Crucial Recap: 2025.ep8

Long time no see, Crucial Recap fans!

I've been busy, though not as much with music writing as I hoped... so you will be getting a JAM PACKED Crucial Release post linked below – lots of good music this month, so far. And a little bit for everyone. Be sure to check it out.

I'd also REALLY appreciate if you'd check out the brand new Crucial Tracks app (full story linked below, and the source of my busy) that allows everyone to share their crucial tracks – the songs that made them who they are today. It's a one-song-a-day music journal, complete with daily prompts and Apple Music integration. Head on over to the site to learn more and sign up today. If you like the Crucial Tracks interviews, you will definitely like this!

And finally, as I mentioned last recap: the winners of the 2025 record giveaway have been announced and contacted. Congrats to Sam (of Buffalo, NY) who picked Sung Tongs by Animal Collective as his free record... and Tod (from Pocatello, ID) who picked Hysteria by Indigo Sparke. Both great records... that are going out in the mail this week.

The full details – the what, the why, the how of the new Crucial Tracks app:

Crucial Tracks, the app

Announcing the Crucial Tracks app – a music journal to share the songs that made you.

Crucial TracksJason

And some FAQs to help you get started:

Crucial Tracks: Help & FAQs

<- Back to the app First, the backstory. Why I built the Crucial Tracks app and some of the decisions that were made: Crucial Tracks, the appAnnouncing the Crucial Tracks app – a music journal to share the songs that made you.Crucial TracksJason Key features so far: * One song per day. The idea is simple: write about one song that is important to you each day. Take part in the Slow Web! Through the constraints of the site, there’s no overwhelm or FOMO, just a simple slow feed of high qualit

Crucial TracksJason

Finally an overstuffed Crucial Releases issue with more albums than you can shake a stick at:

Crucial Releases: most of April edition

Geez, April is almost over isn’t it? Lots of good music this month -- Bon Iver, Momma, Speedway, Casper Skulls, Blu, quickly quickly, Ribbon Skirt, Black Country New Road, Florist, Scowl, Bedridden, Julien Baker & TORRES, Superheaven, The Convenience, and Valerie June.

Crucial TracksJason

Here are some of the records I'm looking forward to checking out in the coming weeks:

• Tunnel Vision by Beach Bunny (April 25)
• Bloodless by Samia (April 25)
• viagr boys by Viagra Boys (April 25)
• If You Asked For a Picture by Blondshell (May 2)
• The Scholars by Car Seat Headrest (May 2)
• At Peace by Propagandhi (May 2)
• Who Will Look After the Dogs? by PUP (May 2)
• Pink Elephant by Arcade Fire (May 9)
• GOLLIWOG by billy woods (May 9)
• the world is still here and so are... by Mclusky (May 9)
• Blest by Yuno (May 16)
• Hunting Season by Home is Where (May 23)
• Instant Holograms by Stereolab (May 23)

Anything I miss?

Some of my favorite YouTube videos from the last few weeks:

There's a lot of serious nonsense in the world these days, so I'll spare you with my usual non-serious type this issue.

I will leave you with one thing, though: in the midst of anxiety and anger and outrage, be sure to leave room for joy. Notice those joyful moments and leave room for new experiences of all sizes. It's the only way we'll get through these trying times with our humanity. And since you are subscribed to this newsletter, I'm sure music brings you joy... so go listen to some new music.

Thanks for reading. ✌️
--Jason