The Album Files

Iain//Arooj Aftab, Night Reign Sep 16, 2024

"Arooj Aftab's most recent album, Night Reign, is a fascinating merging of styles with the Pakistani-American singer's breathtaking voice floating over the top of it. Something about Aftab's work has really struck a chord with me and I was excited to share it with the rest of the crew – to see whether Abby and Matt were able to find the beauty in this haunting music." - Iain

Thank you so much for listening to this episode of the Album Files! We will return in two weeks to discuss Matt's pick: 'Drag It Down on You' by Ceres.

We'd love to hear your thoughts, if you want to send us a voice memo to include in the show you can find our social media links below.

What we've been listening to lately...

Matt: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Post Malone, King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard ⁠, Eminem⁠, Lizzy McAlpine doco

Iain: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Cassandra Jenkins, Alcest, ⁠Christian Löffler, Charli XCX

Abby: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sabrina Carpenter

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠You can find a ⁠⁠playlist of the music we discussed in episode 28 of The Album Files ⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠ You can find us on social media ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@abimickey⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@iaintreloar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@climbingcyclist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Abby//Last Dinner Party, Prelude to Ecstasy Jun 26, 2024

"From the moment I heard My Lady of Mercy I knew 'The Last Dinner Party' was a band I wanted to introduce to this podcast. The over-the-top, grandiose, almost theatrical nature of the band, not just their music but also their overall aesthetic, was attractive from the first music video and the story behind the band and the rapid trajectory of their last two years makes the whole picture all the more impressive. When I'd finally heard the whole album there was no doubt in my mind I would pitch it, it was only a matter of when." - Abby

Thank you so much for listening to this episode of the Album Files! We will return in two weeks to discuss Iain's pick: 'Night Reign' by Arooj Aftab.

We'd love to hear your thoughts, if you want to send us a voice memo to include in the show you can find our social media links below.

What we've been listening to lately...

Matt: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Billie Eilish - Hit Me Hard and Soft, Dua Lipa - Radical Optimism, Fanning Dempsey National Park, Led Zeppelin - IV

Iain: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Abba - Conociendome, Conociendote, Trhä

Abby: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sabrina Carpenter - Please, Please, Please and Espresso

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠You can find a ⁠⁠playlist of the music we discussed in episode 27 of The Album Files ⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠ You can find us on social media ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@abimickey⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@iaintreloar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@climbingcyclist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Bonus!//Taylor Swift, The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology May 08, 2024

Yes, we were supposed to talk about The Last Dinner Party's Prelude to Ecstasy this week, but we couldn't stop listening to Taylor Swift's new album The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology.

Don't worry, we'll be back to our regular episodes next time! For now, please enjoy this bonus episode that could have lasted another 54 minutes.

Bonus!//Lizzy McAlpine, Older Apr 24, 2024

"Lizzy McAlpine’s sophomore album, ‘Five Seconds Flat’, was one of the first albums we reviewed here at The Album Files. It made an immediate impression on all of us and has been an album we’ve come back to again and again in the year and a bit since. So when she released her third album, ‘Older’, earlier this month, we knew we had to get together and talk about it." - Matt

We will be back next week with a regularly scheduled (what does that even mean with us) episode. Thank you for listening!

Matt//Neutral Milk Hotel, In the Aeroplane Over the Sea Apr 18, 2024

"Neutral Milk Hotel’s second and final album, In the Aeroplane Over the Sea (1998), is an indie rock cult classic, a weird and wonderful journey through the mind of a reclusive genius, and an album that’s as provocative as it is intriguing. Sonically it’s rough and unpolished; lyrically it’s largely impenetrable and often unsettling. Ultimately, this is a fascinating and important piece of art and one that’s deserving of all the attention it’s received in the past quarter century." - Matthew

Thank you so much for listening to this episode of the Album Files! We will be back in two weeks to discuss Abby's pick: Prelude to Ecstasy by The Last Dinner Party. Next week we will have a special episode about Lizzy McAlpine's Older

We'd love to hear your thoughts, if you want to send us a voice memo to include in the show you can find our social media links below.

What we've been listening to lately...

