Seawind of Battery is the ambient, cosmic experimental project of New York-based musician Mike Horn. In 2024, Mike released his sophomore album, East Coast Cosmic Dreamscaper, alongside collaborator Jarrod Annis on Charlottesville’s WarHen Records. Beyond recording, Mike hosts the bi-monthly radio program Battery Operated on CAMP Radio, airing on the first and third Thursdays of each month. While 2025 did not see a new Seawind of Battery full-length, Mike did curate and release the Save the Waves: People for Public Media compilation, which raised over $4,000 in support of PBS and public media.
I have now been hosting my radio show for over a year, and the experience has fundamentally expanded how I discover and engage with music. It has opened my ears to an ever-growing wave of records sent my way, sparked unexpected friendships, and added substantially to my already bottomless stack of music I love. Some of the albums included here may look familiar from year-end lists like Aquarium Drunkard or other adjacent roundups. That overlap is inevitable. What I really want to focus on, however, are the records that resonated most deeply with me. These are albums that may not have received the recognition they deserve but left a lasting imprint nonetheless.
Find part 1 of the roundup here. Enjoy the journey.
A funky Matt LaJoie record was not on my 2025 bingo card, which makes Stonehouse all the more satisfying. Known for slow-burning, cerebral explorations, LaJoie pivots here with confidence and playfulness. The result feels like a turning point, or at least a widening of the palette. If this signals a new chapter in his output, there is plenty to look forward to.
Jamie Lidell & Luke Schneider: A Companion For The Spaces Between Dreams
Luke Schneider capped off a prolific year with this collaboration alongside Jamie Lidell, and the pairing feels effortless. The album functions as an ideal entry point into ambient music, warm and inviting without diluting its depth. It drifts beautifully, offering a space to slow down and let the day dissolve. A gentle and generous record.
Buck Curran: Far Driven Sun
With his ninth release, Buck Curran once again proves his ability to reinvent himself while remaining emotionally transparent. Far Driven Sun is lush, focused, and deeply human. Whether working solo or in collaboration, Curran continues to find new angles within his sound. This is a record that rewards patience and deserves far more attention for his craftsmanship.
Imagine Jeff Buckley channeling Corpus Christi Carol through a full-length solo guitar record. That is the emotional terrain David Bales explores on Ringing Fields. This is transcendent instrumental music, deeply personal and quietly powerful. Bales’ debut solo record is among my top five of the year and easily one of the most moving submissions ever featured on Battery Operated. It documents recovery, vulnerability, and grace with remarkable clarity.
Erev: A Little Less Worse
It is entirely possible that A Little Less Worse is the strongest release in Aural Canyon’s catalog. That is not a claim I make lightly. At minimum, “Jupiter” stands as one of the best tracks the label has ever released. This album is essential listening and a must-own for anyone invested in Aural Canyon’s world.
Milkyway Lemonade: Magical Mind Magical Body
Recorded entirely to tape and steeped in vintage synthesizer textures, Magical Mind Magical Body feels both meticulously crafted and delightfully strange. The experimentation is expansive, yet the album maintains a cohesive aura that sets it apart from adjacent releases this year. It is weird in exactly the right places and endlessly rewarding for listeners who enjoy getting lost in sound.
Sudden Voices: Scruples
One of the quiet frustrations of 2025 was how many excellent records flew under the radar. Scruples is a prime example. Steve Reich’s London-based project delivers a jazz-komische hybrid that balances intellect and feeling with precision. It is a focused, confident record that deserves far more conversation than it received.
Universal Affirmation Ensemble: Unconditional Propositions
One of the great joys of hosting a radio show has been building relationships with labels like Katuktu Collective. Unconditional Propositions stands out as one of the year’s strongest releases from the label. This debut blends ambient jazz with melodic hooks, driven by guitar and supported by flute and alto flute. It feels generous, exploratory, and full of promise. A project well worth following closely.
loamer: Travelogue
Travelogue feels like a perfect daydream, rooted in pastoral imagery and communal warmth. It carries the spirit of campfire gatherings and nature-oriented listening traditions. In a world dominated by screens, this record offers a gentle reminder of simpler pleasures and provides a meaningful substitute when touching grass is not an option.
Tavare: Too Small to Be So High
This record feels like a love letter to 1990s slowcore without falling into nostalgia for its own sake. Tavare draws from the lineage of Duster, Acetone, and Movietone while keeping the presentation fresh and sincere. Stripped back, understated, and quietly confident, this was one of the year’s most pleasant surprises.
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Thanks for the list – excellent stuff! – I bought at least 3 from Bandcamp already and I’ve not finished reading the entire post yet!
Excellent! Glad you dig 🙂