LISTEN: GIHE on Soho Radio – Tracks of 2025 (12.12.25)

Tash, Kate and Mari were back in the Soho Radio studio for their final GIHE show of 2025, playing highlights from some of their favourite female, non-binary and LGBTQIA+ artists who released new music this year. They spoke about their top tracks and albums, reflected on GIHE 10th birthday celebrations and shared memorable live music moments from the past 12 months too.

Huge thanks to everyone who has tuned in to listen to us this year!

If you’re in the mood for some more festive fun, you can still grab a ticket to our next gig on Tuesday 16th December at The Ivy House in South London – a Flinchmas extravaganza! To celebrate the most wonderful time of the year, we’re hosting Glasgow’s indie-emo pioneers Flinch, alongside London-based DIY pop-punk faves Fightmilk and grunge-tinged band Dogviolet. Tickets are available here.

Listen back to the show below:

 

We’ll be back on Soho Radio on Thursday 8th January 2026 from 16:00-18:00
Make sure you tune in via DAB or download the Soho Radio app.
You can also listen at www.sohoradio.com

Tracklist
The Big Moon – Carol Of The Bells
Scrounge – Buzz/Cut
Baby Rose – That’s All
Amulets ft. Midwife – Lifelike
Breakup Haircut – The Algorithm Is Trying To Kill Me
Problem Patterns – I’m Fine and I’m Doing Great
Tiiva – you and i
HAAi – Can’t Stand To Lose
Kae Tempest – Statue In The Square
james K – idea.2
Whitelands – Glance
nazire – junebug
Blonde Maze ft. Lizzy Land – To Love Again
Jessie Mac – Trans is Beautiful
Sijya – Do I Know
Smerz – You Got Time and I Got Money
Strange New Places – YATPYFL
Fightmilk – No Souvenirs
TRACEY – Sleazy
Tusks x I. JORDAN – adore (remix)
jasmine.4.t – Woman
otta – FULL OF YOU
Marina Yozora – Touché
Jouska – Season Of Dread
Dogviolet – Now
Poly Styrene & Celeste Bell – Black Christmas
Dream Phone – s***e xmas

PLAYLIST: November 2025

The Get In Her Ears team have put together another eclectic mix of indie gems, dream-pop and shoegaze tunes, punk bangers, electronic musings & idiosyncratic experimental soundscapes for your listening pleasure. Scroll through our recommendations below!

In order to best support the female, LGBTQIA+ and non-binary artists that we love here at GIHE, we are moving away from using Spotify as our main playlisting platform. We have now set up an account on TIDAL, so feel free to follow us on there. You’ll see that we’ve now added all of our previous playlists to our account too!

We’ve also included YouTube/bandcamp links for all of the tracks below, so there’s plenty of ways for you to get your new music fix. You can still access our GIHE profile on Spotify (which we do not have a paid subscription for) but we urge you to use TIDAL, bandcamp or YouTube instead. Happy listening!

The Baby Seals – ‘Tamoo Trance’
Having been super mega fans of Cambridgeshire feminist punks The Baby Seals since they first played live for us back in 2017, and having recently had them back to play at our joyous 10th birthday celebrations, we’re very excited to have new music from them. A fierce take-down of consumer capitalism, combining the band’s trademark playful tongue-in-cheek wit with a gritty raging energy, ‘Tamoo Trance’ offers a seething anthem about getting stuck in a trance-like state in an (obviously completely fictitious) online shop. So, this Black Friday, instead of spending money on stuff that “will go directly in the bin”, perhaps consider supporting your fave DIY artists on bandcamp, or going along to a nice local gig. (Mari Lane – Managing Editor)

VERO – ‘Calico’
Stockholm trio VERO are back with this cathartic guitar tune, their first piece of new music since they released their excellent debut album Unsoothing Interior back in 2022. The band say that ‘Calico’ is a song about “tiring of someone else’s shit” – which they explore through breathy vocals, brooding basslines and acerbic riffs. VERO are set to release their second album via PNKSLM Recordings in 2026, which I am am eagerly anticipating. (Kate Crudgington – Features Editor)

