NTTR - No Time to Review

Elsewhere is a bold reinvention for Grandbrothers, where the duo channels their mastery of emotive piano into a more expansive, rhythm-driven sound. The opening tracks like “We Collide” immediately assert this shift—pulsing beats, swirling synth pads, and threaded piano melodies coexisting in tension and harmony. Throughout, they balance intimacy and energy: quieter passages allow the piano to breathe, while club-inflected sections push forward with urgency. The juxtaposition feels deliberate rather than caught between styles, and the duo seem liberated by their expanded palette. In sum, Elsewhere is a compelling evolution, merging their classical roots and ambient sensibilities with fresh electronic vigor and emotional resonance. Genre : Electronic Country : Germany/Switzerland Final Verdict: 65% (Good Album) Yearly Ranking: 246th / 656 Highlight : Cypress Made me think of: Nils Frahm Max Richter A Winged Victory for the Sullen #newalbum #newalbum2025 #albumrelease #newmusic #albumo...

The Art of Loving is a graceful, emotionally literate album where Olivia Dean asserts both vulnerability and confidence, weaving between love’s uncertainties and self-affirmation. Her voice glides over rich arrangements—strings, horns, gentle percussion—that never overpower but support the narrative heart of each song. Standouts like “Man I Need” dance with gospel-pop flair, while “Close Up” and “Loud” lean into soulful introspection. The album feels cohesive and intentional, shedding many clichés of neo-soul for a softer, more refined palette rooted in classic pop and rich modern production. Here she demonstrates an evolved artistry—one that balances accessibility with musical depth, solidifying her as one of Britain’s emerging voices in contemporary soul-pop. Genre : Pop Soul Country : UK Final Verdict: 68% (Good Album) Yearly Ranking: 84th / 655 Highlight : So Easy (To Fall In Love) Made me think of: Amy Winehouse Alicia Keys Lianne La Havas #newalbum #newalbum2025 #albumrelease ...

On This Winter’s Night (Volume 2) wraps listeners in warm harmonies and seasonal charm, offering a tasteful blend of country roots and holiday spirit. Lady A traverse from bright originals like “Wouldn’t Be Christmas” to gentle reinterpretations of classics like “O Holy Night” and “Last Christmas,” all with their polished vocal blend. The production balances between down-home soul, crisp orchestration, and tasteful modern touches, giving the songs both intimacy and scale. Guest spots—such as Ricky Skaggs on “Why We Sing Noel” and Chris Tomlin on “Silent Night”—add reverence and depth without overstaying their welcome. As a seasonal offering, it mostly plays it safe, but it succeeds: it’s comforting, well-crafted, and a welcome addition to holiday playlists. Genre : Christmas Country : US Final Verdict: 57% (Forgettable Album) Yearly Ranking : 630th / 654 Highlight : Christmas Through Your Eyes Made me think of: Faith Hill Carrie Underwood Pentatonix #newalbum #newalbum2025 #albumrele...

Louves weaves an atmospheric, contemplative electronic score that underscores both tension and grace, mirroring the emotional and physical demands of elite athletes. The sound design is delicate yet insistent: textures hover, pulses emerge, and rhythmic elements sharpen in moments of exertion. Drésel’s electronic sensibility melds with Sabin’s cinematic instincts to create a score that feels both modern and human, never letting the documentary’s story be overshadowed by the music. The balance is subtle — the score often recedes into the background, but when it surfaces, it cuts sharply, supporting mood and narrative. Ultimately, Louves stands as a sensitive, intelligent soundtrack, enhancing rather than imposing upon the film’s emotional core. Genre : Electronic Country : France Final Verdict: 62% (Good Album) Yearly Ranking : 448th / 653 Highlight : Amandine II Made me think of: Rone Ben Frost Max Richter #newalbum #newalbum2025 #albumrelease #newmusic #albumoftheday #nowspinning #...

