blog

Author: patrickpatrickpatrick

content/blog/2025lists.md

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 ---
 title: 2025 lists
 description: 2025 round-up
-date: 2025-03-13
+date: 2025-12-26
 draft: true
 ---
 
@@ -16,40 +16,71 @@ I've learned this year that investing time in making something you enjoy easier
 
 In addition I've noticed that writing makes a huge impact on my memory. In 2025 I wrote less and noticed a perceptable decline in my recall as a result. So next year, writing - publicly and privately - is going to be priority.
 
-## What I was listening to (in 2025)
+## Music in 2025 I liked
 
-### Vacuous
+### [YT - OI!](https://ytonair.bandcamp.com/album/oi)
 
-Life After Death 2 is the second instalment of an annual (there’s going to be a third!) weekend dedicated to heavy (or adjacent) music. It’s organised by record shop and label Crypt of the Wizard, who over the years have become trustworthy and well-connected curators of note in the “____ metal” world.
+I assumed from the album art that OI! would be a take on the [current snap revival](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DGLmCY2JHj6/)[^1]. In fact, OI! is a take on the current[^2] and increasingly popular[^3] [jerk rap genre](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUPbykxBVnw). YT sands down some edges, the result being (even) less heady and more immediate than [others](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpG9J8rWy5Y) working in the genre. This is decidedly pop music (not a slight!) with sticky hooks and crowd pleasing production. Although I wouldn't describe OI! as snap, the beats are also clearly taking influence from that era of hip-hop and "ringtone rap". I'd recommend the entire tape as it's so short but if I had to pick a highlight it'd be the bordering-on-annoying (like so many snap classics) hook, jersey-tinged production and DS referencing music video of Panda (Nananana).
 
-If you’re even slightly into this style of music, I’d recommend going next year. Though familiar with a minority of the lineup, I enjoyed every act I saw. There was something for everyone (into this music). From serene dungeon synth to black metal, from pagan lo-fi beats to industrial black metal, from “frog concert” to black(-ened death) metal (not to mention harsh noise).
+### [YHWH Nailgun - 45 Pounds](https://yhwhnailgun.bandcamp.com/album/45-pounds)
 
-I'm highlighting Vacuous here as I was so impressed by their set that I had to immediately cop the vinyl. That’s unusual for me, especially a death metal record that I'll only be able to play on rare occasions!
+Sounds like someone clearing their throat while two of my favourite [video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7A04cCcw3k0) [games](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvP3_SzpNpM) are being played simultaneously at full volume (this is a compliment). 
 
-Listen to 
+### [Eiko Ishibashi - Antigone](https://eikoishibashi.bandcamp.com/album/antigone)
 
-### Coma - Eiko Ishibashi
+I’ve written about Eiko Ishibashi before but it’s been about her instrumental albums or soundtracks. Similar to her label-mate Jim O'Rourke (who frequently appears on her recordings), Ishibashi also has a singer-songwriter mode of songwriting. I've been drawn more to her subsequent more experimental works but have enjoyed specific songs from albums such ["Imitation of Life"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zN3r61gogrw) and ["The Dream My Bones Dream"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBsbCd5mV2U). "Antigone" is her first "singer-songwriter" album for several years but incorporates the sounds explored on "For McCoy" and the "Drive My Car" soundtrack. The result is her most engaging and successful song-led record yet, with tracks such as "Coma" being a highlight for me.
 
-I’ve written about Eiko Ishibashi before but it’s been about her instrumental albums or soundtracks. "Antigone" is her first "singer-songwriter" album for several years and incorporates sounds explored on records such as "For McCoy" and the "Drive My Car" soundtrack. I love the emphasis on percussion on this track (an aspect that I've enjoyed about other Ishibashi compositions) and it's a successful revisit and expansion of the mode of songwriting she was in when I first encountered her music.
 
-#### Panda (Nananana) - YT
+### [Algernon Cadwallader -  Trying Not To Have a Thought](https://algernoncadwallader.bandcamp.com/album/trying-not-to-have-a-thought)
 
-I assumed from the OI! album art that YT would be offering a British take on the current snap revival. In fact, YT is offering a British take on the current and increasingly popular jerk rap genre.
+The typical progression for an emo band, especially on their first record after a long hiatus, is to put away the toys (emo) away and become adults (play post-rock). Algernon Cadwallader surprised us in 2025, not only by releasing a new album but also by releasing a new album that is an actual emo album. By juxtaposing the nostalgic sounds of their youth with more mature lyricism, "Trying Not To Have a Thought" makes the case that "emo is for the adults" (and has an inate power that can be tapped into which'll resonate with anyone).
 
