Iron's 2025 - Old School Metal And Older Folk Echoes
Iron's 2025 - Old School Metal And Older Folk Echoes
WIP.
I listened to a lot of old school metal this year, both retro heavy metal/US power as well as good old death and epic and trad doom. It also turned out that a lot of the best album were weirdly archaic folk music.
4½ and 4 star albums in rough order of preference. Everything below that grouped loosely by genre.
I listened to a lot of old school metal this year, both retro heavy metal/US power as well as good old death and epic and trad doom. It also turned out that a lot of the best album were weirdly archaic folk music.
4½ and 4 star albums in rough order of preference. Everything below that grouped loosely by genre.
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1.
Anna Von Hausswolff
- Iconoclasts
(Singer-Songwriter/Progressive Folk. Dawson's most stripped-down and pastoral album in years, full of brilliantly mundane tableaus of British suburban life. 4.5/5)
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2.
Menace Ruine
- The Color Of The Grave Is Green
(Art Pop/Experimental Rock. Catchier than the post-rocking post-minimalist debut, but just as exciting angular, cello-driven artsy genre hybrid. 4/5)
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3.
Alan Sparhawk With Trampled By Turtles
- Alan Sparhawk With Trampled By Turtles
(Americana/Chamber Folk. After the tortured sonic experiments of White Roses, My God, Alan Sparhawk joins with bluegrass band Trampled By Turtles to transform his grief into lush, earthy americana that recalls Low's turn-of-the-millenium material. Lovely feature by Mimi and Alan's daughter Hollis, who sounds a lot like her mother. Don't Take Your Light is the most devastating song of the year. 4/5)
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4.
Junior Brother
- The End
(Progressive/Avant-Folk. Abrasive, atonal, fun and weird Irish folk romp. The closest comparison I can think of is Richard Dawson's Peasant. Junior Brother's best, and might up my rating in the future. 4/5)
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5.
Ichiko Aoba
- Luminescent Creatures
(Chamber Folk. Takes the new age orchestral direction of Windswept Adan even further. A little to the detriment of the songwriting - there's very little of the instantly memorable guitar playing brilliance of her early work, here, and more echoy noodling. But few artists manange to sound this angelic. 4/5)
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6.
Anna Von Hausswolff
- Iconoclasts
(Art Pop/Art Rock/Neoclassical Darkwave. Not as dark as the last few albums, not as sweepingly beautiful as Ceremony, this album nevertheless combines elements across Anna's career. Some of the long post-rock tracks, like The Iconoclast, are career highlights. One the whole a little uneven, but at its best majestic. 4/5)
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7.
Menace Ruine
- The Color Of The Grave Is Green
(Darkwave/Drone Metal. Menace Ruine continue down the familiar neo-medieval drone folk doomgaze road road. Nothing new for them, but nobody else sounds like them, and they always sound great. 4/5)
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8.
Park Jiha
- All Living Things
(Post-Minimals/Fusion Gugak. See above: Park Jiha continues down her own path of combining traditional Korean folk and classical music to Western ambient and post-minimalist traditions, sounding like no one but herself. Since 2018, nothing but solid 4-star albums. Meditative, spacious, beautiful but not too precious. livGreat textures from the traditional instruments. 4/5)
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9.
Jim Ghedi
- Wasteland
(Progressive Folk Rock. A new discovery for me. A great companion piece to Junior Brother: while it's a more conventional and rocks more, it's still very idiosyncratic and noisy and weird in the grand scheme of folk. 4/5)
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10.
Andrea Laszlo De Simone
- Una Lunghissima Ombra
(Baroque Pop/Canzone d'autore. Italian indie pop that sort of sounds like it could be from the 70s (Fabrizio de André), but an imaginary 70s seen through 2020s nostalgic lenses. Sounds old, timeless, and very contemporary at the same time (sort of like the Finnish Litku Klemetti or Cindy Lee's Diamond Jubilee). Gorgeous melodies and string arrangements. 4/5)
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11.
FKA Twigs
- Eusexua Afterglow
(EDM/Alternative R&B. A return to form after a couple of straightforward pop albums. Glitchy, fragmentary, futuristic, cool and all over the place. Immaculate production. I'm not sure Twigs has very good taste but when she hits, she hits hard. One of the best pop singers too. 4/5)
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12.
Oklou
- Choke Enough
(Electronic/Alt-Pop. Delicate, transluscent, shimmering french electronic pop that's really catchy but definitely not for partying to. Like a less sexual or excessive, more French bedroom FKA twigs. 4/5)
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13.
Silvana Estrada
- Vendrán Suaves Lluvias
(Singer-Songwriter/Chamber Folk. Lush arrangements and beautiful Mexical folk pop songs. Unfortunately a little too pretty and not as stark or immediate as Marchita, which is an all-time favorite. 4/5)
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14.
