Barananu’s debut album, Funghi, out now

30 December 2025

As we reach the tail end of 2025, we’re uncovering some hidden gems from earlier in the year that have slipped under our radar, and Funghi, the debut album from Porto’s Barananu, is one of them. Released through Jazzego Records in March, Funghi hit us like a breath of fresh air, with its infectious grooves and adventurous mix of jazz, disco, and progressive rock, blended in a way that is spontaneous and free-spirited as childhood play itself. Funghi is not bound by genre, but rather, it explores a variety of influences, from the hypnotic and atmospheric elements reminiscent of Boards of Canada and the improvisational spirit of BadBadNotGood to the adventurous edge of Kamasi Washington and the lush and experimental textures of Stereolab, blending cosmic synths with laid-back grooves. Comprising some of Porto’s most talented musicians – Eduardo Carneiro Dias (drums), Xavier Nunes (bass), João Pedro Dias (trumpet), Fábio Gil (saxophone), José Pedrosa (keyboards), and Fábio Mota (percussion) -, Barananu have crafted one of the most fun, daring and groove-heavy records we’ve heard all year. In the works for four years, including a period of intense collaboration during the pandemic, Funghi is the result of their creative experimentation, as the band explains:

“This album is the natural result of four years of musical growth, including the unique challenges that the pandemic brought us. During pre-production, we intensified our collaborative approach with almost daily rehearsals, where each member actively contributed to the composition, resulting in more sophisticated arrangements and a truly shared artistic vision.”

A ride from start to finish, Funghi is an album full of surprises, joy, and boundless creativity, exactly what we need as we close out 2025. For a taste of what’s on offer, take a listen to two exhilarating tracks from the album, ‘Tiny Steps’ and ‘Ode Metro’.


Pullman share second single, ‘Kabul’, off upcoming new album III

12 December 2025

With Pullman’s long-awaited III just around the corner, and following the dazzling and dreamy ‘Weightless’, the storied Chicago-based acoustic supergroup have unveiled a beauty of a second single. Titled ‘Kabul’, the track builds on their unique blend of ambient folk and post-rock with even more intricate layers of instrumentation and gently hypnotic rhythms. As the band’s Chris Brokaw describes, the song’s creation process is a blend of influences and collaboration:

“Kabul. Dig deep. Banjo nod to the East. Throw it in the mail and into Bundy‘s blender. Back to the boys and out into the ether. Boiling weeds for soup ain’t no way to live.”

There is a sense of playful experimentation in ‘Kabul’, aligned with the spirit of the album itself, one that was shaped by friendship and endurance. After more than two decades, the band’s bond has been tested and strengthened over time, especially after drummer Tim Barnes was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s in 2021. The album, and as the press release describes, “carries forward the group’s signature intimacy and space while embodying the spirit of community that has always defined their work.”

III is one of the most anticipated releases of 2026 and we can’t wait for it to drop on January 9th through Western Vinyl. Now check out the accompanying video for ‘Kabul’.

Essvus’ debut album, What Ails You, out now

10 December 2025

Last Friday saw the release of What Ails You, the debut album from composer and producer Essvus (aka Gen Morigami). A gripping and noise-driven album blending IDM, ambient, and drone influences, What Ails You is an emotional rollercoaster, reflecting Essvus’ struggles with mental health, family trauma, isolation, and personal healing. Drawing from both his personal struggles and his creative growth, Essvus creates a soundscape that is both haunting and cathartic. “When I started working on this music, I was in the midst of a severe, self-destructive depression that had already lasted for years,” he says. “I hadn’t come to terms with the fact that my father was a cult leader until 2020… Only then did I realize I had endured decades of narcissistic abuse and psychological torment.”

Essvus’ complex production combines layered electronics, field recordings, and manipulated voice clips, channeling a variety of influences from UK techno and the LA beat scene to the experimental traditions of Nyege Nyege and Groupe de Recherches Musicales. The result is an intricate mix of bliss and beauty but also gloom and tension, as Essvus explains:

“This music isn’t just about simple contrasts or a straightforward path. It’s a cross-section of my life, in all its confounding ways.”

