2025, week 16. 10 singles

By now, I'm running behind about a month on singles since the start of the new year. Unfortunately for many songs, it becomes time to skip the line and move on to today from the next singles post onwards. Which will be a few weeks from now. In the meantime enjoy this batch as it holds some very good and interesting recent singles, from mid-March.

Attention Span. The Dollyrots

Have The Dollyrots ever heard of The Dolly Dots? With a name like that it does make me wonder. Musically the two bands could not be further apart, except that they both know where pop music goes to dwell. Attention Span is a punk rock song though of the kind that is being played ever since Green Day and The Offspring broke big in the mid-90s. Expect all energy levels at maximum, a pop feel hidden into the punk attitude. Duo bassist/lead vocalist Kelly Ogden and guitarist/vocalist Luis Cabezas know what a good punkrock song needs to succeed and that is exactly what Attention Span does.

Joyride. The Cocktail Slippers

More female fronted rock music but this time from Oslo in Norway. Last year I was in the city for a week, even played on a huge stage in Lillestrøm's convention centre, but no one there pointed me to a band called The Cocktail Slippers. Too bad. Had they been playing in town a visit would have been very much worth my while judging Joyride. Of course for about 30 something years that title is claimed by fellow Nordic band Roxette. This Joyride is just that little tougher and I have to say, at least as good. I love the dirty sound of the song and the punky way of singing. Here I'm reading that the band is working on its sixth album and I've never ever heard the name before. It's time to catch up.

The Power Runs Ripe. Bed Rugs

It's eight years since Bed Rugs released its previous record. For someone like me, The Power Runs Ripe is an introduction. Having nothing to compare to, gives a totally fresh ear where the music of Bed Rugs is concerned and what I'm hearing is landing well. Bed Rugs is a four piece from Antwerp that plays a form of psychedelic rock that has a tough pace. The drummer is not allowing the band to escape into fantasy land; until 1.34 minutes that is. As if the mixer has just cut out the drums totally. Should you like a comparison. The closest I can come is Dutch band Moss, partly in the way Stijn Boels sings. The Power Runs Ripe has a great pace and that is a part of its charm, the keyboard sound is the other. There's more underway, but we will have to be patient.

Bang Bang. The Noise Who Runs

At times I do wonder if any new music is made in 2026. Having lived as long as I have, I'm most likely entrenched in favourite genres. That makes it hard to hear something new, even with recent acts. All follow in the footsteps of giants. This is especially the case with artists who return to music after years of absence or have worked in the relative margins of music for decades and release a new record. Ian Pickering was a member of bands like Sneaker Pimps and Work Line Assembly. Bands that totally passed me by at time. And now I'm pointed to his new band, The Noise Who Runs. Bang Bang is a single that brings 80s angst to mind immediately. That puts the song into a basket for me. What stands out is, the lead guitar playing strong accents, the deep bass in the chorus and the 80s synths laying down a nice carpet in the background. Together it makes a strong single. Album 'RE: GEN X' will be out on 8 May. 

Sweet Nothing. Jesus The Dinosaur

I almost passed up on Sweet Nothing, until I heard something that triggered my memory towards an album from, I think 1993, and I haven't played for a long time, but loved a lot at the time: 'Whirligig' by The Caulfields. Sweet Nothing has that same unpredictability. The song is able to set me on the wrong foot a few times within a few minutes, almost making me forget that it is a strong song. Jesus The Dinosaur is the band of Tommy Ng from Boston. The band is on route to release an album called 'Nothing To The Branches'. Re-listening, the changes in the song become stronger and better. Sweet Nothing is truly growing on me. Thank you for reminding me of 'Whirligig' for starters and the album is from 1995. And, yes, I want to hear more soon!

Whenever You Want Me Too. The Greenberry Woods

In the above under The Noise Who Runs I wrote about artists returning to music. The Greenberry Woods are a new proof of point. The band released music in the 1990s and then called it quits. In 2026 the band returns with Whenever You Want Me Too, a single on which pop music is celebrated in its purest, albeit U.S. form. Think of bands like The Rembrandts, where golden pop melodies go together with singing in harmony. The intro to Whenever You Want Me Too is a dead give away. Guitar parts weave in and out of each other, with the bass and drums going ahead unperturbed ,laying a sound foundation. The same goes for the harmony vocals in the choruses. Pure pop, as if the past 30 years did not happen. In May there will be an album as well.

Sober. Bluai

Sober is a single with two very distinct faces. Looking down from a helicopter, the Antwerp based band does a Nirvana or The Police. A soft verse versus a chorus that let's it all hang out. Expect no grunge or rock-reggae though. Bluai plays a kind of folk music with an indie foundation. The band consists of singer/guitarist Catherine Smet, drummer Mo Govaerts and bassist Caitlin Talbut and can be found on this blog in June 2024 with a review by Erwin Zijleman, who lauded album 'Save It For Later' no little. Sober is my personal introduction to Bluai and I have to say I like what I'm hearing. That change between the dark and the light is well done. Learning a little more about the background of Sober tells you that the chorus is more about wishful thinking than solving the grave situation addiction is. A serious topic is tackled by Bluai. A new album is under way.