Matt: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jacob Collier - Little Blue (Mahogany Sessions), Lizzy McAlpine - Older (Jimmy Fallon)

Iain: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sadness - Lana, Sylvaine - Dagsens Auga Sloknar Ut

Abby: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Beyoncé - Blackbiird

⁠⁠⁠⁠You can find a ⁠⁠playlist of the music we discussed in episode 26 of The Album Files ⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠ You can find us on social media ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@abimickey⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@iaintreloar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@climbingcyclist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Iain//Bon Iver, For Emma, Forever Ago Mar 09, 2024

"Before the Taylor Swift and Kanye West collabs, Bon Iver's debut album is an insular, inward-looking reflection on its frontman Justin Vernon, originally intended as a demo before going on to sell in its hundreds of thousands and birthing a new generation of singer-songwriter. It's a fascinating record not just because of what it says but what it doesn't - and the considerable mythology behind it." -Iain

Thank you so much for listening to this episode of the Album Files! We will be back in two weeks to discuss Matt's pick: In the Aeroplane Over the Sea by Neutral Milk Hotel.

We'd love to hear your thoughts, if you want to send us a voice memo to include in the show you can find our social media links below.

What we've been listening to lately...

Matt: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jacob Collier - Bridge Over Troubled Water breakdown of how he made the song, Jacob Collier - Bridge Over Troubled Water

Iain: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alcest - L'Envol

Abby: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠nothing this week :)

⁠⁠⁠You can find a ⁠⁠playlist of the music we discussed in episode 25 of The Album Files ⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠ You can find us on social media ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@abimickey⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@iaintreloar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@climbingcyclist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Alt-J, Camp Cope, and Japanese Breakfast Feb 24, 2024

For this episode, we asked our listeners for their suggestions of albums that are worth listening to. The three that we landed on were Japanese Breakfast's Jubilee (suggested by Escape Collective member jlb1705), Alt-J's An Awesome Wave (suggested by Brooke Lendvay), and Camp Cope's How to Socialise and Make Friends (suggested by Andy Gerrie).

We had a blast listening to all three and as always are super grateful you all listen to this podcast, it means the world to us.

We will be back in two weeks to discuss Iain's pick: For Emma, Forever Ago by Bon Iver.

We'd love to hear your thoughts, if you want to send us a voice memo to include in the show you can find our social media links below.

What we've been listening to lately...

Matt: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Older - Lizzy McAlpine, Little Simz - SOS, Lil Dicky - HAHAHA

Iain: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ratatat - Wildcat, Wild Beasts - Wanderlust

Abby: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sofiane Pamart - Seoul, Beyoncé - Texas Hold 'Em

⁠⁠⁠You can find a ⁠⁠playlist of the music we discussed in episode 24 of The Album Files ⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠ You can find us on social media ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@abimickey⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@iaintreloar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@climbingcyclist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Abby//Green Day, American Idiot Feb 09, 2024

"Apart from that I love it, and in a lot of ways it was the first album that I fell in love with without influence from my family, it also feels weirdly “too close” in the current political climate. John Colapinto of Rolling Stone wrote about the album that it "gives voice to the disenfranchised suburban underclass of Americans who feel wholly unrepresented by the current leadership of oilmen and Ivy Leaguers, and who are too smart to accept the "reality" presented by news media who sell the government's line of fear and warmongering." And If that’s not the world we are living in now…It was an album that changed me as a person, a freshman in high school in a lot of ways discovering who I was for the first time, this album became my anthem for a time and was the soundtrack behind a new version of myself and my departure from youth." -Abby

Thank you so much for listening to this episode of the Album Files! We will be back in two weeks to discuss the latest round of listener picks: Japanese Breakfast's Jubilee (suggested by jlb1705), Alt-J's An Awesome Wave (suggested by Brooke Lendvay), and Camp Cope's How to Socialise and Make Friends (suggested by Andy Gerrie).

We'd love to hear your thoughts, if you want to send us a voice memo to include in the show you can find our social media links below.

What we've been listening to lately...

