Best Of 2025 Year In Review: New Music, Interviews and Live Show Coverage

As the year 2025 comes to a conclusion, the time to reflect on the music reviews composed and compiled on this website is once again upon us. Each month's entries are covered here in chronological order, featuring the best of the best artists who put out compelling new recordings. Significant live shows attended and associated interviews conducted are highlighted here as well. Before we move on to a new year, dig in to the 2025 Best Of DaveCromwellWrites Features.

Read Here

*     *     *     *

Read Here

*     *     *     *

Read Here

*     *     *     *

Read Here

*     *     *     *

Read Here

*     *     *     *

The above June review included two more song reviews from Sueno con Belugas album "Ataque con rayos electronicos."    Reviews here added "Love Evolves" and "Flying High" to the previously covered "Velocidad" and "Mil Recuerdos."  Now four wonderful new tracks "Portal," "Sombra," "Colores" and "Trasciende" complete the album.   They continue the ambient spirituality of what came before on this dreamy collection.  The link below will take you there.

 

Read Here

*     *     *     *

Read Here

*     *     *     *

Read Here

*     *     *     *

Since the release of Sophie Ellis Bextor’s album “Perimenopop” in September, there is now a Christmas remix of the track “Time” re-imagined as “Christmas Time” (so appropriate for this time of year!)   Adding gentle touches of jingles and bells, it also arrived with an emotional official video.  In it we see Sophie and her family through the years in Christmas photos, including images of that one period when Sophie hair was entirely blonde.  The video closes with a home movie of her grandpa leading the family through the Christmas pudding song and conga line tradition. Very British and all so wholesome. 

 Check it out here:

   

Read Here

*     *     *     *

Read Here

*     *     *     *

Bewitching Reviews of Enchanting New Music Releases

It’s always fun at this time of year, no matter your age or where you may be living.  Everyone seems to love the Halloween Season, and this current DaveCromwellWrites music review features two releases focused on this universal theme.  However, never far from this websites realm are bands that focus on gazey, propulsive indie rock, released via trusted labels.  The binding element between them all is a motivation to create attention-worthy recordings.

Rhythmic fuzzy-gaze rockers Phantom Wave are back with a new full-length album “Echoes Unknown.” Still boasting the creative forces of Ian Carpenter (guitar/vocals), Rachel Fischer (drums) and Yanek Che (bass), songwriting is credited to everyone, with Ian providing all lyrics.  Contributing to the overall sound design was engineer Ryan Dieringer and Ringo Deathstarr’s audio master Elliott Frazier on mixing. With Shore Dive Records releasing it on their well-respected, like-minded label, a full track-by-track review follows below.

A squall of feedback and noise create the entry point for rhythmically propulsive opening (and title) track “Echoes Unknown.” While guitars create a solid wash as backdrop, thundering drums and bass guitar deliver all the forward motion. Vocals come layered on top with minimal (if any) enhancing studio effects. This clean vocal reading stitches together poetic thoughts of things being “damaged and zoned . . . fever stoned” and “follow down to the bones.” The chorus keeps things simple stating these “echoes” are “for you,” adding more emphatic vocal phrasing and fuller background sonic force. A second verse keeps the poetry flowing, with matching couplets “say now split the sorrow - what wishes can we borrow” and “here comes another remedy - all the skies, you and me.” It’s vague, yet somehow universally understandable. A midpoint section adds a layer of percussion accents to the churning back-and-forth two chord break. The tracks final moments combine metaphysical lyrics – “all in all unknown – echoes on, unknown” with one more layer of higher register guitar textures.

Follow-up cut “Splashed” comes on quicker with forceful drumming powering along bass and guitar sounding like early-era Cure. In fact, the unadorned vocals seem right out of that time period as well. Lyrically playing off a water theme (“hazy fog . . . don’t you capsize”) it’s the emotionally charged heavy-noize-gazer chorus that compares “getting splashed” with “breaking free.” One could picture themselves relaxed on a beach where “swollen skies are here, blankets aglow - somewhere else is burning, got nowhere to go.” Additionally the lyric “take it away, the crash and wonder” references leaning IN to it, rather than removing it. Reaching it’s explosive sonic peak and definitive final word “Free,” comes a quiet 30 second ambient fadeout.