All I Did Was Dream Of You feat. The Marías. Beabadoobee

Every once in a while a song allows you to dream away. And Beabadoobee (Bea Lous) allows you just that with All I Did Was Dream Of You. The single has such a relaxed atmosphere. The music is warm and soothing, in the second verse almost bubbling over. Bea Lous sings over it as if she's half asleep, lulling in a beach chair, half in the shade on a very warm day. On this track she collaborated with María Zardoya, better known as The Marias. I cannot tell you what her role is. What I do know, is that you should not go dreaming for too long, as you will be rudely awakened when All I Did Was Dream Of You explodes into an indie rock track where the lead guitar goes off into its own exploration of the song. It makes for interesting listening this combination does.

How Do You Feel? (Feat. Rosie Flores). Nocona

Some more music like they used to make and still do today. How Do You Feel? rocks out with a strong country feel. That fat twang in the guitars reminds me of The Fabulous Thunderbirds from a long, long time ago. Rosie Flores makes her second appearance on this blog. Two months ago she featured on Ruby James' 'Bumble Bee'. Now she provides a tough edge to How Do You Feel? with her rough voice and like with Ruby James some extra guitar work. Nocona is here for the first time. The veteran alt-country/cowpunk band presents a song with a great boogie feel to it. The kind of song it's impossible to stand still with. An album is underway for this summer, that is all I can share with you at the moment.

Porcelain. Waste A Saint

More music from Norway today. Waste A Saint debuts on this blog with a song somewhere between rock and metal. A song that is as busy as it is present. The band goes at it like your ADHD little brother. Every member seems to go at it in full action mode. That this is not necessarily a bad thing, is proven by Porcelain. In every way this is a strong and powerful song. From the drum intro, already telling you something of what to expect, into the synth led second part of the intro. Bogey Stefansdottir sings in a way that reminds me of the goth metallers that broke big around 2000. She has a great voice barring the opera influences like Floor Jansen has. Alexander Skomakerstuen (guitar), Ole Nogva (bass/synthesizer) and Trym Solan Renolen (drums) all support her vocally, like in the great ending of Porcelain. The music is deep, dark, yet strongly melodic making the single not just a physical experience but also something I want to listen to. Album '...And It's Evergreen' is out already.

Wout de Natris - van der Borght 

2025, Week 1. 10 singles

2025, week 1? Yes, confusing, isn't it? The last singles post of this year (2025) is formally situated in the first week of 2026. Well, let's leave that for what it is. Again, we present a host of singles that are so different, yet all speak for themselves. 2025 is almost done. Tomorrow we present Erwin Zijleman's album of 2025 and in the first days of the new year other lists will follow. After that new music. Musically, I truly enjoyed 2025 and for the rest we live in very interesting times in which there almost literally isn't a single dull day. Worrying?, yes. Interesting?, most certainly so.

Shellfish. Celeste Corsano

The fifth single in a row by Celeste Corsano shows her on the one hand at her most Kate Bush to date but on the other adds a rock element that reminds me of hearing 'James And The Cold Gun' for the first time. Without rocking that hard. Shellfish has a how do you sleep at night theme, playing with the words shellfish and selfish. The song is perfectly balanced with the tight verse, versus the dreamy chorus and the explosive second half. Over it all Celeste Corsano's voice roams, commanding the musicians as it were like a general commands his troops. Together they go for a peaceful, musical triumph. The artwork is by her brother Chris.

Spill No Mo Wine. Robin Ross & The Melodynes

Step into a time machine and come out hearing Spill No Mo Wine. That is what I was thinking listening to the new single by Robin Ross & The Melodynes. The single was released only a few weeks ago and is brand new. The whole vibe and all is straight out of the late 1970s with bands like The B52s breaking ground with their totally new sort of music. The Pennsylvania band plays tight and presents an alternative pop power that sparkles. If anything, today it reminds me of the last album of the late Justine (Covault) and The Unclean's last album, 'The Signal Light'. Spill No Mo Wine has the exact same power and that little rough edge. My late father could have related to the title. Spilling alcoholic beverages was an abhorrent something to him.

Horrorful Heights. The Bevis Frond

A bit to my surprise there are no less than four The Bevis Frond reviewed by me in the past decade. With a new album, in fact two, coming up on 3 April, The Bevis Frond released the title track. It is a folk kind of track using some drones around which melodies are created. Singer Nick Saloman sings a melody that could be from the time of Henry VIII. In a way that goes for the melody as well and even all of the instruments used were around then, albeit in a more primitive version. The result is a song that fits in with a long tradition of U.K. folk, yet is different enough to have its own voice. A surprising and intriguing song. The second album is called 'Horrorful Offal' by the way.

crumple zones EP. Pickle Darling

A maxi single that adds to the 'Bots' experience. Lucas Mayo, aka Pickle Darling, adds three songs to his oeuvre, precluding perhaps a deluxe editions of his great album 'Bots'. The opening song is an alternate and shortened version of 'Human Bean'. We hear Mayo accompanied by instruments with strings and keys that are non electronic. Of course he masks his voice with some device but the result is a soft, melancholy tune. By Pickle Darling's standards this song is stripped down to the bone, as all the electronics that determine a large part if his sound are gone. They return full force in 'Pinwheels'. Together with singer Anna McClellan he swerves in between the blips and soundscapes that make a melody anyway. The prize song however is song number 3, the alternate version of 'massive everything'. A latter day ballad if I ever heard one. The digital and analogue seem to blend effortlessly. The spirit of Sparklehorse and Mark Linkous is closer than ever. crumple zones is a nice addition to the album.

