Nickie’s Niches #48: December 2025

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1. 

   Volume V

   by Other Lives
   favorite track

   What’s It Gonna Take

   Hailing from Stillwater, OK, the band began as a trio of multi-instrumentalists, and now includes 5 members. The music is dense and lush, heavily orchestrated, simply gorgeous chamber folk music with alt- and post-rock leanings.

   1. 

      Mørketid

      by KALANDRA
      This EP from Norwegian folktronica band, Kalandra, includes new songs, plus their last single release. They remain true to their Nordic sound, with their light and airy vocalist being the singular identifying element of the band.

      1. 

         Mirra

         by Benedicte Maurseth
         favorite track

         Nysnø over reinlav

         Norwegian folk/jazz/ambient hardanger fiddle player offers this gem, exploring the environment of reindeer. Indeed, it features the sounds of a reindeer herd (the title is an almost-lost Hardanger word for when reindeer run about in circular patterns). The result is hypnotic and entrancing.

         

         Not on Bandcamp Cafuné “Tra le corde dei racconti” 2025 This sublime Italian sextet offer a modern slant to medieval and renaissance styled music, utilizing both acoustic and electric instruments. They combine guitars, flute, harp, keyboards, bass, and drums, with a stellar female vocalist. There are originals here, as well as reworkings of traditional tunes. Best played as a whole, to illustrate what you’ll hear, I’m choosing the opener as my favourite track. Favourite Track: Cafuné

         1. 

            Fen Creatures

            by Fuzzy Lights
            favorite track

            The Promise

            The fifth album for this Cambridge quintet is a fine example of what can happen when you blend psych, folk, drone, and post rock. Female lead vocalist, scratchy violin, guitars, bass, drums, and electronics comprise the makeup of the band. All together, the songs are ominous, dark and eerie, just the kind of thing I love to hear.

            1. 

               December

               by Mediæval Bæbes
               favorite track

               January

               This is an old-fashioned “single” format, a two song release, with the promise of an upcoming full release. As always, superb vocals and musicianship from these women and their guests. The two pieces are decidedly wintery, with the title track being more upbeat in mood.

               1. 

                  Letters to a Distant Past

                  by Deposed King
                  favorite track

                  Daymare

                  Classically influenced atmospheric and cinematic rock with smatterings of folk, psych, post rock, and some heaviness from time to time, this Hungarian duo deliver once again. This release is best played from start to finish, but I will use Daymare as my favourite track to pique your interest.

                  1. 

                     ICONOCLASTS

                     by Anna von Hausswolff
                     favorite track

                     Unconditional Love feat. Maria von Hausswolff

                     Stunning new release , this one delves deeply into the destruction of idols. It also examines the destruction from personal relationships, with the freedom of resurrection after the depths have been plumbed. Indeed, there is a guest appearance from a true iconoclast, Iggy Pop, on one poignant tune. Her signature dense pipe organ is still here, with plenty of orchestration, plus she adds vocals throughout, with her daughter contributing as well, on my favourite track of the release,

                     1. 

                        A Bridge To Far

                        by MIDLAKE
                        favorite track

                        The Ghouls

                        Midlake are back with another stellar release. They bring their indie alt-rock dreaminess in full force, with some whispers into jazz territory at times. The overall feel is warm and dreamy, with flute and piano flourishes, and a sense of distance, as though listening from a spot down the hall from where the band is playing.

                        1. 

                           Synesthesia

                           by Azam Ali
                           favorite track

                           Song to the Siren

                           Perennial favourite of mine, Azam Ali also brings a new full release of her always sublime music. This one brings plenty of world and electronica, also folk and trance music. It explores feelings of disconnectedness (as during the pandemic), yet still conveying a sense of belonging to the spiritual. She does two cover tunes, one by Natalie Merchant, and this one, my sentimental favourite of the release, Tim Buckley’s Song to the Siren

                           1. 

                              The World Under Unsun (24-bit HD audio)

                              by Lunatic Soul
                              favorite track

                              Good Memories Don’t Want to Die

                              The eighth and final in a series of solo releases by Mariusz Duda (on all instruments and vocals), bringing the cycle full circle. He examines complex toxic relationships, rejects them, and finds peace, while retaining what good there was, through introspection and, ultimately forgiveness. There is plenty of forcefulness, but, as one might expect, the delicacy (and harp sounds) of Good Memories Don’t Want to Die, is my favourite track.