Portals embarks on a musical odyssey, weaving vintage rock sensibilities with modern polish, anchored by soaring guitars and emotive vocals. The opener “Philosopher,” bolstered by Mikael Åkerfeldt’s distinct presence, sets the tone—a haunting blend of calm and tension. Throughout, tracks such as “Days Go By,” “Riot,” and “This Road” transition fluidly between raw, riff-driven intensity and tender, melodic interludes. The interlude “Portals” segments add atmospheric breathing space, enhancing the journey-like feel of the record. Overall, Portals doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it reinvigorates retro-prog rock with heart, ambition, and a refreshed sense of expansive vision. Genre : Psychedelic Rock Country : Iceland Final Verdict: 69% (Good Album) Yearly Ranking: 73th / 652 Highlight : Current Made me think of: Kadavar Deep Purple The Black Crowes #newalbum #newalbum2025 #albumrelease #newmusic #albumoftheday #nowspinning #NowPlaying #musicdiscovery #PsychedelicRock #TheVintageCarava...

*Kylie Minogue’s “Tension Tour // Live 2025” is a vibrant, charismatic distillation of her decades-spanning career, delivered with freshness, energy, and emotional heft. From the opening moments in electric blue and neon spectacle to acoustic interludes and daring reworkings of hits like “Confide in Me,” she balances spectacle and intimacy with ease. The set leaps between club-ready dancefloor moments and reflective pauses, never letting the tempo sag, while the live versions feel immediate rather than overproduced. Critics and fans alike highlight Kylie’s enduring star power—how she remains compelling without leaning heavily on gimmicks, front and center in her own show. This live album isn’t just a souvenir of the tour—it’s proof that she still holds the magic in performance. Genre : Dance Pop Country : Australia Final Verdict: 64% (Good Album) Yearly Ranking: 319th / 651 Highlight : Edge of Saturday Night (Live From The Tension Tour) Made me think of: Madonna Lady Gaga Britney Spear...

Nobody’s Girl is a raw, emotionally charged journey through the wreckage of love, identity, and recovery, as Amanda Shires reclaims her voice with disarming honesty and strength. She alternates between whispered vulnerability and scorching resolve, moving from folk-inflected ballads to rock-tinged anthems without ever losing her emotional center. The production swells and contracts—at times luminous with strings and synth sheen, at others stripped bare to fiddle and voice—amplifying the emotional stakes. Shires does not shy from confrontation: tracks like “The Details” and “Piece of Mind” lay bare the scars and questions she’s left with, while quieter moments like “Lose It for a While” offer space for introspection and quiet healing. In sum, Nobody’s Girl stands as one of her most compelling statements—a fierce act of self-reclamation, sorrow, and cautious hope. Genre : Alt Country Country : US Final Verdict : 67% (Good Album) Yearly Ranking: 127th / 650 Highlight : Not Feeling Anyth...

Hagen is a daring synthesis of lush orchestration and stark experimentalism, pushing the terrain where chamber music meets avant-pop. The interplay between Mabe Fratti’s cello and voice and Héctor Tosta’s multi-instrumental arrangements creates a haunting, mythic atmosphere throughout. Songs like “Gotera” erupt into noise-inflected bursts while others—such as “Lágrima del sol” and “La Dueña”—emerge as cinematic reveries. The album teeters between songcraft and sound exploration, never quite settling, which gives it both tension and emotional gravity. In short, Hagen is a compelling statement from Titanic, balancing bold ambition and intimate humanity. Genre : Art Pop Country : Mexico Final Verdict : 63% (Good Album) Yearly Ranking : 392th / 649 Highlight : La dueña Made me think of: Björk Christine and the Queens Arca #newalbum #newalbum2025 #albumrelease #newmusic #albumoftheday #nowspinning #NowPlaying #musicdiscovery #ArtPop #Titanic #Mexico #LP #Album #release  

Revolutions positions Voces8 at the intersection of tradition and innovation, weaving sacred and secular texts into a sonic fabric that is both reflective and forward-looking. The ensemble’s impeccable vocal blend and dynamic control likely serve as the backbone, while composer contributions by Paul Smith introduce fresh harmonic and rhythmic gestures that give the album a modern pulse. Moments such as “Love Always Within” are poised to act as emotional centers, grounding the album’s more experimental ambitions. While balancing reverence for choral lineage, the project appears to lean into contemporary soundscapes—perhaps using ambient textures, subtle instrumentation, or spatial effects—to expand the a cappella canvas. Overall, Revolutions seems to aim not just at beauty, but resonance: a body of work that aspires to be both meditative and socially resonant in its voice. Genre : Choral Country : England Final Verdict: 68% (Good Album) Yearly Ranking: 84th / 648 Highlight : P. Smit...