Third entry “Hologrammer” features higher-register “icy” guitar textures and four chord progression locked together by bass and drums. Vocals are delivered in breathy whisper on lines “exquisite you, along the streets - tell me now, beauty replete.” Eloquence of expression continues through loosely connected lyrical thoughts where “all the tones – they begin – praise the saints – don’t give in.” When the chorus is reached, sharp turn accents add punch to essential phrase “burn on hologrammer.” Bass guitar plays a central role out front during an extended instrumental midsection.

A slower, more measured bass guitar and drums groove provides the pacing for next cut “Woozy.” Guitars are angel-stroked chime-y, floating in from the clouds.  The chorus hits hard (like one always hopes) with the lines “now what you got? Drifting forever. Now what you got? (and this is clever) “forever endeavor.”  Only reading the lyrics would reveal that, as listening to it sounds like “forever and ever.”  This writer and eternal student of word craft appreciates the subtlety.  Perhaps this attempt to achieve or gain begins with “solace,” “trails” and “desires” to “want everything good.”

Check it out:

Reaching the albums midway point, “Breakaway” plays with tempo shifts that pivot from standard progressions to more angular rhythms and leveled-up speeds.  It’s a technique you sometimes hear in the songs of album mixmaster Elliot Frazier’s own band Ringo Deathstarr.  While the chorus implores you to “breakaway – what do you say,” deeper clues emerge via lines “open the old maps and all the spinning tops - back to sonic beach, paradise in reach.”

Deeper album cuts exhibit subtle variations on what has already come before.   “Collider” blends a Cure-like gothic rock progression with gazey guitars and lyrical views from “the atmosphere.”  In contrast, “down here” (on earth) “we all know how it goes.”  Open note arpeggio guitar plinking gives seventh entry “Wanton” it’s unique sonic quality.  While that singular title adjective has a few definitions, a lyrical reference to “endless pleasing” gives a clue into which one it is.

This one comes with an official video:

A deep bass guitar groove drives the deceptively titled eighth track “High Halcyon.” While essential title word and subsequent lyrics reference blissful, carefree moments of peace, instrumental accompaniment resides closer to traditional noisy gaze.  Penultimate cut “Memory Swerver” hearkens back to the “new wave” era (somewhat) with it’s defined chord progression, clarion-chime guitars and emo-angst vocal delivery.  Along with the now-expected harsher instrumental elements is a final twenty seconds of Sonic Youth-like ambient fadeout.  Final track “Sirens” leans all the way in on breathy, urgent vocals. With a pace and sonic texture close to fellow local gazer band Dead Leaf Echo, clever lyrics emerge, like “seasons cresting into shape – playing all the Sunday tapes.” While the drums on the entire album elicit a live-in-the-studio feel, it’s even more pronounced here. Bass guitar continues to pop and rumble throughout, under the glorious wash of soaring ethereal guitars.

Check out this entire albums multilayered distorted dreamscape here:

You can acquire the album from Shore Dive Records 

Follow Phantom Wave on their Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Bandcamp 

Stay up to date with Shore Dive Records via their Facebook, Instagram, Bandcamp

For vinyl editions, go here.

Previous Phantom Wave features on this Site can be found Here and Here.

*     *     *     *     *

The DCW universe has been keeping up with The Suncharms since first being made aware of them six years ago.  A significant amount of reviews on their musical output have graced these digital pages since then.  Along with prominent full track-by-track album reviews, both single releases and compilation contributions have also been included.  Now arriving just in time for the “spooky season” are two tracks serving as the first taste from their coming album “Darkening Sky.”  A careful listen to these new songs commence below.

Featured cut “Monster to Me (Halloween Version)” comes along at this appropriate time of year. An ambient wash rises up quickly, soon followed by the primary easy shuffle groove. It’s essential melody is delivered by a buzzy guitar riff, with secondary guitar chords, on-point bass and a relaxed percussion backbeat. Vocalist Marcus Palmer gets right to it with the opening lines “you became a monster to me, I had a fear of going home - one look from you could turn me to stone.” With those chilling thoughts laid out, the tracks gorgeous hook emerges out of a power chord and rim-clack drumming. “It wasn’t always like this” the singer presents, as the most unexpected but perfect-for-it muted trumpet joins in adding pathos to the moment. Where “a teenage love affair – the stars seemed to shine – so bright.” That brightness began to fade when a “dark soul” took over, building “a temple to yourself.” This compact 2 minute, 30 second song closes out stating “this is no – Torture Garden – Vault of Horror - House that Dripped Blood - Friday Night Double Bill.”

