Words: Josh Parsonage
As we hit April fools day, we also mark the end of 2025’s first quarter– a stretch that has already delivered some incredible music. With a new Sam Fender album, a surprise single from Fontaines D.C., and plenty of new kids on the block, the year is off to a thrilling start. Here are five standout releases you need to hear.
‘Extraordinary Wings’ – Heartworms
Jojo Orme, known as Heartworms, has brought an artful intensity to the modern post-punk revival. The poignant ‘Extraordinary Wings’ echoes the raw emotion of PJ Harvey and the brooding atmosphere of Massive Attack.
The track stands as a definite anti-war statement. Over a hollow beat, Orme chants: “I don’t wish murder, ’cause I got no right’, her haunting refrain echoing like a plea for unity– a call to fight for peace.
‘Extraordinary Wings’ creeping momentum builds to a chilling intensity, creating such a sprawl that replicates and emphasises the horror of war and conflict, instilling a fear in the listener, enticing political will.
It was the final single before Heartworms released her visceral, gothic-tinged debut LP ‘Glutton For Punishment’.
‘Love Of Country’ – The Murder Capital
“Could you blame me for mistaking your love of country for hate of man?” questions The Murder Capital’s James McGovern as he explores the topical themes of nationalism and misguided-patriotism.
‘Love Of Country’ is the centrepiece of the band’s latest album ‘Blindness’, with the six minute ballad playing a muscular role in the LP’s framework.
Stripped back and vulnerable, the song is unashamedly political yet deeply personal. McGovern draws from his own experiences, confronting the complexities of identity and belonging. With stark honesty, he challenges the fine line between patriotism and exclusion, delivering one of the album’s most haunting and thought-provoking moments.
All proceeds from the 7″ vinyl release of ‘Love Of Country’ are being donated to Medical Aid For Palestinians.
‘Calvados’ – Peter Doherty
The Libertines’ songwriting powerhouse Peter Doherty is back with a new album, ‘Felt Better Alive’, and the second single ‘Calvados’ is serene.
The track paints a portrait of a farmer’s life in Normandy, seeking to pay homage to both the local culture as well as the craftsmanship and patience which the Albion man so admires.
The uplifting ‘Calvados’ is a testament to Doherty’s musical maturity, showcasing the depth of his songwriting. Its heartfelt acoustic arrangement beautifully captures the essence of the region he seeks to evoke, drawing listeners into a vivid portrayal of his new home in Normandy.
‘Unforgivable’ – Alexandra Savior
Alexandra Savior is back, weaving a tale of betrayal and self-empowerment with her first track in five years, ‘Unforgivable’.
Following on from 2020’s ‘The Archer,’ Savior’s signature noir-pop sound evolves, blending jazz influences with 1950s-style instrumentation, while her striding vocals command attention.
The song reflects personal struggles with record labels controlling her music and image, likening past mistreatment to a Pompeii-level catastrophe. Yet, ‘Unforgivable’ isn’t about pain– it’s about reclaiming power. “When I stick up for myself, I’ll use the knife that you once held,” Savior declares, with her music being the weapon.
The track’s hypnotic atmosphere mirrors this transformation, shifting from melancholy to defiance, as layered instrumentals build into a triumphant declaration of independence.
With a new record on the horizon, fans eagerly await what’s next.
You can read the full review from Rockstars here.
‘fucked up’ – Macklemore
Known for his 2010s hit ‘Thrift Shop,’ Macklemore has taken an unexpected music turn– one that the Rockstars team welcomes without complaint.
‘fucked up’ is the third instalment in a series of politically charged tracks, focussing on Western complicity in Israel’s brutal occupation of Palestine.
Though arguably the weakest of the trilogy, lacking the lyric prowess of ‘HIND’S HALL’ and emotional intensity of ‘HIND’S HALL 2’, ‘fucked up’ remains a powerful statement. The track is Macklemore’s most enraged yet, with lines like “And Netanyahu loves Trump, he’s like ‘Yup Thanks’” and “colonising Gaza from the White House lawn.”
This time, Macklemore extends his critique beyond imperialism, delving deeper into its intersection with capitalism. The song conveys widespread revulsion at capitalist barbarism, linking the devastation in Palestine to domestic issues such as ICE, internet censorship, and Los Angeles wildfires.
Macklemore has put his reputation on the line to fight for what he believes in, and for that he must be commended. We eagerly await his next political powerhouse tune.
And with that, we look forward to what the rest of 2025 brings us.
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