imaginal_geese

Grace Ives’ Girlfriend abounds with pop star potential and hooky, anthemic choruses, but is also punctuated with moments of electronica and discordance – this is one of those albums that shows how pop music can be both creative and highly listenable. Grace has leaned away from an overproduced, unremarkable pop treatment, instead carving out a distinctive sound for herself which gives this album depth and charm. The instrumentation and production bring a gritty, slightly lo-fi feel, ... read more

Aldous Harding is as enigmatic as ever in her 2026 release Train on the Island. Even having been a fan for years, I never really know what to expect when she puts out new music. There’s no one quite like Aldous, and even her vocal style can be noticeably different from album to album with the weird and theatrical voices she puts on. On Train on the Island, Aldous’s vocal affectations are a little more toned down. However, the album features perhaps some of her best songwriting ... read more

I’m still working my way through a handful of 2025 releases that caught my interest or had been highly recommended, and Bleeds by Wednesday is one of these. This is a great grungy indie album with epic guitar riffs, bold lyricism, and raw and heartfelt vocals. I love the off-beat, hyper-specific lyrics – this style of songwriting always paints such a vivid picture. In Bleeds it feels journalistic, like being given a glimpse into the highly personal and localised experiences of ... read more

After becoming obsessed with underscores’ 2026 release U, I knew I had to explore her previous albums too. It’s genuinely remarkable how distinct Wallsocket is from U. This is a story-driven concept album and takes on a much more indie/pop rock sound with emo and country influences, as well as still incorporating glitchy, electronic elements. Wallsocket is sonically more abrasive and harsh, and doesn’t have the succinct catchiness of U – it is unsettling, visceral, ... read more