All Songs Considered New Music Friday: The best albums out Dec. 5
Dec 5, 2025
Erin Wolf, a music journalist and Radio Milwaukee contributor, joins to discuss essential new album releases. They dive into Dove Ellis's debut, which compares him to giants like Jeff Buckley, and highlight Melody's Echo Chamber's lush, rejuvenated sound. Tom Smith's introspective solo effort gets praised for its emotional depth, while TEED's synth-pop brings nostalgic vibes, evoking Depeche Mode. The duo also explores the ambient techno of Voices from the Lake, providing perfect soundscapes for studying or winter walks.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Dove Ellis Balances Grandness And Nervy Energy
- Dove Ellis mixes chamber-pop strings with nervy, blog-era indie energy to feel both grand and restless.
- His voice evokes Jeff Buckley and Radiohead but lands in a contemporary, frenetic singer-songwriter pocket.
A Different, Melancholy Christmas Song
- Stephen described 'I'll Be Gone By Christmas' as a melancholy holiday addition that avoids typical sleigh-bell clichés.
- He appreciates new hard-bitten seasonal songs that resist the usual eight overplayed holiday tracks.
Unclouded Feels Retro Yet Renewing
- Melody's Echo Chamber's Unclouded blends Phil Spector-style walls of sound with modern production and swelling strings.
- The record conveys a renewed sense of wonder tied to Melody Prochet's stated new outlook on life.