A Year in Music – 2025 – Andrew Perer (Author)
by Killian Laher

You’ve had a good year with the release of Turn My Head Into Sound. Are you happy with how it’s been received?

Yes. Because I knew nothing about publishing or writing a book, it took eight years (which ultimately benefited the book), and I didn’t really understand how much the project was affecting me. This truly felt like the hugest weight was lifted off my shoulders as I thought it would never end. Except for a bizarre review in Record Collector, the reviews have been uniformly good.

What albums have you enjoyed most this year?

They finally released this album by Frank Ocean, called Orange, on vinyl, after years of it being available only on CD. ‘Super Rich Kids’ from Orange was on the soundtrack to Sofia Coppola’s The Bling Ring, and I just really took pleasure in how all over the place the album is.

And I’m embarrassed to say I finally really listened to the album Kevin Shields recorded, mixed, and produced for the Beat Up, Black Rays Defence.  It’s the first straightforward ‘rock’ album I’ve listened to in years. And I just really enjoy it, most especially on vinyl. If you remember, he did it in exchange for them building out his studio. The first single was ‘Bad Feeling’, and the whole album is a pleasure, varied, and not too long.

What’s the most promising new act you’ve heard this year?

I’m not the person to ask.  Plus, with so much coming out, I’ll just wait a few years and see how things shake out and what has some staying power. I just think Joy Zipper are the best band in quite a while. They either issued or reissued their second album on vinyl, with Kevin Shields, David Holmes, and Guy Fixsen working on it.  It was issued on vinyl in 2022 and 2023. Maybe it didn’t exist on vinyl before that. That album I’m referring to is called American Whip.

Can you recommend an album that doesn’t get the recognition it deserves. 

I just love those first two Joy Zipper albums. Shields got credit for contributing to the mix for four tracks on their album  American Whip and some sort of additional production credit for ‘In the Never Ending Search for a Suitable Enemy.’  And I LOVE the album by the singer from Super Furry Animals called Hotel Shampoo from 10 or 12 years ago. I just got it on vinyl. It seems so hard to find something that holds up to multiple listens, and I bought it on vinyl at some ridiculous price. The whole album is great. I listen to it back and forth.

What inspires you these days?

I think I’m more scared than anything. With the loss of all gatekeepers, I’m hoping we throw out our TVs and computers.  Not that I could do that.