Into Music: More New Music April 2025

The past few weeks has seen the release of some amazing music and I suspect some of which may well feature on end of the year best release lists. But let’s not wait until then, read on and dive in to these truly great records.

Artist: Edwyn Collins 
Album: Nation Shall Speak Unto Nation
Label: AED

The world right now is a crazy and often depressing place and Collins tenth solo album could hardly be more prescient. The title comes from an old BBC World Service logo and hints at the communication issues the singer has had since suffering two strokes twenty years ago, his aphasia and perhaps looking further, to the political landscape we currently live with.

The album feels and sounds like a natural follow up to Badbea, particularly on songs from that record such as I Guess We Were Young and Glasgow to London where Collins reflects on the past, almost looking at his life from a narrator’s third person perspective. Here, album opener Knowledge is a case in point, singing “hard to let my old self go“, the shifting sands of time, of life abundantly clear and importantly, about reflection and acceptance.

The title track is also deeply personal, the lyrics cover the struggle with aphasia “back when the words came easily, I had the answer to everything, revelling in a smart-alec comeback, now I’m alone with my memories, far from the place I want to be, where is the one that speaks to me“? The words just hit you in the heart and it’s remarkable to think Collins is still with us, let alone making such emotional and evocative music. His deep voice is the star though long time collaborator James Walbourne’s guitar is also exceptionally good.

Indeed, the band and production on Nation Shall Speak Unto Nation are on point, the album recorded at Collins Clashnarrow Studio in Helmsdale with son William, Sean Read, Jake Hutton and the aforementioned Walbourne providing the music to Collins voice and lyrics.

The Bridge Hotel where “memories are here” has a simple strumming guitar that paves the way for a haunting tin whistle before backing singers Lena Wright and Bianca White come in and join Collins in chanting and celebrating the venue, a true highlight of the album.

With a farewell tour booked for later this year which is sure to be emotional, Edwyn Collins has released a deeply personal record that bares his soul for all to see. In this world right now, nations may not speak to other nations but I know this much, Edwyn Collins speaks directly to me.

For more on the album and The Testimonial Tour, head to the website here.

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Artist: Pale Blue Eyes 
Album: New Place
Label: Broadcast Recordings

Now I don’t know for sure but it is possible Pale Blue Eyes are named after a Velvet Underground song and surely that’s enough to warrant attention! The Sheffield based band have recently toured (see the Into Creative review here) in support of their third (and best) album, New Place which contains twelve songs of sonic delight.

The opening combo of How Long Is Now and Scrolling scream of krautrock beats, spaceman vibes and psychedelic overtures, the latter with a little nod perhaps to Public Service Broadcasting who the trio supported on tour a while back. Elsewhere, Pieces Of You is almost dreamlike, shoegaze-y with a guitar hook that pulls you in, smothers you and won’t let go, it wouldn’t feel out of place alongside The Cure era Disintegration album.

The Dreamer is perhaps the highlight albeit I’ll likely change my mind on that by tomorrow! The track captures everything the band do right, in a nutshell this is Pale Blue Eyes. An ethereal and haunting vocal is underpinned by a solid rhythm section and gorgeous guitar. Rituals is another track worth mentioning, bordering on epic, it trails German-like Euro dance sensibilities with a smattering of Cold War propaganda, without doubt a live favourite in years to come.

New Place feels like a modern album made in a different age, a dystopian trip played out on fevered paranoia, blurred lines and hidden intrigue. If you are looking for the perfect introduction to Pale Blue Eyes, this is it, an exceptional album. For more on the band, head to their website here.

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Artist: Butler Blake & Grant 
Album: Butler, Blake & Grant
Label: 355 Recordings

They say time flies and it certainly seems to. Incredible to think it’s now over three years since the debut gig of the songwriting trio of Bernard Butler, Norman Blake and James Grant, who took to Glasgow’s St. Luke’s stage to sing a mix of songs from each individual’s back catalogue. That gig at St.Luke’s is still strong in the memory and the evident musical chemistry has resulted in their debut, self-titled long player.

Ten tracks, where everything flows, this is an album that entrances the listener, welcoming, warm and one that you know will raise the mood. Butler’s The 90s is imbued with nostalgic harmony, a sprawling guitar and hand-claps and perhaps some toe-tapping to go with the gorgeous rhythms. Similarly, Blake’s Down By The Sea, packs more into two minutes than most pop songs can dream of, a textured vocal and intricate guitar, so simple yet so steeped in clever nuanced pulses.

The Old Mortality harks back to the best folk music, instruments and vocals telling a story handed down through the ages, a sweeping trip played out in front of a roaring fire, maybe. Grant’s Girl With A Little Black Number is also a stand-out, the power of the deep vocal enveloping the sound, a mild rocker that threatens to take off, a haunting noir-esque track.

There are a few nods to the likes of Byrds, Buffalo and Gram but settle on Butler, Blake and Grant, that’s the BBG you need to be tuning into to right now. To order the album, head to the website here.

John Welsh
@welshjb