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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The Velvoids - Jersey Cotton

After all that wonderful noise from Wyldlife, it is nice to go off in a completely different that is equally rewarding. The Velvoids are from Athens, that's Greece, not America and at their heart, they are the multi instrumentalists Vice Lesley and Dorah X.

They do take their time with releases, largely because of other things that they are involved with. They've even worked with our beloved Richard Lloyd in the past. Jersey Cotton was recorded over a four year period, initially in Lockdown.

Initially, lumped in with both Shoegaze and Art Rock, this is neither. It is Psychedelic in feel, whilst also treading into Folk and the more Pastoral. Songs are beautifully arranged soundscapes, sung wistfully mainly by either, both are equally engaging, neither are gonna shout. 

They are left field, but not in a wanky unfocussed way. Indeed, Lake Of Eyelids is a wonderful Joint Vocal that heads into Baroque Pop. Melancholic and intriguing, it is an essential listening and it is always nice to hear the continued comeback of whistling in songs. Just wait for the Fripp like Guitar run.

The album is very experimental, as most things Velvoids are, but it is totally engaging. Lying On A Terrace, sung by X, is all moody, almost desert riff with a delightful Twang. I Wore My Torn Suit when edges towards Pop and breaks out into a great meandering psychedelic riff.

Because I Love Her is moody and magnificent, more Alt Rock at times and is close to the best thing here, very Psych, but with another wonderful Joint Vocal. I know people like to think that I am all about crashing chords, but this is just as great and certainly rewarding as there isn't much around like it. A cracking listen.

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