Weirdo finds The Rasmus walking a middle ground between their nostalgic rock roots and a more polished, modern edge. The production—guided heavily by Desmond Child—brings bright hooks and glossy arrangements, especially on tracks like “Rest in Pieces” and “Break These Chains,” but doesn’t shy from darker, edgier tones on songs such as “Dead Ringer.” Occasionally, the album feels a bit overproduced, with some tracks leaning toward radio rock formula, yet there are moments where the band’s emotional vulnerability cuts through, notably in “You Want It All” and the closing “I’m Coming for You.” The dynamic between polished choruses and rawer verses strikes a balance most of the time, though at points the transitions can feel abrupt. In all, Weirdo is a bold, crowd-friendly statement—less reinvention than reaffirmation—that aims to connect both with longtime fans and new listeners. Genre : Alternative rock Country : Finland Final Verdict: 62% (Good Album) Yearly Ranking : 410th / 647 H...

Juniper finds Joy Crookes venturing into darker emotional terrain with a fresh maturity, weaving her signature wit and streetwise lyricism into deeply introspective songs. The production blends lush live instrumentation, shimmering synth touches, dub echoes, and moody textures that nod to trip-hop’s legacy without feeling derivative. Her vocal performance swings between smoky strength and conversational vulnerability, anchoring tracks like Mathematics (ft. Kano) , Pass the Salt (ft. Vince Staples) , and the confessional Mother with raw conviction. While songs like First Last Dance feel slightly mismatched in tone, the album overall avoids clichés and self-help platitudes, instead letting its emotional weight rest in ambiguity and honesty. Juniper is a bold and coherent statement of growth from Crookes—an album that demands attention not just for its melodies but for the emotional terrain she walks. Genre : Neo Soul Country : UK Final Verdict: 64% (Good Album) Yearly Ranking: 290th...

Borderland reveals Amorphis at a refined point in their evolution, leaning more into melody and atmosphere while still preserving their heavier roots. The album’s opener “The Circle” sets a luminous tone with chiming guitars and soaring clean vocals, and tracks like “Bones” and “Dancing Shadow” carry strong hooks that feel both powerful and accessible. While some critics note that the latter half of the album loses steam or becomes “mid-tempo comfort zone,” the consistency of songwriting and production keeps most songs memorable rather than forgettable. The balance between clean and harsh vocals is well handled, and the mix of folk, symphonic, and metal elements is less aggressive but more immediately engaging. Overall, Borderland is not a radical reinvention, but it stands as a confident reaffirmation of Amorphis’s strengths—melody, atmosphere, and emotional weight. Genre : Progressive Metal Country : Finland Final Verdict: 66% (Good Album) Yearly Ranking: 156th / 646 Highlight : L...

SILOS alternates between sweeping cinematic rock and more direct, aggressive rock cuts, but it doesn’t always succeed in unifying those impulses into a coherent whole. The strongest moments—like DEGENERATE and DYSTOPIA —combine punchy guitars, tight production, and thematic urgency, while the quieter tracks like DARK THINGS inject mood and atmosphere into the mix. However, the use of many interludes and the inclusion of covers and previously released singles give the impression the album is filling space as much as telling a story, which hurts the pacing. While Starset clearly aims high with concept, sci-fi imagery, and orchestral touches, sometimes the thematic weight and self-seriousness feels overreaching. Still, SILOS offers moments of genuine uplift and memorable choruses, making it worthwhile for fans who enjoy cinematic rock with ambition. Genre : Alternative Rock Country : US Final Verdict: 66% (Good Album) Yearly Ranking: 163th / 644 Highlight : Toksik Made me think of: ...

