False Spring

 It is 68º here in New York City as I type this. Everyone here is in a state of bliss after the rough winter we have had. Sadly, we all know the cruel truth; that this is just “false spring” not the real one because the chilly temperatures will return by the end of the week. We have to enjoy it while we can. 

This took a little longer than expected but I finally put together another playlist for you. This one is a mix of new and new-ish songs that caught my ear alongside some older tracks that found their way back onto my radar through previous made but not released playlists, TV shows and even a dinner out (shout out Strange Delight in Fort Greene). 

Starting things off is the first new music from Arctic Monkeys since 2022's The Car. “Opening Night” was recorded for Help (2) which is a benefit compilation for War Child, an organization dedicated to protecting and education children living through violent conflict. The album features many of my personal favorites including Pulp, Wet Leg, Olivia Rodrigo, Beth Gibbons, Arlo Parks, Fontaines D.C. and Depeche Mode. It is a fantastic record for an even better cause. 

Australian folk-pop artist Way Dynamic is up next with "Miffed It," His music takes inspiration from 60s legends like Brian Wilson but this particular track reminds me a lot of Nick Drake. Speaking of the 60s, the Flamin' Groovies actually formed in the middle of that decade but "You Tore Me Down" was released in 1976 on their brilliant Shake Some Action LP and was later covered by Yo La Tengo on their album Fakebook. 

Dipping back into new releases, British indie-pop band Heavenly released their first album under that name since 1996 a few weeks back. In 2024 I was lucky enough to catch one of their first U.S. shows since 1995 and it was such a treat. I am thrilled that they are back with Highway to Heavenly and their song "Scene Stealing" does not disappoint. 

Up next is Lene Lovich's late 70s new wave classic "Lucky Number." I think it pairs nicely with "It's For You" from the dance-pop band Out Hud from 2005. Primal Scream's "Moving On Up" is the uplifting song that we could all use right about now. 

Shifting gears, we have “Can You Get To That" from Funkadelic’s classic 1971 album, Maggot Brain. The track features Isaac Hayes' backing vocal group, Hot Buttered Soul. 

Wrapping up the playlist are a couple of newer songs. The first is “Amaro”  from Montreal avant-pop duo, Bibi Club, taken from their album of the same name. Finally, while haven’t seen the new Wuthering Heights movie, I can report that Charli XCX's soundtrack is everything. I am currently obsessed with "Chains Of Love." 

There you have it! Give these a listen and let me know which ones are hitting for you or let me know what you are loving lately. Until next time… 

xo, 

Julie 

Arctic Monkeys - Opening Night 

Way Dynamic - Miffed It 

Flamin' Groovies - You Tore Me Down 

Heavenly - Scene Stealing 

Lene Lovich - Lucky Number 

Out Hud - It's For You

Primal Scream - Movin' On Up 

Funkadelic - Can You Get To That 

Bibi Club - Amaro 

Charli XCX- Chains Of Love 

Julie's Top 10 Albums of 2025

Hello! 

It's been a minute! I know it has been several months since my last playlist but in complete honesty, Spotify's bullshit has left me a bit paralyzed. For those of you that are not aware, in addition to paying artists terribly, the founder sold shares of Spotify to invest in military drone technology prompting artist boycotts. As if that wasn’t bad enough, Spotify started accepting paid ads for ICE after Trump’s return to the White House. 

Personally, I stopped using Spotify for my daily listening years ago and I am a firm believer of boycotting a corporation when they do things that do not align with your beliefs. I recognize that most people that follow me here use Spotify and the Spotify account that I have access to is not my own so it is not my choice to cancel it. However, I can encourage everyone to make other choices when it comes to streaming services. In addition to hosting my playlist on Apple, I have decided to give Mixcloud a try. For those that are new to Mixcloud, you don't need an account. You can just click the link and listen on your web browser (there is also an app available). I will include a Spotify link for this playlist but I am not sure what the future holds.

Now that bit of downer business is out of the way, let's talk about music in 2025. First of all, I should state that this playlist is not any specific order. Although for the record, Wet Leg’s Moisturizer and Rosalía's Lux are my favorite albums of 2025. 

Wet Leg's Moisturizer, was, without a doubt, my most played album of the year. I adore their brilliant debut album and their knack for catchy melodies and sly, clever lyrics is still here along with a new confidence which I love. 

Rosalía's Lux immediately caught attention. I couldn't help being reminded of  “genre is a funny little concept" line that the great Linda Martell recites on Cowboy Carter, "In theory, they have a simple definition that's easy to understand. But in practice, well, some may feel confined." Lux refuses to be confined moving through classical music, avant-garde, flamenco, pop, opera and even a waltz. The album takes inspiration from female saints, "feminine mysticism, [and] spirituality,” and it is an astonishing work of art. 

Lily Allen's West End Girl is a brutal retelling of the collapse of a relationship that leaves us all wondering "Who the fuck is Madeline anyway?" Perfume Genius' beautiful, deeply emotional album Glory earns a top spot on my list as well.

