they are gutting a body of water : "LOTTO"

 They open the album with a renewed commitment to sonic heaviness. It captures the genre's two greatest dynamics , while the spoken word mutter narrates this surreal affair. "Soul Diesel" works off a more tense indie rock vibe, as a melody in the back ground dominates the softer vocal buried in layers of colliding guitars. "trainers" finds them jamming more heavily with their effects pedals as the vocals fall further back in the mix. Then they serve up some  dreamy jangle with "rl stine" that they manage to contrast by stamping on the distortion for a deliberate pounding of your ears.

They cover Fugazi's" Slo Crostic". This one is from the "Instrument Soundtrack" so it's a more obscure track. It makes sense as you can hear the Fugazi influence earlier in the album, I did not want to point it out since I knew this was on here and it seemed like a better to bring it up. The are not as in your face as Fugazi, due to the drummer and bassist not being as locked in which considering the genre they work in makes sense. Nothing new is brought to the table with the cover. 

"violence iii" finds a little more songwriting in wall though when they stomp on the distortion it's a wall of fuzz that hits you rather than a riff. They go back to the formula they used on the first track to some extent for "American food" though there are some electronic elements crept into play. Though the song after this just diddles around with My Bloody Valentine's guitar tone. The last song finds them working off melody and making more of an attempt to write a song. I will give this album a 9, as it experiments with the formula and employs effective dynamics while typically caring about the songs. 

pst599

Big Life : "the Cost of Progress"

 An interesting thing about punk this year is how it is back to embracing it's rock n roll roots. That is how this Detroit band opens their new album. There is a more metallic underpinnings to some sections without being overbearing. "Limited Time Offer" is lyrically sharp as it rants about the consumer distractions that rule society. "Out of Breath" at least show that while they have no plans to take their foot off the gas they still care about song writing. By the time we get to "Civilwarland" things are beginning to feel like the vocalist is a one trick pony who can only yell in one way, which is turns gives things a very uniform feel. As he barks with the husky cadence. 

There is a more anthemic feel to "Shoplifting". The production is slicker to give the vocals a little more texture, and he is not screaming the say way for the entire song. The guitar changes to a more Nirvana like jangle into "Killed Twice" ,as the rest of the song has more of a rock swagger. This might be the best song so far. "Sickest Diamonds" just kind plug along with the breakneck uniformity they have already hit you with.

The last song has some kind of spoken word narration that is some thing pseudo-political gabbering. The chorus to this song is pretty decent. I will give this one an 8, as it sounds good, but it is one sound they milk with slight leaning into rock, which is better than a great deal of the album I have been checking out that are being  called punk but hardly top 10 material, but if you are into husky straight forward punk rock, then it is worth a listen. 

pst598

Wednesday : " Bleeds"

 Here is a band that has gotten a great deal of hype over the year for cashing in on 90s slacker indie rock sounds. The coolly disinterested vocals of Karly Kartzman recall artists like Liz Phair. The captured the boozy guitar tones of  My Bloody Valentine without coupling it with the kind of bleak melancholy that gives shoe-gaze their feel, the reason for this being it's harder to write pop ditties like "Townies" when you are being a downer. The begins to fade into marginally more introspection for "Wound Up Here". The vocal lines are not as catchy on this one. 

There is a folk strum to "Elderberry Wine"  that is the first that works more of their country side into the songwriting rather than just being window dressing in the periphery. "Phish Pepsi" shows they are also into the Grateful Dead. It works off a  jammed country tinged drone. "Candy Breath" benefits from a strong bass-line as they head backs into the 90s indie rock. It has a quirky charm but is not that hooky. Then the minute and a half of romantic pining that is "the Way  Love Goes" comes in to not waste too much time.

There is more of their quaint middle of the road musings on "Pick Up That Knife" that meanders a bit. "WASP" feels like they are just trying to make a punk song without that really being who they are . It is not the worst thing I have heard all week. "Bitter Everyday" follows the now formulaic indie -90s sound being passed off as a country shoe-gaze hybrid which is achieved more effectively on Ethel Cain's new album.  The meandering begins to consume the album's third act as it gets mired down in ballads. I will give this album an 8.5, they have a good idea what they want to do , but tend to throw shit at the wall and see what sticks

pst597

The Top 10 Pop Albums of 2025

 

Pop does not have to be a bad word. Sadly the music industry takes it down a deeper hole of vapid capitalism, by pumping out products rather than music with anything to say.  Unlike their more mainstream counterparts, these albums were not rolled from the same assembly line and did not need the teams of songwriters and producers to create for them, they generally did this themselves.  Here are albums that stand shoulder to shoulder with other genres, proving pop does not have to be trash, despite being that more often than not these days. 