Corpse Lights unfolds as a haunting, emotionally potent journey through contrast and space, where Barrens masterfully interweave delicate melodies with weighty sonic heft. From the opening “Memory Eraser” to the closing “A Nothing Expands,” the album moves with patience—letting quiet passages linger before launching into crescendos that feel earned rather than forced. The band uses silence and dynamics as much as notes, allowing the listener time to breathe before plunging into denser textures. Tracks like “Sorrowed” and “No Light” capture grief and tension without resorting to overt dramatics; instead, they whisper their weight, gradually building. In short, Corpse Lights is an immersive statement—a matured, confident album that pushes Barrens into the upper ranks of modern instrumental post-rock. Genre : Post Rock Country : Sweden Final Verdict: 71% (Very Good Album) Yearly Ranking: 46th / 643 Highlight : The Derelict Made me think of: God Is An Astronaut Caspian This Will Destro...

TRON: Ares is a bold synthesis of Nine Inch Nails’ darkest instincts and sleek futuristic soundscapes, engineered to feel both cinematic and intimately haunting. The album fuses industrial grit, droning atmospheres, and sharp electronic textures, avoiding orchestral swells in favor of a more stripped, mechanical precision. Vocal tracks like “As Alive as You Need Me to Be” and “Who Wants to Live Forever?” provide emotional anchors amid the texture-laden instrumentals, giving human weight to what might otherwise be cold circuitry. Some critics argue the album’s lack of thematic unity or standout motifs weakens it as a standalone listen, noting that film-score constraints sometimes hold back full musical flourishes. Still, when it works, TRON: Ares succeeds in projecting Reznor’s existential voice into a digital frontier—an evocative, sometimes unsettling sonic journey. Genre : Electronic Country : US Final Verdict: 65% (Good Album) Yearly Ranking: 195th / 642 Highlight : Shadow Over ...

La proie et l’ombre unfolds like a twilight dream—Catastrophe crafts tracks that feel both intimate and expansive, weaving soft vocals, ambient textures, and subtle electronic flourishes into a cohesive landscape. The production is precise yet warm, with each element given room to breathe, letting quiet moments linger before waves of emotion wash over you. Songs drift between soft minimalism and sweeping cinematic passages, and the transitions feel natural rather than forced. Though none of the tracks are bombastic, the album’s power lies in its restraint; it invites repeated listens so that subtleties reveal themselves slowly over time. In the end, La proie et l’ombre feels like a sensitive exploration of inner shadows and light—a delicate balance of pop, atmosphere, and emotional weight. Genre : Contemporary pop Country : France Final Verdict: 75% (Very Good Album) Yearly Ranking : 23th / 641 Highlight : (both added to my 2025 best of) Sans contact Sauvons-nous Made me think of: A...

Allbarone sees Baxter Dury shedding some of his indie narrative shell in favor of bold, rhythmic landscapes powered by dance production and electronic textures. The vocals remain characterful, sardonic, and observational, but here they ride atop pulsing beats, shimmering synths, and dynamic grooves crafted by Paul Epworth. Tracks like Schadenfreude and Mockingjay strike a balance between catchy hooks and lyrical weight, revealing heartbreak, irony, and human contradiction in Dury’s typical dry wit. The album’s new direction suits him—he doesn’t lose his identity, but rather evolves it, combining dancefloor energy with lyrical depth. Overall, Allbarone emerges as a compelling reinvention: confident, playful, and surprisingly coherent in its melding of pop and post-indie edges. Genre : Electropop Country : UK Final Verdict: 64% (Good Album) Yearly Ranking: 272th / 640 Highlight : Return Of The Sharp Heads Made me think of: Hot Chip Caribou M83 #newalbum #newalbum2025 #albumrelease ...

Futique is a mature and emotionally resonant album in which Biffy Clyro reflect on the passage of time, deep friendships, and the weight of memory, while still harnessing the power of big choruses and guitar-driven energy. The record shifts fluidly between dynamic rock anthems and moments of tender vulnerability, with songs like Goodbye delivering gutting honesty through sparse arrangements. Tracks such as Hunting Season bring raw edge and urgency, whereas Dearest Amygdala merges pop sensibility with introspective lyricism about mental struggle. The production allows both shine and space—nothing feels overcrowded, and the contrast between soft and loud moments gives emotional heft. Ultimately, Futique demonstrates a band comfortable in their skin, pushing forward without abandoning what made them compelling in the first place. Genre : Alternative Rock Country : UK Final Verdict: 67% (Good Album) Yearly Ranking: 129th / 639 Highlight : Hunting Season Made me think of: Arcade Fire ...

