Six albums released this week include The Hives, Idles, The Beths, CMAT, Modern Nature, and Ganser. Three albums appear poised for Best of 2025 lists, while three others receive praise as excellent. The Indie Basement Classic highlights a lost gem from Swervedriver, one of the original shoegaze greats. Notable Releases include new records from Blood Orange, End it, and Rakim & Big Ghost Ltd. The Hives released their seventh album, Forever Forever The Hives, carrying momentum from their 2023 return, featuring co-producers Mike D and Pelle Gunnerfeldt and input from Josh Homme. The album preserves big riffs, big drums, breakneck tempos, anthemic choruses, and heaps of attitude.
After over a decade in hibernation, The Hives roared back to life in 2023 with The Death of Randy Fitzsimmons. Middle age didn't slow them down one bit-their high-octane, braggadocious brand of garage rock sounded as fresh as it did when they dropped Veni Vidi Vicious 25 years ago, and their live show was like they never left. Then The Hives did something they'd never done before in their 30-year career:
You can feel that energy and momentum in The Hives Forever Forever The Hives, the Swedish quintet's seventh album and, I'm just going to say it, their best yet. No, frontman Howlin' Pelle Almqvist has not stolen my laptop. This record rips. Some credit surely goes to co-producers Mike D (Beastie Boys) and Pelle Gunnerfeldt (Viagra Boys), as well as input from Josh Homme, but this is clearly the work of a band striking while the iron is hot.
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