 After I sort through the top 10 albums of all the respective genres, I use those lists to compile the top 10 albums of 2025 The very fact these bands made it on the list speaks to how great these albums are, so it's not a slight that the number 8 album is above the 9th album, there is something that just gives it an edge that makes me want to listen to it more. After all, we can try to look cool and pick the hippest bands for a list, but at the end of the day what makes an album the best is that it makes you want more, you look forward to listening to it again. Perhaps you can find your next favorite on this list; and have included links to reviews of these albums if you want to check out the audio on these guys. Anyway here are the top 10 Pop albums of 2025

10-Jane Remover- "Revengeseekerz" 

What the kids are calling digicore. The auto-tuned vocals are not unlike those heard from more mainstream trap rappers, such as Future. Lyrically, aside from being presented chaotically, with typically vapid radio friendly lyrics that are  more tolerable when presented in this fashion. At times dub-step at others harsher barrage of noise the beats keep things moving.  

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/09/jane-remover-revengeseekerz.html

9-yeule- "Evangelic Girl is a Gun" 

This weird little singer from Singapore was a new find for me,. Her fourth album at times embracing an almost t trip-hop sound that features some subtle guitar elements as it progresses. In other moments there is more of a 90s alternative feel, bringing to mind bands like Elastica or Lush. The pop grooves putting her on a sonic footing closer to  Grimes or early Charli XCX, which balance out the glitchy atmosphere in the periphery.

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/06/yeule-evangelic-girl-is-gun.html

 

8-President -"King of Terrors" 

Anonymity creates quite a buzz., as they had a huge online presence despite only having one single out  and a Download performance under their belt . It is the songs from that performance that are given the studio treatment, with the first single opening the EP. Sonically similar in many ways to Sleep Token, they blend djenty metal guitars with technical drumming and multiple layers of soulfully harmonized vocals. If AI, was  told to create a band in the vein of Sleep Token and Bad Omens, the results would be similar though the pop hooks here make it endearing. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/09/president-king-of-terrors.html

7-The Beaches - "No, Hard Feelings" 

 This band's last album, "Blame My Ex" found them taking the number two spot in our Top 10 Pop Albums of 2023. They have raised the bar for themselves. They move in a marginally more indie rock direction for this album, while e trying to still dish out a comparable level of hooky choruses. The  more pop stabs reflects back on what worked on the last album, though perhaps not as hard-hitting, but still highly effective. Working well enough to earn the number 7 spot.  

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/08/the-beaches-no-hard-feelings.html

6-Miley Cyrus- "Something Beautiful" 

Miley's 9th album is pretty ambitious. It's framed with preludes and interludes to create a more immersive experience than your average pop album. Ranging from soulful lounge ballads to oddly experimental bursts of sound.  Her voice sounds great, this seems to blend her pop sheen with the more rock-inflected moments of albums like "Plastic Hearts". She claims this album is inspired by "The Wall", the saxophone wailing in the background brings a "Diamond Dogs" styled chaos to the fringes of its sound. 

 https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/05/miley-cyrus-something-beautiful.html

5-Wu- Tang Clan - "Black Samson , the Bastard Swordsman" 

Legendary New York rap collective dropped this album for a more limited vinyl release for Record Store Day, and now it's receiving a wider release. This is the first full-length release since the 2017 compilation "The Saga Continues," which was released as simply Wu-Tang due to the absence of U-God. It's also the first album since 2015's "Once Upon a Time in Shaolin" to feature all 9 living members of the group. This album is a collaboration with producer Mathematics, who effectively captures the feel of the group's classic work, proving why they are one of the only hip-hop acts that matter.  