Matt: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Green Day - Bobby Sox, Green Day - Saviors (full album), Green Day in the NYC subway

Iain: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Olhava, Violet Cold, Mono

Abby: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠René Rapp - SNL Snow Angel, Boygenius - Not Strong Enough, The Last Dinner Party - Caesar on the TV Screen

⁠⁠You can find a ⁠⁠playlist of the music we discussed in episode 23 of The Album Files ⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠ You can find us on social media ⁠⁠⁠⁠@abimickey⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠@iaintreloar⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠@climbingcyclist⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Matt//Meat Loaf, Bat Out of Hell Jan 11, 2024

"Meat Loaf’s ‘Bat out of Hell’ holds a special place in my heart. It’s an album I grew up listening to and one that, decades later, still delights me every time I put it on. It’s an album that has everything from nine-minute self-contained mini rock operas, all the way across the spectrum to the most beautiful ballads you’re likely to hear. It’s a wild and bombastic ride and one that, almost 50 years since it was released, still has plenty to offer the listener." - Matt

Thank you so much for listening to this episode of the Album Files! We will be back in two weeks to discuss Abby's pick: American Idiot by Green Day.

We'd love to hear your thoughts, if you want to send us a voice memo to include in the show you can find our social media links below.

What we've been listening to lately...

Matt: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dirty Three (Tiny Desk), Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - Ghosteen, Rick Wakeman - Criminal Record

Iain: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dua Lipa - Houdini, (also mentioned) Carnage (live)

Abby: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Taylor Swift - New Year's Day, Taylor Swift - Invisible String

⁠You can find a ⁠⁠playlist of the music we discussed in episode 22 of The Album Files ⁠here⁠⁠⁠.⁠ You can find us on social media ⁠⁠⁠@abimickey⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠@iaintreloar⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠@climbingcyclist⁠⁠⁠.

One Year of Album Files! Dec 31, 2023

For our final episode of the year, we revealed our Wrapped/Replay/Iain's concoction of music to each other. Matt broke down all the stats from our albums throughout the year, and we talked about some albums we are excited about in 2024.

Our next episode coming in January will feature Matt's pick of Bat Out of Hell, the debut album by Meat Loaf.

For a playlist of music we mentioned check out our Spotify here.

Iain//There Will Be Fireworks, Summer Moon Dec 15, 2023

"The Scottish group There Will Be Fireworks is one of the less well-known artists we've covered on the podcast, working without a label and juggling the demands of day-jobs and lives outside of music. Summer Moon, the band's third album – and first in a decade – made an enormous impression on me when it was released in November and I've spent the last few weeks with the band's skilful blend of indie rock, post-rock, emo and folk. At its core, I think it's a hugely emotionally resonant listen, grappling with nostalgia for the past and hope for the future." - Iain

Thank you so much for listening to this episode of the Album Files! We will be back next week for a year end wrap up episode. We'd love to hear your thoughts, if you want to send us a voice memo to include in the show you can find our social media links below.

What we've been listening to lately...

Matt: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard - The

/ The Silver Cord, Griff - Vertigo Vol 1, (also mentioned) Ceres - Happy In Your Head

Iain: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mesarthim - Matter and Energy, Kangding Ray - Unsterblich, (also mentioned) There Will Be Fireworks - In Excelsis Deo (live)

Abby: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Noah Kahan - Stick Season (live on SNL), Orange Juice

You can find a ⁠⁠playlist of the music we discussed in episode 20 of The Album Files ⁠here⁠⁠.⁠ You can find us on social media ⁠⁠@abimickey⁠⁠, ⁠⁠@iaintreloar⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠@climbingcyclist⁠⁠.

Abby//Lana Del Rey, Born To Die Nov 29, 2023

"Lana Del Rey, in my opinion, changed female-led pop in the music industry with her release of Born To Die in 2012. Listening to it now, you can hear how she influenced a handful of today's biggest pop stars and even though the album has some...flaws....I still enjoy listening to it today. Personally, I discovered Del Rey when the rest of the world did- via YouTube. Her whole aesthetic captivated a 21-year-old Abby and became part of my personality. I was really excited to put this album before Matt and Iain to see what they thought of an artist that continues to break the mould." -Abby

Thank you so much for listening to this episode of the Album Files! We will be back in two weeks to talk about Iain's pick Summer Moon by There Will Be Fireworks, please listen along! We'd love to hear your thoughts, if you want to send us a voice memo to include in the show you can find our social media links below.

What we've been listening to lately...