The Closer You Look. The Bernadette Maries

The Bernadette Maries from Brussels make their debut on this blog with its first single on the Géographie label. There seems to be no end to recent bands loving to play in the style of the glum music of the 1980s. Where at the time bands simply were mostly too gloomy (for me), these days there's always a ray of sunshine involved. Although The Bernadette Maries, Guy, Daria, Romain, and David, do their best to hide it, it is there in the way the two singers sing together. The light and the shade personified. The subtle keyboard notes under the dark distorted guitar solo, is a second one. Fans will find everything starting with The Cure and beyond in The Closer You Look, making the band interesting to explore further in 2026. It's working on its debut album, so we have to be patient.

Heading For The Moon. Golden Hours

More darkness with Heading For The Moon with which Golden Hours makes its debut on WoNoBlog. The entrance the single makes is of the majestic kind. Slow, dark, brooding, mysterious, beautiful. In fact, the rest of the single never bests the intro. It is good but not that good. With members having served in all sorts of bands and genres, Golden Hours is working towards the release of its second album, 'Beyond Wires', out on 6 February. Heading For The Moon is a song that sounds like lava sliding down a mountain, slowly, surely, not stopped by anything, It seems just as fluid, yet solid. A mountain of sound from which elements escape, creating a majestic feeling of grandeur.

Three Against Me. Horace Pinker 

Chicago  punkers Horace Pinker may have eight albums under its belt, this is the first time the band finds itself on this blog. In the past days I've listened several times to the latest album 'Now And The Future' that was released recently. As I have to start focusing on end of year stuff and 2026 albums, let me make amends by putting the spotlight on single Three Against Me. With its 2.15 minutes it is a classical punkrock track as they used to and still make them in the U.S. All the energy goes into these two minutes plus, while at the same time the melody is not forgotten, resulting in a strong punk song. The whole album is filled with great songs like this.

Nothin'. Guns 'N' Roses

From midnight Christmas to midnight of the new year in this country a lot revolves around the Top 2000 on Radio 2, from whatever is on number 2000 right up to almost always 'Bohemian Rhapsody'. Somewhere in between all the hits of Guns 'N' Roses will come by. All from the band's first three albums. Then Izzy Stradling left the band and that sealed it's musical fate. The punk cover album apart, it took 15 years for a new album the whole world listened to once and 17 years later there is Nothin'. According to Wikipedia this is a reworked leftover from the 'Chinese Democracy' sessions at that. The electric piano at the start turned me off at first. Once the guitars and fat drums kicked in, the song isn't half that bad. Just don't start comparing Nothin' to 'You Could Be Mine' or 'Sweet Child Of Mine'. A new world tour is announced for 2026.

You Are The Jet. Marc Valentine

The first minute of You Are The Jet did not convince me. It seemed too safe for me, too dependent on all that came before it, without adding that extra to reel an older and more experienced listener in. Over the whole single You Are The Jet does become stronger and worthy of a spot in this post. Especially from the "I was going nowhere" section onwards. The song gets the powerpop injection it needs to stand out. At these moments Marc  Valentine gets close to Glasgow's Garlands, to name a band in the same musical niche in the U.K. Overall, the song misses that little extra that makes it truly sparkle. Marc Valentine comes close but needs one extra step to truly stand out. Based on what I'm hearing on a large part of You Are The Jet that ought to be an option.

Venomous. Jack Harlon & The Dead Crows

The second song by Jack Harlon & The Dead Crows on this blog makes this year go out with a bang. We are moving into metal territory. The single may have a few psychedelic details and they are not hard to spot, the part that stands out most, are the heavy sounding riffs. many a metal band would be proud of, leaving out the sprinkles of psychedelia. Harlon's voice is disguised by an effect giving the song an eerie atmosphere. Venomous is a little scary at that. The title is not a fun one either of course. Everything venomous is dangerous and gets a skull with two bones as a warning. I will not go that far for this song but a warning to the faint of ears is in place.

Wout de Natris - van der Borght 

2025, week 37. 10 singles

Officially it's still summer but I'd say that fall is upon us. Sunshine is alternated with fierce downpours and back again. The temperatures going down to below 20 Celsius. In the meantime summer is over in record land as well and one after another favourite band of the past few years is releasing a new record, as you can see on the blog. In this post though nine out of the ten are here for the first time. So discover and enjoy!

Angelena. GoldCoast

Angelena is the kind of song that seems to have been around since forever. The kind of song I've been listening to for most of my adult life and will listen to and discover for my remaining years. Angelena is that kind of song that was born in country music and taken through a rock mixture of electric guitars, sound drums and a warm Hammond. A song that you can listen, sing along to with a loud voice and can even make you dance. A song that ought to only come out of the U.S.. GoldCoast is the husband-and-wife duo of Rich and Jen Mahan, who make their debut under this name. As far as I'm concerned, may many a song follow this fine debut single.

Hit The Verge. Chantal Acda

With album 'The Whale' getting close to the release date, Chantal Acda has released another single from the album. Hit The Verge is a slow, somewhat dreamy song with a jazz feel because of the drumming of husband Eric Thielemans. (With Chris Eckman present as co-recording person, the Light, Distance & Sky line up is fully present on Hit The Verge.) This approach makes the single a slow listening experience in which a trumpet comes into the song, to leave it once again. Slow piano notes enter as well. The more I hear the more impressed I am. Chantal Acda does not go for the big achievements and postures. Far from even. She goes straight to the heart and mind. I read an old calendar page today saying "The biggest distance is between the heart and the mind". Not with Hit The Verge. The song has made a tight connection between the two alright.