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/06/wu-tang-clan-black-samson-bastard.html

4-Deathbyromy-"Hollywood Forever" 

Pop music marketed to the "vvitches" of Tiktok, who are the new generation of Hot Topic kids. Her image contrasts with the otherwise upbeat grooves that open the new album. Her voice is what you expect from a pop singer in 2025. At the end of the day the strong songwriting won me over. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/09/deathbyromy-hollywood-forever.html

 

3-Sleep Token- "Even in Arcadia" 

I like pop music this album is a slapping pop album, so . I don't feel so guilty about liking it.  If he just came out, life would be so much easier, but denial has become a part of his identity. There was maybe 20 seconds of nu-metal guitar, and a scream that needed every bit of post-production effects on it in the first three songs. The beats and hooks that would make Sam Smith jealous, this is the kind of music Justin Timberlake wishes he was making. Justin Bieber, rinse off the baby oil and get these guys to write your next album. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/05/sleep-token.html

  2-Pixel Grip-  "Perceptide the Death of Reality" 

 This interesting electronic band was circling my radar to glad for the chance to check them out. They open things with an atmospheric pop song that simmers in introspection. The alluring vocals of Rita Lukea, give everything a sex dripping sheen, as they jump into dark 90s techno. The darkest album on this list which gives it the edge over Sleep Token. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/05/pixel-grip-perceptide-death-of-reality.html

 

1-Taylor Swift- "the Life of a Showgirl" 

At the end of the day she can whip out songs that sit effortlessly next to the other classics in her discography with no effort. Even Tay Tay dialing it in is better than what most can do with two dozen producers and co-writers This album grew on me, and makes it clear she is the dominant force in not just pop music, but songwriting. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/10/taylor-swift-life-of-showgirl.html

pst596

Cult Therapy :"Get Fucked Sinner"

These zany Michigan punks, have made a scathing album that gives religion the middle finger. There are elements of slacker 90s indie rock in the disjointed slink it takes on at times. There is also a noise rock sloppiness to what is going on here. The lazy croon to "Therapy & Drugs" places them close to bands like Weezer. "The Lord's Army' stays on topic but unleashed angry spasm that are not as catchy, They hang onto the drunken groove of "All Alone" but it feels more like Murder By Death. The mix is odd in how the vocals are way up front but I guess they want to put the message first and foremost, which is better than it being buried.

They get credit for not being pinned down into one genre, as they are more explosive than indie rock at those though on "Deacon's House" it's a more apt description. To the point of where building to the emotional explosion is all part of the formula. "Hallelujah" works off a more 90s  tinged grunge shuffle. By the time we get to "Burn it Down"  relatable lyrics are not enough when the songs begin to run together. The more pondering folk strum of "He Loves" might have worked on the airwaves back in 97 but it does not resonate with me as much since I have been there and already got the t-shirt. I can hear where a band like Brand New might have influenced these guys, but they could stand to be a little darker especially with the subject matter. 

"I'm Fine, Everything's Ok" sonically works off the tropes of the 90s , but the lyrics are what sells this one for me. Things drop down for "Born Again" ( which is not a cover of the Gillan era Sabbath song) .  Dynamically it is a pretty effective song that emotes from a place I will believe. Very familiar sounds, just short of wearing their influences on their sleeves. the lyrics win me over, as it's hard for me not to like an entire album based off the concept of religions pitfalls in the western world ,so I will give this one a 9. 

 

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pst595

Militarie Gun : "God Save the Gun"

 It's been two years since I last heard these guys on "Life Under the Gun" .When this album kicks in , they are more punk than I remember from the last time I checked them out. It sounds big and dumb, but is fun like some male cheerleaders gone wrong. "Fill Me With Paint" finds the shouted , double tracked vocals capturing a similar vibe as the previous song, as you can hear how the West Coast sound is changing .

"Throw Me Away" has a sing song vocal hook that works really well. There are hints of 90s punk in the veins. But rather than hitting you with speed and anger, they are more relaxed thanks to the ample sunshine. "God Owes Me Money" has a more shimmering new wave melody in the back ground as the almost rapped vocal flows over it. They ride the line between being more of a an alt rock band and punk on this album , but I think the attitude is still there. 

The ballad 'Daydream' does cross the line into radio rock.  The roar back to redeem themselves with "Maybe I'll Burn My Life Down". It shuffle into a clapped groove. There is a more anthemic alternative feel to 'Kick" but it works well.  They indulge in a more chipper version of pop-punk for "Laugh at Me", though the guitar get more sonic on the chorus.  His singing has improved on this album for sure. "Wake Up and Smile" sounds more like the Pixies to me, which is a great band to be compared to. 

"I Won't Murder Your Friend" takes some interesting turns. They take a more blatant turn into pop-punk with the Blink 182 sounding "Thought You Were Waving". The title track closes the album with something more in line with the pop punk side of what they are doing on this album. I will give this album an 8.5, it's a solid performance though more pop-punk than I prefer. 