Matt: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Luca Brasi - The World Don't Owe You Anything, Dua Lipa - Houdini

Iain: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Søndag Søndag - Søndag, (also mentioned) Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton - Our Hell, Hayley Mary covers Lana Del Rey 'Chemtrails Over The Country Club'

Abby: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Jacob Collier - Witness Me (feat. Shawn Mendes, Stormzy & Kirk Franklin), ⁠Heavy Diamond Ring - All Out Of Angels, Mama Magnolia - Dear Irvington, Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas, The Last Dinner Party - My Lady of Mercy

You can find a ⁠playlist of the music we discussed in episode 20 of The Album Files ⁠here⁠⁠. You can find us on social media ⁠@abimickey⁠, ⁠@iaintreloar⁠ and ⁠@climbingcyclist⁠.

Matt//Kendrick Lamar, good kid, m.A.A.d city Nov 09, 2023

"The journey that Kendrick Lamar takes us on with this album is one that, for me at least, was unsettling to begin with. His lived experience is worlds away from mine, and listening to this album felt like I was stepping into a world where I didn’t belong. But in time I’ve come to appreciate that experience – this is a fascinating glimpse into a different universe, fashioned with great care and craftsmanship, and an album that rewards repeat (and attentive) listens." - Matt

Thank you so much for listening to this episode of the Album Files! We will be back in two weeks to talk about Abby's pick Born to Die by Lana Del Rey, please listen along! We'd love to hear your thoughts, if you want to send us a voice memo to include in the show you can find our social media links below.

What we've been listening to lately...

Matt: ⁠The Beatles - Now and Then (the making of), The Beatles - Now and Then (music video), The Veronicas - Perfect

Iain: ⁠Ragana - In the Light of the Burning World, Ad Infinitum (Remastered) - Woods of Desolation, Taylor Swift - Is It Over Yet?

Abby: ⁠Taylor Swift - Bad Blood (feat. Kendrick Lamar), Taylor Swift - Style

You can find a playlist of the music we discussed in episode 19 of The Album Files ⁠here⁠. You can find us on social media @abimickey, @iaintreloar and @climbingcyclist.

Iain // Alcest, Souvenirs D'un Autre Monde Oct 28, 2023

"In 2007, the little-known French band Alcest released an album that would go on to be one of the founding texts of an entire genre, blackgaze. A melding of black metal and shoegaze, this album - Souvenirs d'un autre monde - is, 15 years later, still surprising in its delicacy and beauty, filled with childhood visions of fairy kingdoms. It was a gateway into a whole new musical world for me, so I was excited to take The Album Files on this journey." -Iain

In this episode, we also discuss Bad Winds Blow, the album Matt and his brother Ash recently released. Together they are called Brineheart and you can find the album on all streaming platforms.

Thank you so much for listening to this episode of the Album Files! We will be back in two weeks to talk about Matt's pick good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar, please listen along! We'd love to hear your thoughts, if you want to send us a voice memo to include in the show you can find our social media links below.

What we've been listening to lately...

Matt: Jacob Collier - Live in Lisbon, Meinl Cymbals - The Adrian Belew Power Trio - "E", Silverchair - Emotion Sickness

Iain: Erland Cooper - Cold, Luke Howard - A Faint Qualm for the Future, Sufjan Stevens - "So You Are Tired"

Abby: Slayers: A Buffyverse Story

You can find a playlist of the music we discussed in episode 18 of The Album Files here. You can find us on social media @abimickey, @iaintreloar and @climbingcyclist.

Abby // Griff, One Foot In Front Of The Other Oct 13, 2023

Don't miss Matt's new music! Matt and his brother Ash recently released their album Bad Winds Blow. Together they are called Brineheart and you can find the album on all streaming platforms. The story behind it is pretty cool, Matt talks a little about it at the top of this episode but we will definitely be diving into it more in the next one.

"Griff is one of those new artists on the scene that you can't get enough of. When I first saw her perform at the Brit awards in 2021 I was blown away by her presence and immediately went in search of more. After I learned she writes, performs, and produces her own music I started to follow her closely, so I am excited to hopefully convert more people into fans of Griff. As a bonus! She just announced two new songs coming Octber 20th, with hopefully even more on the way." Abby

Thank you so much for listening to this episode of the Album Files! We will be back in two weeks to talk about Iain's pick Souvenirs D'un Autre Monde by Alcest, please listen along! We'd love to hear your thoughts, if you want to send us a voice memo to include in the show you can find out social media links below.

