In no particular order:

• Book: William Gibson - "Neuromancer" (1984)
  A book that was on my list to read for a long time. It was fine. The aesthetic is better than the story, it isn't that the story is bad by any means, it just didn't excite me. Imagery and style of writing is lush though so I can't argue there.
• Manga: Bocchi The Rock Vol.2 (2024)
  Didn't realise there were English releases beyond Vol 1. Lighthearted SOL about a girl joining a band as a guitarist. I enjoyed the anime so wanted to slowly read the manga as I found it, it's also good.
• Album: Neurosis - "An Undying Love for a Burning World" (2026)
  Almost definitely already album of the year. I don't see how anyone is topping this. Listening to it again while typing this up. What a way to come back into it, just out of nowhere, unreal line up change, huge, heavy, organic sounding slabs of music. Gorgeous.
• Album: Machiavellian Art - "Population Control" (2024)
  Missed a ton of album recs in a group chat, clicked in and saw this one day, stuck it on blind. Exactly what I was after. Bleak and wild punk, ragged riffs and a very live, heavy production, and one of my favourite vocal styles. Top quality.
• Album: Masters of Reality - "The Archer" (2025)
  After getting back into Pine/Cross Dover the month previous, I checked if there was any newer material and found this. Took a couple of listens to really get into it but it hooked me enough from the start to want to try. Straight up desert rock songs but with cleaner arrangements than that description would suggest. Well written, addictive, great stuff.
• Album: The Dear Hunter - "Sunya" (2026)
  Another rec from a group chat. Didn't know what to expect, pleasantly surprised by a sort of prog-pop-rock that hits a good mix of styles and stays fairly upbeat. A few listens on it and I enjoyed it.
• Album: Entombed - "Left Hand Path" (1990)
  Look there is nothing to explain here. Pummeling album, that tone, those riffs, hook it to my veins. You can never get enough of it. Outside of this and the two albums after it (also unreal) I never needed anything else by them.
• Album: Molarbear - "Cognitive Dissident" (2026)
  Getting regular listens since the few live gigs with these lads. Have heard them tons over the years and shared a few stages. This release is excellent, they are very much doing their own thing while nodding to some alt/metal influences. Sludgy but not downbeat, rock riffs with a vicious edge.
• Album: Pretty Mouth - "Dead Ends" (2025)
  This got a few spins, sort of Daughters-ish metalcore. Atonal, sharp. Lovely sound, quick EP but is all meat. There's a few riffs on there that would leave you completely bewildered and they are what bring you back each time. Good stuff.
• Album: Killing Joke - "MMXII" (2012)
  One I know inside out but came back into rotation. KJ are unreal anyway. Often heard this pinned as a weaker album but I love it. Modern KJ but some stuff on here that would fit anywhere on the catalog (Colony Collapse, Corporate Elect). Not a bad track on here.
• Album: Jesu - "Silver" (2006)
  Look, if you have listened to the music I make at all before reading any of this then the Jesu worship is obvious. Silver is a classic. Hadn't had it on regularly in years, it fit a theme of music I had on, it is fantastic, listen to it.
• Anime: Journal With Witch - full season (2026)
  Very good, one of the better Anime I've watched so far this year. A girl loses both her parents in a car crash and goes to live with her Aunt. It is bleak to start but softens up a little as it goes on. Easy pace, good story.
• Anime: Frieren - S2, EP7 > EP10 (2026)
  Nothing to add from last month, end of the season was great, things got a bit more exciting than usual for an episode there, good setup for the next season, wish the season was longer.
• Anime: Laid Back Camp - Season 2 (2021)
  This is just pure burnout TV I love it. Same again. Girls go camping, nothing bad ever happens, actual locations in Japan are animated and look lovely. Season ended and a film was next in line but I haven't worked up the will to watch it yet.
• Album: Big Business - "Here Come The Waterworks" (2007)
  My favourite Big Business album. Always suits the time of year running into the weather improving for me. What's not to like? Huge riffs, great songs, incredible drums, Melvins-esque, it does everything you need.