PST594

November's Top 10 Albums

It's time for November's top 10 albums. Staying abreast of the month's highlights may help casual
readers catch up on what they missed and explore these artists. I am not writing brief summaries of them; I am simply linking to the reviews. Inclusion here does not mean that these albums have been released this month, but it is a list of new or upcoming albums I have enjoyed the most. I have albums in my inbox that are not coming out til 2026, so I am normally way ahead of the curve in this regard. They are ranked in order of what I have listened to the most. This month it ranges from indie folk bangers to various shades of Doom metal. Perhaps you will find your new favorite among them. Here are the Top 10 albums of  November. 

10-Oromet - "the Sinking Isle" 

Doom 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/11/november-is-doom-oromet-sinking-isle.html

9-Florence + the Machine -"Everybody Scream" 

Folk Pop 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/11/florence-machine-everybody-scream.html

8-Bloody Hammers - ""the Acoustic Halloween Special" 

Doom Folk 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/11/november-is-doom-bloody-hammers.html

7-1914-"Viribus Unitis"

Black Metal 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/11/1914-viribus-unitis.html

6-Shedfromthebody :'Everything Out There Has Teeth"

Doom Gaze 

 https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/11/november-is-doom-shedfromthebody.html

5-The Neighbourhood - 'Ultrasound'

Indie Rock 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/11/the-neighborhood-ultrasound.html

4-Allie X -"Happiness is Going to Get You" 

Pop Folk 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/11/allie-x-happiness-is-going-to-get-you.html

3-Drowned in Silver- "Mothers" 

Doom 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/11/november-is-doom-drowned-in-silver.html

2-Home Front - "Watch It Die"

 

Punk

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/12/home-front-watch-it-die.html

1-HEALTH- "CONFLICT DLC" 

Industrial 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/11/health-conflict-dlc.html

pst593

Pool Kids : "Easier Said Than Done"

 

It is funny that I found this band while searching for punk albums that came out this year. There is nothing punk about this but I like this album for what it is. This Tallahassee plays a pop minded version of indie-rock that benefits from some very slick production that lends to the pristine vocal lines and dancey grooves. It feels like if you were hoping the Beaches had made more of a pop album this time around then these kids would be for you.  They rock a little harder on the second, and find the clever lyrics really propelling this one. While the vocals are incredibly produced it begins to play against them "Bad Bruise" as it begins to give the songs a more uniform feel. 

When guitar begins to play a larger role on "Leona Street" it balances out things a bit. 'Last Word' is a little more dynamic, and the guitar once again guide the vocals into more rock places. They jangle and stomp in equal measure on this, which I am betting feels more like a rock song live.  Vocalist Christine  Goodwyne belts it out a little more as the song builds to show she is not a one trick pony. "Sorry Not Sorry" emerges from a softer dynamic. Lyrically it feel more like a pop song. 

There is more of a HAIM feel to "Not Too Late". On "Which is Worse?" the vocals sit back a little as the guitars dance around them to create a more anthemic feel when it kicks into the chorus. "Dani" feels kinda like a power-ballad in the emotive manner it sprawls out. She displays some vocal power on this one as well. "Perfect View" is a ballad that holds a more folk feel. The last song works well enough of a more watered down Taking Back Sunday like vibe. Overall this album is a great deal of fun I will give it a 9.5, the most punk part is that it was released by Epitaph. 

pst592

Just Mustard : "WE WERE JUST HERE"

 

The Irish dream pop-sters are back with an opaque batch of tunes that finds the forward mixed vocals putting them closer in the zip-code of Cranes.  Katie Bell's child like purity is the sugar coating to what might be a venture into more experimental territory for the band. Her voice rings out wit ha sing song cadence that works for the opening track, but there is a very uniform feel to how this all unfolds over the course of the album. The third album from these guys means they have dialed in their artistic vision, and purposefully pursue certain influences like My Bloody Valentine with the boozy sound of the heavily effected guitars. 

On the second song the vocals begin to become more of a texture, and the bass line a vague frequency  that sets the tone but does not allow for further grooves. Two songs in this is not a deal breaker but how it plays out once you get deeper into the album found me wanting a greater range of dynamics. The plus side of this equation is that nothing is allowed to drone on for too long as the songs all fall within the four minute range. The guitarist lends his voice to "SILVER" to break things up a bit, and the song itself moves at more of a Radiohead like shuffle. 

