George Ankers
@georgeankers.bsky.social
he/they. Aro/ace. Can be found playing Blood on the Clocktower on Twitch here and there. Occasionally I wang on about music.
Brilliant night out seeing English Teacher. When they mix up their approach so much it's easy to forget what a catapult of a voice Lily Fontaine has on her when she wants to use it. Awesome.
November 13, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Brilliant night out seeing English Teacher. When they mix up their approach so much it's easy to forget what a catapult of a voice Lily Fontaine has on her when she wants to use it. Awesome.
Absolutely mind-blowing gig from the Beths tonight. Just an incredible live act, fully cemented Straight Line Was a Lie as my album of the year. I feel like I could punch God. Damn.
September 26, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Absolutely mind-blowing gig from the Beths tonight. Just an incredible live act, fully cemented Straight Line Was a Lie as my album of the year. I feel like I could punch God. Damn.
Saw MJ Lenderman last night - predictably, I enjoyed his drawling jams more in person (and his band brought a lot of personality to it). Wristwatch and She's Leaving You predictably killed.
June 1, 2025 at 10:16 AM
Saw MJ Lenderman last night - predictably, I enjoyed his drawling jams more in person (and his band brought a lot of personality to it). Wristwatch and She's Leaving You predictably killed.
Lovely little treat seeing Samia do some acoustic versions of songs from new album Bloodless, which I'm super-excited to dig into.
April 30, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Lovely little treat seeing Samia do some acoustic versions of songs from new album Bloodless, which I'm super-excited to dig into.
Welcome to Dorley Hall, "Wes"
April 20, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Welcome to Dorley Hall, "Wes"
Tier-ranking all the Blood on the Clocktower demons came up in one of the servers I'm in today, so here is the correct ranking.
February 28, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Tier-ranking all the Blood on the Clocktower demons came up in one of the servers I'm in today, so here is the correct ranking.
Spending a lot of time this week with This Is the Kit's Moonshine Freeze. I'd heard Kate Stables' later work first and liked it, but this is the first album of hers I've fallen in love with from head to toe. The guitar and percussion textures are just sublime, giving her folk songs teeth and depth.
January 14, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Spending a lot of time this week with This Is the Kit's Moonshine Freeze. I'd heard Kate Stables' later work first and liked it, but this is the first album of hers I've fallen in love with from head to toe. The guitar and percussion textures are just sublime, giving her folk songs teeth and depth.
My 2024 in music listening stats! Somehow I managed to cram in over 10,000 more plays than last year.
January 1, 2025 at 11:33 AM
My 2024 in music listening stats! Somehow I managed to cram in over 10,000 more plays than last year.
#11. Clouds in the Sky They Will Always Be There for Me - Porridge Radio
Dana Margolin performs an exorcism on a relationship whose light burned briefly but brightly. We run the emotional gamut here, with hurt, anger and denial turned up to 11, before rebuilding in the cathartic Sick of the Blues.
Dana Margolin performs an exorcism on a relationship whose light burned briefly but brightly. We run the emotional gamut here, with hurt, anger and denial turned up to 11, before rebuilding in the cathartic Sick of the Blues.
December 22, 2024 at 4:52 PM
#11. Clouds in the Sky They Will Always Be There for Me - Porridge Radio
Dana Margolin performs an exorcism on a relationship whose light burned briefly but brightly. We run the emotional gamut here, with hurt, anger and denial turned up to 11, before rebuilding in the cathartic Sick of the Blues.
Dana Margolin performs an exorcism on a relationship whose light burned briefly but brightly. We run the emotional gamut here, with hurt, anger and denial turned up to 11, before rebuilding in the cathartic Sick of the Blues.
#12. Romanticism - Hana Vu
The fear and confusion of this record echoes with the grown-up-too-fast energy of a songwriter who had her early twenties bulldozed by the pandemic. Vu sounds both wise beyond her years and numb with despair at the time ticking away - and somehow makes it sing-along-able.
The fear and confusion of this record echoes with the grown-up-too-fast energy of a songwriter who had her early twenties bulldozed by the pandemic. Vu sounds both wise beyond her years and numb with despair at the time ticking away - and somehow makes it sing-along-able.
December 22, 2024 at 2:46 PM
#12. Romanticism - Hana Vu
The fear and confusion of this record echoes with the grown-up-too-fast energy of a songwriter who had her early twenties bulldozed by the pandemic. Vu sounds both wise beyond her years and numb with despair at the time ticking away - and somehow makes it sing-along-able.
The fear and confusion of this record echoes with the grown-up-too-fast energy of a songwriter who had her early twenties bulldozed by the pandemic. Vu sounds both wise beyond her years and numb with despair at the time ticking away - and somehow makes it sing-along-able.
#13. Evergreen - Soccer Mommy
Grief follows Sophie Allison everywhere in this superb fourth album, but it's not a record about raw anguish. What sticks with me is how it shows grief as a gentle companion, as randomly reoccurring reminders of love, but it also has time for great rockers like Driver.
Grief follows Sophie Allison everywhere in this superb fourth album, but it's not a record about raw anguish. What sticks with me is how it shows grief as a gentle companion, as randomly reoccurring reminders of love, but it also has time for great rockers like Driver.
December 22, 2024 at 1:08 PM
#13. Evergreen - Soccer Mommy
Grief follows Sophie Allison everywhere in this superb fourth album, but it's not a record about raw anguish. What sticks with me is how it shows grief as a gentle companion, as randomly reoccurring reminders of love, but it also has time for great rockers like Driver.