The paired second track “Tuesday Afternoon Seance” picks up the pace a bit and extends it’s overall length by a minute. That extra time allows the band to stretch out more instrumentally throughout. Leaning in to a psychedelic vibe with repeated vocal “I know” (7 times) a more dominant bass guitar moves about as distorted guitar melodies flow. Marcus tells the tale of this “séance” where “the lightning lit the room” and “the glass moved, the table shook.” Drums become more active alongside bendy guitar accents as Marcus asks “how could I know?”  Rushing synth pads emerge underneath expansive bass and guitar explorations.  Returning to verses place strumming guitar chords out front as Marcus ponders a “staircase” with “70s swirls on the carpet” asking “If we go upstairs would we talk?”

Check out these two seasonably cool tracks here:

Follow The Suncharms on their Social Media - Facebook - Instagram 

Previous DCW features on this artist can be found on this site here, here, here and here.

*     *     *     *     *

Long-time favorites of this site Big Stir Records are always working on new ideas for the music and artists they represent.  The Burbank, California based label have been releasing select singles during the month of October off of their Halloween themed album “Chilling, Thrilling Hooks And Haunted Harmonies: The Big Stir Records Halloween Grimoire.”  Laid out as a continuous program containing audio tales and sound effects in-between the songs, the vinyl LP version includes a gatefold jacket that folds out into a playable board game.  The compilation was curated and produced by Michael Simmons, Rex Broome and Christina Bulbenko.

Spinning the wheel of choice to select a noteworthy track to review, the needle falls on The Armoires entry “Full-On Witch Mode.” Coming complete with it’s own official music video, elements of magic and witchcraft are woven in with the bands performance. The track comes to life via a mysterious bass guitar driven groove, supported by steady percussion, slashing guitars and deep toned violin. Lead vocals sing about being “connected to the things that move beneath the surface.” Images of candles, powders and potions appears as those practicing these ancient arts devote serious attention to their craft. There’s humor woven in as well, with the verbal spelling of “hell” as “H E double hockey sticks.” As the track continues to build with intensity, a pivotal vocal line states “and when the world wont align with what we want to see . . . we go full on witch mode.” The whole video is shot beautifully, frequently bathed in a purple hue, with dark shrouded close ups of each band members faces.

Check it out:

You can pick up the album here.

Follow Big Stir Records on their Official Website - Facebook - Instagram - YouTube - TwitterX - Bandcamp 

Previous Big Stir Records features on this Site can be found here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

*     *     *     *     *

Best Of 2022: New Music Reviews and Interviews

2022's final month offers a time for revisiting music reviews composed and compiled here on this site throughout the year. The annual “Best Of” highlights those notable artists written about since January. A concise listing focused on each months entries in sequential order brings attention once again to the most engaging releases of 2022.

  

With the New Year came a fresh crop of album and single releases that were followed by full-length recordings later on. Most of these artists have been developing their individual style for a number of years. Featured on indie labels with consistent track records, the first month of 2022 saw this site digging in to a variety of creative songwriters and sound designers.

Frequent contributors to this site Big Stir Records rolled-out their first major album release of 2022: “Darling Please” from acclaimed North Carolina singer-songwriter Chris Church. A remastering of songs recorded a number of years back, the artists re-imagined his original vision aided by modern recording studio facilitation.

-  -  -

Along with the lyric-heavy vocal music frequently reviewed here, this site has also made it a point to feature quality instrumental releases at times. The Seattle-based soul-jazz groove machine Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio first released the single “Don't Worry 'Bout What I Do” and full album Cold As Weiss via Colemine Records.

-  -  -

Good Eye Records introduced an exciting new track "Boscobel," which served as the first single from new to this site band Sooner's debut album, Days and Nights. Sooner specializes in blending alternative rock, dream pop and gaze with romantic female lead vocals.

-  -  -

The complete reviews on the above bands can be found here.