The album’s lead single, ‘Never Here’, epitomizes this blend of darkness and light, with hypnotic rhythms driving the eerie phrase “I wish I was never here.” The track, and the album as a whole, encapsulates Essvus’ journey through personal torment and, ultimately, healing. ‘Never Here’ is offered with an accompanying video and you can watch it below.

What Ails You is out now on New Amsterdam Records and is one of two debut albums by alumni of the New Amsterdam Genre-Fluid Composer’s Lab.

Mammal Hands join ACT; release brand new single ‘Alia’s Abandon’

05 December 2025

Mammal Hands have just dropped ‘Alia’s Abandon’, their first new music since 2023 and the first taste from their forthcoming album Circadia, set for release on February 27th. This marks a fresh direction for the band, with brothers Jordan and Nick Smart now joined by drummer Rob Turner (formerly of GoGo Penguin), who brings a new pulse to the trio’s evolving approach. It’s also their debut release with the legendary German label ACT. Speaking about it, they commented:

“We’re incredibly excited to join ACT for the release of ‘Circadia’. This album is about change, about the cycles of endings and new beginnings, and it feels like a perfect match — a moment where our own evolution as a band meets a label that has, for decades, put art and music at the heart of everything it does. ACT has released some of the most creative and influential instrumental music in the world, supporting artists who push boundaries, blending genres in ways that are both deeply emotional and genuinely original. Joining this lineage feels like stepping into the next level of our journey. The team is phenomenal, the ethos inspiring, and we’re excited to see how our music will grow in a new home that truly cherishes art and music”

Formed in Norwich in 2012, Mammal hands are known for their thrilling fusion of jazz, contemporary classical, electronica, folk and minimalism. With ‘Alia’s Abandon’, the trio are offering a first glimpse of what’s to come, blending their signature cinematic style with a more rhythmically-driven energy. Listen to the single below.

Los Sara Fontán announce second album Consuelo

04 December 2025

Photo: Tamara de la Fuente

Barcelona duo Los Sara Fontán have become one of the most compelling forces in Spain’s experimental underground. Operating with a true DIY spirit, violinist Sara Fontán and drummer/electronic shapeshifter Edi Pou (of ZA!) have spent years collaborating widely, nurturing community spaces, and insisting that music can live outside the usual industry grind. Following years of touring and experimenting, the duo are preparing to release their second album, Consuelo, on February 20th through Aloud Music and Gandula. Bringing together Sara’s blistering contemporary-classical violin with Edi’s polyrhythmic electronics, the upcoming Consuelo is also shaped by their surroundings, and snippets of birdsong, a neighbour’s brush cutter, and even a cuckoo clock can be heard throughout it. With their new record, Los Sara Fontán are trying to imagine a different ecosystem, rooted in small collectives, shared resources, and artistic freedom. The title Consuelo, which means comfort or solace, reflects the world they see outside their studio window, as they try to hold onto care and creative independence. They comment:

“A world that is entering a little dark age where authoritarianism is spreading, large technology corporations and their pursuit of profit at all costs mediate every relationship, neocolonialism is rampant in Gaza and other territories, access to a decent life is becoming more difficult while the richest have never been so rich, and addressing the climate crisis is postponed due to short-term interests”.

The pair have also shared their thoughts on how artists are treated in today’s industry, saying:

“It is a shame that almost all cultural work today has to be mediated by four multinational corporations led by billionaires with far-right ideologies in order to distribute and promote what we do, without much alternative, forcing us to compete with each other for attention and treating us totally unfairly. But the last straw is that this money; ours, the musicians’ and the listeners’—is used to finance AI weapons, as Spotify does. It is urgent to find ways to distribute and promote music that are not subject to these powers. The technological tools to do so exist”.

The pair have now shared the second single from the album, ‘Elektra’, a spiralling and off-kilter drum’n’bass track. Inspired by the Richard Strauss opera, it was first used in a dance piece about death scenes in classical music. The character of Elektra, who dances until she dies, became a symbol of today. “We like to think that she represents that sickly energy that is so characteristic of our times”. They had previously unleashed the album’s debut single, ‘Creer Fuerte’. Both singles are offered with video accompaniments and you can watch them below.


In other related good news, Los Sara Fontán have announced a run of live dates in the Iberian Peninsula, kicking off in Mallorca this Saturday, December 6th, and continuing through cities such as Barcelona, Gijón, Santiago, Madrid, and Porto.