THINGS OF 2025 #2 - IOAN HUMPHREYS The second post diving into the music and cultural things that members of our Joyzine team loved in 2025 comes from editorial team member Ioan Humphreys. Including Voluntary Redundancy, Forever Now Festival, Stewart Lee, Bosch on Prime & Desert Island Discs.

THINGS OF 2025 - ANDREW WOOD & HAYLEY FOSTER DA SILVA This is the first part of our dive into the music and cultural things that members of our Joyzine team loved in 2025 with favourite things from writers Andrew Wood and Hayley Foster da Silva.

"we sway and we jump and we nod our heads and we smile and we laugh and our brains fizz" Editor Paul Maps reviews the "slightly off-kilter, wide-eyed pop psychedelia" glory of Stephen Evens live at the Cavendish Arms, London with support from Hurtling and Windpipe.

THE JOYZINE ADVENT CALENDAR - DAY#24: PETER & ROSIE 2025's advent calendar finishes with a treat from Peter & Rosie with a chance to download their Xmas LP 'Nine Lessons'. The tracks are free but consider making a donation to this year's chosen cause @hopenothate.org.uk

THE JOYZINE ADVENT CALENDAR - DAY#23: LINUS FITNESS CENTRE Nothing says Christmas like darkwave and today we have a track from Linus FC with 'suboptimal', plus a festive Q&A. The tracks are free but consider making a donation to this year's chosen cause @hopenothate.org.uk

THE JOYZINE ADVENT CALENDAR-DAY#22: a.P.A.t.T. & DAVID 'BOZZ' BOSWELL 2 tracks today, 'Just Hello', a bitter-sweet Christmas song from a.P.A.t.T. & 'Walk Her Down' from Bozz about being chased by a UFO. Tracks are free but please make a donation to this year's chosen cause @hopenothate.org.uk

THE JOYZINE ADVENT CALENDAR - DAY#21: SLIME CITY Today we have a cover of Kraftwerk's 'Pocket Calculator' from Glasgow's self-proclaimed nerd rockers Slime City plus a Xmas Q&A with the band. The tracks are free but consider making a donation to this year's chosen cause @hopenothate.org.uk

THE JOYZINE ADVENT CALENDAR-DAY#20: LOUD WOMEN Ft. DEUX FURIEUSES, I, DORIS, SHYGODWIN, HOT WAX, TWAT UNION & RETROPXSSY Today we have six tracks from artists who epitomise what LOUD WOMEN is all about. The tracks are free but please donate if u can to this year's chosen cause @hopenothate.org.uk

"an ‘80s neon disco-inspired’ dancefloor filler" Neil Laurenson reviews Andrew J's new single ‘Follow Me’.

"Banger after banger were delivered without fuss" Kenny McLeish was at Cambridge Junction to enjoy Doves "finding new moments inside classic songs".

THE JOYZINE ADVENT CALENDAR-DAY#19: ELECTRONIQ FT. LEG PUPPY 2.0 Today's download is a collab between Electroniq & Leg Puppy 2.0 & Lucida Records. ‘IdoNOTConsent’ is about stealing personal information & data. The tracks are free but please donate to this year's chosen cause @hopenothate.org.uk

THE JOYZINE ADVENT CALENDAR - DAY#18: THE GYMKHANA & THE PAWNBROKER Two new tracks for you today, Gymkhana's cover of 'Stop the Cavalry' & 'Unanswered', a beautiful hymn-like exclusive from The Pawnbroker. The tracks are free but consider donating to this year's chosen cause @hopenothate.org.uk

THE JOYZINE ADVENT CALENDAR - DAY#17 It's a full sack of festive cheer today from our friends at Crocodile Collective with tracks by Elisabeth Elektra, Margins, JOLT, Charlie Salvidge & New Commercial Product. The tracks are free but please donate to this year's chosen cause @hopenothate.org.uk

THE JOYZINE ADVENT CALENDAR - DAY#16: MJ HIBBETT & CJ THORPE-TRACEY MJ Hibbett & CJ Thorpe-Tracey have teamed up & brought us their version of Xmas No.1 'Mull of Kintyre'. The tracks are free but consider making a donation to this year's chosen cause @hopenothate.org.uk @mjhibbett.bsky.social

"It’s as if you’re wandering through a surreal dream sequence in an Alejandro Jodorowsky film" Atilla Peter reviews 'Laundry Pops' the "melodic, catchy and full of energy" new single from Super Pattern.

