blog

Author: patrickpatrickpatrick

content/blog/2025lists.md

@@ -1,55 +1,97 @@
 ---
 title: 2025 lists
 description: 2025 round-up
-date: 2025-03-13
+date: 2025-12-26
 draft: true
 ---
 
-Yep, the last blog was in Feburary. In fact this post started out as the March post but I've rewritten it to be my end-of-year post. Though diagnosed and medicated, I'm no less implusive (I think this is a good thing) and got distracted by a bunch of other things this year!
+Yeah, the last blog was in Feburary. In fact this post started out as the March post but I've rewritten it to be my end-of-year post. Though diagnosed and medicated, I'm no less implusive and got distracted by a bunch of other things this year:
 
-- I ran a half marathon
-- Continued to learn more about electronics (will blog about a few projects I have in the works soon)
-- Worked on websites for friends (again something to blog about)
-- Played (multiple!) gigs (and lined up more for next year)
+- I ran a half marathon (I want to run another one next year)
+- Continued to learn more about electronics (will actually finish some projects next year)
+- Worked on other websites (which should be live next year)
+- Played gigs (and lined up more for next year)
 
 I've learned this year that investing time in making something you enjoy easier to pick up - ensuring there's a clear path to it without obstacles, removing distractions from the space in which it takes place, blocking out time to dedicate to it - means you're more likely to do it. With that in mind, I'm going to investigate how to make this blog easier to edit (the Github Markdown editor leaves quite a lot to be desired).
 
-In addition I've noticed that writing makes a huge impact on my memory. In 2025 I wrote less and noticed a perceptable decline in my recall as a result. So next year, writing - publicly and privately - is going to be priority.
+In addition I've noticed that regularly setting time aside to write helps my memory, mood and makes it easier to pick up and maintain habits. I'm going to be more diligent in writing (publicly and privately) and so hopefully you'll see more posts in 2026.
 
-## What I was listening to (in 2025)
+## Music
 
-### Vacuous
+### [YT - OI!](https://ytonair.bandcamp.com/album/oi)
 
-Life After Death 2 is the second instalment of an annual (there’s going to be a third!) weekend dedicated to heavy (or adjacent) music. It’s organised by record shop and label Crypt of the Wizard, who over the years have become trustworthy and well-connected curators of note in the “____ metal” world.
+I assumed from the album art that OI! would be a take on the [current snap revival](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DGLmCY2JHj6/)[^1]. In fact, OI! is a take on the current[^2] and increasingly popular[^3] [jerk rap genre](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUPbykxBVnw). YT sands down some edges, the result being (even) less heady and more immediate than [others](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpG9J8rWy5Y) working in the genre. This is decidedly pop music (not a slight!) with sticky hooks and crowd pleasing production. Although I wouldn't describe OI! as snap, the beats are also clearly taking influence from that era of hip-hop and "ringtone rap". I'd recommend the entire tape as it's so short but if I had to pick a highlight it'd be the bordering-on-annoying (like so many snap classics) hook, jersey-tinged production and DS referencing music video of Panda (Nananana).
 
-If you’re even slightly into this style of music, I’d recommend going next year. Though familiar with a minority of the lineup, I enjoyed every act I saw. There was something for everyone (into this music). From serene dungeon synth to black metal, from pagan lo-fi beats to industrial black metal, from “frog concert” to black(-ened death) metal (not to mention harsh noise).
+### [YHWH Nailgun - 45 Pounds](https://yhwhnailgun.bandcamp.com/album/45-pounds)
 
-I'm highlighting Vacuous here as I was so impressed by their set that I had to immediately cop the vinyl. That’s unusual for me, especially a death metal record that I'll only be able to play on rare occasions!
+Sounds like someone clearing their throat while two of my favourite [video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7A04cCcw3k0) [games](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvP3_SzpNpM) are being played simultaneously at full volume (this is a compliment). 
 