Red, White, and Blue EP. Parts Per Million

Buckle up, folks. This EP, Red, White, and Blue, by Boston band Parts Per Million is not for the faint of ear. In my book this comes very close to the System of a Down albums of old. Metal with a melodic edge and a lot of anger, shouting and what not, while somehow still manages to keep my ear in listening mode. Most bands playing this kind of music don't, believe me. At the same time Parts Per Million shares a message with their fellow Americans. The country is "sinking down". People need to listen to each other to understand their respective positions. It is a message that is easy to miss under the onslaught of the music. (Reality caught up with my review as well, WdNvdB.) The songs are called 'Red', 'White' and 'Blue', the colours in the American flag and the Dutch one at that. In New York and parts of New England the Dutch flag is flying proudly, without the flag flyers realising it is ours. Funny that. Don't let it stop you from listening to this EP for some metal delight and to learn a lesson or two on living together in peace. The world needs it more today than ever in my lifetime.

Sad Song. Jaimi Faulkner

I’ve tried to write a sad song in my mind", Australian singer-songwriter Jaimi Faulkner is singing on his single Sad Song. In other words, the song did not just stay there and the world is a, even if it's just a little bit, better place for it. Think a very traditional singer-songwriter tune with no more than a guitar and some keys over which Faulkner sings with a fairly deep, somewhat sad and dreamy voice. In the second half of the song the rhythm section joins, giving Sad Song more body. It is the electric piano that gives the song the 70s singer-songwriter vibe above all. Christopher Cross is one of the names that come to mind, but also Harry Chapin and Gordon Lightfoot to name two others. Faulkner is active since the 00s and has toured here regularly. He has a connection with The Netherlands and recorded his new album 'Half Of It', released on 12 September, here as well, with Dutch musicians. I have the idea that I saw him play in Q-Bus, Leiden years ago, but can't find anything on it, so it could have been another Australian singer-songwriter. Anyway, Sad Song is an elementary, yet beautiful song.

This Is It EP. Ape Hangers 

In 2001 New York City band The Strokes asked a pivotal question, "Is This It?" As far as I'm concerned and for many other music lovers the question was answered twice over. In the short run, yes, this is a very exciting album and in the long run, no, as that was it for the band, as it never made any kind of impression with an album ever again. In August 2025 Boston band Ape Hangers give the definitive answer to that question: This Is It. Ape Hangers were a band in the 1990s and then quit at some point. Circa 30 years down the line the members return older and wiser with a couple of punky, melodic rock song that put my ears on fire from the very first chords of opening song 'Happiness'. The title song matches this and st(r)okes up the fire. In 'Bombay' the tempo goes down a little, to be replaced by some subtle yet firm slide guitar playing. Drummer Dennis McCarthy had not been told he was playing a punk ballad song as he is releasing his inner 'Animal' for a lot of the time. The trio, Pete Sjostedt (guitars and vocals) and Bob Kiah (bass and vocals) are back and the world ought to know it. Ape Hangers check the band out!

Flowers At Her Door. Fitzsimon and Brogan (FaB)

The song starts like a Britpop song from the mid-90ties, bright and with a firm step and then singer Bee Brogan starts singing and it comes quite as a shock. As if from beyond the grave her voice sounds, so smokey and rough. I can only compare it with some ladies I hear speaking on the street who have obviously smoked far too much for decades. In music I only have the Genya Ravan album Rum Bar Records released a few years back. When she sings in a higher registry as a form of response call, we might hear what she once have sounded like. However, what it does, is it definitely makes Flowers At Her Door stand out. Musically, I like the The Byrds reference guitarist Neil Fitzsimon plays a few times. The combination makes FaB an interesting musical experience.

Rainbow Days (demo). Mark Fry

Another singer-songwriter enters this week's singles post. Mark Fry allows us to listen to the bare essentials of the songs he released on his previous album 'Not On The Radar'. Rainbow Days comes of a whole album with demos called 'Not On The Radar (The Demos)'. The result is the listener gets an insight into how the songs started their life but more than that. I can't judge the whole album but listening to Rainbow Days (demo)' I would say the song does not need anything more. Mark Fry's guitar plays a slow motive over and over and together with his voice makes it a meditative song. Sometimes a song doesn't need anything more than just a voice and a guitar. Rainbow Days (demo) is one of them.

Special Kind Of Crazy. Badterms

Covid projects. Although the pandemic itself lies behind us for a few years, plans that were formed at the time still see the light of day. Curt Florczak (Boston), who can be found with a solo album in 2021 on this blog, teamed up with Hans Molnar from Arizona and from these exchange of ideas the band Badterms was formed and finally the music sees the light of day. Knowing Florczak a little, I'm not surprised to hear some aggressive alternative rock bordering on punk. Tightly played instruments, guitars that play a nice chord-based melody in between the vocal lines and a lead singer whose voice has seen some mileage. Although the band released several EPs on a German label, this is the band's U.S. debut album, like it is new for me. With Special Kind Of Crazy Badterms gives off the message, we're here to make a good old-fashioned rock and roll impression. Nothing more but certainly nothing less.

