I Don't Hear A Single Best 100 Albums Of 2025 : 91-100

For the last 9 years, we have compiled annual Best Of Years 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 and that only new albums are included  and the album must have been reviewed by us.

Narrowing things down to this 100 has been really tricky in what has been an exceptional year. The countdown is posted daily 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.

As a change this time, we decided that it would be nice to have individual images for each of the 10 posts. With it being our 10th year we thought that we could back to the old images that were posted as a bit of fun with the Audio Extravaganzas. A reminder of the old, much quieter, days for us and hopefully a bit of fun for newcomers. The first is up today,

91 The Velvoids - Jersey Cotton      IDHAS Review

92 Guerilla Toss - You're Weird Now     IDHAS Review

 

93 rincs - Swimming Pool Disco      IDHAS Review

94 Hamlet - Light Under Repair      IDHAS Review

95 Weird Bloom - Stargate      IDHAS Review

96 The Friends - Daydreaming      IDHAS Review

97 Greer - Big Smile      IDHAS Review

98 doublevee - Periscope At Midnight     IDHAS Review

99 Sura Laynes - Sura Laynes      IDHAS Review

100 Magic Fig - Magic Fig     IDHAS Review

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Sura Laynes - Sura Laynes

 

When you first hear Sura Laynes, you'd maybe mistake them as not coming from Derby, but Liverpool. There are big hints of Scouse Pop in the vein of The La's or Cast. There are also shades of the Wirral with similarities to The Coral.

You know from hearing the short opener, Comrade In Arms, that you are in for something special with its harmonium background and unplugged vocal harmonies. There is great variety across the dozen songs. Yet, whatever path they take, the Pop sensibilities are never lost.

This lot can certainly offer up a chorus no matter what the genre. Take for instance Feel Alright which is a sort of jaunty let's do the song right here affair, but adds harmonica and a sort of R and B Guitar feel. And what a fantastic mix of styles they come up with.

The Scally Guitar Pop of Let The Good Times Roll, the 60s storytelling of Smalltown Love Song and The best Coral song that The Coral didn't write Promise You'll Stay which is set to a Rock and Roll-ish riff and a Power Pop Drum Beat.

The songwriting also reveals a real lyrical wit on the likes of The Captain Ain't Qualified and the aforementioned Feel Alright. Blade In My Back is very 60s UK Beat, indeed there is a 60s feel throughout as well as a link to the Sea.

What is so encouraging, is that a debut album can sound so accomplished. Unusual and adept arrangements add to each song, but the melody is never forgotten. It restores your faith in music. Spotify hasn't totally killed creativity, you just have to look further than the playlist hell.

You can listen to and buy the album here.

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