YK Records 2025 In Review

General Trust
“Apologia”

We only got one official release from General Trust in 2025 and it’s a damn good one. That said, accomplishments should not be measured simply by digital output! General Trust went out on a mini-tour with More Is Not Enough, played Spooky Ghoul Fest, played Fascination Street and worked on plenty of new music.

I’d also like to note that in the 2025 Grimey’s Staff Picks, “Apologia” made it to Bekah’s Singles I Replayed An Alarming Amount of Times list. That’s a huge win imo.

I’m told new music is being prepared for 2026. I’ll let you know as soon as I know more.

phiz
“i lost my fkn mind” b/w “If I Had Known”

Tristen and Cortney Tidwell are incredibly talented in their own solo endeavors. If you’re unfamiliar with either you’ve got some homework. Finding out that they had recordings together was a shock and delight. I jumped at the opportunity to be involved.

These two songs were revived from an old hard drive. They capture a very unique time and place, physically, emotionally and otherwise. Regardless of the context, the songs and performance are downright moving.

Be sure to watch the video for the lead track and then consider picking up a Flexi.

Fetching Pails
“Ruiner”

Another YK artist with just one song released in 2025 but also another YK artist with a stellar offering regardless of the volume. If you haven’t been paying attention, “Ruiner” is actually one of three new singles over the past two years. Make sure you hear “The Witching Hour” and “Shattery” as well!

Prepare yourself for more new music in 2025. Being prepared now!

Matt & The Watt Gives
Matt & The Watt Gives

One theme you’ll see emerge throughout these blurbs is astonishment. I’m astonished that I get to work with all of these artists. I’m astonished by the work that they create.

Matt Pelham’s project Matt & The Watt Gives falls right into that category. I’m dumbfounded that I get to work with an artist that I’ve been a fan of for nearly 30 years but moreso I’m blown away by the work itself. This record is both a fire-y rock record and a vulnerable introspection.

We got some very nice press on this one from the Nashville Scene (even a Best of Nashville!), WNXP, WRLT, Ampwall and many others. Write-ups and coverage are not why we do this but they certainly feel good.

It’s a fantastic record with wonderful artwork, two very fun videos and a live show that can’t be beat.

Talking with Hands
The Coin

Matthew Smith is Talking with Hands – a pseudonym for his solo work that he’s been using since 2013 (with the debut on YK). His work is layered, thoughtful and intentional. I love hearing him talk about his process because he is always actively exploring new sounds and techniques.

Part of that exploration is listening to the feelings that he can not be quiet about happenings in the world around him. Our turbulent political times call for commentary. The Coin is that commentary; a brief and compelling EP exploring frustration and revolution. It’s also pretty damn poppy with a outrageous music video.

Cody Uhler
Gluggle Jug

If you don’t know, Cody Uhler was one half of Kindercastle – a band that made ELO style pop in Nashville and played a large part in YK Records existing in the first place. He’s released several albums under the name Nahnee Bori and many under his own name; all exploring sound techniques and blending of styles. I’m biased but he’s brilliant.

Gluggle Jug is somewhat of an extension of his previous release Darbo’s Island. Where the latter felt like an unreleased SNES soundtrack, Gluggle Jug expands that sonic palette into a layered dance party. It’s a delightful listen; buoyant, gummy and visceral. We said in the press you can “feel it in your jaw and mouth” and I think that’s an absolutely apt way of putting it.

Alex Caress
i’m always here (2005)

What happens when you post a song to the Internet in 2005, someone puts that song on a mix CD with no credit and then tries to find you 15+ years later? That’s the story of Alex Caress and the song “Don’t Get Over Me.”

The Lostwave community spent years looking for him and was actually successful in 2025! That’s the impetus behind putting out this record that Caress made way back when. It’s a wild ride.

Read more about it here on WPLN and then listen to Alex speak in detail about it on this podcast episode. There’s an incredibly uplifting lesson to having your music discovered decades after you made it; it does matter and does reach people. Keep making it.

YK WORLD

Back in January of 2025, I started a podcast! I am using this as a place to talk about new releases, have more in-depth conversations and generally talk about literally whatever seems worth talking about.