-Listen to 
+### [Eiko Ishibashi - Antigone](https://eikoishibashi.bandcamp.com/album/antigone)
 
-### Coma - Eiko Ishibashi
+I’ve written about Eiko Ishibashi before but it’s been about her instrumental albums or soundtracks. Similar to her Drag City labelmate Jim O'Rourke (who frequently appears on her recordings), Ishibashi also has a singer-songwriter mode. I've been drawn to her more experimental works but have enjoyed select songs from albums such ["Imitation of Life"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zN3r61gogrw) and ["The Dream My Bones Dream"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBsbCd5mV2U). "Antigone" is her first singer-songwriter album for several years, it incorporates the sounds of "For McCoy" and "Drive My Car" and the result is her best record in this vein yet.
 
-I’ve written about Eiko Ishibashi before but it’s been about her instrumental albums or soundtracks. "Antigone" is her first "singer-songwriter" album for several years and incorporates sounds explored on records such as "For McCoy" and the "Drive My Car" soundtrack. I love the emphasis on percussion on this track (an aspect that I've enjoyed about other Ishibashi compositions) and it's a successful revisit and expansion of the mode of songwriting she was in when I first encountered her music.
+### [Algernon Cadwallader -  Trying Not To Have a Thought](https://algernoncadwallader.bandcamp.com/album/trying-not-to-have-a-thought)
 
-#### Panda (Nananana) - YT
+The typical progression for an emo band, especially on their first record after a long hiatus, is to put away the toys (emo) and become adults (play post-rock). Algernon Cadwallader surprised us in 2025, not only by releasing a new album but also by releasing a new album that is an actual emo album. By juxtaposing the nostalgic sounds of their youth with more mature lyricism, "Trying Not To Have a Thought" makes the convincing case that "emo is for the adults".
 
-I assumed from the OI! album art that YT would be offering a British take on the current snap revival. In fact, YT is offering a British take on the current and increasingly popular jerk rap genre.
+### [M.I.C. - CURSED](https://aplife.bandcamp.com/album/cursed-013)
 
-OI! is (even) less heady and more immediate than other acclaimed jerk rap. This is decidedly  pop music (not a slight!) and sands down some edges (not a slight!) in favour of stickier hooks. Although I wouldn't describe OI! as snap, the beats are also clearly taking influence from that era of hip-hop and "ringtone rap".
+Been enjoying M.I.C.'s work for years and "CURSED" is his best back-to-front project yet. For this tape instead of aiming his ire at specific people ([which he is also very good at](https://micantifa.bandcamp.com/track/witchclart)), he's targeting the instiution of Christianity. I'm an [enjoyer of black metal on similar subjects](https://portrayalofguilt.bandcamp.com/album/christfucker) but those records never had a song that got the refrain of "burn that church down" stuck in my head for weeks-on-end. The 9-minute closing track "Human Life Does Not Have Some Grand Purpose" is an experimental deconstruction of grime which has to be heard to be believed. A real level-up from an already consistently great artist.
 
-I'd recommend the entire tape as it's so short but if I had to pick a highlight it'd be the bordering-on-annoying (like so many snap classics) hook, jersey-tinged production and DS referencing music video of Panda (Nananana).
+### [Friendship - Caveman Wakes Up](https://friendshipphl.bandcamp.com/album/caveman-wakes-up)
 
-### Ester Wind - Cloakroom
+From "Caveman Wakes Up", I'm guessing Friendship's favourite Silver Jews' album is [the same as mine](https://silverjews.bandcamp.com/album/the-natural-bridge). If it actually is, great choice (and I really like this record)!
 
-In the recent shoegaze revival, Hum loom large. At one time they'd probably have been grouped into the - extremely broad net of - 90s alternative metal. They made music that combined the texture and heaviness of more experimental drone metal but tethered it to earth with more conventional structures. Nu-metal eventually took the sounds of alternative metal to make pop music but emphasised the aggressive sound of Helmet and Melvins instead of Hum and the softer songs of Deftones.
+### [Vacuous - In His Blood](https://vacuousdeath.bandcamp.com/album/in-his-blood)
 