What we've been listening to lately...

Matt: King Crimson - Level Five, King Crimson - 21st Century Schizoid Man,

Iain: Amesoeurs - Faux Semblants, Max Richter - On The Nature Of Delight

Abby: Ed Sheeran - Plastic Bag, Hozier - Damage Gets Done, Wicked Tiny Desk

You can find a playlist of the music we discussed in episode 17 of The Album Files here. You can find us on social media @abimickey, @iaintreloar and @climbingcyclist.

Matt // Post Malone, Austin Sep 29, 2023

"Most musicians evolve as they mature, shedding the trappings of their earlier work to venture out in search of new challenges, and new sounds. Few popular artists embody this journey quite like Post Malone. After breaking out in the mid-2010s as part of the Soundcloud hip-hop movement, Malone’s more recent works show him embracing a wide array of influences, not just those that sparked his earliest releases. His latest album, “Austin”, shows just how far he’s come from those early hip-hop stylings. Sure, the hip-hop flavours are still there at times, but this is a more of a pop record than anything else. It’s also his most introspective, vulnerable, and honest work to date, and arguably his most compelling." -Matt

Thank you so much for listening to this episode of the Album Files! We will be back in two weeks to talk about Abby's pick One Foot In Front Of The Other by Griff, please listen along! We'd love to hear your thoughts.

What we've been listening to lately...

Matt: Matt de Neef!!

Iain: Ratatat - Seventeen Years, Brand New - Can't Get It Out

Abby: Bleachers - Modern Girl, Olivia Rodrigo - pretty isn't pretty, The National - Laugh Track (feat. Phoebe Bridgers)

You can find a playlist of the music we discussed in episode 15 of The Album Files here. You can find us on social media @abimickey, @iaintreloar and @climbingcyclist.

Iain // The War on Drugs, I Don't Live Here Anymore Sep 14, 2023

"After really enjoying a couple of albums by The War on Drugs, their latest didn't really connect for me in quite the same way, for reasons I couldn't really put my finger on - even if all the ingredients seem to be there, from the warm atmospherics to the stirring melodies. So instead of sharing an album I loved, I wanted to share one that I liked, to spend more time with it and see if I could change my own mind." -Iain

Thank you so much for listening to this episode of the Album Files! We will be back in two weeks to talk about Matt's pick Austin by Post Malone, please listen along! We'd love to hear your thoughts.

What we've been listening to lately...

Matt: The Cat Empire - Owl and Thunder Rumbles, Olivia Rodrigo - bad idea, right?, vampire, get him back!

Iain: Nick Cave & Warren Ellis - Spinning Song (Australian Carnage Live at Sydney Opera House), The Hermit King

Abby: Name of the Wind on Audible (great book)

You can find a playlist of the music we discussed in episode 15 of The Album Files here. You can find us on social media @abimickey, @iaintreloar and @climbingcyclist.

We're Back!//Taylor Swift, Speak Now (Taylor's Version) Aug 31, 2023

For our first episode back we dust off the cobwebs by chatting about what we've been listening to over the break before diving into Taylor Swift's Speak Now (Taylor's Version).

Thank you so much for listening to the Album Files podcast! In the next episode, we will chat about Iain's latest pick I Don't Live Here Anymore by The War on Drugs.

What we've been listening to lately...

Matt: Carly Rae Jepsen - I Really Like You, Sonic Youth - Daydream Nation, Prince - Purple Rain

Iain: Tenhi - Valkama, Sigur Ros - Glóð, The Clientele - Blue Over Blue, Blanch Mass - Hush Money

Abby: Paramore - Ain't It Fun / Running Out of Time / Hard Times, HAIM - The Wire, MUNA - Silk Chiffon

You can find a playlist of the music we discussed in episode 13 of The Album Files here. You can find us on social media @abimickey, @iaintreloar and @climbingcyclist.