"DREAMER" finds them backing off more to allow the vocals room to simmer over a more minimal instrumentation that is like riding a rain cloud. Synth sounds create more of a groove for the title track. "Somewhere" lingers in the reverb before creeping to life. "Dandelion' drifts without really going anywhere. The mix disrupts the stage the experimental elements were trying to set for "That I Might Not See'. It result in the song being drowned by it's own drone. "The Steps" feels like more of an idea they never shared with their drummer. 

The last song is more syncopated which helps set it apart from the other songs. The guitarist also sings on the song which at least provide another color in the mix of sounds. Overall I will give this album an 8.5, what they are doing is on brand for them and works, but I would like to here more dynamic focused songwriting from them next time around, 

pst591

The Top 10 Black Sabbath Albums

After reviewing every Black Sabbath album , not previously reviewed, yeah I reviewed "13" back when it come out. It only makes sense to make this list after giving these albums a solid listen to hear what has held up the best over the years. I have not gone into length exposition about each album, but included links to the reviews, if you need to read that or want to check out the music it self as most of the album's are embedded in those reviews. The major factors that played into this sorting processing was which albums I have listened to the most. So here are the top 10 Black Sabbath albums. 

10-De-humanizer

This reunion with Dio, feels more like a Dio album, but it also does not rely on nostalgia. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/11/november-is-doom-black-sabbath-de.html

9-Born Again 

This Ian Gillan album was not supposed to be Sabbath , but the record company insisted, it brings Gillan's booze fueled chaos to life. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/11/november-is-doom-black-sabbath-born.html

8-Heaven & Hell

Proof there could be life with out Ozzy, but in many ways it feels like a different band altogether. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/11/november-is-doom-black-sabbath-heaven.html

7-"Mob Rules"

The hardest of the Dio albums for the band to make, yet it packs the most punch and documents a darker time. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/11/november-is-doom-black-sabbath-mob-rules.html

6-"Black Sabbath'

The birth of metal sits atop a drug inspired blues jam.

 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/11/november-is-doom-black-sabbath-st.html

5-"Paranoid" 

They cemented themselves as a band and stopped jamming and started writing songs. That ended up being their biggest hits. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/11/november-is-doom-black-sabbath-paranoid.html

4- "Volume -4 "

The song of cocaine created an underlying melancholy that gives these songs a more soulful feel. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/11/november-is-doom-black-sabbath-vol-4.html

3-"Sabbath Bloody Sabbath" 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/11/november-is-doom-black-sabbath-sabbath.html

2-"Master of Reality"

The Heaviest of the Ozzy years, pretty much straight-forward kick in the face. 

 https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/11/black-sabbath-master-of-reality.html

1-"Sabotage" 

Ozzy sounds his best and their writing finds the perfect balance of metallic edge and psychedelic experimentation, puts this album at the top. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/11/november-is-doom-black-sabbath-sabotage.html

pst590

Home Front : "Watch it Die'

These charming Canadian punkers are back. They play a melodic yet tense style of punk that flirts with post-punk, but even with the synths that crop up time to time there is more of aggression driving the songs that keeps them with their dominant foot being planted in punk. Sometimes the subtle ambiance created by the more experimental elements like synths does cast a shadow on the mood and darkens it a bit. If there are any doubter as to the merit of their punk status just listen to the guitars and vocals of " Light Sleep". It is not their fault if they are giving their songs room to breathe and using melody, the feel of the songs is more punk than many bands that get called punk these days. 

This does not mean there are not moments where they do cross over into new wave as heard on songs like "Between the Waves ", which aside from the vocals sound like it could have come out in the 80s. Vocally they are too entrenched on punk. "Eulogy"  finds the guitars coming back to balance out the synth experiments. The strummed guitar for "the Vanishing" is the first song that loses the more punk roots at it's core, but it's a decent 80s new wave homage. They go to the other end of the spectrum with "For the Children" which is more Oi !

"Kiss the Sky" works off a dancey vibe and solid feel for the era they are recreating here. It's weird because this was no the life skin heads were about in the 80s , but that is where we are at here and it works. "Always this Way" finds punk attitude bringing brought to a more rock context. There is a more tense post-punk tension to "Dancing with Anxiety". "Young Offender" finds them with the electronic elements in perfect balance with the punk sound that is more of who they are.  The last song is the only one wehre they seem unsure the direction they want to commit to, it is not a bad song, but not on the level of the rest of the album. So over all I will give this album a 9.5, I think it's an effective step forward  for this project.

pst589