2025 / A Lucky 7 / Jason Boardman / Before I Die

2025 was kind of a quiet year for Jason Boardman’s Before I Die, but the label has always been about quality rather than quantity. The imprint’s 2 releases – from Sonnenspot and Klangkollektor – were essential experiments in dub, motorik and kosmische, and while Jason might have restricted his own sonic output he certainly managed to input an incredible, eclectic range of sounds during 2025.

A bold, brilliant, 5 X 7, full format bonanza brought to you by Before I Die’s Jason Boardman.

2025 has been another fine year for musical discovery. There’s a lot of late entries in these charts, since December brought through more gems than anticipated! Thanks to Ban Ton Ton for asking me for my selections and I hope that you find something you like and haven’t heard before. Here’s to 2026!!!

7 x LPS

Sonnenspot – Sonnenspot – (Before I Die)

“Theres so many things that I love” about this record, a megamix of Mancunian master musicians getting together and making a modern klassik.

James K – Friend – (AD 93)

I am completely besotted with James K and this double LP showcases her supreme talent. The future of modern electronic abstract pop.

Brian Eno & Beatie Wolfe – Luminal, Lateral, Liminal (Verve)

A remarkable triptych of LPs that’s further proof – if even needed – that Eno is the king of the ambient and the abstract, retaining his crown 51 years after releasing his first solo record.

Sixsixsevenfortyseven – Wounded Dogs – (Youth)

Completely fresh experimental modern electronics with influences as diverse as Suicide and Madonna, released on Stockport label Youth. M06B has left the building but the label goes from strength to strength.

Skinshape & Horus All Stars – Skinshape x Horus – (Lewis Recordings)

Sweet rootsy and soulful dub reggae vibrations with a vintage feel, a firm nod of respect to the inspirational producers and engineers of the past.

Elijah Minnelli – Clams As A Main Meal – (Breadminster County Council)

This completely unique artist returns with another killer LP of skewed outernational folk-influenced dub and Cumbia.

Essendon Airport – MOR – (Chapter Music)

Much loved Australian post-punk legends return with fresh takes on their catalogue and a new piece, 4 decades after disbanding. Low slung pedal steel greatness.

7 x 12”

KlangKollektor – Dubtapes Volume 2 – (Before I Die)

Lars Fish returns with a companion piece to Volume One, taking the neo classical dubs to another dimension in space.

Shit Robot – No Cigar – (DFA)

A truly remarkable remix from the master Mr. Adrian Sherwood, I love this record.

Officer John – The Return Of Officer John – (wah wah wino)

Superb Madchester influenced baggy greatness with a whiff of Shoegaze and a lot of funky attitude. Tremendous.

Tracey – Tracey EP – (AD 93)

Wide ranging EP that mutates from Saucy Grime to introverted indie and deeply personal soulful ambience.

Siva – Skeleton EP – (Dotei Records)

Three tracks of solid post punk influenced dub from Japan. Seek it out!

Alex Kassian – Body Singer – (Pinchy & Friends)

More modern electronic sounds with a nod to the past – from mellow to Motorik – from this extraordinary talent.

Kuniyuki & Kushti – Tremor – (Sound Of Speed Records)

Overlooked wrong speeder that on 33 for me is perfectly pitched. Apologies to both artists.

7 x 7”

Keanu Nelson – A Place Where I Go – (Efficient Space)

Oh my, very much my favourite andmuch played 45 of 25. Just splendid antipodean electronic folk.

Local Dish Presents 3 Sucessos De Toronto – (Wonderfulsound)

Another vintage year for Wonderful Sevens and this tasty morsel showcasing a different side of Canadian lathe label Local Dish is the height of audio gastronomy.

Holy Tongue – Ambulance – (Trule)

A welcome appearance on Trule from one of the best bands out there, with their trademark abstract dub and post punk influences in evidence, this was on heavy rotation.

Idjut Boys & Minung Kate Kim – WTF – (Bite The Day)

Surreal, slightly deranged and fucking amazing.

Yassokiiba – Dub 3/Dub 5 – (Yassokiiba Japan)

Slow and deep Japanese dub. A joyful noise from this creator.

Cantoma – First Nothing – (Highwood Recordings)

Mr. Mison flexing his early Cafe del Mar roots on the wonderful Noche Ambient Mix.

Makyo – Things Ah Get Tuff – (Dakini Records)

Killer cover of Bristol’s Talisman. Another mellow digital depth charge from Japan.

7 x Comps / Reissues

No Ones Listening Anyway Volume 2 – (Caroline True)

Sneaking in with a mid-December 25 release, the 2^nd volume from me. Some rarely seen or heard obscurities from the UK post-punk canon. Cheap at half the price.

Gabrielle Roth & The Mirrors – Selected Works 1985-2005 (Time Capsule)

Somehow missed this first time around. Amazing compilation of rhythm workshop jams with a jazzy drum circle feel. Amazing.

Drug Free America – Baby Doll & The Dolphin Burger (Noir Age)

Under the radar gem from Leeds picked up and released by Richard Vergez on Noir Age from Florida. Dubby, dark ambient!

The Ullulators – Eternal Now – (Spiritual World)

Tripped out Kosmische from the West Country free festival scene via impeccable Canadian Label Spiritual World. One of a slew of top releases from this crew.

So-Do – Studio Works ’83-’85 (Time Capsule)