"Arnalds sings with the grace and gratitude of a recently freed Rapunzel" Neil Laurenson reviews the "seriousness and gravitas" of Ólöf Arnalds new album 'Spíra' @neillaurenson.bsky.social

THE JOYZINE ADVENT CALENDAR - DAY#15: CHARLEY STONE & KAT FIVE Another double window of music for you today with a version of 'Bleak Midwinter' from Kat Five & ‘I’ve Gotta Know’ from Charley Stone. @katfive.bsky.social Tracks are free but please donate to our chosen cause @hopenothate.org.uk

"music to stretch, stop, and have time fold in on itself" "allows the body to be still while the mind travels" Paul F Cook reviews the new "delicate and unhurried" release from Isobel Waller-Bridge, 'Objects'. @paulfcook.bsky.social

"unresolved chords and beats that sometimes keep the ship from crashing on the rocks and at other times are the rocks" + "the power & clarity of Dälek’s voice" Paul F Cook reviews rapper/producer Dälek's collaboration with drummer Charles Hayward on 'HAYWARDxDÄLEK'. @paulfcook.bsky.social

THE JOYZINE ADVENT CALENDAR - DAY#14: DRIFT. & ANNIE GARDINER A double festive treat for you today with 2 exclusive tracks from cinematic duo DRIFT. and the dreamlike folk of Annie Gardiner. The tracks are free but consider making a donation to this year's chosen cause @hopenothate.org.uk

"the quartet peacefully revel in sounds of indie folk and Americana" Joshua Gutierrez reviews the "blissful energy" of mildred's new EP 'red'.

LIVE REVIEW: CAMERON WINTER, ALBERT HALL, MANCHESTER "The soft piano carried through the blackness as he sung at his most touching of the whole night" Laurie Green was left "out of breath" by the heartfelt and moving show from Cameron Winter at the Albert Hall in Manchester.

THE JOYZINE ADVENT CALENDAR - DAY#13: JOYZINE CHRISTMAS BAND+GIFT BOX+SKINK+ADAM & ELVIS Today we unveil our own seasonal ditty, a cover of The Kinks 'Father Christmas' + tracks from bands featuring Joyzine writers. Tracks are free but consider donating to our chosen cause @hopenothate.org.uk

THE JOYZINE ADVENT CALENDAR - DAY#12: GEMMA ROGERS - MOLLY_1989 Revisit this "sharp-tongued pop-punk delight" from Joyzine regular Gemma Rogers with 'Molly_1989’ + a festive Q&A. The tracks are free but consider making a donation to this year's chosen cause @hopenothate.org.uk

THE JOYZINE ADVENT CALENDAR - DAY#11: ALCOPOP RECORDS: BIS X ART BRUT EXCLUSIVE! Alcopop! records give us a festive supergroup of Art Brut & Bis & ‘Make Your Own Kind of Music’. The tracks is free but please consider donating to our chosen cause @hopenothate.org.uk @ilovealcopop.bsky.social

THE JOYZINE ADVENT CALENDAR - DAY#10: CARYS HAFANA - 'Y DELYN' EXCLUSIVE! It's been a huge year for Cerys Hafana with the album 'Angel' & spellbinding live shows. Today's exclusive track is 'Y Delyn'. Tracks are free but consider donating to this year's chosen cause @hopenothate.org.uk

THE JOYZINE ADVENT CALENDAR - DAY#9: SALT THE SNAIL EXCLUSIVE "Punk and funk vibes" from Salt The Snail who have given us ‘Exister’, an exclusive peek at their forthcoming album. The tracks are free but consider making a donation to this year's chosen cause @hopenothate.org.uk

LIVE REVIEW: LOOSE ARTICLES - SEBRIGHT ARMS, LONDON "fuzzy guitars, driving rhythms and that irresistible raw Manchester edge" Hayley Foster da Silva was at The Sebright Arms to experience the "joyful and rebellious" fun of Loose Articles.

THE JOYZINE ADVENT CALENDAR - DAY#8: CRAIG FORTNAM’S TAKE ON A FESTIVE FAVOURITE North Sea Chamber Orchestra's composer and musician Craig Fortnam has given us his take on a festive classic. The tracks are free but please consider making a donation to this year's cause @hopenothate.org.uk

LIVE REVIEW: PANIC SHACK AT THE ELECTRIC, BRIXTON "manic, glitter-soaked joy" Hayley Foster da Silva was at the Electric in Brixton to witness the "fun, fiery, and unfiltered" live joy of Panic Shack.

"Its themes of madness, obsession and delirious confusion are crafted beautifully by the acting of its leads" Simon Tucker reviews the 4K/Blu Ray reissue of director Andrzej Żuławski’s classic 'Possession' starring Isabelle Adjani & Sam Neil. Out on Second Sight Films. @situcker.bsky.social

THE JOYZINE ADVENT CALENDAR - DAY#7: DEXTRO (EXCLUSIVE) + RUBBER OH Tracks from 2xPIGSx7 members: an exclusive from Ewan Mackenzie, AKA Dextro, & ‘The Well’ from Rubber Oh. Tracks are free but please make a donation to this year's chosen cause @hopenothate.org.uk @dextromusic.bsky.social

LIVE REVIEW: ZACH TEMPLAR + FRAU NIMA - OUTERNET, LONDON A cold night made warm by 2000 fans at London's Outernet as Sami McLeish went to see "moments of genuine closeness" from Zach Templar with support from the "melodic introspection" of Bristol's Frau Nima. Lush photographs by Kenny McLeish.