Abby//First Aid Kit, Palomino Jul 06, 2023

"From the first time I heard this album I was obsessed with it. Months after hearing it I found I kept coming back, whenever I was in need of some good vibes. Although it's not as deep as some of the albums Matt and Iain have suggested or as adventurous, I felt there were elements of this album that would spur discussion, but I also hoped this album and First Aid Kit's other would bring others happiness when listening, so mostly I just wanted to force people to hear it. I hope it brightens your day as much as it did mine." -Abby

Thank you so much for listening to this first season of the Album Files! We will be back later in the Summer to talk about Taylor Swift's Speak Now (Taylor's Version) and more music we listened to over the break.

What we've been listening to lately...

Matt: Little Simz Gorilla, MONO - Riptide

Iain: King Woman - Entwined, Sigur Rós - Blóðberg

Abby: Carley Rae Jepsen - Tiny Desk Concert, Cut to the Feeling

You can find a playlist of the music we discussed in episode 13 of The Album Files here. You can find us on social media @abimickey, @iaintreloar and @climbingcyclist.

Matt // Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Slow Riot for New Zero Kanada Jun 23, 2023

"From the moment I first heard this record (late at night in a dark, suburban lounge room) I was entranced. The beauty and the chaos; the light and shade; the juxtaposition of spoken-word recordings and heartfelt musicianship – 'Slow Riot' still has so much to offer 25 years after it was recorded. More than just about anything else I've heard, this EP is a journey, and a mesmerising one at that."

- Matt

Episode 13 features Abby's pick: First Aid Kit's Palomino.

What we've been listening to lately...

Matt: The Rocky Horror Picture Show - Sweet Transvestite

Iain: Sufjan Stevens - Casimir Pulaski Day, Sadness - i want to be with you

Abby: Ed Sheeran - 2step (feat. Lil Baby), Picture This - Winona Ryder

You can find a playlist of the music we discussed in episode 12 of The Album Files here. You can find us on social media @abimickey, @iaintreloar and @climbingcyclist.

Iain // Sufjan Stevens, Carrie & Lowell Jun 07, 2023

"Through his vast, diverse discography, I never really felt like I understood Sufjan Stevens – he was an enigmatic figure hidden behind other people’s stories. With his 2015 album Carrie & Lowell, that all changed. The album is a shockingly candid collection of songs about his harrowing upbringing, and the troubled relationship with a mother that would repeatedly abandon him throughout his childhood. This album is remarkable not just for its music, but for its intense humanity – the forgiveness, the longing, the shame, and the acceptance he navigates. This was a surprisingly emotional one for all of us, and I’m glad to put this beautiful, sad album in front of more people." - Iain

Episode 12 features Matt's pick: Godspeed You! Black Emporer's Slow Riot for New Zero Kanada

What we've been listening to lately...

Matt: Foo Fighters - Beyond Me⁠, ⁠Ben Folds - Kristine From the 7th Grade⁠

Iain: Peter Gabriel - i/o (Bright-Side Mix⁠, ⁠Deafheaven - The Pecan Tree

Abby: Stormzy - I Got My Smile Back⁠, ⁠Joshua Radin - Winter⁠

You can find a playlist of the music we discussed in episode 10 of The Album Files here. You can find us on social media @abimickey, @iaintreloar and @climbingcyclist.

Abby // The 1975, Being Funny in a Foreign Language May 24, 2023

"After a few heavy albums, it felt right to me to pick something I can't help but dance to. I find this album sounds, to me, like a love letter. A plea to put our phones down and connect with the people around us. Plus, Matty Healy's questionable personality on and off the stage I think gives us something a bit extra to talk about." -Abby

Episode 11 features Iain's pick: Sufjan Steven's Carrie & Lowell

What we've been listening to lately...

Matt: Post Malone - Mourning, Dave Matthews Band - Madman's Eyes, Post Malone - Nirvana Tribute

Iain: Sudden Lights - Aijā, Port St. Willow - Amawalk, Ben Frost - DARK Netflix Series Soundtrack

Abby: Ed Sheeran - Wildflowers (I'm sorry I am boring right now)

You can find a playlist of the music we discussed in episode 10 of The Album Files here. You can find us on social media @abimickey, @iaintreloar and @climbingcyclist.