GENN – ‘Reverberations’
Anglo-Maltese four piece GENN have returned with this intensely moody new offering. The band teamed up with producer Johnny Hostile – who has worked with Savages & Jehnny Beth – to bring ‘Reverberations’ to life, marking another development in their already dynamic sound. GENN’s talent is definitely best appreciated live. They’ll be touring the UK in early 2026, with a London headline date at The Shacklewell Arms in Dalston on 26th February. (KC)

nazire – ‘junebug’
When I discovered ‘junebug’ by Istanbul-based artist nazire in my GIHE inbox, I was immediately hooked on her shoegaze inspired sounds. We all know I love the Gloomy Grrrl songs and ‘junebug’ definitely falls into that category! She’s set to release her debut album, Glitchfolk, at some point in the near future. I’ll be keeping my eyes and ears peeled for that. (KC)

Whitelands – ‘Songbird (Forever)’
We are such big fans of London-based shoegazers Whitelands here at GIHE, and that fandom increases each time they share new music. ‘Songbird (Forever)’ is the third track from the band’s upcoming second album, Sunlight Echoes, which is due to be released on 30th January 2026 via Sonic Cathedral. Full of lush riffs, disarming melodies, earnest lyrics and emotive string work by Iskra Strings, the track is an ode to vocalist & guitarist Etienne’s enduring spirit and his appreciation for all those who loved and cared for him. “It’s about my friends, the important people in my life, and my spirit,” he shares. “I was going through a very dark time, but love is a great thing. I’m loved by many incredible people, so I pushed myself with everything I had. Every day was a fight, but I wanted to win.” His lyrics reference both the title of Whitelands’ new album and the Seven Sisters cliffs in East Sussex, where Etienne and bassist Vanessa shot the endearing accompanying video for the track. (KC)

Mannequin Flowers – ‘Collision Course’
Following dreamy last single ‘Six Words’, London’s Mannequin Flowers are back with another ethereal soundscape. Flowing with sparkling hooks and luscious crystalline vocals, ‘Collision Course’ offers a heartfelt confession about falling for your best friend but being too afraid to tell them. (ML)

Hater – ‘This Guy?’
I remember hearing Scandinavian indie band Hater’s single ‘Cry Later’ back in 2017 and thinking they had a great name and a great sound – 8 years and I still think the same! The band are gearing up to release their new album, Mosquito, on 6th January via Fire Records, with single ‘This Guy?’ offering listeners the first taste of what’s to come. A captivating slice of dream-pop, the track is fuelled by a mysterious lyrical narrative about a “confused interloper, unidentified and unidentifiable”. (KC)

The Empty Page – ‘When We Gonna Run?’
It’s great to have Manchester trio The Empty Page back in our ears after being mega fans for pretty much the entirety of Get In Her Ears’ decade long existence! A stirring reflection on preparing to escape an apocalyptic hellscape, ‘When We Gonna Run?’ offers all the gritty grunge-fuelled energy we’ve come to know and love from the band, with an added sparkling shoegaze-tinged allure. Propelled by an anxiety-ridden sense of urgency, its sentiment seems particularly poignant right now. (ML)

HAVVK – ‘Happening Again’
Having played our first ever GIHE gig back in 2016, we’ve been such huge fans of Irish duo HAVVK ever since and I’m so excited to have them back in our ears with this swirling new single. A gritty and cathartic reflection on destructive patterns of behaviour, ‘Happening Again’ showcases the band’s ability to combine a fierce seething energy with the soaring, captivating allure of Julie’s raw vocals. I can’t wait to hear more new music from them very soon. (ML)

Queen Of Nothing – ‘Heaven Is Hurting’
London-based musician Abi Crisp aka Queen Of Nothing has consistently impressed me with all of her offerings, and this track is no exception. ‘Heaven Is Hurting’ is lifted from her recent EP, All the Love That’s Left, a record that explores the complexities of love and grief, and Abi’s personal reflections on both. (KC)

Shy New World – ‘Bridget Jones’
Initially meeting at a séance when the spirit of a popular chocolate brand told them under no uncertain terms to work together, Yel and Ross – aka Shy New World – follow previous punk-pop singles with the release of a perfectly timed festive number. A gloriously fuzzy ode to friendship with a big sound and a big heart, ‘Bridget Jones’ offers a perfectly lo-fi, perfectly catchy and perfectly cute accompaniment to any December gathering. (ML)