Galvanized. Clone

Clone is a Brooklyn based postpunk band led by LG Galleon. Now postpunk is a very wide genre and I can not for the life of me put Clone in the same box as British Isles band like Shame, Sprints or Fontaines DC or Dutch bands like Tramhaus and Global Charming. Had I been asked without knowing anything about Clone I would have put them in the box alternative rock with some influences from the 1980s. A lighter version of Killing Joke. Take Galvanized, the second song of the upcoming EP Care To Try (3 October). It is a hard rocking song, but the lead guitar definitely has a light touch, that lifts the song up for the whole of the way. At the same time Galvanized has a dreamy quality that the drummer keeps punching holes into. That dreaminess hovers over the tough song in the form of backing vocals that ooh and ahh all throughout the song. It is a combination that makes for a great song.

Sickness. runo plum

The third singer-songwriter this week is runo plum. With Sickness a far more alternative form of singer-songwriting is presented, although the basic idea is the same. Plum could play her song at a campfire and most likely will have the same strength. An acoustic guitar and dreamy voice would do the trick. Had she been living in France decades ago, she would have been called a sigh girl. Let me not forget Aimee Mann at the time of 'Bachelor No. 2'. In the past years she has released her songs herself. No longer. She signed with a label and will release her debut album in November, 'Patching'. Sickness is a song that slowly progresses and gets a darker edge because of the electric lead guitar. She worked with instrumentalist Noa Francis and producer Lutalo and based on this single, the result could be a very pleasing album. Sickness mixes lightness with darkness in a way that makes me want to listen to more. I'm sure we will get that chance in the coming weeks.

Wout de Natris - van der Borght 

Hamelin. King Garcia

Hamelin is a Medieval German town on the river Weser where a famous fairytale by the brothers Grimm plays out, the rat catcher of Hamelin, or in English the Pied Piper. He lures all the rats in the town with his recorder, but then the good people of Hamelin refuse to pay. He takes his revenge by playing a different tune, luring all the children of the town, who disappear forever. This allegedly happened in the year 1284. This moment was the starting point of a 1970s Dutch children's tv series called 'Sir, can you tell us the way back to Hamelin?'. It stars the recently deceased singer Rob de Nijs who went on to have another 50 years as a successful singer, having started in the early 1960s as a twenty year old.

So much for history. Hamelin is the debut album of the Athens, Greece based band King Garcia. It is a (symphonic) metal band like no other. It has a clarinet and saxophone playing front man, who can be called a modern day Pied Piper. His playing, combined with the band, lured me alright in a way that would never have happened had the band had a singer like almost all bands of this elk. It sets King Garcia totally apart from all else I know.

Promo photo

King Garcia is Alex Orfanos – Trumpet & Clarinet, Kamil Kamieniecki – Drums, Kornilios Kiriakidis – Bass and Kostas Konstantinidis – Guitar. They have all played or still play in other bands, like Mother of Millions, POEM, Tardive Dyskinesia and Bandallusia, all bands I had never heard of before. With Hamelin that changed. First there were two singles, 'Sweat' and the title track 'Hamelin', and that made certain that I would want to listen to the album as well. 

The album is a glorious affair. King Garcia is able to make a song rock, hard in some points, but also turn the same sequence into having so much atmospherics because of Alex Orfanos' contributions. Part is how his instruments are recorded, creating all this space around his sound. The other three do what can be expected. Huge, very busy and loud drums, a big bass allowing the drummer to place his fills while keeping things tight for the band. The guitarist plays deep sounding power chords and shreds his guitar in the overdubs. Where the usually a singer place his vocals, now this extra musical layer is created by the woodwinds. It makes King Garcia unique. In a way the album reminds me of the German band Neánder, that has three guitarists and a drummer, making unexpected musical sequence possible as well.

Together the foursome, with assistance of Konstantinos Lazos - Gaida & Kaval, Iakovos Molybakis - Percussion and some samples, make Hamelin exciting listening, a whole album long. Where usually I'm not one for instrumental albums, King Garcia managed to capture my attention and keep it. Hamelin is an album that you should check out.

Wout de Natris - van der Borght

 

You can order Hamelin here:

https://kinggarcia.bandcamp.com/album/hamelin

2025 week 13. 10 singles

Not a week, if not a day goes by that the news does not surprise me or even shocks me. Being surprised to be surprised again, to the point where I feel like not wanting to learn more. And that is when things start getting dangerous. Ignorance is far from bliss, as it will bring many very nasty surprises as many voters are starting to notice in democracies around the world. So, I keep following the news, just like I keep on the look out for new singles to point you to. Here are another ten of them. Enjoy!

Lies (Something You Can Do). The Hard Quartet

Until today I passed the option by to write on The Hard Quartet, an alternative rock supergroup consisting of  Emmett Kelly, Stephen Malkmus, Matt Sweeney, and Jim White. Lies (Something You Can Do) deserves a spot though. The song is a nice ramshackle affair, where everyone playing seems to be doing something totally on his own. Over it Emmett Kelly sings the vocal melody, keeping things together quite nicely. The further I go into the song the more it shows how it all fits together. Who keeps the rhythm in Lies (Something You Can Do)? The drums mostly roll away. The bass follows its own melody and the guitars are all over the place and yet it all fits somehow. There are even successful backing vocals doing oohs and aahs. From interesting listening slowly Lies (Something You Can Do) moves into good and that surprised me no little after the start of the song.

