december 2025
Final notes on my 2025 discoveries, slightly dampened by my annual winter cold.
live events
where i've been
December 12: Palms Trax
I’d already heard Palms Trax this year – at dekmantel – but that was a back-to-back with Floating Points, which is why I wanted to hear how he’d sound solo. Nothing drastically different from August – just solid and consistent – and clearly enough to sell the night out.
I’d already heard Palms Trax this year – at dekmantel – but that was a back-to-back with Floating Points, which is why I wanted to hear how he’d sound solo. Nothing drastically different from August – just solid and consistent – and clearly enough to sell the night out.
December 19: Bitter Babe
Usually, when I see an unfamiliar name coming to my town, I don’t listen to their stuff beforehand – I like to be surprised. This time, though, I’ve decided to give Bitter Babe's sets a listen and... nothing really clicked, god knows why.
Still, I stayed curious and went to the night anyway – and ended up being pleasantly surprised by her set. It was lively, fun, and kept people dancing and in good spirits throughout. Sadly, my face still fails to reflect my actual mood, which is why I got asked three times whether I was feeling okay.
Usually, when I see an unfamiliar name coming to my town, I don’t listen to their stuff beforehand – I like to be surprised. This time, though, I’ve decided to give Bitter Babe's sets a listen and... nothing really clicked, god knows why.
Still, I stayed curious and went to the night anyway – and ended up being pleasantly surprised by her set. It was lively, fun, and kept people dancing and in good spirits throughout. Sadly, my face still fails to reflect my actual mood, which is why I got asked three times whether I was feeling okay.
sets
what’s been catching my ear lately
Kino @ Closer || Masnytsia, day 1 || 04.03.2023
Sometimes, all you need is just 2.5 hours of good electronic music.
Sometimes, all you need is just 2.5 hours of good electronic music.
Kode9 b2b Tim Reaper at Parameter 10
Not a huge fan of jungle, but this set got me hooked. Sounds like something that should've been witnessed in person, but let's enjoy what we have.
Not a huge fan of jungle, but this set got me hooked. Sounds like something that should've been witnessed in person, but let's enjoy what we have.
Transmission 003 - Jane Fitz b2b Carl H
Absolute masterclass, what else can I say?
Absolute masterclass, what else can I say?
albums and EPs
what made it onto my radar this month
Charlotte Adigéry & Bolis Pupul – Topical Dancer
Haha!
Favourite track: It Hit Me
Haha!
Favourite track: It Hit Me
Secret Mommy – Very Rec
This is probably the closest I've gotten to understanding field-recording music so far – even if it's not entirely fair to put this album in that category. Very Rec is more about the art of sampling and reimagining everyday surroundings and leisure activities.
Favourite track: Basketball Court
This is probably the closest I've gotten to understanding field-recording music so far – even if it's not entirely fair to put this album in that category. Very Rec is more about the art of sampling and reimagining everyday surroundings and leisure activities.
Favourite track: Basketball Court
Vladislav Delay – Multila
All I'm gonna say is that's an amazing soundtrack for solving Sudoku.
All I'm gonna say is that's an amazing soundtrack for solving Sudoku.
Scott Walker – Bish Bosch
If you're listening to this, you must've survived.
If you're listening to this, you must've survived.
tracks
new-to-me sounds
Urszula Dudziak – Future Talk
Heard this song while waiting for a beef sandwich at an Asian fusion restaurant – unusual place for this kind of tune (or is it?).
It's always fascinating to hear what can be achieved with just the voice.
Heard this song while waiting for a beef sandwich at an Asian fusion restaurant – unusual place for this kind of tune (or is it?).
It's always fascinating to hear what can be achieved with just the voice.
Björk – Karvel
I have a confession to make: the only Björk album I’ve ever listened to from start to finish is Selma Songs, which is why her discography still feels like a vast ocean I haven't dared to explore yet. And imagine my surprise when I found out that such a smart track turned out to be just a B-side.
Thanks to zig-zag.fm for putting this song into my map!
I have a confession to make: the only Björk album I’ve ever listened to from start to finish is Selma Songs, which is why her discography still feels like a vast ocean I haven't dared to explore yet. And imagine my surprise when I found out that such a smart track turned out to be just a B-side.
Thanks to zig-zag.fm for putting this song into my map!
Spejs Noksi, Cosmic G - Lora Palmer
Ništa ne znam pre prve kafe – takođe.
