I'm so behind on listening to music I've set aside from last year, but I finally got on to Constant Smiles' Moonflowers album. Well worth the wait, but also annoyed I didn't play it when it came out in November: constantsmiles.bandcamp.com/album/moonfl...

One of my favourite @needlemythology.bsky.social releases. Currently on sale, btw, via @burningshed.com - alongside many other NM releases.

Nicely done: wantmymtv.vercel.app/player.html

Today I'm listening to Andy's always excellent playlist. There are Apple Music and Tidal links in the thread if, like me, you've moved off Sp*tify.

Been listening to a lot of Emma Tricca, Alice Coltrane, The Lilac Time, and cistern this week. Emma, because I’m seeing her live on the weekend. Alice because, well, who needs a reason? TLT because I remembered the two LPs I hadn’t played from last year. And cistern because I got fixated by them.

When 2025 was really great it was because of many of you. And when it was shit it mattered less because of many of you. So thank you. See you in 2026.

Happy new year. (It will be if you grab one of these)

Got a lunar calendar from @constantfollower.bsky.social and it’s a beaut!

Madness! You’d be even madder to pass this up: mintandsealed.com/products/gol...

Morning! Woke up with this message of dystopia in my head: youtu.be/izQB2-Kmiic

My advice, should you need it: put some music on. Repeat this advice until you run out of music. Then go find some more. Also works with books and reading. Or art and looking/experiencing.

Thanks to @graemealdy.bsky.social I learned about an album that has never been released, let alone on vinyl. After a few months of trying, it sadly came to nothing. Gutted. But I did get to hear it thanks to... well, here's the story: unspunheroes.com/2025/12/29/d...

American friends! I thought you should know that Adam from @goldenshoulders.bsky.social has a v. small number of signed editions of his album, Friendship Is Deep, on vinyl that he will ship to you for a fee lower than the fee I can ship. Treat yourself: goldenshoulders.bandcamp.com/album/friend...

Finally got around to properly listening to the entire Yalla Miku album, 2, rather than isolated tracks here and there. Should have done that earlier as it's brilliant: yallamiku.bandcamp.com/album/2

When I decide to put an album out I spend hours listening to it on streaming. More hours listening to test pressings. And probably weeks enjoying the final artefact. I can’t wait to have this song on vinyl next year. That halfway point is divine: danarborise.bandcamp.com/track/cries

Just a heads up for all the Sarah Records fans, @logofiasco.bsky.social is putting some of their releases online and in their physical shop in Carshalton this coming week. Here’s a little blog post from their site: www.logofiasco.com/their-secret...

I have a mysterious parcel coming on Monday. Had less postage than required on it, apparently, so I’ve paid the fee. What could it be?!

Postman has been at last! I am listening to Loved by Cranes after finally finding a copy on vinyl that wasn’t stupidly priced.

#fallfriday youtu.be/mTKCKBu8CLI

The evidence in this great thread surely means there must also be one of bands you wish *hadn’t* made a Christmas album.

Wow! Wonderful to see an Unspun Heroes release being gifted. And it’s an absolute ‘cracker’. Enjoy (and also enjoy the extra digital tracks hidden within the little bag).

Lovely to see The Felt Tips reissue make the list at No.3. In great company too.

Oh, every brand is doing ‘It’s not too late to send an eGift’ email day again this year.

Got the CD version of the next Unspun Heroes release for visual reference. Here’s a sneak peek. Anyone recognise it?

This sounds a little out of time - decades wise, that is, not the drumbeat - in a good way. Anyway, going to have some more proper listens through. nightflightofficial.bandcamp.com/album/exit-s...

Morning! How’s your day? Me? Always fun to have to go to London a few days before Christmas, so that’s where I’m headed. Hospital pharmacy, although not sure if that’s better or worse than Oxford Street.

+1 for the Lavinia Blackwall album.

Change of pace on the listening now. Love this album and while this is a 2021 reissue it’s beautifully presented. Grabbed this from @lookingforthemagic.bsky.social yesterday, where I also bumped into @andrewmale.bsky.social who was as awesome IRL as he is on here.

Opened it up. Damaged sleeves. Bit gutted. A pressing plant/factory issue for sure. Sigh.

My postman is ace. Today he is extra ace for bringing me this.

In honour of my kid coming home from uni, here's my #fallfriday entry: www.youtube.com/watch?v=sT48...

I love Scottish music. Over the decades it’s brought me a lot of joy. Still does. The homogenisation of radio to pander to some weird media idea of who an average listener is in 2025 means losing access to younger bands and those at the fringes. The BBC should support grassroots music everywhere.

Fab news. Would have been even more fab if the BBC had included a link to the Bandcamp page. It’s here: lancastermusiccoop.bandcamp.com/album/co-opi...

Hey London #musicsky! I've just had a random message from musician Jacob Augustine about booking a London gig in February next year. Short notice, I know, but perhaps he would suit your bill, or as support for your band? Here's a link for ref: jacobaugustine.bandcamp.com

Still a lot of work to do, but I think that there will be an Unspun Heroes release in 2026. I think the sums can be made to add up. Watch this space, as the saying goes.

This year has been tough, but I reissued three albums to bring my total to five. While it may not sound like a lot, that's me on my own, all self-funded. Huge thanks to the bands/artists who let me bring their albums to vinyl. A huger thanks to anyone who bought an LP or took time to review it.

One of the records I picked up yesterday. Indie/post punk from Iceland. Released in 2017. Never seen it on vinyl before. Worth the £8 I paid.

I’ve adored all the issues of this, but in the third instalment Jonathan has surpassed himself. It’s like a sad lamp in that it brings light to these dark December days. Also, it contains a review of The Felt Tips’ debut which came out on vinyl in October. (Copies available!)

Picked up some records I didn’t need to buy but couldn’t resist for the price. Passed up a lot of records, too. I ran out of space a long time ago.

Lists of the year's best music are fun, but they're too safe! My list shows you 10 random picks from a pool of 605 (with streaming links). I think they're all good, but you probably won't see the best ones. Is that still worth your time? Can you afford to take the chance without the best assurances?

Rubbish snowman

Supported an indie artist today. (Two if you include selling a record to a member of the band who played on said record.) Thanks as ever to @mr-bingo.bsky.social (better to follow him on Insta, tbf) for being welcoming, funny and making sweary art. So much better than buying off Am*zon.

Sadly, none of the albums I reissued in 2025 made any Best Of lists. So I’ve made my own list: The Best Three Albums Reissued by Unspun Heroes in 2025 - Drink Ring Jesus by Stephen Simmons, The Tracksuit Trilogy by The Experimental Pop Band, and Living And Growing by The Felt Tips. You’re welcome.

Genuinely thought it was Nick Cave.

I have to go into London later today.

One track caught my attention. The artwork drew me in. I stayed for the chilled vibes. petsnyc.bandcamp.com/album/spiral...

Late to #fallfriday but the title of this one sums up the reason why! youtu.be/VPLIb_r8l-4?...

Been waiting on these all week! Finally came. They are very shiny. When I started this label I decided that represses wouldn’t happen. So all stampers are recycled. But I wanted to buy myself something for the archive. So I did.

I reckon I've got four choices to consider over the Christmas break: 1. Reduce the quality of my product and sell for less 2. Sign bands and become a proper label 3. Use a different business model 4. Quit I'm sure there are nuances to all of those options. Fifth option is just keep going as is.

Mrs. Unspun booked Teenage Cancer Trust tickets for Garbage. Gonna buy a beachball.