It is so great to have new music from one of my all time favorites, British band Pulp, after 24 years. The wait did not disappoint. Jarvis Cocker's lyrics are as wry and hilarious as ever. 

Sharp Pins' Radio DDR pushing all the right nostalgia buttons for me. Their lo-fi aesthetic and catchy melodies brings to mind '90s bands  like Guided by Voices or even further back like the Kinks. I am all in. 

The jangly indie rock of Australia's The Belair Lip Bombs is pure joy.

Another favorite returning from a lengthy hiatus is the avant-pop band Stereolab, who made us wait 15 years for Instant Holograms On Metal Film, but oh so worth it.

Pitchfork refers to Blood Orange's Dev Hynes a "collagist" and that is a fitting label for his latest release Essex Honey as he weaves together pieces of samples, field recordings, and guest vocals with his own music beautifully. 

Finally we have FKA twigs new one, Eusexua, which was inspired by the healing power of the dance floor. 

There you have it! I am curious to know your favorite albums from the past year and I hope you enjoy mine. 

Wishing you all a peaceful holiday season. Let's catch up in the New Year. 

xo, 

Julie 

Wet Leg - “mangetout" from Moisturizer 

Rosalía - “Reliquia" from Lux 

Lily Allen - “Tennis" from West End Girl 

Perfume Genius - "It's a Mirror" from Glory 

Pulp - "Got to Have Love" from More

Sharp Pins - "If I Was Ever Lonely" from Radio DDR 

The Belair Lip Bombs - "Hey You" from Again

Stereolab - "Melodie Is A Wound" from Instant Holograms On Metal Film 

Blood Orange - "The Field" (featuring The Durutti Column, Tariq Al-Sabir, Caroline Polachek and Daniel Caesar) from Essex Honey

FKA twigs - “Eusexua" from Eusexua

Golden Hour

Hi Friends, 

I hope you are able to find some moments of joy this summer as much as that is possible in our world right now. I have been finding my joy spending time with family and friends, in nature, in art and of course, in music.  

Instead of a summer banger playlist, this one is on the chill side. I picture myself listening to this on my imaginary deck watching the sun dip below the horizon, not the sweaty rush to the subway. Let’s call this playlist Golden Hour and let the fantasy live on. 

A couple of my longtime favorites released excellent albums this year.  British band Pulp returned in June with More and British-French avant-pop band Stereolab released Instant Holograms on Metal Film in May. Both albums from these hugely influential artists are well worth your time. I think Laetitia Sadier’s vocals got me in a Fench mood because I couldn’t stop thinking about Sylvie Vartan so I had to include “Baby c’est vous.”

In addition to being a conservatory-trained classical French horn player, SASAMI is also a fearless indie pop artist. Her third album Blood On the Silver Screen is her most emotionally expansive yet and the track “In Love With A Memory” that features indie singer-songwriter Clairo is a highlight. 

Shockingly, I realized that I have never included New Order on a playlist before? I debated which track to use and somehow landed on the 8-minute version of “The Perfect Kiss.” So it goes… 

Jamaican reggae duo Althea & Donna’s 1977 single “Uptown Top Ranking” just sounds like summer. They recorded the song when they were just teenagers and it was released as a joke but thanks to legendary DJ John Peel, it became a number one hit in the UK. 

“Sweet Danger” by Nigerian-born, London-based Afrobeat artist Obongjayar released his sophomore album Paradise Now in May.  

Regulars to my playlists, The Reds, Pinks and Purples are back again!  Glenn Donaldson’s project continues to deliver shimmering, melodic pop. No One Absolves Us in the End is from the just-released new album "The Past Is a Garden I Never Fed.”

I have also been wanting to include Tanya Donnelly on a playlist for ages. I went back and forth between her work with Throwing Muses and Belly but in the end, Throwing Muses “Not Too Soon” won out. It is just so good. 

I am really enjoying British indie-folk artist Billie Marten’s lovely new album Dog-Eared. The new-to-me singer-songwriter has been making music since she was a tween and now in her mid-20’s she has just released her fifth album. 

Finally, a little more moodiness to close things out: Charli XCX declared that it was a “These New Puritans Summer,” and honestly, that is the only endorsement that I need. “Industrial Love Song” featuring Caroline Polachek’s otherworldly vocals is stunning. A beautifully somber end to Golden Hour. 

Pulp - Spike Island 

Sylvie Vartan - Baby c’est vous 

Stereolab - Aerial Troubles 

SASAMI - In Love With A Memory (featuring Clairo) 

New Order - The Perfect Kiss

Althea And Donna - Uptown Top Ranking 

Obongjayar - Sweet Danger 

The Reds, Pinks and Purples - No One Absolves Us the End

Throwing Muses - Not Too Soon 

Billie Marten - Goodnight Moon  

These New Puritans - Industrial Love Song (featuring Caroline Polachek) 

xo,

Julie