Features

DIY’s 2025 Tracks of the Year

Your definitive guide to the best releases from the past 12 months, as voted for by DIY writers.

17th December 2025

Jerkcurb on grief, growth, and channelling it all into new album ‘Night Fishing On A Calm Lake’

Jerkcurb: “It takes a cataclysmic event to realise how much of life is made out of distractions”

An unflinching portrait of love and loss, Jacob Read’s long-awaited second full-length is a moving testament to finding light amidst the darkness.

17th December 2025

DIY’s 2025 Albums of the Year

Your definitive guide to the best releases from the past 12 months, as voted for by DIY writers.

16th December 2025

For One Night Only!: Edward from Jedward curates his dream gig

One half of everyone’s favourite twins gives us an insight into his ideal night out.

16th December 2025

Wicklow band Florence Road on supporting Wolf Alice, their ‘Fall Back’ mixtape, and what’s next for DIY’s Class of 2026

Back in January, Wicklow four-piece Florence Road were yet to play a gig outside of Ireland. Fast forward 12 months to now, and the band have travelled the world, released their debut mixtape ‘Fall Back’, and played alongside the likes of Wolf Alice, Wallows and Olivia Rodrigo; all while firmly staking their claim as the fast-rising new band to get behind.

12th December 2025

Hohnen Ford on building a community, hating Christmas, and third EP ‘Incurable Optimist’

Hohnen Ford: “If I can be more secure in myself, I’m a better artist”

Fresh from the release of her third project ‘Incurable Optimist’ — not to mention a special Christmas EP — Hohnen Ford is in demand and learning to stand her ground.

8th December 2025

Chilli Jesson talks growing up and processing grief on new project Dead Dads Club

In The Studio: Dead Dads Club

After a period spent in the musical hinterland, and a chance invite to join Fontaines DC on the road, Chilli Jesson found himself reinvigorated and ready to tackle his biggest challenge yet; processing the grief of losing his father via his new project Dead Dads Club.

3rd December 2025

For One Night Only!: Blue’s Simon Webbe curates his dream gig

The boyband legend gives us an insight into his ideal night out.

28th November 2025

Nourished By Time talks merging artistic and political engagement on ‘The Passionate Ones’ for DIY In Deep

Nourished By Time: Eyes Open

With an intrepid resolve to traverse genres and eras, Nourished By Time has forged a sound which feels simultaneously timeless and unmistakably modern. On his latest album ‘The Passionate Ones’, songwriter/producer Marcus Brown builds on his 2023 debut with confidence to spin a multi-layered story of political disillusionment, aspiration and – crucially – hope.

27th November 2025

Art-rock London band The Orchestra (For Now) talk industry buzz and latest EP ‘Plan 76’

The Orchestra (For Now): “It took a long time to find people that we could trust - to not just to follow your ideas, but generate them too”

Around the release of their latest EP ‘Plan 76’, The Orchestra (For Now) share the merits and pitfalls of being one of the country’s buzziest and overtly maximalist new groups.

27th November 2025

London band Sorry on experimental artistry and new album ‘COSPLAY’

Sorry: In Character

Having spent almost a decade building and expanding their wonderfully off-kilter musical world, on new album ‘COSPLAY’, London’s Sorry continue trying new things on for size.

26th November 2025

Essex-London band She’s In Parties on their third EP ‘Are You Dreaming?’

She’s In Parties: “If you write thinking ‘this is going to be for a big venue’, it’ll happen”

Meet the Essex-London quartet who may be geographically split between two locations but, with their latest EP ‘Are You Dreaming?’, have harnessed the liminal space in between to create their boldest work yet.

25th November 2025

Picture Parlour talk doing things on their own terms, rock’n’roll spirit, and their awaited debut album ‘The Parlour’

Picture Parlour: Love Rock ‘N’ Roll

On their long-awaited, theatrical debut album, Picture Parlour usher us into the places, culture and magic that shaped them, and which gave rise to the imaginary world of ‘The Parlour’.

24th November 2025

Allie X talks alt-pop stardom, industry autonomy, and fourth album ‘Happiness Is Going To Get You’

Allie X: Happily Ever After?

Just a year on from the release of her last, self-exorcising offering, Allie X has returned with a new rumination on the world, this time in the form of a daring, resistant album that refuses to compromise in its search for contentment.

20th November 2025

Stella Donnelly on recalibration, having a break from music, and new album ‘Love and Fortune’

Stella Donnelly: Fortune Favours The Brave

Never one for sugar-coating uncomfortable home truths, indie singer-songwriter Stella Donnelly has only sharpened her poignant lyrical pen for third album ‘Love and Fortune’ — a deeply personal record that finds her facing up to change to put her best foot forward.

19th November 2025

Danny Brown on newfound sobriety, collaboration, and seventh solo album ‘Stardust’

Danny Brown: Star Studded

After finding sobriety and tackling deep-rooted trauma, with sixth album ‘Stardust’, Danny Brown is moving into the future at his trailblazing best with help from a vibrant cast of collaborators.

18th November 2025

CMAT on DIY’s Album of the Year ‘EURO-COUNTRY’ and being “robbed” of the 2025 Mercury Prize

CMAT: National Pleasure

If lime green was the colour of 2024, then 2025’s should surely be royal blue — the shade that, this year, has become synonymous with CMAT and her game-changing, triumphant third album ‘EURO-COUNTRY’. As the curtain falls on what’s been her long-awaited breakthrough to the big time, she reflects on her newfound pop stardom, the nuances of Irish identity, and a certain recent robbery…

14th November 2025

Water From Your Eyes talk Bigfoot, new album ‘It’s A Beautiful Place’, and their 2025 UK/EU tour

Water From Your Eyes: “When something strikes a chord true to my deepest understanding of my existence, I can’t help but giggle – even if it hurts”

In harnessing existential themes and embracing the guitar, the experimental art-pop duo have expanded their sonic horizons and, in the process, created a beautiful world that’s truly their own.

11th November 2025