2025 has not been kind to us in terms of new music. More than halfway through the year and I’ve only recommended a handful of albums. Perhaps it’s simply that I’m not as diligent as before, no longer the keen-nosed truffle pig on the hunt in the musical forest, digging daily to unearth buried riches. There are, however, still delights to be found, sometimes under the ground, but also in plain sight.
Let’s round ’em up:
I’ve been on the HAIM train since they first came to the attention of the music press with their debut EP (released on a UK indie label) back in 2012, and I see no reason to jump off that train now. Fifteen years ago they couldn’t book a gig in their hometown of Los Angeles (despite the strides made in the 90s, people still scoffed at a “girl band”) and now they play to hundreds of thousands at festivals — thanks, in part, to their early UK supporters.
I quit is the band’s most “adult” album, and that’s not a pejorative. They’re growing up, they’re looking back, they’ve had ups and downs, and it all goes into the record.
(They didn’t need to cement my loyalty, but in a seeming bid to do so, HAIM titled the album in reference to a line from That Thing You Do — one of my favorite scenes from one of my favorite movies.)
The band that caused me to abandon my semi-retirement from writing has released their second album. After a debut inspired by break ups, falling in love provided inspiration for their sophomore effort. Don’t think it’s all lovey-dovey, though; they wrote these songs in an isolated house while watching a steady stream of horror movies.
The 90s influence has featured prominently over the last ten years, but this is the first album I’ve heard that also takes from the 2000s (which, based on the usual 20-year cycle in entertainment, is appropriate). What’s fun about Wet Leg is that they’ll also throw in late 70s post-punk and New Wave, they’re not afraid to play around with vocals, and they’re not afraid of hooks.
If I should ever “retire” again, don’t worry, Wet Leg will probably bring me back.
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