*  *  *  *  *

The Kool Kat Music label released “Wish I Could See” by Cheap Star. Fronted by Swiss-French musician Remi Vaissiere (who wrote, sings lead and plays guitar on all the songs). A distinct 'Americana/Powerpop' vibe runs through it all due to the artists long-time relationship with seminal late 80's/early 90's Posies frontman Jon Auer. Brought in to produce and mix the record, Jon also plays a variety of guitars and keyboards on nearly all of the tracks. The Posies connection doesn't end there as respected drummer Brian Young (a member of that band during their major label years from 94-98, before moving on to The Fountains of Wayne and then The Jesus and Mary Chain) delivers outstanding percussion on every one of these new songs.

 

-  -  -

The music of Dead Leaf Echo is no stranger to this site, having covered their recordings and many live shows for over a decade. Notwithstanding some personnel changes one could hardly be surprised at over that length of time, the current lineup has been relatively steady the last few years. After completing their first Latin America tour, they released a six track EP. “Milk.Blue.Kisses.And.Whalebone.Wishes” is the mysterious and poetic title, serving as something of a hybrid to the song titles on it.

-  -  -

Austin, Texas heavy-groove blues-rockers The Dizzy Bangers received a detailed analysis on their song “Painted Bruises,” which displayed an advanced level of musicianship and lyrical mastery within the heavy rock genre.

-  -  -

Full reviews on all of the above can be found on this site right here.

*  *  *  *  *

Equal measures of industrial electronics, heavy rock, seductive vocals, black-clad fashion glamour and spirituality are woven together in the music of Turbo Goth. As popularity continues to grow in both their native Philippines and adopted home of NYC, the duo of Paolo Peralta and Sarah Gaugler released their album “Awakened Imagination.”

-  -  -

The always busy Brighton, England based Shore Dive Records contributed this month, promoting their 111th release featuring Stockholm, Sweden's We.ThePigs. This full-length album highlights a lovely collection of female vocal dreampop, harsh Sonic Youth-like guitar noise and even a JAMC “tribute” as well.

-  -  -

Enticed to check out the music of already established indie rockers Star Collector proved to be a prudent endeavor. Working in the classic 4 piece, two guitar, bass and drums formation, an impressive level of vocal harmonies lift them above rudimentary “garage band” status.

-  -  -

Read all the reviews on every artist in this feature here.

*  *  *  *  *

The folks at Shoredive Records seem to instinctively knows what will fly here at this site. Offering the labels 116th release featured an artist out of Chicago called “Glitter Assassin.” That cool name along with the promise of noisy guitar layered indie pop with a heavy gazer influence received the full DCW analysis.

-  -  -

Respected Label BIG STIR RECORDS rolled out the first in a series of singles highlighting Finnish power-pop guitar group The Bablers. An appropriate CromwellWrites deep-dive ensued.

-  -  -

An interesting musician recording under the name Friends from Moon released a concept album titled “Astray.” It's epic and incendiary track “Marvels beyond Madness” garnered intense listen and review.

-  -  -

The Rosie Varela Project released their album “What Remains,” with its single track “Fault Line” receiving a wordy investigation.

- -  -

Check out the full coverage on all the above here.

*  *  *  *  *

Four exciting new audio and video releases summoned attention for the month of May . Storied legends with lengthy discographies (still going strong) share space here with newer established artists along with debut entries as well.

Legendary gothic death-rock pioneers Christian Death have a long history that dates back to their original formation in the 1980's. Equal parts adoration and controversy have continued to surround them ever since. Featured track and video for “Beautiful” from their 17th studio album “Evil Becomes Rule” received primary focus.

-  -  -

Inspired by a 75 million year old rock formation in Thailand that when viewed from above, create the visual illusion of a family of whales, 3 Robots Records indie label artists Sueño con belugas released their epic track “Normal.”

-  -  -

With the release of her latest album “Tresor,” the evolutionary vision of musician Gwenno reached a new pinnacle. The title track and it's accompanying video provided a unique journey into her Cornish and Welsh history.

-  -  -

A collective calling themselves Seedsmen to the World released their debut album on Blue Arrow and Birdman Records. Combining elements of trance-drone and folk music, it's offbeat qualities sparked further investigation.

-  -  -

Link through to the full feature on the above bands here.

