A Brief a History of Madness – Ska Innovation
March 30, 2025
Top New Tracks from March 2025
Table of Contents
Explore the best new music of 2025! Featuring standout tracks from Deerhoof, Japanese Breakfast, Snapped Ankles, El Michels Affair, and more.
March 2025 has been packed with fresh releases, offering everything from post-punk energy to cinematic instrumentals. This month’s standout albums and tracks push boundaries while staying true to each artist’s core sound. Below, we break down the most compelling new music, spanning different styles and influences.
Snapped Ankles – "Smart World"
London’s masked collective Snapped Ankles return with Smart World, an album that blends jagged post-punk rhythms with sharp critiques of digital culture. The band leans into pulsing synths and motorik beats, delivering a frantic yet danceable energy.
A highlight, “Drones for Profit”, pairs robotic chants with hypnotic loops, capturing the anxiety of hypercapitalism. It’s a track that feels urgent and infectious.
Snapped Ankles have carved out a distinct space in modern post-punk, and Smart World arguably refines their sound while staying true to their chaotic selves.
Japanese Breakfast – "For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women)"
Michelle Zauner shifts towards something more introspective on For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women). The album explores themes of identity and nostalgia, with lush arrangements supporting her signature storytelling.
“Strawberry Season” stands out for its soft strings and dreamy synths, with Zauner reflecting on fleeting love and the passage of time. The song’s delicate layering and emotional weight make it one of the album’s strongest moments.
Following the success of Jubilee and her memoir Crying in H Mart, this record shows another side of Zauner—perhaps her most personal work yet.
Gnod – "Drop Out III"
Manchester’s Gnod return with Drop Out III, an album that leans heavily into industrial noise and krautrock repetition. The band has long been known for their raw, uncompromising sound, and this latest effort is no exception.
“Static Rebellion” is particularly intense, building tension through grinding feedback and relentless percussion. It’s a track that seems to stretch time, pulling listeners into its overwhelming soundscapes.
Gnod have always thrived on pushing sonic extremes, and Drop Out III is another unpredictable, heavy-hitting chapter in their discography.
Deerhoof – "Immigrant Songs"
Deerhoof continue to defy genre expectations on Immigrant Songs, an album packed with their signature mix of chaos and art.
It’s a record that bounces between punk energy, jazz-inspired rhythms, and bursts of avant-garde noise.
The track “Electric Fields” is a perfect example—erratic, unpredictable, yet somehow deeply catchy. Satomi Matsuzaki’s surreal vocals float over shifting rhythms.
After more than two decades of making music, Deerhoof remain as unpredictable as ever, refusing to settle into a formula.
El Michels Affair – "Kodak" (Big Crown Records)
El Michels Affair continue their deep dive into cinematic soul on Kodak. The album blends warm analog production with instrumental grooves, evoking the feel of a lost soundtrack from the ‘70s.
Released on Big Crown Records, Kodak reinforces the label’s reputation for high-quality, vintage-inspired releases.
Global Sounds: Kit Sebastian, Heimat, and Mr Bongo Records
Kit Sebastian – “Dehliz”: The duo continue their mix of Turkish psychedelia, French chanson, and jazz, offering an album that pulls from multiple influences without feeling forced.
Heimat – “Iti Eta No”: This release leans into atmospheric and experimental territory, blending post-punk minimalism with eerie folk elements.
Mr Bongo Records – Horse Meet Disco: Disco and Boogie from Brazil: A compilation that unearths rare grooves from Brazil’s disco era.
Genre Bending: Black Country, New Road and Ichiko Aoba
Black Country, New Road – “Happy Birthday”: A sprawling that shifting between orchestral arrangements and raw, emotional outbursts. The band continues to evolve, arguably moving into their most ambitious phase yet.
Ichiko Aoba – “Luminescent Creatures”: Aoba’s latest work builds delicate folk melodies into layered, atmospheric compositions. It’s a record that draws you in slowly, rewarding close listening.
Individual Track Highlights
Dana Gavanski – “Again Again” EP
Released on March 14, 2025, through Full Time Hobby, this EP includes tracks like “Business of the Attitude” “Bolted Heart” “Hang in for Us Both” “Leaving Home Again” and “My Oh My”.
Learn more about Dana Gavanski’s newest release.
Insolate – “The Biggest Fan“
Released on March 7, 2025, under Full Disclosure, “The Biggest Fan” is a high-energy techno track built for late-night club sets.
Marathon – “Shadow Raised a Star“
Released on February 28, 2025, through Marathon & V2 Records, this single is accompanied by tracks like “Sunshine After the Rain” and “Shapes Us.”
Unknown Mortal Orchestra – IC-02 Bogotá
Released on Jagjaguwar March 28th 2025 it features Earth 1, Earth 2, Earth 3 & Heaven 7, Underworld 1, Underworld 2 and Unnderworld 3.
For more information on these releases, check out the artists’ official websites and social media channels.
For those eager to discover the latest tracks and stay ahead of the curve, head over to Halftone Magazine’s New Releases section.
You’ll find the top tracks from March 2025 and much more. Check out the latest tracks now!
Below we have featured some recent releases and interviews as part of Issue 02.
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