Um, Jennifer? – ‘Stunning’
Having first won me over with the playful energy of 2023 single ‘Girl Class’, New York trans duo Um, Jennifer? continue to be total faves with their latest scuzzy punk-pop ode to lust and obsession in the form of new single ‘Stunning’. Their band bio says “Fig and Eli met at a party in Brooklyn. Eli wanted to hook up with Fig’s friend. Now they make music together for nobody except the vengeful god, Jennifer. Jennifer thinks their music sucks.” I’d have to disagree with Jennifer. (ML)

Twat Union – ‘Tiny Shorts’
The latest single from theatrical feminist six piece punk outfit Twat Union, ‘Tiny Shorts’ offers a fiercely empowering anthem, showcasing the band’s trademark ability to combine their playful witty charm with a raging angst-fuelled drive. The band explain: “(it’s a) middle finger to all the cat-calling and demeaning behaviour we receive… it’s a call to treat women with respect no matter what they are wearing.” (ML)

Softcult – ‘She Said, He Said’
Another vital anthem from Ontario-based alternative sibling duo Softcult here. ‘She Said, He Said’ is a seething guitar tune about believing survivors of sexual assault, fuelled by the pairs visceral riffs, propulsive beats and call-and-response vocals. The track will feature on the band’s debut album, When A Flower Doesn’t Grow, which is due on 30th January 2026 via Easy Life Records. Softcult are currently touring the UK, and will play a headline show at The Dome in North London on 2nd December! (KC)

DELILAH BON – ‘Evil, Hate Filled Female’
Seamlessly combining honey-sweet pop with relentless metal-inspired hooks and a raging energy, DELILAH BON has been building a devoted fanbase over the last few years with her relatable, empowering messages. Receiving acclaim for last year’s Evil, Hate Filled Female album, and selling out a UK tour earlier this month, I’m excited to hear more of her visceral, bold, anti-patriarchy anthems. (ML)

Yakkie – ‘Kill The Cop Inside Your Head’
Having been privileged enough to attend Yakkie’s first ever gig back in 2023, and since witnessing their immense live presence on more than one occasion, it feels like it’s been a long wait for this debut single from the incredible supergroup. Fronted by interminable force of nature Janey Starling (formerly of Dream Nails) and featuring Robin Gatt (Personal Best, Petrol Girls), Laura Ankles (Colour Me Wednesday, The Dumb Blondes) and Maeve Westall (Jasmine.4.t, itoldyouiwouldeatyou), it’s been amazing to see this absolute epic collective of faves come together in all their seething punk-rock glory, offering the rage, joy and unity we all so desperately need.

A fierce rallying cry against self-defeat, ‘Kill The Cop Inside Your Head’ is propelled by relentless riffs and a swirling empowering energy – in Janey’s words: “If we want a better world, we must first be able to imagine one. To do that, we have to kill the cop inside our head. Go to the protest! Join your union!” It’s more important than ever to have bands like Yakkie, not afraid to speak up for what’s right and use their platform as a real force for change, and I’m extremely grateful they exist. (ML)

Black Water County – ‘Wreckless’
The latest single from Dorset folk-punks Black Water County, ‘Wreckless’ offers a frenzied, empowering anthem exploring the tensions between self-consciousness and self-liberation. Showcasing the band’s ability to channel defiance, camaraderie and catharsis into a perfect fusion of punk passion and folk heart, it’s an instantly infectious ode to endurance and the resilience of everyday life. Having previously shared stages with the likes of Less Than Jake and Flogging Molly, Black Water County are currently out on tour – I can’t wait to catch their fierce energy live at The Grace tonight! (ML)

Annabelle Chairlegs – ‘Concrete Trees’
Based in Austin, Texas, Lindsey Mackin aka Annabelle Chairlegs is set to release her new, Ty Segall-produced, album in January next year. Ahead of the album’s release, latest single ‘Concrete Trees’ offers a poignant ode to a late friend, propelled by surf-tinged memories and a sparkling uplifting energy. Of the track, Mackin adds: “This song is for friends who have passed that you wish you could have one more hang with. I often find myself asking those who have passed if they are here with us now.” Waking Up, the new album from Annabelle Chairlegs, is due for release on 30th January 2026 via TODO. (ML)

