The album opens with commanding attitude in “wake up b*tch,” transitioning into romantic grooves like “end of the world.” Tracks such as “raisins” and “spin cycle” evoke reflective calm, while “breakthrough,” “in a circle,” and the soca-tinged “merlot and grigio” embrace empowerment, joy, and heritage. Each song threads together fear and celebration—soca rhythms, acid-jazz scribbles, hip-house beats, reggae undertones—into a cohesive journey of resilience. By reconciling grief, desire, systemic pressures, and unbridled joy, Yaya Bey crafts an introspective yet danceable manifesto on being unapologetically human. Genre : Neo Soul Country : US Final Verdict: 59% (Forgettable Album) Yearly Ranking: 390th / 451 Highlight : In a circle Made me think of: H.E.R. Kali Uchis Victoria Monét #newalbum #newalbum2024 #albumrelease #newmusic #albumoftheday #...

Raspberry Moon marks Hotline TNT’s most confident and collaborative effort yet, the band’s first record fully written and recorded as a group. Embracing power-pop sheen while keeping the shoegaze haze, it delivers crisp, emotionally resonant anthems ripe for arenas—led by standout tracks like “Was I Wrong?”, “Julia’s War,” and “Candle.” The band has deftly polished their sound: fuzz now accents rather than dominates, each instrument shines, and frontman Will Anderson’s vocals emerge with newfound clarity. The album balances high-energy singalongs and tender acoustic-tinged moments, capturing both communal joy and introspective depth. With heartfelt hooks, dynamic arrangements, and genuine emotional resonance, Raspberry Moon positions Hotline TNT as one of the most exciting voices in modern indie-rock. The Guardian – Hotline TNT: Raspberry Moon review – love lights melodies through the fuzz Genre : Shoegaze Country : US Final Verdict: 59% (Forgettable Album) Yearly Ranking: 386th /...

hopefully ! marks Loyle Carner’s most personal and introspective work to date, a tender and reflective exploration of fatherhood, identity, and creative evolution. Over hazy guitars, soft breakbeats, and dreamy piano, he channels his fears and joys as a new dad, sharing candid moments—from worried musings on “Lyin” to the heartfelt home recording on “About Time.” His newfound singing voice adds emotional depth, giving tracks like “In My Mind” a beautifully uneven, King Krule‑like edge. Though subdued compared to his earlier, more beat-driven work, this album's intimacy resonates deeply, its warmth occasionally diffused by moments of listlessness. It’s a gentle, unguarded chapter in Carner’s journey—intimate, poetic, and quietly transformative. The Guardian – Loyle Carner:Hopefully! review – rap sweetheart faces family, fear and the feels Genre : UK Hip hop Country : UK Final Verdict: 55% (Forgettable Album) Yearly Ranking: 444th / 449 Highlight : About time Made me think of: T...

Aftermath marks Mission Jupiter’s bold reemergence following lineup changes, led by the commanding new vocalist Kate Varsak. The album opens with the atmospheric prog-metal of “Revelation,” then shifts through dynamic emotional landscapes—from the powerful melodic surge of “Sometimes It Hurts” and ballad-like introspection in “Human Nature” to heavier, more intense moments like “Self-Destruction.” Tracks in Belarusian, such as “Jak Spyniajecca Bol,” showcase their cultural roots and artistic ambition, while cuts like “Crippled Country” and “Bittersweet (Love Song)” layer industrial tones and lush atmospheres for depth. Instrumentally, it balances ferocious riffs, sax accents, and thoughtful interludes, all underpinned by tight, polished production. Overall, Aftermath is a confident, expansive statement of identity and evolution—an album that reaffirms Mission Jupiter as a progressive metal force with renewed voice, vision, and emotional resonance. Genre : Alternative metal Country : ...