"two tracks that demonstrate beautiful restraint and a compelling poetic tunefulness" Paul F Cook reviews the "quiet tension" of iiis new double-A single 'Chairs'/'Arms'. @iiisbandoxford.bsky.social @paulfcook.bsky.social

THE JOYZINE ADVENT CALENDAR - DAY#6: THE SCARAMANGA SIX - 'THEMS THE LAWS' The Scaramangas have had a busy 2025 but took time to share the track 'Thems the LAWS' & give us a festive Q&A. The tracks are free but consider making a donation to this year's chosen cause @hopenothate.org.uk

TRACK BY TRACK: BREAKUP HAIRCUT - NO WORRIES IF NOT "melodic bass, spikey guitars & rat-a-tat drumming...seal the deal with lyrics so funny & relatable" Nominee for best band name ever, Breakup Haircut, guide us through the story behind every track on their new album. @breakuphaircut.bsky.social

THE JOYZINE ADVENT CALENDAR - DAY#5: THE OMBUDSMEN - ‘STOP THE CAVALRY’ The Manchester 4-piece are a favourite of Joyzine writer Breige Cobane & we persuaded them to let us have this cover for our readers. The tracks are free but consider donating to this year's chosen cause @hopenothate.org.uk

THE JOYZINE ADVENT CALENDAR - DAY#4: STEPHEN EVENS EXCLUSIVE! With a new album coming in 2026, Joyzine fave Mr Evens has given us a sneak peek with 'Are We Expecting Guests?’ The tracks are free but consider making a donation to this year's chosen cause @hopenothate.org.uk

THE JOYZINE ADVENT CALENDAR - DAY#3: THE HAPPY HOLLOW - HEAD Today, for your advent delectation we have the very new Sheffield band The Happy Hollow with their track 'Head' + our Christmas Q&A. The tracks are free but consider making a donation to this year's chosen cause @hopenothate.org.uk

THE JOYZINE ADVENT CALENDAR - DAY#2: SYD HOWELLS EXCLUSIVE! - ‘HEAVENS TO BETSY’ Neurodiverse musician/vocalist Syd Howells give us a free track and a Q&A for the 2nd day of our advent calendar. All tracks are free but consider making a donation to this year's chosen cause @hopenothate.org.uk

"what is left out is as important as what’s left in" Ioan Humphreys reviews the "lo-fi fuzz" and "minimalist beats" of bobtodd's new EP ‘Dance Chapter 1’

"when someone this fresh manages to genuinely connect with people in the way TTSSFU does, its nothing short of astounding" Photographer/writer Breige Cobane was at the White Hotel to catch the "singular, unique, & talented" TTSSFU. Support from Maximilian Tanner & Lonnie Gunn. @ttssfu.bsky.social

ELECTRONIQ – AN ELECTRONIC SHOWCASE WITH A DIFFERENCE Mr Lawrence reviews the November Electroniq show run by Lucida Records as an audio-visual showcase for cutting edge electronic acts. Featuring RaraBlue, Celyn of Gwent, and Leg Puppy 2.0.

THE JOYZINE ADVENT CALENDAR - DAY#1: PINEY GIR + PARENTHESIS DOT DOT DOT - WINTER FLOWERS Piney Gir kicks off our 22nd year by teaming up with Parenthesis Dot Dot Dot to bring us 'Winter Flowers'. The tracks are free but consider making a donation to this year's chosen cause @hopenothate.org.uk

"It scores 100% on the Carey-o-meter, gets a solid 11 out of 10 for ‘sing-a-long-ability" Paul F Cook reviews the "jingle and tinkle, major to minor" of Gasolina's new double-A release '‘This Time of Year’ & ‘Expensive’. A Christmas cracker on PNKSLM. @pnkslm.bsky.social @paulfcook.bsky.social

"The powerful symbolism of its songwriting and gravity makes this a perfect introduction to Zajac's music" Joshua Gutierrez reviews 'BANG' the "complicated, nuanced and thoughtfully presented" new album from Iona Zajac.

"controlled chaos wrapped around delicate menace" Hayley Foster da Silva reviews the "unfiltered, raw, immediate, and emotionally volatile" self-titled new album from Bristol's No Violet.

"a gorgeous magical‑realist soundtrack" Attila Peter reviews Jerkclub's new album 'Night Fishing on a Calm Lake' an "authentic and intriguing" album born of grief and old Hollywood classics.

"a rebellious streak with Killing Joke guitars and the insouciance of The Cribs" Neil Laurenson reviews 'Body Broker' the new EP release from Australia's post-punk trio Sex Mask. @neillaurenson.bsky.social

"the sweet spot between making your chest feel like it is being held in a vice and making your ears feel like they are going to bleed" Jason McDonald was a Wembley Arena as My Bloody Valentine went from "mono to stereo to nuclear" with support from J Mascis. @jaygigphotos.bsky.social