If someone is brave enough to enlighten me on the Serbian alternative hip-hop scene, hit me up.
Ništa ne znam pre prve kafe – takođe.
If someone is brave enough to enlighten me on the Serbian alternative hip-hop scene, hit me up.
Mutable Mercury – Lost in Chaos
I’ve spent about a day and a half going through Scuffed Records’ discography on bandcamp. Out of all the new artists I stumbled upon, the one I'd like to highlight is Mutable Mercury. That said, I'd highly recommend also checking out INGI, Theorist, and Destrata.
I’ve spent about a day and a half going through Scuffed Records’ discography on bandcamp. Out of all the new artists I stumbled upon, the one I'd like to highlight is Mutable Mercury. That said, I'd highly recommend also checking out INGI, Theorist, and Destrata.
Madeline Goldstein – 1996 Expectations
vinyl finds
dig it up!
Motor – Stuka Stunt/Junker
I rarely feel proud of my music discoveries, whether it's a vinyl record or a digital file – my role in that journey usually feels purely transactional. Still, this release made me feel like I'd hit the jackpot.
I bought this record like the way I usually do: by paying attention to the visuals. This time, it was the press release that caught my eye – I liked the font.
Junker gave me the same feeling I had when I first heard Fena by Impérieux during Pearson Sound's set at Waking Life – something that's hard to put into words. Absolute bonkers.
I rarely feel proud of my music discoveries, whether it's a vinyl record or a digital file – my role in that journey usually feels purely transactional. Still, this release made me feel like I'd hit the jackpot.
I bought this record like the way I usually do: by paying attention to the visuals. This time, it was the press release that caught my eye – I liked the font.
Junker gave me the same feeling I had when I first heard Fena by Impérieux during Pearson Sound's set at Waking Life – something that's hard to put into words. Absolute bonkers.
For more promotions information please contact Paul Coleman or Leo Walton at The Darling Department.
Juju & Jordash – Techno Primitivism
Technically, this isn't even my find – the album was gifted to me – but it would be unfair not to mention it. To quote: "Techno Primitivism is just beautiful music, period."
Favourite track: Stoplight Loosejaw
Technically, this isn't even my find – the album was gifted to me – but it would be unfair not to mention it. To quote: "Techno Primitivism is just beautiful music, period."
Favourite track: Stoplight Loosejaw
ear worms
fall in love again and again
fall in love again and again
fall in love again and again
fall in love again and again
fall in love again and again
Anthony Naples – orbs
I had some trouble falling asleep during December, so I started using this album as a lullaby. Anthony Naples "is the brother that everybody would want and the friend that everybody deserves. I don't know a better person."
If you have a healthier relationship with your sleep cycle, it also makes a perfect soundtrack for afters – or any day that you want to drift through without a care.
I had some trouble falling asleep during December, so I started using this album as a lullaby. Anthony Naples "is the brother that everybody would want and the friend that everybody deserves. I don't know a better person."
If you have a healthier relationship with your sleep cycle, it also makes a perfect soundtrack for afters – or any day that you want to drift through without a care.
Whole Lotta Swag – Оффер
Continuing the falling asleep theme, so to speak.
Thanks to хан Замай for mentioning this artist.
Continuing the falling asleep theme, so to speak.
Thanks to хан Замай for mentioning this artist.
miscellaneous
honourable mentions that don't fit the topics above
VINCE STAPLES | ZIWE INTERVIEW
Didn't know that the mind behind Big Fish Theory is also funny as fuck. Probably one of the best interviews Ziwe has done.
"You're making a mistake. You should not listen to anything that I say. I'm here for capitalism."
Didn't know that the mind behind Big Fish Theory is also funny as fuck. Probably one of the best interviews Ziwe has done.
"You're making a mistake. You should not listen to anything that I say. I'm here for capitalism."
zig-zag.fm
If streaming service algorithms have betrayed you, I'd suggest signing up for the beta of zig-zag.fm.
You can start exploring by clicking the boat icon, which drops you onto a random release on the map. Or you can pick an island or an archipelago that looks interesting and dive in from there.
If streaming service algorithms have betrayed you, I'd suggest signing up for the beta of zig-zag.fm.
You can start exploring by clicking the boat icon, which drops you onto a random release on the map. Or you can pick an island or an archipelago that looks interesting and dive in from there.