I Quit marks a personal and stylistic pivot for HAIM, with the sisters exploring themes of heartbreak, liberation, and female empowerment through a lens of classic‑tinged soft rock. Co-produced by Danielle Haim, Rostam Batmanglij, and Buddy Ross, the album pulls from Stones‑inspired grooves, ’90s echoes of George Michael and U2, and warm California rock textures. Tracks like “Gone,” “Relationships,” and “Blood on the Street” combine candid lyrics about breakups with confident guitar hooks and mellow piano licks, creating a balance between introspection and resilience. While some critics view the eclectic mix of styles as uneven, others praise its emotional honesty and summery charm. Ultimately, I Quit feels both a celebration of self‑reliance and a reflective exploration of evolving identity—HAIM at once familiar and newly unshackled. Genre : Pop Rock Country : US Final Verdict: 61% (Good Album) Yearly Ranking: 318th / 447 Highlight : Gone Made me think of: The Go‑Go’s Alanis Moriss...

Genre : Folk Pop Country : UK Final Verdict: 64% (Good Album) Yearly Ranking : 214th / 446 Highlight : Fight For It Made me think of: Gabrielle Aplin Lucy Rose Kate Nash #newalbum #newalbum2024 #albumrelease #newmusic #albumoftheday #nowspinning #NowPlaying #musicdiscovery #FolkPop #LucySpraggan #UK #LP #Album #release  

Dusty House Mix revives and reshapes Caravan Palace’s signature electro-swing grooves through a continuous one-hour mix of remixes—featuring reimagined versions of hits like “Lone Digger,” “City Cook,” “Black Betty,” and more. It unfolds like a high-energy dance party, seamlessly blending vintage swing samples with contemporary house and club beats, giving both old favorites and remixes fresh, dance-floor-ready vitality. The track selection flows with dynamic peaks—the Shiny Mob and Bakermat revamps especially hit with echoing horns, rumbling bass, and playful electronic accents. This mix not only highlights the band’s swinging roots but showcases their commitment to evolution—having fun while pushing their sound into new, dusty corners of the dancefloor. Overall, it’s a lively, inventive journey from Parisian jazz-house tradition to modern remix culture. YouTube – Dusty House Mix video premiere announcement Wikipedia – Caravan Palace (electro-swing origins, French band) Spoti...

McMurtry’s The Black Dog and the Wandering Boy captures the raw honesty of aging with unflinching lyricism and sharp character sketches, marking another high point in his career. He voices blue-collar hardships and internal reckonings through vivid storytelling—tracks like “South Texas Lawman” and the title cut explore mortality, memory, and the creeping shadow of time. Backed by intimate, understated arrangements and the return of veteran producer Don Dixon, the album breathes with emotional resonance rather than studio gloss. It’s peppered with both humor and heartbreak, from opioid-lamenting opener “Laredo” to protest-tinged “Sons of the Second Sons” and stripped-down closer “Broken Freedom Song,” a Kristofferson cover. McMurtry stands tall among Americana giants, delivering what many critics hail as his most personal, vital work to date. Genre : Roots rock Country : US Final Verdict: 63% (Good Album) Yearly Ranking: 217th / 444 Highlight : The Color of Night Made me think of: J...

Hiroe’s debut album Wield is a commanding statement from Philadelphia’s rising post‑rock force, unfolding as a six‑track suite of emotional and sonic exploration. From the brooding opener “The Calm” through the thunderous surge of “Tides” and the ten‑minute build of “Collider,” it deftly balances doom‑tinged heaviness with shimmering atmospherics. Tracks like “Dancing at the End of the World” introduce synth and piano, injecting cinematic depth and defiant optimism, while closer “I’ve Been Waiting for You All My Life” lands with poignant, gut‑punch resonance. Across 48 minutes, Wield morphs from introspective restraint to expansive catharsis, cementing Hiroe as a band to watch in the genre and delivering one of the year’s most gripping instrumental journeys. Genre : Post Rock Country : US Final Verdict: 63% (Good Album) Yearly Ranking : 232th / 443 Highlight : The Crush Made me think of: This Will Destroy You Year of No Light Russian Circles #newalbum #newalbum2024 #albumrelease #ne...

