Another difficult year for many , but despite the daunting times we all face at the present, people are still resisting, standing up and demanding change and a better world, in huge numbers.
And though days are difficult there will always be love and dance and song and, music that we can share between ourselves to keep strong and release beauty through the darkness. In unsteady times, music can be a balm and also a mirror.
Power to the music and to all the people that make it. Let's continue to try and support and appreciate all the musical venues where our different tribes can gather,
Am very lucky to have one not far from me in Cardigan' Abertefii called the Cellar Ba, A truly magnificent place, that caters for all manners of musical tastes.
From folk , blues, jazz , psychedelica, ska, reggae, punk to homegrown hybrids of immense talent, among other magical delights a warm welcoming place that's well worth a visit if you happen to be in the neighbourhood.
As December's Full Moon known as the Cold Moon arrives, rising in the month of the Winter Solstice, inviting us to reflect, release, and reconnect as the year winds down. A time take stock of what we've learned and what we're ready to let go of before stepping into a new year and a new season.
For now heddwch/ peace, remember time is short. Never waste it. Tomorrow is never a given. Cherish every sunset. Here in no particular order, are my musical highlights of 2025 ;-
1. Adrian Sherwood - The Collapse of Everything
4. Cate Le Bon - Michelangelo Dying
6. The New Eves - The New Eve Is Rising.
7. Grief - Tangerine Cat
8. Muddy Summers and the Dirty Field Whores - One Foot in Front of the Other
9. Kiniata – Kin’Gongolo Kiniata
10. Mogwai - The Bad Fire
14. Cynefin -Shimli
15. Louis O’Hara - A Peaceful Kind of Fun
The single's official design by Gazan painter Malak Mattar, additional artwork by Cameron JL West.
2. The Mekons - Horror
3. Gina Birch - Trouble
4. Cate Le Bon - Michelangelo Dying
5. Gwenno - Utopia
6. The New Eves - The New Eve Is Rising.
8. Muddy Summers and the Dirty Field Whores - One Foot in Front of the Other
9. Kiniata – Kin’Gongolo Kiniata
10. Mogwai - The Bad Fire
11. Sendelica - Nirmata
12. Fire and Dust: A Woody Guthrie Story – Reg Meuross
13. Robert Plant with Suzi Dyan - Saving Grace
14. Cynefin -Shimli
`16, A Happy Return -Hamewith
17. Brìghde Chaimbeul - Sunwise
Bandcamp incidentally an artist-focussed platform continues to allow us to support our favorite musicians and labels that enrich our lives and is a good place to discover new music and is a good alternative to spotify when a growing number of artists are removing their music from Spotify in protest of founder and CEO Daniel Ek’s military investments.
You can also support artists more effectively on Bandcamp by buying their music and merchandise directly, as the platform is designed to pay artists a much larger share of revenue compared to Spotify's streaming model. Bandcamp allows artists to set their own prices and receive a more significant portion of sales for both digital and physical goods, making it a more direct way to support creators financially.
Oh and to end this post, the team behind Together For Palestine, the sell-out September 2025 Wembley concert that raised more than £2 million for Gaza, has announced the release of their charity single called Lullaby.
Released on 12 December, the day the UK's Official Christmas Number 1 race kicks off, supporters can pre-order the song now.
Lullaby is a powerful new rendition of the traditional Palestinian folk song Yamma Mweel El Hawa (O song of longing, mother).
It will raise urgent, life-saving funds for the people of Gaza. All profits from the release will go to Choose Love's Together For Palestine Fund, supporting three Palestinian-led organisations: Taawon, Palestine Children's Relief Fund and Palestine Medical Relief Service.
Lullaby sees a host of UK and Palestinian musicians: Amena, Brian Eno, Celeste, Dan Smith (Bastille), Kieran Brunt (Shards), Lana Lubany, Leigh-Anne, London Community Gospel Choir (LCGC), Mabel, Nadine Shah, Nai Barghouti, Neneh Cherry, Sura Abdo, TYSON, Yasmeen Ayyashi, and Ysee - join forces on record for the first time.
Palestinian musician Nai Barghouti said:
"This lullaby from our Palestinian musical heritage has been with me since early childhood. Today, it returns at a much-needed time as a reminder of what Palestinians will never lose: hope, defiance, beauty, and dignity."
Brian Eno added:
"After a year defined by unimaginable loss, grief and injustice, we want to end with an act of love for Palestine's children. Lullaby reflects their beauty, their longing and their hope. If we rally together and download it, we have a real shot at landing Christmas No. 1 - and turning that moment into vital life-saving support for Gaza's families."
Mabel said:
"The song holds a special place for many reasons, but mostly as it's the first time I've sung with both my mum Neneh and sister Tyson, and for it to be a traditional lullaby in tribute to the mothers and children of Gaza means the world. I hope you feel the strength in our voices."
The 2025 Official Christmas Number 1 will be announced on Friday, December 19.
Hear a clip from Lullaby, Pre-order - its only £1.75: https://togetherforpalestine.org/m :
The single's official design by Gazan painter Malak Mattar, additional artwork by Cameron JL West.
