Crucial Releases for January 24

New music from Ditz, Ghais Guevara, Mogwai, FKA twigs, and Boldy James this week.

Crucial Releases for January 24

Another week, another new-to-me band earning the top spot. This time, it's the band Ditz from Brighton, England. Ditz combines noise rock with post-punk and post-hardcore to create brutal, "ominous tension" as Stereogum writes in a recent feature on the band. And it's damn good. Quite honestly, given how this year has started, I think more music like this is on tap for the foreseeable future.

Ditz formed in 2016 and has released one full-length (The Great Regression) prior to releasing Never Exhale this week. If you are a fan of IDLES, SPRINTS, Jesus Lizard, Shellac, TV Priest, Heavy Lungs, or McLusky you'll find something of interest in Ditz.

Favorite tracks: "Taxi Man", "Space/Smile", "Four", and "The Body as a Structure"

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Honorable Mentions

The Bad Fire by Mogwai (Listen) - Mogwai has been around for a long time –since 1995 to be exact. I got super into them while living in Seattle and saw them on their Rock Action tour. My wife claims she fell asleep during the show, but I was absolutely blown away by seeing "My Father My King" live. This record is closer to that period of the band the last few records, so I'm definitely glad to have them back in my life.

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FFO: slowcore, post-rock, dynamic/cinematic instrumental guitar music. If you like bands like Godspeed You! Black Emperor and Explosions in the Sky, I'm sure you know Mogwai... but if not, there you go.

EUSEXUA by FKA twigs (Listen) - more dance pop & electronica than her previous albums. Still elements of that haunting, futuristic alt R&B she's been known for since LP1 and Magdalene, though.

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FFO: Kelela, Grimes, Charli XCX

Permanent Ink by Boldy James (Listen) - prolific to say the least, with two albums in 2025 already and four last year. Not sure James is breaking any new ground with any of these records, but they are a solid listen if you like grimy, gritty stories over inventive beats.

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FFO: indie hip-hop, Freddie Gibbs, Griselda

πŸ”₯ UPDATE - missed:

Goyard Ibn Said by Ghais Guevara (Listen) - sociopolitical hip-hop from this Philly rapper/producer... AND a two-act concept album: β€œThe first act highlights the triumphs of being a rapper, while the second act focuses on the tragedies.” Honestly, if I hadn't missed this, it would be in serious contention for the album of the week... it's that good.

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FFO: underground hip-hop, billy woods, JPEGMAFIA, Armand Hammer; other influences: Andre 3000, Outkast, Earthgang, Mos Def/Yasiin Bey

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