Tanzana – ‘Covet’
A band I’m very excited to have only recently come across, Glasgow’s Tanzana blend elements of sultry trip-hop with a soaring rock energy to create a sound which is uniquely theirs. Debut single ‘Covet’ represents feelings of obsession, building to a sweeping climax as fierce swirling vocals are accompanied by slick riffs. Already selected as part of The Great Escape’s First Fifty, these Scottish newcomers are definite ones to watch in 2026. (ML)

The Dead Zoo – ‘In The End 2025’
Genre-defying post-punks The Dead Zoo return with an exhilarating and unrecognizable revision of their 2021 release ‘In the End’. Revamped and reimagined, it offers a shimmering and jubilant ode to transformation; a powerful validation of trans identity propelled by pulsating, multi-layered soundscapes. Kaoru from the band explains: “The lyrical theme is founded on my gender transition experience. The sense of keeping faith in an envisioned future and using that goal to overcome difficulties and stay on course; though I think it carries a more universal message of hope and optimism we all need in these dreadful times, where those commodities are scant for many minority voices.” (ML)

MIRI – ‘Freedom Is The Purpose’
The latest single from London-based innovative songwriter and longtime GIHE fave MIRI, ‘Freedom Is The Purpose’ offers a soulful call to unite, rally against those in power and support those communities who need us most. Interweaving the trademark gritty emotion of her vocals with uptempo reggae-inspired beats, the single is available to buy on bandcamp and encourages listeners to support fundraisers for four Palestinian families’ fundraisers. (ML)

Sheherazaad – ‘Gulukara’
A huge fan of Brooklyn-based artist Sheherazaad since first falling in love with 2023’s debut single ‘Mashoor’, I’ve been lucky enough to immerse myself in her captivating live presence twice and now find myself (unsurprisingly) utterly entranced by new single. Translating as ‘songstress’, ‘Gulukara’ features childhood friend and Kodaikanal-bred rapper Irfana and offers an exquisite nocturnal hymn, highlighting the historical confluence of sex work and female artistry. (ML)

Penelope Trappes – ‘Bleed’
Another shadowy, moving offering from GIHE favourite Penelope Trappes. After sharing her poignant album, A Requiem via One Little Independent Records earlier this year, the Brighton-based Australian artist has now shared a companion LP titled Æternum, featuring this track ‘Bleed’. Penelope has also shared a stunning accompanying video for the track, directed by her long-time visual partner Agnes Haus (who is also featured on this playlist), shot inside the walls of a mysterious cave. Penelope will be playing a headline show at St Matthias Church in East London on 29th November. (KC)

Agnes Haus – ‘Faust’
A spinetingling experimental soundscape from Brighton-based non-binary sound artist Agnes Haus here. ‘Faust’ is lifted from their upcoming album, Inexorable Ascent, set for release on 5th December via Penelope Trappes’ label Nite Hive. Described as “a hallucinatory polyphonic study of external perceptions of what it means to live in a perpetual liminal state,” Agnes locked themselves in an attic studio every night between the hours of 12 and 4am to create these idiosyncratic sounds. I am deeply intrigued by this artistic process and look forward to hearing Agnes’ new record in full. (KC)

PostLast – ‘Scavenge’ (Birthday Problem remix)
This is a superb collaboration between Irish alt-pop duo Post Last and Irish alternative electronic duo Birthday Problem. We’ve been following both bands for a while here at GIHE and we’re always excited when they share new music with us, and this remix of ‘Scavenge’ is certainly one of my favourites to date. (KC)

Twin Rains – ‘Creation’
Another iridescent, shape-shifting tune from Toronto dream-pop act Twin Rains here. Vocalist Christine Stoesser was inspired to write ‘Creation’ after reading J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Silmarilion. “I didn’t expect to be so moved by the creation myth of the Elves,” she shares, “It’s some of the most beautiful writing I’ve ever read”. The band have translated Christine’s reflections on the book into upbeat, shimmering electronic sounds. (KC)

