Ranking Everything I Heard: May 2025

New members to the 10/10 club and some LPs getting pushed back by the bouncers...

As I mentioned in last month’s review round-up, I’ve started jotting down my music thoughts in a cute wee Leuchtturm notebook.

More interestingly, I’ve also decided to do a wee doddle for each album, so—as both a wee game and a teaser—here are four of my favourites:

In case this is your first taste of this series, here’s the concept: I’ll be reviewing all 20 projects I listened to this past month. The catch? I’ll only be allowed 35 words and a snappy wee score to get my thoughts across!

As always, to keep you in the right, here’s my pathetically patriotic rating scale:

• 10/10 - YASSSSS (Perfect, impactful)

• 9/10 - F***ing Spot On (Fantastic)

• 8/10 - Braw (Great)

• 7/10 - Quite gid

• 6/10 - No bad aw aw (Sorta good)

• 5/10 - Awright (Fine. It’s fineeeee)

• 4/10 - Wee bit minging (Lil stinky)

• 3/10 - Awfa' minging (Really stinky)

• 2/10 - Bowfing (Unbearable)

• 1/10 - URGHHHHH

So, without further ado, let’s dig into another month of listening! Starting with…

20) Sleep Token - Even in Arcadia [2025]

Do I think this is as unsalvageable as other critics? I mean, it does pick up towards the end…a bit. Still, if this came on Kerrang TV or Scuzz (R.I.P.), I'd scramble to change the channel.

Best Song: Damocles

4/10

19) Skrillex - F*ck U Skrillex You Think Ur Andy Warhol But Ur Not!! <3 [2025]

Unsurprisingly for a 34-track album with hit-or-miss humour, this one did become a bit one-note. Still, the DJ set approach and some cool features did result in a fun-ish listen!

Best Song: REDLINE DASH

5/10

18) Aries - Believe in Me, Who Believes in You [2021]

Some songs on here could do with an extra scoop or two to give 'em some staying power, but for the most part, Aries stands out from his alt-rap contemporaries. Some voice on him btw...

Best Song: BOUNTY HUNTER

7/10

17) PinkPantheress - Fancy That [2025]

Even though they're going for different vibes, Fancy That is similar to PinkPantheress' debut mixtape in that it's a fun listen, has cool production and doesn't last nearly as long as I'd like it to.

Best Song: Stateside

7/10

16) Sam Gellaitry - IV [2021]

Running with the assumption—ba-dum-tsh—that this was Sam Gellaitry's first proper attempt at singing throughout a whole project a la Calvin Harris: I likey! Need a full chunky mixtape or LP of this pronto...

Best Song: Assumptions

8/10

15) Hannah Diamond - Reflections [2019]

Had a blast returning to this twinkly, precious soundscape ~5 years later. When it comes to closing a song out, Hannah Diamond's proficiency is second to none.

Best Song: Fade Away

8/10

14) brakence - hypochondriac [2022]

There are many labels you could apply—hyperpop, emo rap, digicore, to name a few—but brakence's blend is so unique it's hard to pin/put down. Near radio silence since release: I hope he's ok...

Best Song: argyle

8/10

13) Doss - 4 New Hit Songs [2021]

Will always sing this EP's praises to anyone who will listen. People are going about their lives having never heard the audio ascension that is Strawberry: if you're one of them, change it NOW!

Best Song: Strawberry

8/10

12) D'Angelo - Voodoo [2000]

Listening to this in public is a gamble: so gorgeous, but I'd be on edge that someone could hear these sultry tunes. On that note, easily one of the most sensual records I've ever heard.

Best Song: Untitled (How Does It Feel)

8/10

11) Deafheaven - Lonely People With Power [2025]

In news that will surprise no one, the new Deafheaven absolutely rips with super satisfying performances all over the joint. That being said, the lyrics packed way more of a punch than I anticipated.

Best Song: Heathen

8/10

10) Backxwash - God Has Nothing to Do With This Leave Him Out of It [2020]

Those in the know appreciate it, but I'd still label this as extremely underrated. Such a dark, immersive sonic palette and lyrically so gripping. That Black Sabbath sample still goes so hard!

Best Song: Spells

8/10

9) Fall Out Boy - Folie à deux [2008]

I'm still an Infinity On High truther, but I've come to terms with this being a worthy runner-up: sorry FUTCT. If this were their farewell LP, then they'd have the best pop-punk discog...ever, probably.

Best Song: What A Catch, Donnie

8/10

8) McKinley Dixon - Beloved! Paradise! Jazz!? [2023]

Adore the soulful, sunshiney production that lasts as long as good weather in Scotland: at 28 mins long, probably a wee bit longer. Great heart to this project, especially re: community.

Best Song: Live! From the Kitchen Table

8/10

7) Burial - Kindred EP [2012]

The kind of EP that would perfectly soundtrack a late Summer night's wander around town in the wee hours. Burial's ability to make innocuous sounds, like a glass clinking, gripping is just sheer wizardry.

Best Song: Ashtray Wasp

8/10

6) Clams Casino - Instrumental Relics [2020]

Preem late-night car-ride vibes here! This is a go-to lock-in listen of mine, hugely helped by the fact that it opens with one of the greatest cloud rap tunes of all time.

Best Song: I’m God

8/10

5) The Strokes - Angles [2011]

It's time for some difficult conversations: Angles is a Top 4 Strokes album, and it's not #4. Even the non-anthemic tracks—I'm thinking Call Me Back—are still amongst the band's most impactful.

Best Song: Under Cover of Darkness

9/10

4) Carly Rae Jepsen - EMOTION Side B [2016]

Still boggles my mind that this collection of tunes—some of the best pop songs of the 21st century—are BONUSES?! On the topic of Store: yeah, it's a meme, but it's fun!

Best Song: Body Language

9/10

3) Aphex Twin - Syro [2014]

Such a warm album: like returning to a loving family home designed by M.C. Escher. Given a bit more time, this could end up becoming my favourite Aphex Twin LP.

Best Song: Minipops 67 (Source Field Mix)

9/10

2) Burial - Untrue [2007]

And here we have the newest member to the Liam-core 10/10 club: about damn time! Hauntingly beautiful, if any album more perfectly encapsulates 2 am mood music, then I'm yet to hear it.

Best Song: Archangel

10/10

1) Death Grips - Bottomless Pit [2016]

And another new member to that 10/10 club! Always loved it, but my latest listen clicked in a whole new way: like discovering a sixth sense. Harsh yet earwormy and delightfully unhinged.

Best Song: Spikes

10/10

And there we have it: my May ranking!

If you’ve liked what you’ve read, then I’d appreciate it if you subscribed - you can do it for free btw - and let me know what you make of my takes in the comments!

See you in a bit x