New Music Round-Up: Mogwai, FKA twigs, Benjamin Booker, Ghais Guevara

There were almost too many exciting new releases this week. Almost.

Do you know the worst thing that can happen when you set a goal of listening to 10+ new albums every week? It’s loving the first record in the pile.

I don’t have unlimited listening time. I must be pragmatic and strict to get through my musical “To Do” list. Immediately satisfying records, the kind you feel compelled to play to death, ruin plans and delay newsletters.

The culprit this week was Mogwai and their eleventh full-length, The Bad Fire. How can any band sound this energised thirty years into a career? It’s mind-boggling. Producer John Congleton has done a great job on this record, not so much reinvigorating Mogwai — they didn’t exactly sound jaded last time out — but just injecting a little extra magic. Highlights come thick and fast but “Fanzine Made Of Flesh” is a particularly satisfying slab of guitar noise.

The next artist needs no introduction. A critically acclaimed, enigmatic solo artist, returning after a long hiatus to deliver a standout record, full of innovation and intrigue.

Yes, of course, I’m talking about Benjamin Booker. Kenny Segal, who made a wonderful record with billy woods in 2023, handles production duties on LOWER, integrating elements of classic boom bap into Booker’s blues-rock sound. This is one of my favourite albums of the year so far. At times I’m reminded of early TV On The Radio, which is always a good thing, but there’s a lot of variation and the whole record flows wonderfully. LOWER is a stellar achievement and my ALBUM OF THE WEEK.

FKA twigs also has a new record. Critics are losing their minds over EUSEXUA but I’m not buying the hype. While I love a portmanteau as much as the next idiot, this doesn’t sound particularly euphoric or sexual to me. It’s flat and underwhelming — FLUNDERWHELM? — and reminded me of The Knife’s seminal 2006 album Silent Shout with all the edges sanded down. North West’s guest feature on “Childlike Things” has ignited a nepo baby debate, but I’m more concerned about the lack of quality control throughout. For every highlight (the glitchy “Drums of Death” is my favourite), there’s a crushing disappointment like the saccharine sub-Disney clunker, Wanderlust. Overall, EUSEXUA is a mixed bag.

So what else was good this week? Well, Ghais Guevara deserves a special mention for dropping the leading Hip Hop record of 2025 in Goyard Ibn Said. The Philly artist’s Fat Possum debut is an abstract, conceptual piece presented in two acts. It’s all impressive, but the second act is where the record truly catches fire. Don’t sleep on this one.

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QUICK TAKES

C DUNCAN - “It's Only A Love Song” (Bella Union)

Scottish singer-songwriter scales up his ambition on this technicolour collection. Warm upbeat fun.

ANNA B SAVAGE - “You & i are Earth” (City Slang)

It's the best folk record of the year. We're only in January though.

TAFFY - “Lull” (Club AC30)

A pleasantly ethereal record from the Japanese indie pop veterans, as shoegaze guitars meet twee sensibilities. Thanks to Gabbie for the tip!

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I also listened to Goblyn’s Stray (disappointing), Sam Amidon’s Salt River (as you’d expect), Matt Berry’s Heard Noises (very good), and Tunng’s Love You All Over Again (very Tunng). Sadly, I’m all out of coherent thoughts after such a packed week. Until next time…