STACK #245 March 2025

MUSIC FEATURE

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WHAT’S OUT

Whether it’s a voyage of musical discovery or a sonic reacquaintance with a favourite band or artist, check out these fresh releases heading to JB this month.

JENNIE Ruby SONY

The Blackpink solo series continues with Jennie, who was born and raised in South Korea, before living in

New Zealand. The title of her solo debut is inspired by her stage name: Jennie Ruby Jane. It includes collaborations with a stack of acts, including Childish Gambino and Dua Lipa. She says it’s “a little bit of everything for everyone. It’s like a buffet for you guys.” JETHRO TULL Curious Ruminant SONY bands of all time. Singer and flautist Ian Anderson is still going strong – at the age of 77. Curious Ruminant , the band’s 24th album, is their third in three years, and it will satisfy all Tull fans. LUCY DACUS Forever Is a Feeling UNIVERSAL This is the fourth solo album for America’s Lucy Dacus, who is also a member of the Grammy-winning indie supergroup Boygenius with Phoebe Bridgers and Julien Baker. Hailed as a great guitarist, there’s a darkness to Dacus’ sound. “I got kicked in the head with emotions,” she says, explaining the record. “You have to destroy things in order to create things.” Rushmere is the return for British folk rockers Mumford & Sons – their first album in seven years. It sees them go back to where it all began, with the title taken from a pond at Wimbledon Common in London, where the band formed. After four Top 5 albums in Australia – including two number ones – this record is certainly eagerly awaited. What a trip it’s been for Jethro Tull. They formed 58 years ago, becoming one of the greatest prog-rock MUMFORD & SONS Rushmere UNIVERSAL

EDITOR’S PICK

ALISON KRAUSS & UNION STATION Arcadia MGM

THE DARKNESS Dreams on Toast ROCKET

English rock gods The Darkness celebrate their 25th anniversary with their eighth studio album. With Justin

Alison Krauss & Union Station’s first album in 14 years started taking shape when Krauss found a song called Looks Like

MIA WRAY Hi, It’s Nice to Meet Me MUSHROOM There’s been a big lead-up to Mia Wray’s debut album. Six singles preceded the record, as well as seven non-album singles. But as the title suggests, the album still sounds fresh, introducing an exciting young talent. and acceptance. “Don’t want to hide who I am,” Wray declares. It should be all over the radio and racing up the pop charts. Originally from Noosa and now based in Melbourne, Wray is ready for stardom. Australian pop has a vital new voice. Just check out Not Enough , an anthem about empowerment

Hawkins’ operatic lead vocal and riffs that won’t quit, these guys are one of the great feel-good rock bands. Rock will never die when we have bands like The Darkness lighting up our lives.

the End of the Road . “Jeremy Lister wrote it,” she explains, “and it just felt so alive. And, as always, I could hear the guys already playing it.” That song is now the opening track on this sparkling collection. CHARLEY CROCKETT Lonesome Drifter UNIVERSAL

JAMES ARTHUR Pisces SONY

America’s Charley Crockett – a distant relative of Davy Crockett, the King of the Wild Frontier – has

James Arthur became a star when he won The X Factor in the UK in 2012. Pisces – named after his star sign – is

been one of the most exciting new roots artists of the past decade. Prolific – Lonesome Drifter is his 14th studio album in ten years – Crockett recorded these 12 songs over just ten days. “There were no inhibitions,” he says. CRADLE OF FILTH The Screaming of the Valkyries UNIVERSAL England’s extreme metal veterans unleash their 14th studio album, which they point out is not a concept album but just a collection of nine songs. “It’s still quite a lengthy running time,” singer Dani Filth explains. “We can’t write a short song to save our f-cking lives.” Unfortunately, it doesn’t feature the band’s much talked about collaboration with Ed Sheeran.

his sixth studio album. His five previous releases have cracked the UK Top 5. He’s not afraid to share his life in his music. Of the album’s first single, ADHD , Arthur said: “I got diagnosed, which taught me a lot about why I struggled to fit in.” JASON ISBELL Foxes in the Snow ROCKET

He’ll be here later this year for a massive tour with Paul Kelly. And the strength of his tenth album – his first

since 2023’s Weathervanes , which won a Grammy for ‘Best Americana Album’ – shows that it’ll be a gig to remember. This is a powerful solo acoustic record, with Isbell playing a 1940 Martin guitar.

32 MARCH 2025

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