Futique is a mature and emotionally resonant album in which Biffy Clyro reflect on the passage of time, deep friendships, and the weight of memory, while still harnessing the power of big choruses and guitar-driven energy. The record shifts fluidly between dynamic rock anthems and moments of tender vulnerability, with songs like Goodbye delivering gutting honesty through sparse arrangements. Tracks such as Hunting Season bring raw edge and urgency, whereas Dearest Amygdala merges pop sensibility with introspective lyricism about mental struggle. The production allows both shine and space—nothing feels overcrowded, and the contrast between soft and loud moments gives emotional heft. Ultimately, Futique demonstrates a band comfortable in their skin, pushing forward without abandoning what made them compelling in the first place. Genre : Stoner Rock Country : Ukraine Final Verdict: 62% (Good Album) Yearly Ranking: 393th / 638 Highlight : Quicksand Made me think of: Mastodon Baroness...

Amen is a fierce and expansive reimagining of what Igorrr can be, pushing the boundaries of genre fusion into darker, more intense territory while retaining the chaotic beauty that has defined the project for years. The album blends harrowing blast beats, black/death metal aggression, glitchy breakcore, and baroque classical flourishes in ways that are simultaneously overwhelming and meticulously arranged. Operatic and choir vocals juxtapose with growls and dissonance, crafting moments of both reverence and visceral horror. Tracks like “Limbo,” “Blastbeat Falafel,” and “Headbutt” are particularly potent — each offering a different facet of Igorrr’s identity, from ritualistic solemnity to outright sonic anarchy. Though its density and eccentricity make it a challenging listen, Amen rewards repeated engagement and cements Igorrr’s status as one of the most wildly inventive acts in heavy experimental music today. Genre : avant-garde Metal Country : France Final Verdict: 73% (Very Good A...

[angry noises] is a visceral, immersive journey through sound where Ciśnienie push the boundaries of what live post-rock and experimental jazz can be, crafting long-form compositions that demand attention. The album thrives on dynamics: what begins often in quieter, uneasy, tension-filled moments gradually builds into overwhelming cascades of loud, distorted instrumentation interspersed with saxophone and violin snarls, keys flickering, drums pounding. The sense of space is as important as the aggression—silences and soft passages provide contrast that heightens the impact of the heavier sections, making the loud parts feel even more cathartic. While some tracks stretch so long that their tension might test patience, the payoff is real: when the band leans fully into distortion and layered instrumentation, the effect is transcendent, at times anguished, at others strangely celebratory. Overall, [angry noises] is less about individual songs and more about mood states—it's an envel...

Cunégonde marks a graceful second wind for Ange, delivering an album that both honors their prog-rock roots and embraces subtle innovation. From the rich dual-keyboard textures and theatrical vocal delivery of Christian Décamps to the new wave touches and cinematic nods (notably in the tribute piece to Ennio Morricone), the album feels layered and ambitious. Songs like “Fruits & Légumes” and “Le Langage Des Fluides” weave moments of elegance, melody, and audacious guitar solos, while “Quitter la Meute” and the title track evoke the grand, dramatic energy of their earlier work. Although the band risks alienating purists with its occasional stylistic departures, these choices lend Cunégonde a freshness and relevance that could speak to newer prog audiences. Ultimately, the album stands as a statement: Ange isn’t just looking back nostalgically—they’re pushing forward, still capable of inspiring awe and wonder. Genre : Progressive Rock Country : France Final Verdict: 65% (Good Album...