Death Hags – ‘Space x Time’
It’s been a while since I’ve heard from independent LA musician and multimedia artist Death Hags, but I’m glad she’s back with this eclectic piece of electronica. Taken from her album Big Grey Sun #5 – the fifth volume of her ongoing seven album project! – ‘Space x Time’ enraptures with its seamless blend of atmospheric synths, dance-inspired beats and ethereal vocals. The whole album is a sonic TRIP. (KC)

Floralis – ‘black combat boots’
‘black combat boots’ is the opening track to British born, Indo-Trinidadian antifascist transfeminine artist Floralis’ superbly named album, Saboteur Club Anthems Vol. 1. With its stomping dance-inspired beats and chant-worthy lyrics, it’s an infectious slice of “anarchist electro punk” that kicks off a truly eccentric and essential record that aims to dismantle fascism in all its forms. (KC)

Kloyd ft. Circe – ‘Girl’
I’m already a big fan of dark-pop artist Circe, but Yorkshire-born, London-based producer Kloyd is new to me. I love this collaboration between the two of them, featuring Circe’s seraphic vocals and Kloyd’s lilting electronics. Speaking about the origins of the track, Kloyd explains: “I had a session with Alexa (Circe) and she came up with this really beautiful vocal line and I couldn’t stop listening to it. It channels the sentiment of this new work truly. I imagined when making the track someone seeing a woman they felt so beautiful they fall head over heals in love with her, before realising what they were getting themselves in for. A love so captivating it feels like magic and turmoil at the same time.” ‘Girl’ is taken for a larger project that Kloyd will be announcing soon. (KC)

SESTRICA – ‘Intuition’
A Way to Ananda is my experience of coming back to life and bliss after going through divorce,” explains Barcelona-based artist SESTRICA about her upcoming EP release. Due on 5th December, her new EP features this single ‘Intuition’, which was inspired by her decision to trust her instincts and move to a new country to pursue her musical dreams. Propelled by intense beats and layers of eclectic synth sounds; the track provides listeners with a blissful, heady moment of electronic catharsis. (KC)

False Idah – ‘Gaslight’
Having been big fans of the sultry beats and genre-defying heartfelt offerings of London-based songwriter and producer Jay Brown, under her previous guise as Amaroun, we’re now excited to hear that she’s back with a new project. False Idah takes all that we loved about Amaroun, but develops it into something more as Brown immerses herself in the vulnerability of stripped-back songwriting and the inspiration that can come with the freedom to express yourself in a true and honest way. I was lucky enough to catch an intimate live performance at Servant Jazz Quarters back in September, ahead of the release of this beautifully raw new single. (ML)

Perfume Genius – ‘Me & Angel’
I first fell in love with Perfume Genius on hearing ‘Queen’ when it was released back in 2014 – it seemed to offer something completely unique, something beautifully queer that I sought a great deal of comfort in. Since then, I’ve followed his career with each new album, as well as becoming quite obsessed with the raw vulnerability of earlier releases Learning and Put Ur Back Into It, but every time he’s played in London something’s cropped up which has meant I’ve not been able to go. That was until earlier this month, when I finally got to immerse myself in the utterly compelling, truly cathartic experience of seeing him live at The Roundhouse. Treating us to older favourites, as well as the majestic grandeur of newer songs like this one from his recent album Glory, it was a memorable evening that left me feeling soothed and hopeful. (ML)

Lowli – ‘Window In The Woods’
‘Window In The Woods’ is the title track from Irish composer & songwriter Lowli’s debut album, which she released via VETA records in October. It’s a beautiful, introspective record which sees Lowli process unsettling memories and emotions through her tender keys, crystalline vocals and atmospheric electronics. (KC)

Ailbhe Reddy – ‘So Quickly, Baby’
This is the second single from Dublin-born songwriter Ailbhe Reddy’s upcoming second album, KISS BIG, which is set for release on 30th January 2026 via Don Giovanni Records. ‘So Quickly, Baby’ is described by the artist as “the meltdown song, the album’s neurotic heartbeat,” which is why it packs such an emotional punch. Inspired by the tumultuous aftermath of a big breakup, Ailbhe’s new record promises to be just as raw and relatable as her previous efforts. (KC)