Alestorm’s eighth studio album, The Thunderfist Chronicles , is a rollicking celebration of pirate metal with full-throttle humor and instrumental flair, blending folk metal textures and power-metal energy into tightly honed, eight-track group shanties. Each track, from the tavern-ready “Mountains of the Deep” to the absurdly grandiose 17-minute epic “Mega‑Supreme Treasure of the Eternal Thunderfist,” doubles down on tongue-in-cheek storytelling and musicianship. The production is crisp, the arrangements tighter than ever, with even traditional folk elements—like hurdy-gurdy and fiddle tones—cut through with bombastic guitar riffs. There’s a sense Alestorm is having more fun than ever, while still delivering razor-sharp songwriting and arena-ready choruses. Ultimately, it’s pirate metal that doesn’t take itself too seriously—but will have you shouting along by the second chorus. Genre : Pirate Metal Country : UK Final Verdict: 63% (Good Album) Yearly Ranking : 245th / 442 Highlight : B...

No Place Like Home marks Badflower’s most emotionally layered and polished work yet, blending riff-driven rockers with deeply personal narratives. Early tracks—like the cinematic title track—echo the dramatic intensity of bands such as Muse and Royal Blood before plunging into the darker, emo-inflected territory of mid-album highlights like “Detroit” and the heartbreakingly raw “Paws.” The emotional heft deepens in the second half, where the production turns introspective yet urgent, culminating in standout moments of vulnerability and sonic surprise. With solid harmonies and frontman Josh Katz’s earnest delivery, the album weaves themes of grief, loss, and healing with anthemic choruses that land both in rock arenas and intimate listening settings. In balancing commercial polish and authentic songwriting, Badflower have crafted an alt-rock album that hits hard and resonates longer. Genre : Alternative Rock Country : US Final Verdict: 91% (Perfect Album) Yearly Ranking: 2nd / 441 Hig...

Yungblud’s Idols (released June 20, 2025) marks a bold evolution: front‑loaded with the nine‑minute rock opera “Hello Heaven, Hello,” it embraces British musical heritage—from Britpop swagger to orchestral drama. Emotionally raw tracks like “Zombie,” inspired by his grandmother’s struggles and featuring Florence Pugh in the video, underscore themes of identity, loss, and self‑reclamation. Recorded in Leeds, the album digs into his roots, blending dynamic guitar‑driven energy with reflective lyricism exploring masculinity, mental health, and personal growth. This is Yungblud unfiltered: ambitious in scope, cohesive in vision, and assured in tone—his most mature and self‑claimed record to date. It balances arena-ready thunder with intimate confessions, solidifying his place as a British rock voice with depth. Genre : Alternative Rock Country : UK Final Verdict: 88% (Excellent Album) Yearly Ranking : 3rd / 440 Highlight (all added to my 2025 best of) Hello Heaven, Hello Zombie War Made ...

Smerz’s Big City Life is a masterclass in fragmented urban storytelling—its slinky art-pop and alternative R&B textures whisper of fleeting nights and fractured conversations. The album feels like voice notes from city nights: beats arrive late and leave early, melodies flicker in and out, and vocal delivery is intimate, droll, and emotionally precise. It balances club-adjacent energy with introspective downtime—deadpan piano-driven tracks like “Roll the dice” contrast with torchy trip-hop moments in “You got time and I got money.” Invoking the thrill and hush of urban youth, the record effortlessly blends avant-garde minimalism with rich emotional undertones. It’s Smerz at their most nuanced, forging a sound that is both cool and confessional, breezy yet profoundly resonant. Wikipedia – Big City Life (Smerz album) Genre : Art Pop Country : Norway Final Verdict: 64% (Good Album) Yearly Ranking: 201th / 439 Highlight : You got time and I got money Made me think of: Tirzah Erik...