Natalia Lafourcade
- Cancionera
(Singer-Songwriter/Mexican folk. Yet another vibrant and joyful and highly professional album from Lafourcade. Even though the songs are apparently recorded in one tape, to catch a sense of collaboration and adventure, I think she's playing a bit safe by this point in her career. 4/5)
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15.
Ninajirachi
- I Love My Computer
(Electro House. The quintessential internet era album, by a self-learned young DJ named after a Pokémon, a concept album about her relationship to her computer, applying all the best lessons of PC Music to her glittering futuristic-yet-nostalgic electro pop that's just banger after banger. 4/5)
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16.
Pagan Altar
- Never Quite Dead
(Gloomy Singer-Songwriter/Slowcore. Some darkwave and doomgaze influences, and occasional harsh vocals. The folkier bits are the highlight though. Think A.A. Williams and Grouper. 4/5)
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17.
Eiko Ishibashi
- Antigone
(Ambient Pop. 4/5)
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18.
Jenny Hval
- Iris Silver Mist
(Art Pop/Ambient Pop. 4/5)
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19.
Lou-Adriane Cassidy
- Journal D'un Loup-Garou
(Indie Pop/Chanson québécoise. 4/5)
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20.
Lou-Adriane Cassidy
- Triste Animal
(Chanson québécoise/Jazz Pop. 4/5)
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21.
Pagan Altar
- Never Quite Dead
(Tradiotional Doom/Heavy Metal. 4/5)
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22.
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23.
The Gesualdo Six / Owain Park
- Radiant Dawn
(Chamber Music/Choral. One of the best old music vocal ensembles working through old polyphic vocal music and newer pieces with a trumpetist. 4/5)
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24.
Little Simz
- Lotus
(Hip-Hop. 4/5)
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25.
Neiti Olga
- Nuku Vain Yön Yli
(Shoegaze/Dream Pop. 4/5)
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26.
Fas Signal
- Fas Signal
(Lo-fi/Slowcore. With some screamo (check if you like Holy Taker, above). 4/5)
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27.
Faetooth
- Labyrinthine
(Doom/Doomgaze. 4/5)
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28.
Amateur Hour
- Går I Kras
(Hypnagogic Pop/Drone. 4/5)
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29.
Milkweed
- Remscéla
(3.5/5)
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30.
Quinie
- Forefowk, Mind Me
(3.5/5)
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31.
Poor Creature
- All Smiles Tonight
(3.5/5)
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32.
Lisa O'Neill
- The Wind Doesn't Blow This Far Right
(3.5/5)
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33.
Brìghde Chaimbeul
- Sunwise
(3.5/5)
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34.
Briela Ojeda
- Andariega
(3.5/5)
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35.
César Y Su Jardín
- Corre Y Suelta A Los Perros
(3.5/5)
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36.
Herhums
- Binding Chimes
(3.5/5)
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37.
Ne Lintuizet
- Uusi Huone
(3.5/5)
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38.
Sessa
- Pequena Vertigem De Amor
(3.5/5)
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39.
Juana Aguirre
- Anónimo
(3.5/5)
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40.
La Niña
- Furèsta
(3.5/5)
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41.
Hannah Frances
- Nested In Tangles
(3.5/5)
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42.
Kathryn Joseph
- We Were Made Prey.
(3.5/5)
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43.
Sandrayati
- Inhabit
(3.5/5)
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44.
Maud The Moth
- The Distaff
(3.5/5)
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45.
Circuit Des Yeux
- Halo On The Inside
(3.5/5)
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46.
Ganavya
- Nilam
(3.5/5)
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47.
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48.
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49.
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50.
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51.
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53.
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54.
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55.
Eternal Darkness
- Starmony
(3.5/5)
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56.
Bell Witch
- Stygian Bough: Volume II [Collaboration]
(3.5/5)
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57.
Evoken
- Mendacium
(3.5/5)
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58.
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59.
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60.
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61.
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62.
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63.
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64.
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65.
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66.
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67.
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68.
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69.
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70.
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71.
Blut Aus Nord
- Ethereal Horizons
(3.5/5)
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72.
Vauruvã
- Mar Da Deriva
(3.5/5)
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73.
Saor
- Amidst The Ruins
(3.5/5)
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74.
Lástima
- A Pain Bloomed From My Lungs
(3.5/5)
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75.
Deafheaven
- Lonely People With Power
(3.5/5)
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76.
Amelie Siba
- This May Be The Only Way 2 Heaven
(3.5/5)
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77.
Kitchen
- Blue Heeler In Ugly Snowlight, Grey On Gray On Gray On White.
(3.5/5)
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78.
First Day Back
- Forward
(3.5/5)
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79.
Shannon Wright
- Reservoir Of Love
(3.5/5)
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80.
Cats Of Transnistria
- IV
(3.5/5)
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81.
Caroline
- Caroline 2
(3.5/5)
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82.
Dirt Fight
- I Feel Like I'm Losing
(3.5/5)
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83.
War Room
- Please Don't Fight In Here
(3.5/5)
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84.