Jasmine.4.t & Jacob Alon – ‘Find Ur Ppl’
A completely dream collaboration between two total faves, ‘Find Ur Ppl’ was written by Jasmine early in her transition and offers a truly beautiful ode to the queer community; a heartfelt message of hope about finding people you love who you can be yourself around. It’s taken from charity compilation, All Things Go: 10 Years, a collection featuring loads of other artists from ATG Records including Kesha and Joy Oladokun, with all proceeds going to The Ally Coalition. (ML)

Snocaps – ‘Coast’
Being a huge fan of both Waxahatchee and Swearin’, I’m pretty excited by new supergroup Snocaps; featuring Katie Crutchfield and her twin sister Allison, along with MJ Lenderman and Brad Cook. The stuff dreams are made of, basically. Taken from their recently released self-titled album, ‘Coast’ showcases the gorgeous, fuzzy allure of this new collaboration perfectly. (ML)

Tenderness – ‘Database Blues’
As someone who had Deep Throat Choir soundtrack me walking down the aisle, hearing the voice of anyone from that incredible collective always feels pretty special. And so the news that Katy Beth Young (also of Peggy Sue) is sharing more new music from her solo project Tenderness is very welcome to my ears. Following previous single ‘We’ll Always Have Paris 1919’ a recent tour with Willy Mason, latest offering ‘Database Blues’ offers a gorgeously country-tinged reflection on a world of streaming algorithms as Young’s rich vocals create a soothing, immersive warmth. Of the track, she explains: “Sending a song to a crush is obviously one of life’s purest joys but what does it mean when the algorithm plays it back to you later? Can you still call it a sign? I was an MSN Messenger teenager so there have always been screens in my romances – screens as a connector and amplifier as well as a barrier.” (ML)

SASAMI – ‘Just Be Friends’ (Soccer Mommy Version)
Genre-bending artist SASAMI has shared a collaborative version of her track ‘Just Be Friends’, featuring indie artist Soccer Mommy. Originally featuring on SASMI’s album, Blood On The Silver Screen, this new version encapsulates the artist’s pure love for modern country music, as she explains further: “Country songs have to be some of the most effective and cutting examples of peak pop songwriting- wit, drama, humour, sadness, and the most human of all – horniness. My song ‘Just Be Friends,’ was definitely inspired by modern country, but I knew if I wanted it to be truly authentic I would need to enlist an actual southern princess. This new version featuring Soccer Mommy, pedal steel and all, delivers on the country magic that I had always wished could be in that song. That’s the best part about collaboration, all hat all cattle.” (KC)

Lucy Leave – ‘Go To The Show (I Just Wanna)’
Ahead of the release of their upcoming album, Feelings Explorer I & II, in spring next year, Oxford indie-pop trio Lucy Leave have now shared a new triple (!) A-side single. Accompanying the scuzzy hooks of ‘Steve Lamacq Wants To Know’ and ‘The Letter P and The Number 7’, ‘Go To The Show (I Just Wanna)’ reflects on singer Mike’s experience as someone with cerebral palsy, and the reality that attending and playing gigs post pandemic is pretty much impossible for the covid-vulnerable. (ML)

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN THE PLAYLIST ON TIDAL!

FIVE FAVOURITES: Leah Levinson (Agriculture)

Bassist and vocalist Leah Levinson from Los Angeles black-metal noise merchants Agriculture is a potent voice in the heavy music scene. Sharing songwriting and vocal duties with guitarist Dan Meyer, Leah’s guttural screams permeate the band’s diverse, doom-laden sounds; now coined as “ecstatic black metal”. It’s not just the physical volume and sheer power of her voice that has garnered Agriculture such a loyal following though. On the band’s most recent album, The Spiritual Sound, Leah’s raw lyricism tackles transphobia, queerphobia and misogyny; highlighting how vital her voice as a trans woman truly is.

Released via The Flenser in October this year, The Spiritual Sound is a culmination of both Leah and Dan’s dismantling of the human experience, in both its most simplistic and most complex forms. Take the deeper, more personal cut ‘The Weight’ for example, on which Leah explores both the triumphs and the traumas of queer life.