Addison Rae’s debut album Addison signals a confident transformation from TikTok personality to serious pop artist, casting off expectations for polished artistic intent. The record blends club-ready synth-pop tracks like “High Fashion” with nostalgic, dreamy moments such as “Diet Pepsi,” giving a nod to ’90s and early ’00s pop icons. Vocals are intimate and gently layered, creating both whispered emotional resonance and bubblegum brightness throughout. Critics note the production is cohesive and finely tuned, crafting a unified pop soundscape that feels both fun and reflective. While some question the depth beneath the surface gloss, many agree that it’s one of the most promising pop debuts of the summer. AP News – Music Review: On Addison Rae's 'Addison,' a new pop powerhouse is born Washington Post – Addison Rae is making the pivot from influencer to pop star look easy Pitchfork – Addison The Guardian – Addison Rae: Addison review – from influencer to impressively assur...

Fallujah’s Xenotaph is a cinematic and cerebral expedition into the human psyche, weaving intricate technical death metal with progressive, dreamlike interludes. Spanning eight tracks with a runtime of around 42 minutes, it melds razor-sharp riffing, punishing rhythm sections, and soaring clean vocals, all underpinned by pristine production that highlights both brutality and nuanced atmosphere. The conceptual themes—life, death, reality, and illusion—are woven through shimmering opener “In Stars We Drown,” dynamic centerpieces like “Kaleidoscopic Waves” and “Labyrinth of Stone,” and the epic title track, which encapsulates the album’s full emotional spectrum. While rooted in their legacy, Fallujah push into new territory, blending cerebral musicianship with unsettling ambience and bold experimentation, making Xenotaph as emotionally resonant as it is technically dazzling. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenotaph Genre : Technical Death Metal Country : US Final Verdict : 63% (Good Album...

Lifeguard’s debut album Ripped and Torn bursts forth with youthful intensity and meticulously woven hooks, channeling the spirit of Chicago’s DIY art‑punk scene. Across its concise 30‑minute runtime, the trio—fronted by 20‑year‑old Kai Slater—harness frenetic post‑punk energy, dub‑inspired basslines, and atonal guitar shards balanced by pop sensibility, crafting tracks like “It Will Get Worse,” “France And,” and “Under Your Reach” that shift between tight groove and chaotic release. The band’s deep reverence for zine culture, punk history and diverse influences—from Wire, Gang of Four, This Heat, to dub and Krautrock—infuses the album not with cliché nostalgia but with razor‑sharp originality. Produced by Randy Randall of No Age, the record finds a raw yet cohesive sonic identity, with sonic shards deleted from noise but stitched together into propulsive, anthem‑like indie‑rock moments. Ripped and Torn is a thrilling, essential debut that stakes Lifeguard’s claim as passionate torch‑...

Yeule’s Evangelic Girl Is a Gun is a meticulously crafted, genre-blending soundscape that merges trip-hop’s brooding beats, gothic industrial textures, synth-pop sheen, and glitch-infused electronics into a compact yet emotionally charged 31-minute opus. Balancing sleek, pitch-shifted vocals and icy rhythms with cinematic sound effects—like camera flashes and gun clicks—the album evokes the melancholic nostalgia of ’90s Bristol trip-hop while layering a modern “cyborgian” aesthetic over it. Despite top-tier production from notable names like A.G. Cook, Clams Casino, Mura Masa, and Nat Ćmiel themself, the album occasionally feels subdued and uniform, leaning heavily on stylized atmosphere rather than raw emotional impact. Highlights like “Tequila Coma,” with its bluesy basslines, and the dark intimacy of “VV” reveal Yeule’s talent for striking textures and haunting lyricism, yet tracks like “Skullcrusher” and “Dudu” suffer from repetition and overuse of vocal filters. Ultimately, Evang...