Hesse Kassel
- La Brea
(3.5/5)
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85.
Water Gun Water Gun Sky Attack
- Six Tenants Killing One Homeowner Six Times Over
(3.5/5)
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86.
Sleigh Bells
- Bunky Becky Birthday Boy
(3.5/5)
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87.
Horsegirl
- Phonetics On And On
(3.5/5)
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88.
The Beths
- Straight Line Was A Lie
(3.5/5)
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89.
Rättö Ja Lehtisalo
- Herttakolmonen
(3.5/5)
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90.
Baths
- Gut
(3.5/5)
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91.
Panda Bear
- Sinister Grift
(3.5/5)
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92.
Mei Semones
- Animaru
(3.5/5)
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93.
Westerman
- A Jackal's Wedding
(3.5/5)
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94.
Betcover!!
- Yuki
(3.5/5)
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95.
FKA Twigs
- Eusexua
(3.5/5)
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96.
Erika De Casier
- Lifetime
(3.5/5)
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97.
Amaarae
- Black Star
(3.5/5)
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98.
Rebecca Black
- Salvation
(3.5/5)
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99.
Sally Shapiro
- Ready To Live A Lie
(3.5/5)
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100.
KUUNATIC
- Wheels Of Ömon
(3/5)
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101.
The Worm
- Pantilde
(3/5)
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102.
Faun Fables
- Counterclockwise
(3/5)
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104.
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105.
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106.
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107.
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108.
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109.
Paradise Lost
- Ascension
(3/5)
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110.
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113.
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114.
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115.
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116.
Messa
- The Spin
(3/5)
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117.
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118.
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119.
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120.
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121.
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122.
Helloween
- Giants & Monsters
(3/5)
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123.
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124.
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125.
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127.
Serpent Rider
- The Ichor Of Chimaera
(3/5)
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129.
Shedfromthebody
- Whisper And Wane
(3/5)
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130.
Shedfromthebody
- Everything Out There Has Teeth
(3/5)
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131.
Kauan
- Wayhome
(3/5)
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132.
Dolven
- In My Grave... Silence
(3/5)
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133.
Vermilia
- Karsikko
(3/5)
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134.
Darkside
- DOGA
(3/5)
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135.
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136.
Mandrake Handshake
- Earth-Sized Worlds
(3/5)
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137.
Siinai
- Tanssi I
(3/5)
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138.
Camille Cabbabe
- K2
(3/5)
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139.
Darkside
- Nothing
(3/5)
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140.
Planning For Burial
- It's Closeness, It's Easy
(3/5)
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141.
Maruja
- Tír Na NÓg
(3/5)
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142.
Shallowater
- God's Gonna Give You A Million Dollars
(3/5)
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143.
Bloodsports
- Anything Can Be A Hammer
(3/5)
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144.
Weatherday
- Hornet Disaster
(3/5)
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145.
Squid
- Cowards
(3/5)
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146.
Tropical Fuck Storm
- Fairyland Codex
(3/5)
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147.
Racing Mount Pleasant
- Racing Mount Pleasant
(3/5)
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148.
Black Country, New Road
- Forever Howlong
(3/5)
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149.
Rares
- Idols To Time Unkind
(3/5)
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150.
Asian Glow
- 11100011
(3/5)
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151.
Teethe
- Magic Of The Sale
(3/5)
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152.
Dean Wareham
- That's The Price Of Loving Me
(3/5)
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153.
Marathon Runner
- I Dream A Highway
(3/5)
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154.
Soda Boyz
- Not Boyz Anymore
(3/5)
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155.
Edith Frost
- In Space
(3/5)
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156.
Kathryn Mohr
- Waiting Room
(3/5)
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157.
Milly Sweetly
- Nightwalks
(3/5)
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158.
Ethel Cain
- Perverts
(3/5)
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159.
Orvokki
- Malus
(3/5)
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160.
Ullalintulampi
- Kannattelen
(3/5)
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161.
Janne Westerlund
- Sisar
(3/5)
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162.
Jaanat
- Naamat
(3/5)
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163.
Sur-rur
- Härveli
(3/5)
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164.
Rochelle Jordan
- Through The Wall
(3/5)
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165.
Sudan Archives
- The BPM
(3/5)
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166.
Perfume
- Nebula Romance Part 2
(3/5)
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167.
Olga
- Saint Olga
(3/5)
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168.
Abor & Tynna
- Bittersüß
(3/5)
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169.
GFOTY
- INFLUENZER
(3/5)
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Disclaimer: All top lists are unofficial and do not represent the point of view of the MS Staff.
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Comments
Comments:
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Posts: 4930  |
Posts: 4930
Will add genres, but the top 28 is done. The rest are grouped loosely by genre anyway, so you should find what you like rather easily. Anyway, some favorites: This is a particularly heavy take on folk: "Inspired by Dio": One of the coolest combinations of song, story and video of the year:
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