Hopeful. Micha

For weeks now Radio 2 dj Jan Willem Roodbeen is pushing a singer from Zwolle called Micha. And now the station has made it its song of the week. What is it all about? I come to a simple conclusion. A typical singer-songwriter song as there are many and then some more. We hear an acoustic guitar, that is subtly picked, over which a voice with a strong rasp in it sings with a melancholy tone. Done right, this is the kind of song that can touch a person's heart straight away. It must have happened to Roodbeen, not to me though. Hopeful is a beautiful song, no doubt there, but not more than that. In my ears it misses that little extra element of stardust that makes a ballad shine. You will all have your own example. In the meantime do enjoy Hopeful because it certainly is worthwhile listening to.

No Known Known. I Am Oak

I Am Oak returns to the blog with another single. Album 'Time Drifts' is just around the corner. No Known Known is a fine representative of that album, should you have a desire to learn about what to expect of I Am Oak. The single is a slow ballad, with a hint of mystery created by the way voice and instruments were recorded. There seems to be so much open space in which both categories can settle that there is more than enough space left for the mystery. The basis of this song is the acoustic guitar that is sparsely strummed. There's one section in which a keyboard and strings join the guitar, just like more voices are let in. All Thijs Kuijken it seems to my ears. The small additions are the stardust that I missed in the review right above this one. That may have to do with experience, as Kuijken is active as musician is his third decade and Micha just debuted. It could be of choice as well of course. Choose your battle, I'd say because both are beautiful songs in their own right, but I do have my preference as you've just learned.

Happy Birthday. Black Country, New Road

Just over a month ago I reviewed 'Besties', Black Country, New Road's previous single. As you may recall it was one of the weirdest musical experiences I've encountered during the days of this blog. It did not stop me from listening to Happy Birthday. Sure, the song does not take a straight line from point a to b either, as it makes a few detours here and there. Not to mention the lyrics where the singer claims to be dead already, "as you can see by the patch on my hand". Where 'Besties' totally derailed my ears and brain, Happy Birthday does the absolute opposite. The song is stimulating and invigorating. Yes, here it is easy to accept the detours, the change in tempo and some esoteric interludes. Again nothing is what it seems, but at least everything is in its place. The result is a musical adventure that is worth taking, like a hiking trail that may have some danger but also leads to the most beautiful of panoramas. Happy Birthday is that kind of song. Album 'Forever Howlong' is released on 4 April.

Ancient Light. I'm With Her

The name I'm With Her did not ring any bells with me and cannot be found on this blog. Single Ancient Light landed well in these ears within the first seconds. Clicking on the link I read the names Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O'Donovan and Sara Watkins. Look for those names on this blog and you'll find multiple reviews. Mostly by Erwin Zijleman and where Sarah Jarosz in concerned by yours truly. The trio has already worked together, I learned and is about to release its second album, 'White And Clear And Blue' on May 9th, Judging from Ancient Light, we are bound for an acoustic folk album with acoustic guitars, a banjo and violin. Above all, the three sing together in a heavenly way. It's quite clear that you do not have to be siblings to sing together perfectly. Jarosz, O'Donovan and Watkins certainly weave in and out of each other's melody in a both charming and perfect way. A very nice song Ancient Light is.

Careful. Personality Cult

Personality Cult is from Durham in North Carolina and started when Ben Carr started to create music on his own. This led to a first, self-titled LP, but from there transitioned into a band. That band is about to release its second album, 'Dilated' (2 May), third in total. On the basis of Careful we can expect a punkrocking album filled with fast-paced songs. All but careful I'd say, as Personality Cult really goes for it with an aim to make audiences wild. The charm, in as far as a song like Careful has any of course, is that the band manages to bring in many nice and interesting twists and accents into the whole. If it wasn't so loud and fast, one could even call it subtle. Careful has some great breaks, interesting chord changes and vocal melodies. Once listening past the speed, you will hear loads of musicality the members of Personality Cult have in them.

Sangria (demo). Vera Ellen

Not all albums from 2023 come by on a regular basis any more, but 'Ideal Home Noises' is one of them. So, when Vera Ellen releases a new song, I certainly prick up my ears. The effort is paid back in full, as Sangria (demo) is one of these typical Vera Ellen songs. She is able to set the strangest of moods in her songs and is able to make the weirdest of twists in her lyrics and still I follow her any which way her wind blows me. This song does not seem to go anywhere. It's sort of slacker dragging its feet along. But just wait for it. With an apparently simple musical twist Vera Ellen changes the mood by changing her voice in the chorus. And that is where the adventure starts. I simply love how she does this and Sangria (demo) is no exception to her rule. It's a song that she already played live on her 2024 tour and may be the first of what is to come at a still unknown point in time. For one, I can't wait to hear more.

No One Like You. Girl With A Hawk 

Although Girl With A Hawk is only on this blog for a few years, the Boston band is there very regularly and No One Like You is no exception. It sounds a lot like many songs that I've heard ever since the late 70s and yet it immediately touches the right musical strings in my brain. Linda Viens' voice does that Blondie thing, although she has a far better voice than Debbie Harry. At the same time No One Like You is a streamlined song. Nothing jumps across the fence. It's like the perfect guy with all his hair's in place, not a single one sticking out. The band is a tight unit, playing almost like a monolith, tightly sealed in the song's context. Not even the warm organ or the guitar solo escapes it. And yet it totally works. The melody is so compelling. It's the kind of song I want to put on again and again.