-Esther Wind by Cloakroom is an alchemic mix of alternative metal but unlike nu-metal bands they increase the ratio of Hum in the mix. The song starts with Stanier-like fills, ends with Buzzo-like sludge and all the while has the excellent guitar tones of You Wish You Were An Astronaut. Their latest record is a great time for people who enjoy recorded guitars and comes recommended from me (a recorded guitars enjoyer).
+[Life After Death 2](https://wegottickets.com/f/13619/) was the second instalment of an annual weekend dedicated to heavy (and heavy-adjacent) music. It’s organised by record shop and label [Crypt of the Wizard](https://www.cryptofthewizard.com/), who over the years have become trustworthy and well-connected curators of note in the "____-metal" world. If you’re slightly into this style of music, I’d recommend going next year. There was something for everyone (into this music). From serene dungeon synth to black metal, from pagan lo-fi beats to industrial black metal, from “frog concert” to black(-ened death) metal (not to mention harsh noise). One of the bands that played was Vacuous and I was so impressed by their set that I had to immediately cop their latest, "In His Blood", on vinyl. It's unusual for me to do this (especially a death metal record that I'm rarely able to play) but such was the power of their set! "In His Blood" is a worthy follow-up to "Dreams of Disphoria". It's a technical take on classic metal-core and a standout metal release of 2025.
 
-### Total Euphoria - caroline
+### [Florry - Sounds Like...](https://florry.bandcamp.com/album/sounds-like)
 
-caroline's S/T was a refreshing take on post-rock, a genre I usually use as a pejorative (with obvious exceptions). Though denied at the time of release, to me the infuence of emo is what set their debut apart from other post-rock works (a genre which "old" emo bands tend to "graduate" to). Their latest record is one of my favourites of the year, it combines BIG ambitious post-rock compositions with intimate and close-sounding alternative-RnB textures to express the heart-on-sleeve yearning of the best emo records. "caroline 2" is made by "an actual band" but it's also an "in-the-studio" record (seeing them live - which you should do if you have the chance - confirms this). Total Europhia was the lead single and it's a great introduction to the album (it's also the first track).
+This is (just) good rock n roll, uh, music (that I want to see live next year)
 
+### [Cloakroom - Last Leg Of The Human Table](https://cloakroom.bandcamp.com/album/last-leg-of-the-human-table)
 
+In the recent shoegaze revival, [Hum](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfC0LJQSV_c) loom large. At one time they'd probably have been grouped into the - extremely broad net of - 90s alternative metal. They made music that combined the texture and heaviness of more experimental drone metal but tethered it to earth with conventional post-grunge structures. Nu-metal eventually took the sounds of alternative metal to make pop music but emphasised the aggressive sound of [Helmet](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBfygUiS50g) and [Melvins](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RMmIJn_4FA). Cloakroom's latest record, "Last Leg Of The Human Table" takes sonic touchstones from the same era but unlike the aforementioend nu-metal bands they increase the ratio of Hum and [Deftones](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvknOXGPzCQ). Stanier-like fills and Buzzo-like sludge with the excellent guitar tones of You Wish You Were An Astronaut. For guitar music enjoyers, it's one of the most enjoyable listens of then year.
 
+### [CHE - REST IN BASS](https://restinbass.lnk.to/b5Hii8)
 