*  *  *  *  *

Frequently featured label Patetico Recordings returned to the DCW realm with a new collaborative effort Heliocentric Overdrive and their debut EP “Weightless.” Their melodic-pop tracks are fuleed by a precise and frenetic delivery.

-  -  -

If it seems like there is yet-another Shoredive Records artist being featured here on this site every other month or so – well, that's because it's true. One of the busiest, most-consistent labels out there, something new, exciting and previously unheard of appears in our listening sphere that simply can't be ignored. This time it was mysterious dreamgaze from Montpellier/Paris going by the name 40 Days Without Water.

-  -  -

Another independent label discovery was the Peruvian based Chip Musik Records. It specializes in ambient, electronic, chillwave, experimental, glitch, dreamgaze, vaporwave and experimental artists from all over the world. Their release Lego 15 – Pulsos de Bosques (Forest Pulses) is an extensive collection of music from Central/South American and other international locales.

-  -  -

Sometimes a record is released in a low key manner with little fanfare, and the band moves right to playing live as a means of showcasing this new material. Such was the case with Tight Lips debut EP, which was released at the end of March. With bands and audiences reconnecting at live shows again, the opportunity to focus on this previously uninvestigated recorded music presented itself.

-  -  -

Read full-length reviews on all of the above artists here.

*  *  *  *  *

The good folks over at Big Stir Records released a full-length album by LA psych-pop rockers Maple Mars. Titled “Someone's Got To Listen,” it's the band first album in over a decade, and debut for this label.

-  -  -

Andres Alfonso Lugo is a Baltimore-based recording artist who's work has been featured here on DCW numerous times. While those previous reviews focused on the bands he belongs to, the current work here being delved into is his solo project Los Dientes Hundidos en la Garganta. With that phrase translating into “the sunken teeth in the throat,” the music created is less ferocious (though still quite powerful) than that expression would suggest. Andres provides guitar, loops, programmed drums, bass and synth, while enlisting contributions from Ferran Pont Verges (Die Noia Futuriszka) with guitars, voice and mixing on "Loops of Energy."

-  -  -

Receiving news about a new project involving long-time fave David J (of Bauhaus and Love & Rockets fame) is always welcome. Busy as he's been over the last few years with revived live shows, hearing about brand new songs and group collaboration peaked curiosity. The debut album “A Free Society” by newly minted combo Night Crickets also includes Vincent DeLorenzo (from Violent Femmes) and multi-instrumentalist Darwin Meiners. Drawing their name from a conversation about something David Lynch said, the recordings came together via audio files shared between Los Angeles, Milwaukee, London and San Francisco. Their music video and song “The Unreliable Narrator,” received a detailed review.

-  -  -

An inquisitive individual who records and plays live music under the moniker 77 Apes caught the attention of DCW through their steady persistence. It is a solo artist endeavor where lyric-heavy songs are accompanied by acoustic and electric guitars, fleshed-out with background rhythm tracks.

-  -  -

The original full review writing on all of the above bands (complete with links or song embeds) can be found here.

*  *  *  *  *

Longtime friends of this site The Stargazer Lilies released a video for first single “Bending The Lines” in advance of their 5th studio album release “Cosmic Tidal Wave” via Floravinyl Records. The track and video receives appropriate fragmented windswept reverie.

-  -  -

The steady output from Philadelphia's Patetico Recordings assures ample opportunity for frequent reviews here on this site. This particular month saw the release of “From the ashes” by Stellarscope, which featured a precision review of single track “All the lies.”

-  -  -

Influential bands of the 90's continued to re-emerge with new material, which was welcome news to audiences who have missed them. Consider the Portland trio – No 2 – back with their third album, but first in a number of years. Fronted by Neil Gust who originally shared songwriting duties in Heatmiser (along with Elliott Smith), No 2 rose out of that bands ashes in the late 90's. The album titled “First Love” was released on Jealous Butcher Records.

Heavy blues rock has always been a particular favorite here at this site, and nobody does it better than Austin, Texas-based The Dizzy Bangers. Though relatively new here to the DCW orbit, a number of reviews have already made their way into prior features. The band returned once again with a new video release for their song “Painted Bruises,” earning additional commentary and analysis on it.

-  -  -

Full reviews of everything in this feature can be found here.

