January 2025 Music & Media Round-Up: Willi Carlisle, Goose, Simple Minds, Charley Crockett, and Black Country, New Road Highlight Active Release Calendar

As January 2025 draws to a close, the global music and media landscape is marked by a significant volume of new releases, critical reviews, and forward-looking announcements spanning various artistic disciplines. This period has seen a dynamic flow of content, reflecting the continued vibrancy and productivity within the entertainment industries.

Beyond the specific items detailed below, the close of January also saw notable activity from artists such as Bonnie “Prince” Billy, Freckle, MIKE, L.S. Dunes, and Lilly Hiatt, contributing to the overall bustling environment of new cultural output.

In Review: Appraising Recent Works

A key highlight of the recent media coverage includes a detailed album review for Willi Carlisle’s latest work, titled ‘Winged Victory’. The review delves into the nuances of the album, offering critical insight into Carlisle’s artistic direction and execution on this new release.

Live performance appraisals also featured prominently, with a comprehensive show review covering Goose’s performance at Racket in NYC. This concert held particular significance as it immediately preceded the band’s highly anticipated debut performances at Madison Square Garden (MSG), capturing a moment in their ascent.

Shifting to visual media, a film review was published for the new documentary ‘Simple Minds: Everything Is Possible’. The film explores the journey and impact of the iconic band Simple Minds, providing fans and critics alike with an in-depth look at their career trajectory and influence. Complementing this, a DVD review revisited The Police’s 1982 tour through the release ‘Around The World’. This review examines the visual and sonic quality of the historical footage, offering a perspective on the band’s live prowess during a pivotal era.

Literary contributions to the cultural discourse were also noted, with a book review focusing on ‘Richard Manuel: His Life and Music’. This biographical account delves into the life and artistic contributions of Richard Manuel, best known as a member of The Band, providing a critical perspective on his legacy.

Upcoming Releases and Announcements

The close of January also served as a platform for several significant new album announcements, setting expectations for the coming months.

Among these, acclaimed artist Charley Crockett announced his forthcoming album, ‘Lonesome Drifter’. The release date for this highly anticipated project has been set for March 14, promising new material from the prolific musician.

British experimental rock band Black Country, New Road also confirmed details regarding their next album, titled ‘Forever Howlong’. This release is slated for April 4. In anticipation of the full album, the band has already released the single “Besties”, offering listeners an early glimpse into the sonic direction of ‘Forever Howlong’.

Other Notable Collaborations

Further enriching the release calendar, a new version of SNACKTIME’s track “Together” was highlighted. This updated rendition features a notable collaboration with artist Devon Gilfillian, adding a new dimension to the original song and underscoring the collaborative spirit within the contemporary music scene.

In sum, the conclusion of January 2025 underscores a period of robust activity across the music, film, and literary sectors, delivering a diverse array of new content for audiences to engage with, review, and anticipate in the months ahead.