A Year in Music – 2025 – Adrian Crowley
by Killian Laher

You’ve had a really productive year, with the Measure of Joy album and the Pomes Penyeach album.  Were you happy with how they were received?

Yes, very productive with new albums and more besides,  (I’m writing this in an airport departure lounge in Vienna with my instruments leaning against the back of my seat by a glass wall, it’s starting to snow outside).

I’ve also been writing a hell of a lot.  But yes, I really was happy with the response.  People seemed to have embraced both albums even though they are very different from each other and were created in entirely different circumstances. With Measure of Joy, especially, I’ve had a lot of people reaching out to me, and I feel that certain songs on that album really resonated in a special and personal way. I’m feeling pretty uplifted to be working with the fledgling but far-seeing new record label called ‘Valley Of Eyes Records’ based in Paris, so it’s in no small thanks to them that I’ve received such a good welcome from all those hungry but discerning ears around the world.

What albums have you enjoyed most this year?

I’ve been really enjoying Michelangelo Dying by Cate Le Bon. Also, I loved the new albums by Alan Sparhawk with Trampled By Turtles, Cameron Winter, caroline, The Next New Low, Robert Forster. ‘Liminal’ by Brian Eno is a beauty. It’s one of three of a set he’s released this year but I have been constantly going back to that one.  And King Hannah from last year but I came to it a bit later.  Also, Luster by Maria Somerville.

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

Last Apollo.  What a voice, what a thrill to hear live.

Any gig highlights?  

The Rattling Ark at The Cobblestone were enchanting… and the other night I went to a house concert in Dublin by Daniel Luke and Lizzi Murtough. That was very special and a quite a lungful of fresh air… and Last Apollo in The Grand Social the week before. Vieux Farka Touré at The Sugar Club, Dublin was transcendent. Ellie O’Neill at The Workman’s Cellar in February was beautiful. Robert Forster and his Swedish band at The National Concert Hall was a triumph. Saul Williams meets Carlos Niño & friends at The Sugar Club, was really something else too.

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

‘Planet Heaven’ by Jeremy Tuplin, came out this year. It’s a very fine album and deserves more ears, in my opinion.

What’s next for Adrian Crowley?

I have a couple more European shows coming up before the end of the year. Then I’m going to try and slow down for a week or so, but that doesn’t usually happen. I’m always restless.  I might try and find somewhere/ someone to help me with chronic pain from all the heavy lifting throughout the year! That aside, I’ve been writing a new album, which I’m kind of thrilled about. I’ll probably finish it in an off-season fishing village in a certain Mediterranean island this January and then start making plans to bring it out into the world sometime.  Valley Of Eyes are releasing an EP early in 2026, which I’m really looking forward to. But to keep creating, to honour what I have to give, that’s what’s next. That’s what’s always next.  And what I create is my ticket to see the world.