-OI! is (even) less heady and more immediate than other acclaimed jerk rap. This is decidedly  pop music (not a slight!) and sands down some edges (not a slight!) in favour of stickier hooks. Although I wouldn't describe OI! as snap, the beats are also clearly taking influence from that era of hip-hop and "ringtone rap".
+### [M.I.C. - CURSED](https://aplife.bandcamp.com/album/cursed-013)
 
-I'd recommend the entire tape as it's so short but if I had to pick a highlight it'd be the bordering-on-annoying (like so many snap classics) hook, jersey-tinged production and DS referencing music video of Panda (Nananana).
+Been enjoying M.I.C.'s work for years and "CURSED" is his best back-to-front project yet. For this tape instead of aiming his ire at specific people ([which he is also very good at](https://micantifa.bandcamp.com/track/witchclart)), he's targeting the instiution of Christianity. I'm an [enjoyer of black metal on similar subjects](https://portrayalofguilt.bandcamp.com/album/christfucker) but those records never had a song that got the refrain of "Burn That Church Down" stuck in my head for weeks-on-end. The 9-minute closing track "Human Life Does Not Have Some Grand Purpose" is an experimental deconstruction of grime which has to be heard to be believed. A real level-up from an already consistently great artist.
 
-### Ester Wind - Cloakroom
+### [Friendship - Caveman Wakes Up](https://friendshipphl.bandcamp.com/album/caveman-wakes-up)
 
-In the recent shoegaze revival, Hum loom large. At one time they'd probably have been grouped into the - extremely broad net of - 90s alternative metal. They made music that combined the texture and heaviness of more experimental drone metal but tethered it to earth with more conventional structures. Nu-metal eventually took the sounds of alternative metal to make pop music but emphasised the aggressive sound of Helmet and Melvins instead of Hum and the softer songs of Deftones.
+From "Caveman Wakes Up", I'm guessing Friendship's favourite Silver Jews' album is [the same as mine](https://silverjews.bandcamp.com/album/the-natural-bridge). 
 
-Esther Wind by Cloakroom is an alchemic mix of alternative metal but unlike nu-metal bands they increase the ratio of Hum in the mix. The song starts with Stanier-like fills, ends with Buzzo-like sludge and all the while has the excellent guitar tones of You Wish You Were An Astronaut. Their latest record is a great time for people who enjoy recorded guitars and comes recommended from me (a recorded guitars enjoyer).
+### [Vacuous - In His Blood](https://vacuousdeath.bandcamp.com/album/in-his-blood)
 
-### Total Euphoria - caroline
+[Life After Death 2](https://wegottickets.com/f/13619/) was the second instalment of an annual (there’s going to be a third!) weekend dedicated to heavy (or adjacent) music. It’s organised by record shop and label [Crypt of the Wizard](https://www.cryptofthewizard.com/), who over the years have become trustworthy and well-connected curators of note in the "____-metal" world. If you’re even slightly into this style of music, I’d recommend going next year. Though familiar with a minority of the lineup, I enjoyed every act I saw. There was something for everyone (into this music). From serene dungeon synth to black metal, from pagan lo-fi beats to industrial black metal, from “frog concert” to black(-ened death) metal (not to mention harsh noise). One of the bands that played was Vacuous and I was so impressed by their set that I had to immediately cop their latest, "In His Blood", on vinyl. It's unusual for me to do this (especially a death metal record that I'm rarely able to play) but such was the power of their set! "In His Blood" is a worthy follow-up to "Dreams of Disphoria". It's a more technical take on the classic metal-core and I thought it was a standout metal release of 2025.
 
-caroline's S/T was a refreshing take on post-rock, a genre I usually use as a pejorative (with obvious exceptions). Though denied at the time of release, to me the infuence of emo is what set their debut apart from other post-rock works (a genre which "old" emo bands tend to "graduate" to). Their latest record is one of my favourites of the year, it combines BIG ambitious post-rock compositions with intimate and close-sounding alternative-RnB textures to express the heart-on-sleeve yearning of the best emo records. "caroline 2" is made by "an actual band" but it's also an "in-the-studio" record (seeing them live - which you should do if you have the chance - confirms this). Total Europhia was the lead single and it's a great introduction to the album (it's also the first track).
+### [Florry - Sounds Like...](https://florry.bandcamp.com/album/sounds-like)
 
+This is (just) good rock n roll, uh, music
 
+### [Cloakroom - Last Leg Of The Human Table](https://cloakroom.bandcamp.com/album/last-leg-of-the-human-table)
 
+In the recent shoegaze revival, Hum loom large. At one time they'd probably have been grouped into the - extremely broad net of - 90s alternative metal. They made music that combined the texture and heaviness of more experimental drone metal but tethered it to earth with more conventional structures. Nu-metal eventually took the sounds of alternative metal to make pop music but emphasised the aggressive sound of Helmet and Melvins instead of Hum and the softer songs of Deftones. Cloakroom's latest record, "Last Leg Of The Human Table" is an alchemic mix of alternative metal but unlike the aforementioend nu-metal bands they increase the ratio of Hum in the mix. There's Stanier-like fills, Buzzo-like sludge and the excellent guitar tones of You Wish You Were An Astronaut.
 
