I Don't Hear A Single Best 100 Albums Of 2025 : 1-10

 

We reach the last of the 10 posts revealing I Don't Hear A Single's Best 100 Albums Of 2025. There are a few that I was surprised not to included, but it is such a large piece of work that rearranging part way through just wouldn't work. I'd remind all that any Album reviewed on here is of the highest merit. We only review what we like.

Ordering is so difficult, comparing apples to oranges and next year, I may just post 10 of the 100 per day alphabetically with one named Albun Of The Year, There will be a full listing of all 100 later and tomorrow EPs will be covered with one post. Then we get on to 2026.

1   The Mommyheads - No Quietus       IDHAS Review

2  Fortitude Valley - Part Of The Problem, Baby      IDHAS Review

3    The Goods - Don't Spoil The Fun    IDHAS Review

4     Silk Cut - Corridors Of Light      IDHAS Review

5     Buddie - Glass      IDHAS Review

6    Tamar Berk - ocd    IDHAS Review

7   Chris Church - Obsolete Path   IDHAS Review

8   The Happy Fits - Lovesick    IDHAS Review

9    Custard Flux - Enter Xenon     IDHAS Review

10   Strange Neighbors - People Pleasers Pleasing People      IDHAS Review

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Buddie - Glass

 

Keeping Canada well on the musical map, Buddie return. 2023's Agitator was No 3 in the IDHAS Best Albums of the year and we have been anticipating the quartet's return since last year's excellent Impatient single which is on here.

Buddie boss the type of Indie Guitar Pop that we adore. Slightly left field, slightly slacker, slightly DIY Riff wise, but with great memorable choruses and great melody. Add lyrical adeptness to their accomplishments. But they are not like too many Guitar Pops.

These songs are about concerns with the state of the nation, economically and atmospherically, not the usual twaddle about lost love. They go down routes that others don't musically, but are so damn catchy and memorable listens. Beautifully arranged vignettes. You can read our review of Agitator here. 

Unlike other Indie Peers, they aren't sugar sweet, nor will they try to club you to death. The songs just grow and grow on you until the choruses are earworms. Daniel Forrest's gentle vocal is in contrast to the instrumental arrangements.

The band can even slow things down beautifully as proven by Blackout. There isn't a major shift from Agitator, but why would you want that, it is such an ace album. I've picked my 3 faves, Antartica, 2005 is a great place for newbies to start, but all songs are worthy of embedding. Glass is Top Notch!

You can listen to and buy the album here. The album is available on Vinyl, CD, Cassette and as a download.

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I Don't Hear A Single Albums Of The Year 2023 : Top 10

 



For the last few years We have compiled annual Best Of 's because these posts seem so popular and the aim of this Blog is to get exposure (and Sales) for the artists. A reminder that anything reviewed on I Don't Hear A Single is highly recommended. 

Narrowing things down to this 100 has been really difficult. The countdown is posted in reverse batches of 10. For each album, a song is embedded from the album and a link is provided to the IDHAS Review where you can find further details and how to listen or buy the album.

We reach the Top 10 conclusion. Tomorrow will feature the cut out and keep guide with a list of all 100 albums. EPs will be covered on Tuesday.

1 Mythical Motors - The Sunrise Registry      IDHAS Review

2 Odd Robot - Deathmates        IDHAS Review

3 Buddie - Agitator      IDHAS Review

4 Shplang - Thank You, Valued Customer      IDHAS Review

5 The Dumbanimals - Thrift Pop      IDHAS Review

6 The Telepathic Butterflies - Plan B      IDHAS Review

7 The Mommyheads - Coney Island Kid      IDHAS Review

8 Onesie - Liminal Hiss      IDHAS Review

9 Equipment - Alt. Account     IDHAS Review 

10 Wurld Series - The Giant's Lawn      IDHAS Review

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Buddie - Agitator

 

I've been sat on this for a while and then completely missed last Friday's release, I had better not make the mistake when the excellent Crafted Sound's upcoming release of label mates Silver Car Crash's new album. Buddie's second album is magnificent, every bit as good as I expected and more.

I reviewed the holding EP, Transplant, here and that was an absolute joy, but this full length album is even better. This is Indie Guitar Pop of the highest order, very 90s, but with an ability to trend across the genre. Incredibly melodic and riff driven, it will certainly push IDHAS followers buttons.

There's a real lyrical adeptness to match the catchiness. Class Warfare has a riff not a million miles away from Don't Fear The Reaper and leads into a big does of melodic pop until an almost Psych close. Buddie certainly pack a lot into individual songs.

We'll Never Break is fine Slacker Pop, Backwards Behind mirrors Teenage Fanclub, Worried is pure Weezer and Game Of Global Consequence could be something written by Andy Partridge. Move On even has a real Sunshine Pop vibe.

As with the EP, there are comparisons to Alex Lifeson's second half of the 80s Guitar riffs, particularly on Labyrinth, then there is noise rock fuzz of Ugly In The End and the best may be saved until last with the slowed down closer Restive Summer, an epic sign off.

Most will probably not notice the aims of the splendid lyrics being too busy tapping their feet and singing along to the choruses. I like to think that I know my subject (in a totally modest way of course) and to me Buddie are one of the most vital Pop Rock bands of recent years and Agitator is album of the year material.

You can listen to and buy the album here. There are also links here, where you can also find out more about the wonderful Crafted Sounds label.

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Buddie - Transplant EP

 

IDHAS regulars will love this. Buddie are based in Vancouver after Band leader Dan Forrest's move from Philadelphia and the quartet have quickly become an active part of the Vancouver Indie Scene. This EP is a precursor for their second album which will be released in early 2023.

Very much centred around Forrest as guitarist and vocalist, the songs are very 90s Indie Guitar Pop at heart, wonderfully melodic, but with tentacles that stretch into other areas. There is also further proof that you can do Fuzz without it dominating the song at the expense of melody and catchiness.

Personally I can't wait for the album and this EP gives just a sampler of the delights in store. Sunday Morning has a real San Francisco 67 vibe on the verse before bursting out into ace Jangle and Fuzz. Take What's Left is a little slower, even a little Jayhawks at times.

Northern Skies begins like a Rush mid 80s song, the type that non fans heard and realised that the band weren't Prog any more, much nearer to Pop, particularly on the choruses, than you imagined. Indecision is splendidly atmospheric and moody, gentle, although seeming desperate to break out fully. .

Finally, there is demo of Take What's Left which reveals how the song grew. But what it also does is allow you to notice the lyrical depth and excellence. This made me go back to the lyrics of the other songs and that songwriting quality shouts out across the EP.

Subjects include the move to a different country and the effects of the lockdowns without ever preaching or whining. A classic example of serious messages cocooned in jaunty arrangements. The future looks bright for Buddie and that is so reassuring in these days of Covers and Auto Tune.

You can listen to and buy the EP here. You can find out more about Buddie here.

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