Matt // Silverchair, Diorama May 10, 2023

"Few Australian bands were as big as Silverchair in the 1990s and 2000s and no Silverchair album was more important than Diorama. An evolution from the trio's earlier, grungier works, Diorama was a fascinating, meandering journey through a fantastical dreamworld conjured up by frontman-genius Daniel Johns. It's an album that meant a lot to me when it came out, and listening to it again 20 years on, I'm delighted to discover that it holds up remarkably well." - Matt

Episode 10 features Abby's pick: Being Funny in a Foreign Language by The 1975.

What we've been listening to lately...

Matt: First of October, Sonic Boom, More Sonic Boom

Iain: Taylor Swift - Story of Us, Tim Hecker - Obsidian Counterpoint, King Woman - Morning Star

Abby: Corrs - Breathless

You can find a playlist of the music we discussed in episode 8 of The Album Files here. You can find us on social media @abimickey, @iaintreloar and @climbingcyclist.

Bonus Episode // The National, First Two Pages of Frankenstein May 05, 2023

We are back for a bonus episode about The National's latest album First Two Pages of Frankenstein! You're welcome.

Iain // Frightened Rabbit, The Midnight Organ Fight Apr 26, 2023

A warning: This episode discusses suicide.

"Scottish band Frightened Rabbit’s breakout album, Midnight Organ Fight (2008), has had an enduring legacy. It’s been described as 'an album about breaking-up and fucking up', and one of the greatest break-up albums of recent times, and it is that – but there’s much more to it. At its core it’s a showcase of songwriter Scott Hutchison’s self-awareness and journey towards acceptance in the midst of personal turmoil, set to deceptively upbeat indie rock with a heartfelt performance. It’s not always a happy album and it is trailed by tragedy, but its journey is a worthwhile and important one." - Iain

Episode 9 features Matt's pick: Silverchair's Diorama

What we've been listening to lately...

Matt: Biffy Clyro - The Myth of the Happily Ever After, Ben Folds - Exhausting Lover, Metallica - 72 Seasons, Lizzy McAlpine - A Little Bit of Everything

Iain: Arooj Aftab - Tiny Desk, Bell Witch - Future's Shadow Part 1, Tim Hecker - Monotony

Abby: Ed Sheeran - Boat

You can find a playlist of the music we discussed in episode 8 of The Album Files here. You can find us on social media @abimickey, @iaintreloar and @climbingcyclist.

Listener Suggestions // The XX, Neil Young, and Rachel Kann Apr 12, 2023

This week we were really excited to feature three albums suggested by listeners! We pulled three albums out of a kid's helmet and each of us picked one to dig into. Hope you enjoy and thank you so much for your suggestions.

Episode 8 features Iain's pick The Midnight Organ Fight by Frightened Rabbit.

What we've been listening to lately...

Matt: 100 gecs - 10,000 Gecs

Iain: Sannhet - So Numb, The Hotelier - Among the Wildflowers, Bleachers - Rollercoaster, Bleachers - I Wanna Get Better

Abby: Ed Sheeran - Eyes Closed

You can find a playlist of the music we discussed in episode 7 of The Album Files here. You can find us on social media @abimickey, @iaintreloar and @climbingcyclist.

Bonus Episode // boygenius, the record Apr 05, 2023

We (more accurately Iain and Abby) can't get over the new boygenius album the recordthat was released on March 31st, so we got together to talk about it.

You can find the film here.

Abby // Fun., Some Nights Mar 29, 2023

"2020 was a transformative year for me in terms of music. In a year when I had a lot of free time I started to dive into new music and the year I really discovered Jack Antonoff. When digging through Jack's history I found Fun., a band he was part of for a few years, and discovered I had heard a few songs but not the whole Some Nights album. I wanted to revisit the album with this podcast and see if it holds up because when I first heard it I thought it was quite amazing." - Abby

Episode 7 features three listener suggested albums. Neil Young's On The Beach, The XX's The XX, and Rachel Kann's Ptolemaic Complex.

What we've been listening to lately...

Matt: Macklemore - BEN, Dave Matthews Tiny Desk, Lizzie McAlpine on Jimmy Fallon, 100 gecs - Hollywood Baby

Iain: Sumner McKane - Riding in Cars in the Woods, Pianos Become the Teeth - Say Nothing, Blanck Mass - House vs. House

Abby: Steel Train - I Feel Weird, Bleachers - Don't Take the Money, Julien Baker's Tiny Desk

You can find a playlist of the music we discussed in episode 6 of The Album Files here. You can find us on social media @abimickey, @iaintreloar and @climbingcyclist.

