New Music Round-Up: The Weather Station, Prism Shores, Delivery
January is getting good. It’s a strong week.
After a traditionally quiet start, the third release week of 2025 has truly delivered the goods. No further preamble is required — let’s explore some excellent new releases!
THE WEATHER STATION - “Humanhood” (Fat Possum)
When you try to listen to everything of note, the risk of jumping to silly conclusions is very real. I messaged a friend on Friday evening expressing confusion over the ecstatic critical response to The Weather Station’s Humanhood. My first impression was of Dawson’s Creek background music. Or Dido. I didn’t hear the remarkable record others were gushing about. And then I slipped on a set of headphones and got served a slice of humble pie, as my lazy first impressions faded and Tamara Lindeman’s potent lyrics and Humanhood’s subtle rhythmic complexities took hold. This is a delightful slow-burner of an album.
DELIVERY - “Force Majeure” (Heavenly)
Melbourne has produced some fantastic bands over the last decade, many of whom have been associated with the city’s brilliantly named “dolewave” scene (think Dick Diver, Twerps, Scott & Charlene’s Wedding). Garage punk band Delivery share some similarities with the dolewave crowd, but their musical and thematic horizons are certainly much broader. Force Majeure is an impressive step forward for them, a captivating blend of raucous punk bangers and mid-tempo indie rock jams, reminiscent of Stephen Malkmus’ early solo work with The Jicks. In any other week, it would be a strong Album Of The Week, but — well, we’ll get on to that.
ALBUM OF THE WEEK
PRISM SHORES - “Out From Underneath” (Meritorio)
I already flagged Prism Shores’ Out From Underneath as a record to watch out for and I’m thrilled to confirm it is everything I hoped for — and then some. There’s a little bit of everything I love about 80s and 90s (largely British) indie music here. The jangly sound of C86 — and especially The Wedding Present — is the big influence, but twee indie pop, shoegaze and dream-pop are all in the mix. While I can hear shades of Sarah Records bands like The Sea Urchins, 4AD legends Pale Saints, and Bandswagonesque-era Teenage Fanclub, Out From Underneath is cohesive, fresh, and very much more than the sum of its myriad influences. Prism Shores’ songwriting is consistently strong and the album ebbs and flows beautifully. “Southpaw” is perhaps the first track to grab your attention, but the fuzzy “Tourniquet” is another clear standout. Madrid label Meritorio released a few of my favourite records of 2024 (Best Bets, Jim Nothing, Laughing), and with Out From Underneath I think it’s safe to say they’ve struck gold again.
QUICK TAKES:
EX-VÖID - “In Love Again” (Tapete)
Former Joanna Gruesome members Lan McArdle and Owen Williams (also of The Tubs) are back with another Ex-Vöid album, which proves their chemistry is still intact. In Love Again explores an astounding range of styles very effectively, even shoehorning in a Lucinda Williams cover (“Lonely Girls”) for good effect.
MELTER - “Holding Court” (Delicious Clam)
Yes, it’s an EP, and a very short one at that, but Holding Court is an absolute blast. Melter have served up four perfectly messy songs, all under two minutes in duration, that get straight to the point. Delicious Clam have been doing great things in Sheffield for over a decade and this wonderful little EP is another feather in their cap.
DELIVERY is in the queue. The new PARCHMAN PRISON PRAYER album = ☆☆☆☆☆
Great list! thanks for the great words about PRISM SHORES "Out from underneath"!