I’ll note that I have zero metrics on this thing so I have no idea how many people are listening but despite that, go subscribe. ????

Tower Defense
“Fit for Purpose”

This may be the first time we’ve released a single exclusively to YouTube. It’s a full blown new Tower Defense song AND full blown video but you won’t find it on streaming or download, only YouTube.

This is the first taste of lots more Tower Defense coming our way in 2026. I’ve heard the demos and can confirm you should be excited.

Chris Crofton
I’m Your Man

To most, Chris Crofton is a comedian and satirist. His writings as The Advice King are hysterical and always poignant. While humor is the primary draw, there’s always a significant amount of self-reflection and introspection.

Crofton’s musical endeavors embrace that self-reflection and introspection with just a dash of the comedy. In the liner notes for I’m Your Man, he remarks that for 20-years he’d been battling a prescription induced brain fog. Remedying that balance unlocked a wave of creativity (listen to “Side Effects”) and prolific abundance.

For me, I’m Your Man is a melancholy record. It’s heart heavy at times, it’s wry at others. It’s lovingly sweet and it’s self-critical. Crofton’s delivery is sincere, vulnerable and uniquely his own.

I implore you to watch all three music videos; each their own perfect short film.

sugar sk*-*lls + Coupler
The Great Oxidation Event

This 30-minute EP was inspired by the techniques of Miles Davis and his producer Teo Macero. sugar sk–lls performed an improvised set and then handed it off to Coupler to with the instructions of No Overdubs. Edits and mutations are encouraged but don’t add instrumentation.

The final result is 3 movements of sound that evoke a primordial event. The title of the record is a nod to exactly that – a time when our planet mutated into being oxygenated; destroying nearing everything in its wake.

sugar sk–lls and Coupler always create with great intention. This EP is fascinating in how it came together and the events that it evokes. Watch the video for “Part 1” and really let that concept sink in. Then be sure to listen to both artists speak on the creation and that intention behind it all.

Trash Man
Cool Until It’s Not

The second EP from Alex Mojaverian’s Trash Man is kind of a perfect sophomore offering. His songwriting continues to get stronger – it’s pop/rock but it’s existential pondering. The recordings are stronger – done his hometown buddy Dave Lawson. The two videos are even a step up.

These songs always hit me just right. They’re loud and unbelievably catchy while still capturing real concerns about yourself and the world.

We got some honorable coverage from a lot of outlets, including Bandcamp Daily. Again, getting press is not the goal but it does feel good. Speaking of that, be sure to listen to Alex talk about the record on this YK World episode.

Jessica Breanne
Electric Heart

Right here at the top let me express my delighted fascination with Jessica Breanne’s voice. It has a cadence and a quality to it that no other human has. This may be true for all of our voices but Breanne is able to use it in a way that is heart heavy, melancholy and bursting with boiling strength all at once. If you’ve ever heard any traditional country artist that could sound both broken and defiant, you are in the right ballpark.

Electric Heart is Breanne’s second full-length album under her own name and it serves to expand her sonic palette from her previous (wonderful) debut, Rosebud Queen. Where that record has a more country-induced flavor, Electric Heart weaves together the psychedelic, Southern rock and even a touch of roots.

Through it all, Breanne’s voice carries the songs. Her songwriting is deeply personal and often downright Southern gothic in the stories she shares. The record has three fantastic videos – start there and then immerse into the rest.

Zook
Evaporating

I have been a fan of Zook since I first stumbled on his work back in 2018. Every album, standalone single and experimental EP was a rewarding listen for a variety of reasons.

Evaporating does not sound like what I first heard in 2018 as the project has evolved and changed with each release (as it should). Fortunately, the pleasure and reward remains. This is an album that finds an absolutely perfect blend of power pop, shoegaze, synth explorations and just a hint of the off-kilter experimental. All that while being introspective and catchy.

This is not the last time you’ll hear me sing Zook’s praises. This is a record that I am incapable of turning off once it’s started. I think you’ll feel the same. Watch this video for “Disappear” and you’ll be hooked too.