+### [CHE - REST IN BASS](https://restinbass.lnk.to/b5Hii8)
+
+The rage record 2025 for me, though there were other notable releases this year. It's stupid and hedonistic but has the self-flagellation and guilt of the best Future cuts. Excited for the eventual compliation mixtape of great hip-hop tracks that sample Beach House.
+
+### [Knifeplay - Live in Seattle](https://knifeplayforever.bandcamp.com/album/live-in-seattle)
+
+Don't think anyone is making new slowcore as good as Knifeplay and this live record is proof of that. The yet to be recorded new tracks sound excellent and the version of "Nobody" here is more transcendent than the one found on "Animal Drowning" (a highlight of 2023 for me). I'm really hoping a UK tour is on the cards in the future (and a new album soon!).
+
+### [MIKE - Showbiz!](https://mikelikesrap.bandcamp.com/album/showbiz)
+
+He just doesn't miss! I hope MIKE releases an album every year for the foreseeable future (fantastic to finally see him live at Rally this year too). If you haven't already, [peep the deluxe version that includes his (great) Tiny Desk Session](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaBgZnScmY4)!
+
+### [caroline - caroline 2](https://caroline.bandcamp.com/album/caroline-2)
+
+caroline's S/T was a refreshing take on post-rock, a genre I usually use as a pejorative (with [obvious exceptions](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wy4IsC5eb7o)). To me the subtle hints of classic emo is what set their debut apart from other post-rock works (a genre which "old" emo bands tend to "graduate" to[^4]). Their latest record is one of my favourites of the year, it expresses the heart-on-sleeve yearning of the best emo records via a novel combination of BIG post-rock compositions (think Broken Social Scene) and intimate alt-RnB textures (think Blonde). "caroline 2" is made by "an actual band" but it's also an "in-the-studio" record (seeing them live - which you should do if you have the chance - confirms this).
+
+### [Geese - Getting Killed](https://geesebandnyc.bandcamp.com/album/getting-killed)
+
+Turns out if you combine two [classic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yankee_Hotel_Foxtrot) [alternative](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hail_to_the_Thief) records with the theatrical absurdity of [Dan Bejar's lyricism](https://genius.com/Destroyer-european-oils-lyrics) then you get an enjoyable and replayable result. Stick it out until the title track (I support [gauntlet-thrower-Track-1s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qW9MHtYeQCA) in principle but "Trinidad" is [ass](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORR5ldloXD8)) and you'll be rewarded. They aren't Deerhunter but maybe they'll put out a [Monomania](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYUENZQ84) one day.
+
+## Books I read in 2025
+
+I didn't read nearly as much this year, whoops.
+
+
+[^1]: This sentence was written in Feburary 2025
+[^2]: This sentence was written in Feburary 2025
+[^3]: This sentence was written in Feburary 2025
+[^4]: This sentence was written in Feburary 2025 (and before the announcement and release of [Algernon Cadwallader's album](#algernon-cadwallader-trying-not-to-have-a-thought))

eleventy.config.js

@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 const { DateTime } = require("luxon");
 const markdownItAnchor = require("markdown-it-anchor");
+const footnote_plugin = require("markdown-it-footnote");
 
 const pluginRss = require("@11ty/eleventy-plugin-rss");
 const pluginSyntaxHighlight = require("@11ty/eleventy-plugin-syntaxhighlight");
@@ -8,7 +9,11 @@ const pluginNavigation = require("@11ty/eleventy-navigation");
 const { EleventyHtmlBasePlugin } = require("@11ty/eleventy");
 
 const pluginDrafts = require("./eleventy.config.drafts.js");
-const pluginImages = require("./eleventy.config.images.js");	
+const pluginImages = require("./eleventy.config.images.js");
+
+const { Client } = require("@notionhq/client");
+const { NotionToMarkdown } = require("notion-to-md");
+const fs = require('fs');
 
 module.exports = function(eleventyConfig) {
 	// Copy the contents of the `public` folder to the output folder
@@ -94,6 +99,8 @@ module.exports = function(eleventyConfig) {
 		});
 	});
 
+	eleventyConfig.amendLibrary("md", (mdLib) => mdLib.use(footnote_plugin));	
+
 	// Features to make your build faster (when you need them)
 
 	// If your passthrough copy gets heavy and cumbersome, add this line