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 Album 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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Strange Neighbors - People Pleasers Pleasing People

 

We first heard of New York City's Strange Neighbors at the start of 2023 and covered their mini album, Party Of None, which appeared in the Top 30 of our Best Albums Of 2023 (review here). 2024 found the quartet rightly picking up momentum and now we have People Pleasers Pleasing People.

The Power Pop is still as strong, but the band may just be the future of Indie Guitar Pop. There is real wit and depth lyrically, unusual in this type of genre, a quirkiness that is sassy, but aided by the arrangements.

They are at their best when the quirk is high, but they can also do straight ahead. You Got Love is prime time Kirsty MacColl and the magnificent Silk And Cyanide is top notch Power Pop with great pace and an engaging twang. The rockiest the band get and a great solo is added to close proceedings.

Beer At The Bar dallies with Jangle Pop and even gets a little Cranberries and the closer, Your Last opts for a surprise hoedown. The quartet even get more straight ahead Pop Rock on Wherever We Fall which reveals great maturity.

There is a lot of variety on display, but I have to admit that I really can't resist the sassiness. Crush is the best example, but Influencer remains a crackerjack single. This album shows a band at the height of their powers. Climb aboard, before the space has all been taken.

You can listen to and buy the album here. It is available on CD and as a download.

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I Don't Hear A Single Albums Of The Year 2023 : 21 - 30

 



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

21 Portable Radio - Counting To Three      IDHAS Review

22 The Make Three - You, Me & The Make Three      IDHAS Review

23 Andy Bopp - Tower City Vol. 1      IDHAS Review

24 Kicking Bird - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack      IDHAS Review

25 Lomma - Torrey Pines      IDHAS Review

26 The Supernaturals - It Only Gets Worse      IDHAS Review

27 KC Bowman - Crushes Of Context      IDHAS Review

28 Hoagie - Other Folks      IDHAS Review

29 Mason Lowe - Morning People      IDHAS Review

30 Strange Neighbors - Party Of None      IDHAS Review

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Strange Neighbors - Party Of None

 

Lyrically, Power Pop is not known for depth. It has progressed beyond I love you, yes I do, you know its true, but not into the intelligent, wit laden realms of the generations below the 60 plus brigade. They compare more with Intelligent Indie whose Guitar Pop has far more gravitas.

A prime example of the new breed are New York City's Strange Neighbors. The quartet produce a riff laden, chorus driven batch of songs that combine melody and a real adeptness in the writing that allows both humour and everyday observations to thrive.

Yes they can rock and do, but the arrangements show creativity and a determination to add diversions, never ever relying on the splendid riff to bring home the message. They are equally comfortable slowing things down as Simple Song more than adequately reveals.

You will have heard Hotline Psychic on the last IDHAS 10 Song Mix, a song that just hooks you. All cynical lyrics with a rapid verse and earworm chorus. Whoa! Is Me as also been a selection on a previous "Listening To This Week" and that could very well be the band's signature song.

Skeleton Boy is an absolute Power Pop gem and would get even greater attention, but for the two aforementioned blinders. It is hook laden with two ace Guitar interruptions. Then there is Window Watching which has a hypnotic rhythm to it and yet another killer chorus. Strange Neighbors could very well become a hi octane version of The Beths.

You can listen to and buy Party Of None here. You can find out more about the band here.

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