“‘The Weight’ was written reflecting on a particular month last year when so much seemed heightened,” Leah explains. “It seemed like many of my friends were being harassed in public – both verbally and physically – for being trans, for being queer and/or for being women (it’s not always clear which). This was also a time when I was feeling a lot of love and a lot of community. I wanted this song and the songs around it to honestly reflect both these elements. I wanted to write about transness, but didn’t want to rely on political aphorisms and indulgent images of suffering. I wanted to paint a holistic portrait of queer life.”

We think one of the best ways to get to know an artist is by asking what music inspired them to write in the first place. We caught up with Leah to ask about her “Five Favourites” and she picked five albums by an eclectic range of artists who have inspired her songwriting techniques. Check out her choices below and scroll down to watch the official lyric video for Agriculture’s single ‘The Weight’ too…

 

1. Lou Reed – Transformer
I don’t shut up about this album. I discovered it when I was about thirteen and have regularly rediscovered it throughout my life since. The songs here are odd, lopsided, messy, and sometimes overly simple. I think they reflect Lou finding himself as a solo artist and coming to understand (alongside the society and culture around him) many aspects of himself, from gender and sexuality to drug use and spirituality. It’s an album about being in the world that sounds like it comes from the pitch black of nowhere. The production and arrangements by David Bowie and Mick Ronson hardly nod to rock music; letting chamber, jazz, and symphonic instrumentation flirt alongside Lou’s gravelly voice while more traditional rock instruments are mainly used in less conventional ways. I sometimes think of these songs as nursery rhymes and lullabies for addicts and queers, and, in that way, so many lyrics from this album exist in my mind as riddles, koans, and mantras that I’m sure I’ll never solve. This album has shaped my life and output as an artist in immeasurable ways.

2. Laurel Halo – Quarantine
This album came out when I was at the formative age of eighteen and hasn’t left me in the decade-plus since. I think it has one of the greatest covers of all time and somehow manages to live up to it. As a collection of deconstructed ambient pop songs, I find this album difficult to ever really grasp. At the same time, that ungraspable, atmospheric quality feels at odds with its earworms and its moment-to-moment intrigue. It’s a beautiful instance of an album that feels like an entire world, perfectly paced and thoroughly explored. Any time I hear it I feel I am home without ever really knowing (or having to know) what it’s about in the first place.

3. The Velvet Underground – The Velvet Underground & Nico
I have a hard time choosing a favourite between The Velvet Underground’s first three albums, so I’m going with this one because it was my introduction to them and in many ways, it feels like it’s got it all in one. The repetitive, minimal song structures on this album influenced me at a pretty young age; an early lesson that less can be more. Moe Tucker’s drumming is an important contributing factor for that, and I think deserves greater acknowledgement as a major innovation in rock, pop, and underground music. Beyond that, the arrangements on this album showed me both how little you need to make something work, and how much noise and complexity a listener can tolerate when there’s a strong song at the center of it. I’ve also always loved that the album has multiple voices on it, with Lou Reed and Nico alternating leads. That’s something Agriculture has and something I try to do in some way on most albums I make. I think it makes an album more vibrant and less lonely and monolithic. This album laid the format for so much music I love that comes after it, from the Ramones to My Bloody Valentine to Godflesh and others. It’s the foundation.

4. Entombed – Left Hand Path
This is my obligatory metal choice for this list. It’s unlike any other metal album I’ve ever heard, but in such a subtle way. Entombed formed in 1987 from members of Nihilist and helped establish the early Swedish death metal scene. This album is sort of the ultimate demo of the drop tuning and “Swedish chainsaw” sound of the maxed out HM-2 pedal that together came to define the Swedish death metal sound. To me, that sound is heavy in a warm way. Feelings of both dread and comfort coexist on this album, like there’s this push and pull around a fear of death and a complete acceptance of mortality and fate. I think this is emphasized by the material on the album which feels much more serious and mature than the slasher, sword and sorcery, vampire, and simplistic satanist imagery that permeated metal at that time. This is one of the few metal albums that feels like it’s about death in a real way. That its guitar solos, demon growls, and headbanger riffs don’t detract from that, but rather add to it, makes it all the more special.

