Clean Sheets 2025 End of Year Top Ten

Crikey, has another year gone by? It hardly seems five minutes since we were welcoming in 2025. Personally I've not been keeping count but I'm assuming it's been near 150 if not more reviews which have been published on this very site. I must also not forget to extend my thanks and appreciation to my Ghost Cult friend and colleague Wil Cifer for his contributions too.

As ever it's always tricky devising a top ten, especially when you are faced with some truly excellent releases. So for anyone feeling put out that you've not been included, its nothing personal, your contribution to the underground music scene, as a genuine alternative to the world of horrific autotuned R'n'B Pop trash and bland Indie is appreciated. So with that out of the way, let's see what DID make it...

10. 3 Electro Knights - United / Berlin

Featuring members of underrated Leeds outfit Bushpilot (who i've covered for The Sleeping Shaman), 3 Electro Knights sees tasty Synth-Pop, Ambient, Post-Punk and Industrial flavours being embraced on this tribute to Throbbing Gristle and Berlin respectively.

9. Conan Neutron & the Secret Friends - The Way Of The Neutron

In addition to his wonderous youtube interviews (which I reccommend checking out), Conan is also a musician with several releases to his name. His latest, 'The Way of the Neutron' sees an explosion of Noise-Rock, Hard Rock and hooky New-Wave for our aural pleasure.

8. tenebrous LIAR – Hell Never Called

How does a combination of swampy Grunge, Punk-Blues and Post-Punk grab you?, it certainly does me. A legend in the world of photography, Steve Gullick's talents also extend to the world of music with what is a fantastic record and possibly his best to date.

7. Amusement - First 3 EPs Collection

If you like the melodic Hardcore stylings of Pegboy, Naked Raygun, Husker Du etc then you'll quite possibly fall for Portland's Amusement. As the name implies this their first 3 EP's handily bundled together, I'm looking forward to the debut full-length.

6. Light of Eternity – Collateral

Big Paul Ferguson hadn't missed a beat since the premature demise of Killing Joke, so that if you dig that band's heavier output then this'll be the record for you. Collecting the band's three releases to date this is a must have for both 'Joke and industrial/Post-Punk fans.

5. Ravens - Live at South Orange Elks

This isn't the first time Zach Kurland has dabbled in Hard Rock since the demise of his 90's Post-Hardcore outfit Sweet Diesel (see Green Dragon) but never has he performed with as much swagger and cool as he has with Ravens and as is wonderfully captured here.

4. Dog Lips – Danger Forward

Thanks again to Dan from Discipline PR for drawing my attention to yet more quality music, this time in the shape of Dog Lips. Raucous Garage, Punk and Post-Punk are the orders of the day on 'Danger Forward', intoxicating and exhilarating sounds in spades aplenty.

3. The Royal Arctic Institute - The Royal Arctic Institute

Post-Rock isn't my usual go-to musically speaking, but when its performed as well as this I can always make an exception. I was a fan of Lyle Hysen anyway from his work in The Misguided/Das Damen, its pleasing that he continues to delight all these years later.

2. Tojo Yamamoto - Turning Face!

Everyone's favourite wrestling inspired crew, Lexington, Kentucky's Tojo Yamamoto bring us another fun yet bruising collection of Post-Hardcore/Noise-Rock. The Jazz inspired coverart and title make it all the more appealing on yet another unsurprisingly exceptional release.

1. Unstable Shapes – Delicate Machinery

From the moment I heard it I knew what record would be making it to my number 1 spot this year. Unstable Shapes' Delicate Machinery was such an accomplished album it was hard to believe it was only their debut. Remarkable 90's inspired Post-Hardcore goodness.

Honourable mentions

In Lieu - Hooligan

Peter Culshaw - Surrender to Love

Denude - A Murmuration of Capitalist Bees

Dragged Up – Blake's Tape / Clachan Dubh

Hexecutioner - Tornit