As blissful as the cover, as wondrous as the swathes of music Simon Reynolds goes into detail on, Still In A Dream is every bit as essential reading as Rip It Up And Start Again. I have literally dozens of recommendations to go through over the coming months; this is a glorious celebration of music

#AllThatJazz Here's the best new-to-me jazz that I've discovered so far this year. An absolute treasure trove of classics mixed in with some great modern stuff too. #MusicSky

New Dawn Fades starts in reverse, and then never stops. The closer to side one of Unknown Pleasures, it's impossible to imagine any song that could follow straight on. The break needed to turn the record over is essential... #MusicSky

New Dawn Fades (2007 Remaster)

YouTube video by Joy Division - Topic

youtu.be

#WednesdayWaits Martha might just be one of Tom Waits' crowning achievements. For all he would go on to achieve, Closing Time's side one closer is one of the most real and emotional songs you're ever likely to hear... #MusicSky

Tom Waits - Martha (album version)

YouTube video by Shumway31

youtu.be

We were in Bruntsfield for a couple of nights in November 2024 and never have I wanted to move my entire life so much. Stuff like this just emphasizes why ❤️

Graeme Thomson@graemethomson.bsky.social · 2d ago

If you live in Edinburgh, or are here during festival season, I recommend a visit to Pianodrome in Bruntsfield: an intimate amphitheatre made entirely from upcycled pianos, it's a truly ingenious, atmospheric & engaging space. There’s a full events programme in August – many free. www.pianodrome.org

There's a lot of talk again about George Harrison's songwriting credentials within and without The Beatles by people much more qualified than me to say so either way. All I know is that one of my absolute favourite Beatles tracks is a Harrison-penned masterpiece. #MusicSky

Within You Without You (Remastered 2009)

YouTube video by The Beatles - Topic

youtu.be

Fear Of Music was released #OnThisDay in 1979. Talking Heads' third album, an undisputed masterpiece, incorporates Afrobeat, disco rhythms, and claustrophobic soundscapes amidst a dystopian backdrop. From I Zimbra to Drugs, and plenty in between, this is a smorgasbord of epic art rock. #MusicSky

It was my alphabetised record collection that led me to finally listen to Yo La Tengo. Everyday was the first song I heard, and it was love at very first listen 👇 #MusicSky

The First Time Ever I Heard Yo La Tengo

Everyday was my first Yo La Tengo song. They might have slightly better ones, but none quite like this mysterious, Low-ish opener.

open.substack.com

For a very specific time in my life, limitation bred freedom. A 10 minute commute, a crappy Punto, a decent sound system, and a handful of Gorillaz CDs were all I needed to be happy. #MusicSky

For The Record: Plastic Beach

In between my iPod and Spotify, it was just me, my Punto, and some great CDs. Limitation bred freedom...

open.substack.com

And here was me thinking I'd slowed down on new-to-me albums this year. Here's the best of the best from before 2026 in 2026, and plenty of jazz albums I'll probably stick on another post. #MusicSky

It's so hot I was stuck between picking an album that can help send me to sleep... Or one that will exhilarate me through the dark, waking hours. Instead, I'm opting for one that can do both, and plenty else besides. #MusicSky

The @3313books.bsky.social series are extensive love letters to albums. Each one of these editions is a work of passion, and all deserve to be celebrated. Earlier this year, I looked at six of my favourites 👇

Six of the Best: 33 1/3 Books

The 33 1/3 series is a treasure trove of extensive love letters and fountains of knowledge on classic albums. Here are six of the best.

open.substack.com

It's probably not quite dark enough to ideally pop these records on, but Frank Sinatra and Miles Davis are calling out to the turntable to be played. When music is this fine, any time of day (or night) will do. #MusicSky

Last 7 Days + music before and after London. Hope everyone else has had a good week! #MusicSky

Another day in London ✅✅

Top10Nathan@top10nathan.bsky.social · 2w ago

Day 1 in that there London ✅

#ShareAnAlbumCover Day 22 | With a building or architecture on it Wilco | Yankee Hotel Foxtrot A very recent addition to my listening pleasure, but a constant companion over the past few weeks. An iconic cover with music to match.

#DavidsMonthOfMusic Day 22 | With a country in the title John Cale | Half Past France Plenty of choice from Mr Cale on Paris 1919 alone. A Child's Christmas In Wales would have my pick if we weren't deep in the summer, but here we are...

John Cale - Half Past France

YouTube video by SpaceOdyssee0

youtu.be

Day 1 in that there London ✅

#ShareAnAlbumCover Day 21 | That is blue The Blue Nile | Hats There are no ways left for me to describe my love for this album.

#DavidsMonthOfMusic Day 21 | With Life/Live Or Death/Die In The Title Work Money Death | Sometimes It's Death The epic closer to one of the best jazz albums of this year.

Sometimes It's Death

YouTube video by Work Money Death - Topic

youtu.be

#ShareAnAlbumCover Day 20 | With a flower or plant on it Depeche Mode | Exciter I've already seen Violator picked, so I'll stick to my usual fayre and sing the praises of the ironically named, but still wonderful, Exciter.

#DavidsMonthOfMusic Day 20 | A TV theme Angelo Badalamenti | Twin Peaks Theme I'm sure it'll be an overwhelmingly popular pick, but some clichés are clichés with very good reason.

Twin Peaks Theme

YouTube video by Angelo Badalamenti - Topic

youtu.be

Jodrell Bank, Alderley Edge, and £4.40 mint choc chip ice cream that was worth every penny. If Carlsberg did Sunday afternoons...

#ShareAnAlbumCover Day 19 | That shows one or more hands Dälek | From Filthy Tongues of Gods and Griots

#DavidsMonthOfMusic Day 19 | With Earth, Air, Fire Or Water In The Title Talking Heads | Cool Water Naked might not be the greatest Heads album, but it has angry David Byrne right at the end, and that's worth the admission fee alone.

Cool Water

YouTube video by Talking Heads - Topic

youtu.be

Sometimes all you need in life is an empty cinema, a 2am bedtime, and the campest Skeletor to make everything alright. On He-Man & The Masters Of The Universe and life being good again... #MusicSky

Empty Screen and a Full Heart

How He-Man and the Masters Of The Universe in a completely empty cinema helped solidify one of the most welcome weeks of my life...

open.substack.com

#ShareAnAlbumCover Day 18 | With the title in big letters Tom Waits | Big Time Big Time, in every sense.

#DavidsMonthOfMusic Day 18 | By an LGBTQ+ artist Sufjan Stevens | John Wayne Gacy, Jr. No words needed.

John Wayne Gacy, Jr.

YouTube video by Sufjan Stevens - Topic

youtu.be

#NoGoodMusicAnymore Orquesta Akokán | América Tracing, celebrating, and epitomising the celebratory wonder and awe of Cuban music and its journey to the wider world via NYC, this is a must listen. On repeat all day, an absolute contender for Album Of The Year. Essential listening. #MusicSky

#PurplePinkAlbums Day 3 Midlake | A Bridge To Far One of my favourite albums of 2025 with a gorgeous cover to match. youtu.be/W8DJulsl1k8?...