Calliope. The Underground Youth

Calliope is a daughter of Zeus and one of the muses, of eloquence and epic poetry. (Thank you Wikipedia.) Coincidentally, I read today an interview with Stephen Fry because of his new book 'Odyssey', in which he states that Homer's epic novel announced the end of the Gods in ancient Greece. There was no need for them any longer. The Underground Youth finds itself on WoNoBlog for the second time with a slow, bare and empty song from its upcoming album 'Décollage', released on 4 April. Calliope is present in the female voice that meanders in the background almost throughout the song in a heavenly way. Décollage is as much song as atmosphere. The singer sings with a dark voice, taking his time in his phrasing, as the song gives him all the time he needs. The band's "explosion" comes as a surprise but takes the song to the next level. Calliope is as interesting as it is good.

Hamelin. King Garcia

Instrumental post rock/metal band King Garcia is on the blog for the second time as well, see The Underground Youth above. After 'Sweat', that surprised me no little with a saxophone as a lead instrument, it's Hamelin's turn, the title track of the upcoming album, released on 18 April. Again, there are many familiar elements in the song's structure and approach, in the metal sense. There's is nothing like it though because of Alex Orfanos' contributions on trumpet and clarinet. This makes for such a surprising band sound. It brings in immediate references to traditional Greek folk music, regardless of the onslaught of the metal style playing guitar, bass and drums. It works for me though. If the lead instrument had been another guitar or voice, the effect would not have been half of what it is now. Where usually I am quite soon fed up with instrumental music, I would be surprised if 'Hamelin' will not go down well.

Wout de Natris - van der Borght

Neànder with Afgrond live. Patronaat Haarlem, Friday 14 February 2025

Photo: Wout de Natris

This was a first for me at the Patronaat, a show of two, very different bands that I will both put under the moniker metal for the sake of ease. The experience was just as different.

I came because of the personal invitation of Jan Korbach, formerly of Glitterhouse Records, to come over and listen to his band Neànder. The music is not in my general musical range, as people following this blog will have noticed. His solo record. 'Atem',  and 'III', Neànder's latest record', both were albums I can well listen to.

Berlin band Neànder plays instrumental music, created by a drummer and three guitarists. This makes it of interest to see how a song develops and what element is brought in and leaves to be replaced by another or by a wall of sound the four create together. Often a composition had an interesting coda, just played by one guitar.

In general it is good to see that the three guitarist obviously have fun in playing their songs. As soon as a song starts, the three start moving as if palmtrees in a tropical wind at the beach. Nothing wild, just swaying to the music, that gives it a relaxed feel, no matter what happens musically.

What is also great is the tight rhythm that is there the whole time, allowing to sway along with the guitarists. True, I had to get in the mood for a few songs, but after that I was totally okay with what was going on and enjoying the music and the experience.

Photo: Wout de Natris

Finally, the true treasure of Neànder's music, is the melodies that come out of the den of noise the four make. It puts life and even some sunshine into the compositions. That melody can be a huge riff supported by all the power coming out of fingers, strings, guitar, effects and amps or lead notes and even loud shredding. The changes change the song, the atmosphere and the experience.

The Patronaat show was Neànder's first headlining show in The Netherlands and was well attended. It should not be the last time it plays a lead show over here.

My final comments is on the artwork on the t-shirts on sale. This is true art and will at some point in time become part of musea collections. I will wear mine proudly in the coming years. Thank you, Jan, for the invite and hope to meet again not too long from now.

And Afgrond (Abyss)? If I ever heard music that was not for me, it was Afgrond's. I just can't listen to grunting, but also the music for me had no head nor tails. Just noise and louder, loudest noise. The guitarist and bassist both have chest long hair, but the way they stood on stage, was as if as soon as the show was over, they stowed their wigs and went back to the accountant's office as fast as they could. Just some well-meant advice. To convince as a band, you have to show some enthusiasm guys. With music this extreme, you have to live it on stage. The grunting singer, impossible to get a single word even, got that right.

Wout de Natris - van der Borght

The best albums 2000 - 2024, 3 of 10

And onwards we go, slowly climbing up to the top of this list. Once again you are presented with a varied set of albums, not ten this time but 12. You find out at number 26 why that is.

30. Another Place. Maggie Brown (2017)

Did we stop yesterday with Elenne May, here's another band from Amsterdam that is far more obscure than it deserves to be. Maggie Brown released a perfect album in the form of Another Place. Although I like all its songs, songs that seem to have touched me on another level, there's one that really makes the great. 'Hail To The Rain' is the kind of song that a band comes up with, if it's lucky. Only the truly great artists have more than one. Maggie Brown has one at this point from its second album and latest to date. There are more very good songs on Another Place. Check the album out.

29. Wild God. Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds (2024)

Will the album really stay as good as I think it is right now? I was listening to it for the first time with two dark Kasteel beers in me on a Friday early evening, with my love cooking in the kitchen. Playing it loud with closed eyes, positioned ideally between the two speakers, I was proverbially swept off of my feet. But not just me, from the kitchen came "who is this"? and we played Wild God again over dinner. As I wrote before, I had nothing by Nick Cave before 'Push The Sky Away', see elsewhere in this list, and liked every album since then. Wild God tops it all. It may be over the top, or whatever people say/write about it. This is simply fantastic. Time will tell where we truly wind up. For now this is really, really good and touches me on a host of levels.