5. Albert Ayler – Love Cry
The Albert Ayler Trio’s Spiritual Unity was one of the first and furthest out pieces of experimental/avant garde music I was introduced to. The song ‘Ghosts’ was kind of an anthem for Ayler – there’s two versions on that album alone and he continued to revisit throughout his career – and it’s the song that drew me to Ayler for years and years to come, while I puzzled over the cacophony that surrounded it. Ayler’s project is one centered around collective improvisation and the asynchronous comingling of spirits through music. What makes ‘Ghosts’ so great is its tuneful, almost naïve melody that is defiantly bright and strong. It provides coloration and structure to the unbound playing that delivers it while giving a strong footing for its improvisers to take off from. That song is revisited early on Love Cry, an album that adapts Ayler’s early vision and imagines a way forward with it. Love Cry has some of the most innovative arrangements in jazz for its time in a way that still sounds fresh today. Beyond that, it expands on the compositional conceit of ‘Ghosts’ in its many songs without ever repeating itself. It’s an album that shows Ayler searching spiritually in every direction and finding answers only transmissible through music.

Thanks to Leah for sharing her favourites with us!
Watch the lyric video for Agriculture’s single ‘The Weight’ below.

Follow Agriculture via bandcamp, bluesky, Facebook & Instagram
Check out Agriculture’s official website too

Photo Credit: Olivia Crumm

LISTEN: GIHE on Soho Radio with Breakup Haircut (13.11.25)

Tash and Kate were back in the Soho Radio studio, bringing listeners their usual eclectic mix of new music tunes from some of their favourite female, non-binary and LGBTQIA+ artists. Mari offered some of her “musical musings” too!

Tash played tracks by trans artists who are much loved by GIHE to mark the upcoming Transgender Day of Remembrance (20th November) and Kate paid homage to Daphne Oram, a pioneer of electronic music. Oram’s centenary is currently being celebrated with performances across the UK on the oram/100 tour, a stunning compilation album titled vari/ations – Ode To Oram, and a special show at The Barbican on 4th December.

London-based DIY pop punk heroes Breakup Haircut also joined the team live in the studio to talk about their second album, No Worries If Not! – due on 28th November via INH Records. Ishani, Ripley and Jordan spoke about the friendship, humour and sheer determination that inspired the writing and recording process (R.I.P to the dead bird in Jordan’s shed/studio). Plus, they shared words of wisdom about how to survive as a DIY band in today’s chaotic world. Grab a ticket to Breakup Haircut’s album launch show at The Victoria in Dalston, East London, here. THWACK! and Jemma Freeman and the Cosmic Something are also on the bill!

Listen back to the show below:

 

We’ll be back on Soho Radio on Thursday 11th December from 16:00-18:00 – our last show of 2025! Make sure you tune in via DAB or download the Soho Radio app.
You can also listen at www.sohoradio.com

 

Tracklist
Jessie Mac – Trans Is Beautiful
NAVA – Poki
Babeheaven – Lost For Words
Lowli – Window In The Woods
PostLast – ‘Scavenge’ (Birthday Problem remix)
Nazire – junebug
Charlotte Day Wilson – Selfish
Romy – Love Who You Love
afromerm – swimming in my ❤
ROSALIA ft. Bjork & Yves Tumor – Berghain
Siselabonga – Halo
Queen Of Nothing – Heaven Is Hurting
Breakup Haircut – Spite! Spite! Spite!
**Interview with Breakup Haircut**
The Linda Lindas – Growing Up
Halina Rice – ENDLESS (Tash’s Track Of The Show)
Marina Yozora – Touché (Kate’s Track Of The Show)
ARXX – W.I.P (Mari’s Track Of The Show)
jasmine 4.t ft Jacob Alon – Find Ur Ppl
CHERMY ft. Uninvited – Sofa Bed
HAVVK – Happening Again
Sylvan Esso – WDID
Livia O – a moment to breathe
GENN – Reverberations
PLANNINGTOROCK x Bronski Beat – Smalltown Boy (rework)
Destiny’s Child – Girl