Crucial Releases: November 7 + 14
Welcome back to your favorite music newsletter. 😄
The last two weeks have been a bit hectic between my day job and the kids visiting colleges (on top of the normal hectic), so while I've had a lot of time to listen to music, I've not had the time to think and write about those albums. That changes today!
We've got a handful of good records across a bunch of different genres, including underground hip hop, thrash/hardcore crossover, indie folk, and the left of center indie rock I usually feature. I'm sure you'll find something you like, if you are a regular reader.
We'll start with the featured album... Electric Hour by Sword II (Listen)
I was finally able to give this one a focused listen on a recent college visit road trip with the family. So glad I did... if you like feeble little horse, Julie, They are Gutting a Body of Water, or Spirit of the Beehive you will like this album. I also noticed that Sebastian Kinsler of feeble little horse mixed the album and they've toured with (or collaborated with) all of those bands I listed above, except Spirit...
Sword II hails from Atlanta and mixes genres like shoegaze, punk, EDM, post rock, art rock and more... along with influences like Sonic Youth and the above mentioned bands. The new album is the followup to their full length debut: 2023's Spirit World Tour.
Electric Hour harnesses the ambitious experimentation from the first album and adds focused, more experienced songwriting (and more indie rock melody) to deliver 10 top notch tracks. At this point in the year, I'm expecting it to end up on my final year-end list. I can't recommend it enough...
From their press, the band shared some insight around the new album:
The title was inspired by the idea that we are in the era of surveillance technology, but also we imagined ‘electric hour’ as something powerful, a time for creativity, potency and revolution - ‘the time is now’ type situation. We imagined the ‘hour’ as the time a band gets to be on stage - one hour to make your point to the audience, to make sense of the situation facing humanity. One hour to bring into the physical world the music that resonates with people facing repression, increasing alienation, and violence. Basically, one shot to make the revolution. It’s very daunting because you only get one life, one hour. But our limitation is what shows us what is important, what is worthy of our time in this life.
Some of my favorite tracks off the album:
"Halogen" by Sword II
"Even if it's Just a Dream" by Sword II
Honorable Mentions
COSPLAY by Sorry (Listen)
This one is also very good, though not as consistently memorable as the Sword II album. Post punk crossed with experimental pop and even trip hop.
"Today Might Be the Hit" by Sorry
... IS YOUR FRIEND by DRAIN (Listen)
One of the best thrash/hardcore crossover bands going today.
"Stealing Happiness From Tomorrow" by DRAIN
Love and Fortune by Stella Donnelly (Listen)
Donnelly's first album in three years and so glad she's back releasing music. Bright indie/bedroom pop with a healthy dose of social commentary in the lyrics. Worth your time if you like the genre.
"Feel it Change" by Stella Donnelly
Stardust by Danny Brown (Listen)
Danny Brown never fails to entertain or surprise, this time heading into the world of hyperpop with his usual off the wall lyrics.
"Copycats" by Danny Brown ft. Underscores
Mercy by Armand Hammer & The Alchemist (Listen)
The Alchemist is on pretty much everything nowadays and he always delivers. Armand Hammer (Billy Woods and ELUCID) are some of the best underground hip hop artists going today – solo or as a duo.
"Laraaji" by Armand Hammer
Small Talk by Whitney (Listen)
Whitney have dropped a stellar folk-influenced indie rock album that plays great on Sundays or any time you just want to relax. Very much worth your time if you like any of the artists below...
"Evangeline" by Whitney ft. Madison Cunningham
The Sword & The Soaring by Navy Blue (Listen)
Another good alt hip hop record? Man, 2025 has been pretty awesome for hip hop in general, but the underground folks keep delivering pretty much each and every week. Navy Blue is definitely one of my faves. This project isn't my favorite of his, but don't let that stop you... it's still very solid.
"Orchards" by Navy Blue
patching by runo plum (Listen)
This album is very good – soaring and atmospheric. runo plum has the indie rock/folk/singer-songwriter thing down to a science. I wanted to rate it higher because the songs are pretty darn great, but ultimately I decided this album sounds a little too much like others to be considered a true standout. Enjoyable, though? Very much so... I will be revisiting for sure.
"Be Gentle With Me" by runo plum
MERCH PARTY 🎉
The Crucial Tracks merch store is live! We have shirts, hoodies, hats, sealed new vinyl, and much more for sale. EVERY purchase goes to paying the bills to keep Crucial Tracks going.
Until next week!
--Jason
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