The Big Three #1

Music I've been listening to...

The demise of the music blog is certainly one of the things I feel most sad about the wider music ecosystem compared to what was a flourishing aspect of the industry 15-20 years ago.

We all know the well-rehearsed reasons as to why they have become a much less read medium, to the extent that some of the biggest hitters of a bygone era are no longer publishing.

What I miss about that era, and what can feel missing in any of the ways in which people have tried to reinvent it for a modern context, is the lack of depth. Sure, there are still reviews out there if you go looking, but the days of someone taking the time to dig into an album, spend time with it, explore and investigate the credits, maybe speak to the artist, and share often fascinating insights into a new release, are sadly gone.

I was never one of these writers, and I’m not going to launch a guerrilla campaign to Bring Back The Music Blog. Those days are gone, I’m afraid. But every once in a while, on a non-regular schedule, I’m going to take the opportunity to share a range of music I’ve been listening to and loving.

As a general rule, it’ll always be an album (perhaps a compilation), but always something designed for long-player/long-form listening, because goodness knows our attention spans are too short, and the album is such a brilliant medium, I want to do everything possible to keep a focus on it.

So, here are some things I’ve been listening to…

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Bon Iver - SABLE, fABER

Jagjaguwar (2025)

At the time when Bon Iver released his debut album For Emma Forever Ago in 2009, I was in my early twenties, just beginning life post-university. With his stunning eponymous follow-up coming only a few years later, it’s little wonder his music had such an effect on me; not just musically, but also in terms of fandom. Open-minded, curious and keen to learn about, hear and find more music, I was ready for an artist to compel and draw me in.

Justin Vernon was just that person. He has always been such an elusive, interesting and engaging person who draws the listener, especially in those early albums, where you weren’t always sure what the lyrics actually were.

There’s no doubt, he is someone who is quite susceptible to really feeling things. He has never found life easy, not least the fame which has come his way, and his music has always done a brilliant job of reflecting this uncertainty.

With this new album, it feels like he has found a way to banish some of the pain and anguish of the past. There is a lightness and a freshness to this record, even a hopefulness I haven’t heard in his music for a long time.

Whilst the production is excellent, it feels like a return to the craft of songwriting rather than creating such a huge reliance on the sonic development of previous projects.

Valentin Silvestrov - Piano Music

Performed by Elisaveta Blumina | Grand Piano (2013)

I often get asked if I have any piano music recommendations, especially beyond what we might think of as the slightly more obvious composers, performers and labels.

The answer I’ll give depends on what kind of mood I’m currently in, in relation to music and the wider music industry. I’ve often surprised these enquirers by saying how I don't really listen to piano music too much.

I’m not sure why. Maybe I’m just wary of being over-piano’d. I’ve always had a wide, varied and eclectic music taste, and I actually enjoy and appreciate hearing a lot of music which is far away from what I tend to be working on myself.

That said, when I do come across new piano music I love, it can then actually be a more fun and enjoyable situation.

I’m not entirely sure how I came across Valentin Silvestrov (it could well have been a Spotify thing, or perhaps Radio 3) or even what piece it was which caught my attention.

Nevertheless, I have really enjoyed digging into a range of his works (he has some choral and symphonic music too), especially his piano music. A Ukrainian, his music is predominantly tonal and displays influences of the Impressionists, but with an especially melodic direction.

Chris Brain - New Light

Big Sun Records (2025)

It gives me great pleasure to include this fantastic album. Granted, it’s by a good friend of mine who I have played with and worked on previous albums/projects, so I hold my hands up and acknowledge my bias.

However, Chris Brain’s third album New Light is a real triumph and regardless of any personal connection, is an album I would gladly choose to listen to, see performed live and recommend to any music fan, but especially those who appreciate folk music and good songwriting.

For this album, Chris took a bold step to move slightly further away from the finger-picking style which earned him obvious comparisons with Nick Drake. The result is a slightly poppier, more mainstream, modern take on folk music, with some lovely arrangements, compelling melodies, and a highly catchy opening title track in 5/4.

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What Are You Listening To?

I always love hearing new music recommendations. Do let me know about any recommendations you have or things you have been loving listening to, especially anything released recently.

Pop your thoughts in the comments below.