28. De Vuelta Y Vuelta. Jarabe de Palo (2001)

'La Flaca' may be my discovery of the Barcelona band, De Vuelta Y Vuelta is my favourite album. Here it all comes together. All the potential presented perfectly. The albums that followed all delivered but never again like this. All the different influences come together and gel like the band must have intended it before but perhaps was not yet able to achieve. Here it could and it shows. Guests bring in influences from rap music and even from Italy. In Rome in 2001 the album lay there in the Italian version, where the band had broken already. With an album like De Vuelta Y Vuelta I found it really does not matter that I do not understand more than a few words. The music tells it all. Always forward is the message I got from it. I took it to heart.

27. Iris. Reb Fountain (2021)

I came on board with her eponymous album not long before the release of Iris. It did not make this list, but would have been somewhere between 125 and 100. Iris is more varied, better and more mysterious. Reb Fountain shows more sides of her musical self, goes deeper musically and within herself it seems. I can listen to all the songs on Iris for a long time. The American born singer-songwriter from New Zealand is a late bloomer. She found her voice later in life but it comes across all the stronger. Iris is a real top album.

26. Violeta Violeta Volume I, II and III. Kaizers Orchestra (2011 - 2012)

I'm cheating a bit here, but Violeta Violeta is a pop opera released in three parts over the period of one year. Should I have to choose an individual spot for each album they would be around here anyway. So why not allow for room for two other albums? On Violeta Violeta Kaizers Orchestra really goes all out. Despite the fact that you'll find some smaller songs like 'Hjerteknuser' on I, there are also several huge songs with an orchestra and choir. Songs do not come more pompous than 'Begravelsespolka' on III, nor often as good as this song As I understand the final shows were in Oslo with all these extras on stage. I never saw nor heard it. And then the band broke up, with me missing the show due to illness when this was announced. I always had the albums for consolation. There is more Kaizers Orchestra to come.

25. Accelerate. R.E.M. (2008)

Accelerate is one of R.E.M.'s later albums, though not its final as I thought. On Accelerate the band rocks once again and is in great form. Every song is what it should be. Yes, the band released several other nice records between 2000 and 2011 but not as good and consistent as this one. Accelerate is the only one deserving a spot on this list. By now retired for well over a decade, we still have the records. I played this one for the first time in a long time because of this list and was so pleased to hear it once again. I must have played it often at the time, as all song rang bells and brought back the lyrics immediately.

24. Big Love Blanket. Personal Trainer (2022)

Big Love Blanket is an album that grew on me. With every spin it became better. It was far too low on my 2022 list, in hindsight. Personal Trainer is the third band Willem Smit is frontman of and he's still some time away from becoming 30. Paleo Superspeed Donkey, Canshaker Pi both bands had their moments. It really came together for Smit in Personal Trainer, with bassist Ruben van Weegberg always at his side. Smit is able to play more with his alternative rock music, making it more playful and serious at the same time. This all came together on Big Love Blanket and especially in the few truly fantastic songs it has on it. They are party songs that can get any crowd moving. One of the best albums to come out of this country for sure. The bands second album, 'Still Willing', is still growing on me. Too slowly to receive a spot on this list.

23. Hoogriet. De Kift (2020)

Here's the Covid album of De Kift. It was presented online from an empty Paradiso. It is the only album show I've missed since 1997 or 98. Hoogriet is the album on which De Kift reached its pinnacle musically. Although over time 'Niemandsland' may prove even more impactful because of the theme, musically it will not. Delicacy meets roughness here and this includes songs to dream away to. De Kift is one of the most alternative bands I know, because nothing is "normal" with De Kift. Not the music, not the atmosphere, not the instruments used, nor the presentation. With De Kift it is impossible to predict what comes next. The surprise is always total and overwhelming. We are ageing, slowly but surely, the experience does not alter. De Kift is a great band and am glad to see it has moved back into the bigger halls of the venues once again. It deserves it. De Kift is not easy, but certainly unique.

And to think that the album containing the band's best song, 'Bal', has not made it to this list. If there ever was a song containing the essence of the band it is that song called 'Bal'. "Feeste, feeste, feeste", in all seriousness.

22. Mutter. Rammstein (2001)

I discovered Mutter several years after its release through the son of the singer of the band I was in at the time, Flopsband. My circa eight year old son discovered one of the songs somehow, perhaps 'Ich Will' through a tv commercial. I took to Mutter immediately. The melodies on the album are so strong. They mostly come from the keyboard of Christian Lorenz. The rest of the band goes for the rhythm and the deep end. In front is the imposing hulk of singer Till Lindemann, who on stage is larger than life and then some more. This album is full of great songs and is simply the band's best. Without competition in sight.

21. Parachutes. Coldplay (2000)

Another album from the first year of this century. Coldplay is a band I've totally lost sight of since 50% of 'X&Y'. What I wrote of a song like 'Fix You', now the band's most popular song it seems, totally came true and exemplary for nearly all songs I've heard since: boring. To think that things started with this incredibly strong and beautiful album followed by that powerful second one. On Parachutes the band sounded fresh, all but a formula. It was full of ideas that worked out so well. Whenever I hear, 'Yellow', 'Trouble' or name one of the others, I'm back immediately, enjoying the memories of the songs on Parachutes. How can things go so wrong for a band and yet become the biggest band on the planet in the 2020s? At least I have Parachutes, 'A Rush Of Blood To The Head' and an half of 'X & Y'.

Wout de Natris - van der Borght