Matt // Jackson Jackson, The Fire Is on the Bird Mar 15, 2023

“They say not to judge a book by its cover but what about an album? It was the busy, fascinating album cover of Jackson Jackson’s 2007 debut, The Fire is on the Bird, that first caught my attention. The album itself turned out to be one of the most interesting and eclectic recordings I’d ever heard. I’ve enjoyed it ever since, but I know it’s as challenging a record as it is interesting. All of which makes it perfect fodder for discussion on The Album Files.” - Matt

For episode 6 Abby picked Fun.'s Some Nights

What we've been listening to lately...

Matt: Ben Folds - Winslow Gardens, Stormzy - Please, Stormzy - Give It To The Water

Iain: The Wonder Years - There, There, Jóhann Jóhannsson - The sun's gone dim and the sky's turned black, JAMBINAI - from the place been erased ft. swja

Abby: Lana del Rey - A&W, Gorillaz - Tormenta ft. Bad Bunny, Gorillaz - Oil ft Stevie Nicks, The National - New Order T-Shirt

You can find a playlist of the music we discussed in episode 5 of The Album Files here. You can find us on social media @abimickey, @iaintreloar and @climbingcyclist.

Iain // Through the Windowpane Mar 01, 2023

"I chose the Guillemots' debut album, Through the Windowpane, for this episode. An eclectic offering from 2006, there's a daring sense of adventure to this, and a personal connection through what it represented to me at the time. It's also a journey – a messy, chaotic and beautiful one." -Iain

Stay up to date and listen to Matt's pick before episode 5: Jackson Jackson's The Fire Is on the Bird

PLUS for episode 7 we will do our first listener-suggested episode! Tweet at us @TheAlbumFiles and let us know what you want us to listen to.

What we've been listening to lately...

Matt: Dave Matthews Band - Madman's Eyes, Little Simz - NO THANK YOU, Ben Barnes - 11:11, Lizzy McAlpine - ceilings music video

Iain: Sadness - Kiss in October, Paramore - You First, Phoebe Bridgers/Christian Lee Hutson

Abby: The 1975 - Paris

You can find a playlist of the music we discussed in episode 4 of The Album Files here. You can find us on social media @abimickey, @iaintreloar and @climbingcyclist.

Abby // Little Simz, Sometimes I Might Be Introvert Feb 15, 2023

Abby's pick for episode three is Little Simz's Sometimes I Might Be Introvert and Iain and Matt have some thoughts. And for episode four make sure to listen to Iain's pick Through the Windowpane by Guillemots.

What we've been listening to...

Iain: Conor Oberst - Desert Island Questionnaire, Kate Bush - Cloudbusting, Kate Bush - Breathing, 파란노을 (Parannoul) - After the Magic

Matt: Smashing Pumpkins - ATUM, The Smith Street Band - Life After Football, DOMi & JD Beck

Abby: The 1975 - Being Funny in a Foreign Language, Ed Sheeran - F64, Boygenius - $20

You can find a playlist of the music we talked about on episode 3 of The Album Files here. You can find us on social media @abimickey, @iaintreloar and @climbingcyclist.

Matt // Lizzy McAlpine five seconds flat Feb 01, 2023

For this week's episode, Matt chose Lizzy McAlpine's five seconds flat. You'll have to listen to the episode so Matt can explain why he didn't hesitate to pick this album as his first for the podcast.

Find us on social media @abimickey, @iaintreloar, and @climbingcyclist and make sure you listen all the way through to catch Abby's pick for episode 3 and listen along with us before the next episode.

Iain // The Weeknd Dawn FM Jan 18, 2023

Welcome to The Album Files, a book club-style podcast for music. For each episode, one member will pick an album to listen to. After two weeks we will get together to talk about it...our likes and dislikes, and probably go off on a few random paths along the way.

We will announce the next album at the end of each show and would love for you to listen along with us between episodes.

For this first episode, Iain Treloar picked The Weeknd's Dawn FM.

Thank you to Matt de Neef for the opening music and Tao Geoghegan Hart for our cover art.

You can find us on social media @abimickey, @climbingcyclist, and @iaintreloar.

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