Violent Nature marks a significant evolution for I Prevail, embracing both chaos and melody in equal measure. With Eric Vanlerberghe now handling both clean and harsh vocals, the album leans into rawer emotional territories—anger, loss, betrayal—while still allowing breathing room in tracks that offer quieter, poignant moments. From the tension-filled opener Synthetic Soul through to heavier cuts like God and Violent Nature , the band balances visceral breakdowns and atmospheric passages to create high drama. Though there are moments where the album feels anchored in genre tropes, the production is sharp, the riffing brutal, and the emotional stakes higher than on many of their past records. Overall, it’s a heavy, cathartic record that shows I Prevail can still grow, take risks, and deliver impact in the landscape of modern metalcore. Genre : Metalcore Country : US Final Verdict: 67% (Good Album) Yearly Ranking : 120th / 634 Highlight : Synthetic Soul Made me think of: Bring Me The...

The Blue Nowhere feels like BTBAM at their most ambitious, blending familiar intensity with surprising new directions. Across the album, the band embraces a huge variety of styles—from surf rock riffs and funk grooves to orchestral interludes and synth-pop textures—yet retains the complexity and layered musicianship fans expect. It’s more melodic in many places than some of their previous work, with a greater focus on memorable hooks and refrains, but also less tethered to a single narrative or concept, opting instead for a feeling or atmosphere across “hotel-hallway corridors” of sound. Some tracks shine with vulnerability and grace, others with feral heaviness, and the transitions between them feel jagged but intentional. While it may divide long-time listeners who prefer track-by-track cohesion, the album overall asserts that BTBAM still evolve, still shock, and still create music that feels alive in its wild contradictions. Genre : Progressive Metal Country : US Final Verdict : 68...

Solastalgia feels like Heretoir’s most emotionally expansive and dynamic work yet, fusing sorrow and rage into a soundscape that’s both immersive and cathartic. The album alternates between sprawling atmospheric interludes and crushing black metal outbursts, with songs like “Season of Grief” and “The Ashen Falls” exemplifying this contrast—one moment tender and spectral, the next raw and violent. Vocal performances stand out, shifting from desperate screams to clean, mournful singing, giving weight to the themes of grief and loss in the face of environmental decay. There’s also a strong sense of pacing: the longer tracks allow ideas to breathe and build, and the softer moments—such as piano or acoustic parts—heighten the power of the heavier ones. Overall, Solastalgia is more than just mood-music; it’s a vivid, often unsettling journey through loss and hope, executed with maturity and depth. Genre : Post Metal Country : Germany Final Verdict: 71% (Very Good Album) Yearly Ranking: 4...

Innern is a powerful testament to Der Weg einer Freiheit’s evolution, combining crushing black metal intensity with expansive atmospheres and heartbreaking emotional depth. The album’s opener, “Marter,” builds through brooding ambience before delivering a full-force onslaught of blast beats and tremolo riffs, while tracks like “Xibalba” and “Forlorn” juxtapose moments of vulnerability and introspection against waves of feral ferocity. Clean vocals, piano interludes, and subtle synths are woven in to create space and tension — the contrast giving the heavy parts more impact and the calm moments more poignancy. What stands out is how the production balances brutality with clarity: you can hear every drum nuance, every shimmering lead, and in the silence between the noise, there’s breathing room for the listener’s own reflection. Ultimately, Innern is not just a black metal album but an inward journey — torment and solace entwined, pushing through darkness toward something both catharti...

Songs No One Will Hear heralds Lucassen’s return to solo work with a sweeping, ambitious concept that balances cosmic peril with human drama — the looming end of the world becomes a canvas for emotional contrasts. He juggles bombastic riffs, sweeping orchestration, narration, and poignant vocals to skewer apocalyptic anxiety and hopeful defiance in equal measure. Tracks like “The Clock Ticks Down” set the tone with urgency and weight, while “Shaggathon” offers levity and absurd fun to offset the gloom. Guest vocalists enrich the album’s texture, adding richness especially when contrasting Lucassen’s own vocal work with powerful voices like Floor Jansen’s. While at times the scale of the narrative risks overwhelming its quieter moments, the result is nonetheless a potent mix of awe, introspection, and rock-opera excess that rewards multiple listens. Genre : Progressive Rock Country : Netherlands Final Verdict: 68% (Good Album) Yearly Ranking : 78th / 629 Highlight : The Universe Has O...