Tonight, one of the underground hip-hop albums of the year, some very unusual collaborations, two releases in the Frisian language of north Holland, solo drum kit, post-jazz, bass & breaks, human/AI collaboration and electro-acoustic sound-art verging into folktronica.

READER’S NOTE: as I’m so far behind with my write-ups, I’m concentrating on the Best of 2025 posts, and will try to return to these for full text as soon as I’m able!

Armand Hammer & The Alchemist – Dogeared (feat. Kapwani)
Armand Hammer & The Alchemist – Crisis Phone (feat. Pink Siifu)
Armand Hammer & The Alchemist – Longjohns (feat. Quelle Chris & Cleo Reed)

HAYWARDxDÄLEK – Asymmetric

YHWH Nailgun – Weaving (original by LEYA)

Zea & Drumband Hallelujah Makkum – in lichem fol beloften
Zea & Drumband Hallelujah Makkum – de Dea

Joana Guerra, Maria Do Mar, Romke Kleefstra, Jan Kleefstra – Al Dy Kleuren
Joana Guerra, Maria Do Mar, Romke Kleefstra, Jan Kleefstra – Kâlde Mage

Chloe Kim – Ratsnake

SML – Old Mytth

Snorkel – Flash Flood
Snorkel – Sirene

Endless Mow – wattle and daub

An Avrin – 4LYFE
noRecall – The Machine and its Master

Lakker – Hood

Kassian – Ghost Dub

Bad Ambulance – Zero

Olivier Alary – Imagined Presence (preview clip 4)

Rutger Zuydervelt – House of Strength
Rutger Zuydervelt and Lucija Gregov – (Not) Not Three High
Rutger Zuydervelt and Lucija Gregov – Euphoria (outtake)

Listen again — ~222MB