February and January seemed to switch roles this year. Whereas January was a surprisingly busy season for the mainstream, packed with hit songs and highly anticipated albums, February was quiet by comparison. With far fewer releases at the peak of the mainstream, the month saw a plethora of smaller bands take the reins, offering colourful and forward-thinking projects which are sure to stay in rotation for the rest of 2025.
Squid – Cowards
Cowards is the colourful third album from English rock outfit Squid, a band whose work I’ve been following since their Town Centre EP back in 2019. Since then, the band has seen some exciting evolution, blending elements of ambient and electronica into their hard-hitting sound. Cowards is not a bold new sound for Squid, but rather, a testament to their consistency. Lead vocalist Ollie Judge offers an animated and versatile performance, screaming on some cuts and whispering on others with his breathy tone and eccentric lyrics. The album opens with “Crispy Skin”, a glimmering fusion of rock and electronica where a dazzling synth-line is usurped by heavy bass, spiralling piano, and droning brass. One of the strongest cuts on Cowards, “Crispy Skin” sums up all the strengths of the LP: eclectic in its sonics, unpredictable in its structure, and effortless in execution.
Horsegirl – Phonetics On and On
In stark contrast to the maximalist barrage of sounds from Squid, Horsegirl offer a stripped back collection of indie tunes with Phonetics On and On. Above all else, the album is defined by its atmosphere. The band work together to create a series of delicate instrumentals where every twang of guitar and kick of the drum feels impactful. Every melody is infectious, made all the more engaging by the warm, intimate performances from lead vocalists Penelope Lowenstein and Nora Cheng. The slower, more emotional cuts like “In Twos” and “Julie” immerse the listener in the relaxing atmosphere, contrasted by more lively tunes like “Rock City” and the mesmerising “2468”. Phonetics On and On is a stellar evolution of the sound Horsegirl established with their debut, proving themselves as a tightknit indie band with an unmistakable sound and an undeniable talent for songwriting.
Westside Gunn – 12
Rather than your average grimy Griselda release, 12 is an artistic step forward for Westside Gunn. The album sees the rapper experiment with more soulful sounds, bringing in rapper/singers Stove God Cooks and Brother Tom Sos to inject some melody into the icy atmosphere. There are still hard-hitting cuts like “ADAM PAGE” and “VEERT”, but as solid as they are, they pale in comparison to the real highlights of 12. “BOSWELL” is a phenomenal opener where Stove God Cooks steals the show, hogging the back end of the track as he flexes his vocal inflections and deranged adlibs. “HEALTH SCIENCE” is another highlight, driven by Brother Tom Sos, who thrives over the woozy bassline. Overall, 12 is a fantastic representation of East Coast hip hop, casting a spotlight on how the scene continues to evolve.
Chlothegod – I Feel Different Everyday
In just 22 minutes and 7 songs, Chlothegod demonstrates her unparalleled versatility in the R&B scene. From track to track, the album hops across genres – an amalgamation of different sounds seamlessly weaved together by Chlo’s charming presence and strong ability as a writer. The intro, “I Know What Everyone Says About Me”, transforms from a guitar-driven ballad to a club-style dance track halfway through, but the change feels natural thanks to Chlo’s confident presence. A fusion of R&B, dance, pop, and rock, I Feel Different Everyday is an exciting splatter of sounds wherein Chlothegod does not pick one direction to take her artistry, but rather, claims every possible route as her own.
Mic Mountain & SeenDaDream – Mountain Dreams
The conceptual crossover between rapper Mic Mountain and producer SeenDaDream, Mountain Dreams is a soulful exercise in underground hip hop. Mountain is formidable on the mic, with determined, steady flows that add hypnotic rhythm to every beat and emphasis to his storytelling. Dream is a fantastic producer, chopping up soul samples and mixing them together with dusty drum patterns and vintage record scratches to give the LP and old school feel. The rapper and producer are a natural pairing. Dream’s production builds a vast, serene atmosphere while Mountain fills it with his bombastic bars. Touching on all topics from romance to fake friends, Touching on all topics from romance to fake friends, his bars focus less on technique but more on emotion, vividly illustrating his life and philosophy to the listener.
LUNAR – A KING’S RANSOM
LUNAR’s latest outing is an elegant addition to the rapper/producer’s catalogue. The production is slick and grandiose, comprised of uplifting string samples and orchestral passages. The cinematic backdrop places LUNAR in centre stage as he pours his heart into the mic, outlining his reality through a filter of clever references and polysyllabic rhyme schemes. His presence is fiery but never overbearing, complementing the orchestral soundscape with the purposeful delivery of poetry read aloud. The album is sewn together by spoken passages that sum up the themes of the LP and double as seamless transition pieces, helping the project flow from track to track. As short as it is, A KING’S RANSOM leaves an impact, showcasing some of LUNAR’s sharpest writing and most cohesive sequencing yet. The standout track is the closer, “Signs (I’m Sorry)”, a devastating show of emotion and essential listening for any music fan in 2025.
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