New releases out today: Sharon Van Etten, Biig Piig, Squid, Heartworms, Adrian Crowley & more
Here’s a rundown of new Albums & EPs on DSPs and physical releases in record shops this week.
Nialler9 keeps a rolling list of Irish album releases for 2025.
It’s the first big release week of the year.
Let’s dive in.
Releases Index
New Albums
Sharon Van Etten – Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory
Sharon Van Etten’s new album is a full band project with named players The Attachment Theory, and it features three already-great singles ‘Afterlife’, ‘Trouble’ and ‘Southern’ Life’.
Auteur Van Etten is joined on the record and live by her band this time out named as full collaborators – Jorge Balbi (drums, machines), Devra Hoff (bass, vocals), and Teeny Lieberson (synth, piano, guitar, vocals).
So far, it sounds like the jamming setup has revitalised Van Etten’s songwriting with new synthy shades, with the production (and the artwork) echoing an early 90s alternative rock sensibility.
Sharon Van Etten and The Attachment Theory play Dublin Thursday, 21st August 2025 at National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks.
Squid – Cowards
English art-rock quintet Squid’s third album Cowards is released on WARP Records today, and the pre-release singles have me much more interested that previous records – 2023’s Monolith and 2021’s Bright Green Field.
The press bumpf promises “textures of folk, kosmische, psychedelia, jazz and electronics – hovering at 30,000 feet above distinct tales of human evil: apophenia – tinged songs punched by vantablack comedy.” Yes, I had to Google those two words too.
Clarissa Connelly, Tony Njoku, Pozi’s Rosa Brook from punk group Pozi, Zands Duggan, and The Ruisi Quartet contribute fleshed out instrumentation.
Biig Piig – 11:11
The genuinely long-awaited debut album from the Waterford/Spanish/London artist is here.
We interviewed Biig Piig over five years ago, and it’s been a long path of EPs, singles and collaborations since then. 11:11 arrives after 2023 debut mixtape Bubblegum and single releases for ‘Decimal’, ‘Watch Me’ and album opener ‘4AM’, and short films that are being rolled out along with the record, including the ‘9-5- today as below/
The angel number, 11:11 symbolises enlightenment and awakening, the divine confirmation that you are on the right path. It’s a feeling Biig Piig has arrived at after a long period of constant flux, and also provides the emotional bedrock of her first album: that rare debut which is as much a life-story as it is in thrall to the present moment.
11:11 has been a recurring number throughout my life,” Biig Piig comments, “especially whilst writing this record. Whenever I see it, I take a moment to reflect and dream about the possibilities ahead. This album captures various points in my journey, symbolizing synchronicity—the idea that things happen for a reason, exactly as they should. Through the highs and lows, this process has been exactly what it needed to be. 11:11 represents my reflections over the past two years, and the grounding I’ve found along the way.”
Larry June, 2 Chainz & The Alchemist – Life Is Beautiful
San Francisco rapper Larry June continues his ongoing partnership with producer The Alchemist, this time with the contrasting voice of Atlanta 2Chainz joining them.
The soulful beats are a good common ground for these differential voices.
Heartworms – Glutton for Punishment
London artist Jojo Orme debut record finds Dan Carey at the boards, with post-punk, gothic pop and darkwave styles evident on the new album.
It’s released on Speedy Wunderground.
Ginnels – The Picturesque
Mark Chester returns to his Dublin jangle-pop project, eight years on from his last missive, with the Popical Islander now living life with two kids and a full-time job.
From the opener the early Stone Roses of of ‘The Body Was Gone’ to influences like The Go-Betweens, XTC and REM, The Picturesque draws on the late ’80s guitar sound.
Adrian Crowley – Measure Of Joy
The tenth album from the Irish singer-songwriter’s music has moved into increasingly dynamic circles in recent years. Measure Of Joy is produced by John Parish, and backing vocals on the record come from Nadine Khour.
Extract of the album biography, written by Argentinian writer Mariana Enriquez:
“Adrian Crowley doesn’t know where his songs come from. But he knows how he felt each time one was born: a sense of release. Guided by instinct and catharsis, he did not plan a collection. And yet, the songs feel as if they were always meant to be together. I guess nowadays they call this a mood but, in my day, it was called a vibe. A cosmic vibe, sometimes. Stars in the sky, walking through the woods, the merciless dawns, an existential crush guided by a voice so calm and yet so sad, at the same time soothing and broken. This is album 10… an achievement number and maybe even a career high, but the music doesn’t bother with that. They are just great songs.”
The Ocelots – Everything, When Said Slowly
Wexford twin brothers Ashley and Brandon Watson building on the folk-rock debut with a more expansive sound produced by Cillian and Lorcan Byrne (Ailbhe Reddy, Susan O’Neill). The narrative woven throughout the album explores themes of Irish migration, the perception of time, love, and the simple joys of cycling.
Big Thief – Passional Relations EP
The band have put out new EP to support wildfire relief efforts in California with the majority of proceeds from the five-track EP going towards the Plus1 LA Fires Fund. Further proceeds will support local musicians, artists, and community members.
Our hearts are broken for everyone affected by the fires in California. We’ve put together some of our favorite unreleased songs into an EP called Passional Relations, only available on our webstore, and all proceeds will go toward providing relief for those impacted by the fires in Los Angeles.
Also released today
- Chloe Slater – Love Me Please EP
- Declan O’Rourke – Since Kyabram (20th Anniversary Edition)
- Guided by Voices – Universe Room
- HONESTY – U R HERE
- Inhaler – Open Wide
- Low Roar – House In The Woods
- Nadia Reid – Enter Now Brightness
- NAINA – Survival EP
- Oklou – choke enough
- Skeleten – Mentalized
- The Wood Burning Savages – Hand To Mouth