*  *  *  *  *

Turning attention once again to one of Shoredive Records releases found this site focusing on the recording project Xeresa. Simply titled “IV” (as in album number 4), the fully named Nicolas Pierre Wardell (previously only known as Label boss Nico Beatastic) serves as the bands primary catalyst. Painstakingly recorded between 2019 and 2022, each song features guest vocalists, some who have full releases on the parent label. Each track was built in the more common now than ever way of sending instrumental basic tracks to each respective artist for their creative additions (predominantly vocals).

-  -  -

UK Power Pop Rockers It's Karma It's Cool released the track “A Gentle Reminder,” accompanied by an in-studio style video performance, providing visual imagery of the band performing. This perfect slice of powerful pop music received a full DCW breakdown.

-  -  -

Follow this link for complete reviews of these artists.

*  *  *  *  *

It had been a year or two since new Lunar Twin music entered our universe. The enigmatic west coast duo returned with “Beyond The Sun,” the first single release from their upcoming album “Aurora.” Bryce Boudreau (vocalist/songwriter) and Christopher Murphy (multi-instrumentalist/producer) continue to expand on their sonic vision with this new material. “Beyond The Sun” received a close listen and complete review. A full nine track album is due soon, with another track “Android Dreams” available now to acquire and listen to.

-  -  -

Returning here for another review is the work of Baltimore-based recording artist Andres Alfonso, who makes solo music as Los Dientes Hundidos en la Garganta. While that phrase loosely translates to “the sunken teeth in the throat,” Andres composes his ambient works with guitars, bass and heavy looping. What comes out of that are wonderfully dreamy experimental ambient electronic soundscapes. The second single “Configurations” from latest album “Infinite Past” on Jak Jonson Tapes has recently dropped, and got the full review treatment.

-  -  -

Link to the full reviews of all these bands here.

*  *  *  *  *

An in-depth Interview and hotly anticipated EP Review shared space with two full-length, track-by-track reviews from trusted labels and artists. With one returning and another first-time creator receiving detailed analysis on their latest recordings, the quest to make sense of it all carried on without limit.

When press releases about a new band called The Buckleys started showing up via email over the last two years, an appreciation for the music and image they were producing was instantly felt. With the band recently coming to New York, Nashville and LA for press stops and personal appearances, I was honored to catch up with them for a face-to-face interview.

-  -  -

Back in May of this year, ambient dreamgaze collective Sueño con belugas were reviewed here on DCW for their introductory track “Normal” in anticipation of upcoming album “Memoria Cósmica.” With the release of that full eight song album, a chance to dig deeper into their sound presented itself.

-  -  -

Bookending Big Stir Records first major album release of 2022 (as mentioned here at the beginning of this Feature) was their final release of the year, “Sounds In English” by Sweden’s Richard Öhrn. Best known as the guitarist and one of the songwriters for the indie pop band In Deed, this release serves as his solo debut.

-  -  -

Full coverage of all the above artists can be found here.

*  *  *  *  *

The Kings and Queens of that glorious Astoria music scene – GIFTSHOP, performed two notable live shows that certainly qualify for “Best Of 2022” designation. Back on the final day of April the band played at Otto's on NYC's lower east side as part of a benefit to aid Ukraine.

-  -  -

Treating the audience to many of their classic tracks like “Despicable,” their careful selection of classic covers contribute to a total live show experience. Check out their glorious rendition of The Cars “Just What I Needed” on this night right here.

-  -  -

-  -  -

-  -  -

A more recent show went down earlier this month at beloved Astoria, Queens venue The Shillelagh Tavern. With dazzling frontwoman and lead vocalist Meghan having morphed from platinum blonde to bright-fire redhead, the band ripped through another killer set of originals and choice covers.

Opening with perennial favorite “Purchase,” they hit the ground in high gear and everything was “soo good – soo good.”

Was great to hear an updated version of “Same” which also included room for Jordan to showcase his drumming skills. There was the how-does-she-do-it hyper-speed vocals on “Things I Feel.”

Damian and Matt - axe-slingers on the corners.

Other enjoyable tracks played were "Stylish Junkie," "Spooky Halloween Christmas" along with bring-the-house-down covers of "Creep" and "Only The Lonely" (a clip of which can be heard at the end of this Instagram Post here).

All Aboard For Fun Time!

A previous GIFTSHOP review feature on this site can be found here.

*  *  *  *  *