+It might be my (extremely) catholic ancestry impressing upon my subconcious but I've felt there's been a lack of guilt to counteract the hedonism of the latest rage releases. I enjoy dunderheaded music espousing cheap thrills (like anyone else) but in my own opinion, a soupçon of remorse adds depth to this style of music. REST IN BASS is a 45-minute aural portrayal of the peak of a dopamine spike followed by one of best comedown songs released in recent memory (and it samples Beach House!). For me there's no contest versus the other rage releases of note this year, this is the one.
+
+### [Knifeplay - Live in Seattle](https://knifeplayforever.bandcamp.com/album/live-in-seattle)
+
+Don't think anyone is making new slowcore as good as Knifeplay and this live record is proof of that. I could easily listen to this on loop on all day (and on some days I did). The previously unrecorded new tracks sound excellent and the version of "Nobody" here is more transcendent than the one found on "[Animal Drowning](https://knifeplayforever.bandcamp.com/album/animal-drowning)" (a highlight of 2023 for me). Really hoping a UK tour (and a new album) is on the cards!
+
+### [MIKE - Showbiz!](https://mikelikesrap.bandcamp.com/album/showbiz)
+
+He just doesn't miss! I hope MIKE releases an album every year for the foreseeable future (fantastic to finally see him live at Rally this year too). If you haven't already, [peep the deluxe version that includes his (great) Tiny Desk Session](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaBgZnScmY4)!
+
+### [caroline - caroline 2](https://caroline.bandcamp.com/album/caroline-2)
+
+caroline's S/T was a refreshing take on post-rock, a genre I usually use as a pejorative (with [obvious exceptions](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wy4IsC5eb7o)). To me the subtle influence of emo is what set their debut apart from other post-rock works (a genre which "old" emo bands tend to "graduate" to[^4]). Their latest record is one of my favourites of the year, it expresses the heart-on-sleeve yearning of the best emo records via a novel combination of BIG post-rock compositions (think Broken Social Scene) and intimate alt-RnB textures (think Blonde). "caroline 2" is made by "an actual band" but it's also an "in-the-studio" record (seeing them live - which you should do if you have the chance - confirms this).
+
+### [Geese - Getting Killed](https://geesebandnyc.bandcamp.com/album/getting-killed)
+
+Turns out if you combine two [classic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yankee_Hotel_Foxtrot) [alternative](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hail_to_the_Thief) records with the theatrical absurdity of [Dan Bejar's lyricism](https://genius.com/Destroyer-european-oils-lyrics) then the resulting music is enjoyable and very replayable. Stick it out until the title track (I support [gauntlet-thrower-Track-1s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qW9MHtYeQCA) in principle but "Trinidad" is [ass](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORR5ldloXD8)) and you'll be rewarded. They aren't Deerhunter but maybe they'll put out a [Monomania](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYUENZQ84) one day.
+
+### [Oneohtrix Point Never - Tranquiliser]
+
+It's best record he's made since Garden of Delete, believe the hype (I didn't before listening)!
+
+## Books
+
+I read less books than last year but the ones that I read were ones that had been burning a hole in my to-read shelf for quite some time. Blood Meridian took the longest to read, I eventually warmed to it despite it's challenging (to me) prose and content. I dug Lapvona, Empusium and Biography of X quite a bit too. I didn't finish Wilkie Collins' Armadale, as I thought that the level of investment required wasn't worth it (compared to the shorter and more immediately brilliant The Moonstone and The Woman in White). As of writing I've yet to finish it but currently I'm enjoying Rejection by Tony Tulathimutte. I also read Things We Lost in the Fire by Mariana Enriquez and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of her short story collections next year. 
+
+## Films
+
+I was surprised by how much I liked Wake Up Dead Man. I really didn't like the previous Knives Out films or what I've seen of Poker Face, so I assumed that Rian Johnson would never make a murder-mystery that clicked with me. This latest entry however is more restrained than the previous films, has a fantastic central Josh O'Connor performance and is an effective rumination on how aging changes your relationship with religion (that resonated with my own feelings on the subject).
+
+Watching Don't Let The Riverbeast Get You! on the big screen with a Matt Farley Q&A is something I thought I'd never experience. Hearing first-hand from a compulisvely creative person who 
+
+  It was a surprisingly inspirational experience 
+
+
+[^1]: This sentence was written in Feburary 2025
+[^2]: This sentence was written in Feburary 2025
+[^3]: This sentence was written in Feburary 2025
+[^4]: This sentence was written in Feburary 2025 (and before the announcement and release of [Algernon Cadwallader's album](#algernon-cadwallader-trying-not-to-have-a-thought))

eleventy.config.js

@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 const { DateTime } = require("luxon");
 const markdownItAnchor = require("markdown-it-anchor");
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 const pluginRss = require("@11ty/eleventy-plugin-rss");
 const pluginSyntaxHighlight = require("@11ty/eleventy-plugin-syntaxhighlight");
@@ -8,7 +9,11 @@ const pluginNavigation = require("@11ty/eleventy-navigation");
 const { EleventyHtmlBasePlugin } = require("@11ty/eleventy");
 
 const pluginDrafts = require("./eleventy.config.drafts.js");
-const pluginImages = require("./eleventy.config.images.js");	
+const pluginImages = require("./eleventy.config.images.js");
+
+const { Client } = require("@notionhq/client");
+const { NotionToMarkdown } = require("notion-to-md");
+const fs = require('fs');
 
 module.exports = function(eleventyConfig) {
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@@ -94,6 +99,8 @@ module.exports = function(eleventyConfig) {
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+	eleventyConfig.amendLibrary("md", (mdLib) => mdLib.use(footnote_plugin));	
+
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