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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The Happy Fits - Lovesick

I absolutely adore The Happy Fits. I mentioned in the review of their third album. Under The Shade Of Green (here) that I felt the band were now too big for what we cover, being essentially a door opener for the new, but we do stick to some of our faves of our early days such as The Moomyheads (who incidentally release their new album on Friday)

I was fortunate to catch them on the up with the second album, What Could Be Better (here). That album had more of a UK feel, Brit Pop even. Guitar Pop had its very best marked out by the cello of vocalist, Calvin Langman. It was really unusual to hear the cello at the from of a trio,

The initial growth on Spotify and then the social media following by inventive constant Social Media led to that third album taking the New Yorkers stratospheric. So Lovesick has been keenly awaited, wondering how the departure of founder and Guitarist,

The addition of Raina Mullen and Nico Rose has added a new dimension. The sound is bigger, the arrangements are more dynamic and expanded. Langman's voice has never sounded better, it has been stretched to take on different directions and feel.

The Guitar Pop is as great as ever, but slightly more dynamic. But ventures into the likes of Americana, Torch songs and Pop Rock have shown a band at the top of their game. The results are dynamite. My other half gets a little tired of all the music that I listen to and she has very different tastes. On listening to Lovesick a couple of times, she burst out with a "this is brilliant" comment, a really rare thing.

That and many other things show what appeal The Happy Fits have. This is album of the year potential. The mix of Pop Rock and more earnest aching songs show how adaptable the band is. They have started a big tour of the UK, Europe and the States. I'll be in Manchester on the 17 October as a fanboy, not a writer.

You can listen to and buy the album here. The album can be bought as a double Viny LP here.

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The Happy Fits - Under The Shade of Green

 

The Happy Fits are probably bigger than the artists we generally celebrate on I Don't Hear A Single. Since I reviewed their last album, What Could Be Better, the trio have gone from strength to strength via a massive Spotify following, but more importantly a 20 odd date sell out US Tour last year.

Their third album has been much anticipated \and I certainly believe that they have outgrown here, but that is great. Our aim is always to push against the door and then move on. I had to review the follow up, particularly after the buzz that What Could Be Better gave me, in particular, the killer song, Hold Me Down.

You can read that review here. The news is that the band have moved on and at a fairly rapid pace. They've lost none of that quirky poptastic vibe, but the arrangements are bigger, the reach is much further and the songs have obviously had the time spent on them that they deserve.

Being a sort of Power Trio with Cello rather than Bass allows bigger and different arrangements and Calvin Langman's ability to write heartfelt downbeat lyrics and place them into incredibly upbeat sounding arrangements is Paul Heaton like.

The sound is much fuller, all encompassing even. Changes may be the stand out, but the dominant cello and the arrangement on Do Your Worst is indelibly Scouse Pop, not the only time that this comparison can be made. Little One is a potentially monster single, although truth be known, any of these 12 songs could be singles.

Cold Turkey (not that one) shows a willingness to step more into real Indie territory, it even has overtones on Sparks. Place In The World is McCartney Pop of the highest order. The band are about to embark on a large UK, European and US Tour. You'll see me in Manchester next month.

You can listen to the album here and buy it everywhere. The upcoming Tour Details are here.

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I Don't Hear A Single Albums Of The Year 2020 : 21-30

It's been difficult to get these choices down to 100. I'm also not a believer in saying one album is better than another. Most of the time you are comparing Apples To Oranges. I'm not a List person, I just think what's the point.

However, for the last few years I 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. There is no meaning or judgement on an album that is Number 1, Number 100 or not on the list. Anything that I review on here, mention on Social Media or play on the Radio Show is as highly recommended.

I would also add that the Top 100 includes albums available as Download Only. To suggest that they are anything less than equal to a Physical release is grossly unfair, even more so in 2020 with all that has happened during the year. To qualify, an album has to be available for sale in any format.

For each album, I've posted a song from it and a link to where you can find further details on how to listen or buy the album. 

No 21 : Foxycontin - This Time You’re on Your Own    IDHAS Review

No 22 : Gretchen's Wheel - Such Open Sky      IDHAS Review









No 23 : The Successful Failures - Pack Up Your Shadows     IDHAS Review

 

No 24 : The Amiimopps - Life On Pluto          You Tube Group

       

No 25 : The Bye Bye Blackbirds - Boxer At Rest    IDHAS Review

 

No 26 : The Mommyheads - New Kings Of Pop       IDHAS Review




 




No 27 : Answering Machine - Bad Luck     IDHAS Review

No 28 :  The Happy Fits - What Could Be Better    IDHAS Review



 

No 29 : KEYS - Home Schooling   IDHAS Review

Libertino · KEYS - The Strain

 

   

No 30 : DISQ - Collector         Review

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The Happy Fits - What Could Be Better

 

One of the frustrations with the type of music that I cover is the lack of younger artists playing Guitar based Pop. Indeed, a little part of me lights up when I hear an outstanding album from a band much younger than me and the IDHAS audience.

The last wave of such species was probably with Busted and McFly, both bands that were not that original, but were bringing the genre to wider, with even more female, audience listeners. So I'm delighted that these three Jersey Boys master the genre. This is really intelligent Pop, far more clever and original than either of the mentioned bands could muster. 

Not only do they master it, but there is far more here than you could ever hope for. There is a a lot to admire in an album that offers up great arrangements, both instrumentally and vocally, plus plenty of unusual twists and turns. There is plenty here for the Intelligent Pop brigade, something I don't say too often. 

The general feel though is an Indie one. Guitar riffs and vocals that remind me of Franz Ferdinand or even the better bands in the third wave of Merseybeat during Brit Pop. It is allso hard to believe that the trio are American as the album sounds so British.

Both No Instructions and Hold Me Down are wondrous songs, particularly the former which has so much in it. Get A Job is up and at 'em in a Kaiser Chiefs sort of way and Sailing has a real maturity, incredibly laid back, almost Southern Rock balladry. She Wants Me (To Be Loved) borders on Maroon 5 and Moving harks back to American Diners in the late 50s / early 60s. 

The string arrangement and vocal harmonies on The Garden and the title track sounds like a big UK Beat singalong ballad. Go Dumb is top notch down and dirty club beat. The standout take here is that What Could Be Better handles variation so well and with so much energy. It is one of the better things that I've heard all year.

You can listen to and buy the album here.

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