Grief follows Sophie Allison everywhere in this superb fourth album, but it's not a record about raw anguish. What sticks with me is how it shows grief as a gentle companion, as randomly reoccurring reminders of love, but it also has time for great rockers like Driver.
#14. Light Sides EP - Angie McMahon
Light, Dark, Light Again is one of my favourite records of 2023 and this is a very worthy companion piece to it. Aussie indie-rocker McMahon reflects on healing with the awareness and gravitas of someone who's really studied it. I particularly adore Untangling.
Light, Dark, Light Again is one of my favourite records of 2023 and this is a very worthy companion piece to it. Aussie indie-rocker McMahon reflects on healing with the awareness and gravitas of someone who's really studied it. I particularly adore Untangling.
December 22, 2024 at 11:59 AM
#14. Light Sides EP - Angie McMahon
Light, Dark, Light Again is one of my favourite records of 2023 and this is a very worthy companion piece to it. Aussie indie-rocker McMahon reflects on healing with the awareness and gravitas of someone who's really studied it. I particularly adore Untangling.
Light, Dark, Light Again is one of my favourite records of 2023 and this is a very worthy companion piece to it. Aussie indie-rocker McMahon reflects on healing with the awareness and gravitas of someone who's really studied it. I particularly adore Untangling.
#15. People Who Aren't There Anymore - Future Islands
Few have as emotionally unguarded a vocal delivery as Samuel Herring, so the story of his long-distance relationship fraying and breaking is raw and painful. This isn't new ground for Future Islands but they are masters of their synth-pop craft.
Few have as emotionally unguarded a vocal delivery as Samuel Herring, so the story of his long-distance relationship fraying and breaking is raw and painful. This isn't new ground for Future Islands but they are masters of their synth-pop craft.
December 22, 2024 at 10:47 AM
#15. People Who Aren't There Anymore - Future Islands
Few have as emotionally unguarded a vocal delivery as Samuel Herring, so the story of his long-distance relationship fraying and breaking is raw and painful. This isn't new ground for Future Islands but they are masters of their synth-pop craft.
Few have as emotionally unguarded a vocal delivery as Samuel Herring, so the story of his long-distance relationship fraying and breaking is raw and painful. This isn't new ground for Future Islands but they are masters of their synth-pop craft.
#16. Big Sigh - Marika Hackman
A supremely gloomy bum-out album. Hackman really captures how romantic frustration, creative burnout and general malaise can feel like an inescapable morass. No Caffeine, casting anxiety as an abusive partner, is easily one of the five best songs I heard this year.
A supremely gloomy bum-out album. Hackman really captures how romantic frustration, creative burnout and general malaise can feel like an inescapable morass. No Caffeine, casting anxiety as an abusive partner, is easily one of the five best songs I heard this year.
December 22, 2024 at 9:57 AM
#16. Big Sigh - Marika Hackman
A supremely gloomy bum-out album. Hackman really captures how romantic frustration, creative burnout and general malaise can feel like an inescapable morass. No Caffeine, casting anxiety as an abusive partner, is easily one of the five best songs I heard this year.
A supremely gloomy bum-out album. Hackman really captures how romantic frustration, creative burnout and general malaise can feel like an inescapable morass. No Caffeine, casting anxiety as an abusive partner, is easily one of the five best songs I heard this year.
#17. Look to the East, Look to the West - Camera Obscura
Absolutely gorgeous indie-pop that's wry and charming without ever falling onto the wrong side of the twee line. Despite the sweetness of the music, Tracyanne Campbell's lyrics don't sugarcoat heavy topics like ageing and grief.
Absolutely gorgeous indie-pop that's wry and charming without ever falling onto the wrong side of the twee line. Despite the sweetness of the music, Tracyanne Campbell's lyrics don't sugarcoat heavy topics like ageing and grief.
December 21, 2024 at 4:52 PM
#17. Look to the East, Look to the West - Camera Obscura
Absolutely gorgeous indie-pop that's wry and charming without ever falling onto the wrong side of the twee line. Despite the sweetness of the music, Tracyanne Campbell's lyrics don't sugarcoat heavy topics like ageing and grief.
Absolutely gorgeous indie-pop that's wry and charming without ever falling onto the wrong side of the twee line. Despite the sweetness of the music, Tracyanne Campbell's lyrics don't sugarcoat heavy topics like ageing and grief.
#18. Liminal Space - mxmtoon
I knew I liked mxmtoon a decent bit but was still surprised by how strongly I responded to this album. It heavily draws on her struggles with her relationship with and obligations to her family, with her sweet folk-pop sound belying lots of frustration and anger.
I knew I liked mxmtoon a decent bit but was still surprised by how strongly I responded to this album. It heavily draws on her struggles with her relationship with and obligations to her family, with her sweet folk-pop sound belying lots of frustration and anger.
December 21, 2024 at 3:20 PM
#18. Liminal Space - mxmtoon
I knew I liked mxmtoon a decent bit but was still surprised by how strongly I responded to this album. It heavily draws on her struggles with her relationship with and obligations to her family, with her sweet folk-pop sound belying lots of frustration and anger.
I knew I liked mxmtoon a decent bit but was still surprised by how strongly I responded to this album. It heavily draws on her struggles with her relationship with and obligations to her family, with her sweet folk-pop sound belying lots of frustration and anger.
#19. Paradise Pop. 10 - Christian Lee Hutson
2024's premier album telling tales of sadsacks (sorry, MJ Lenderman). Hutson's poetic eye for character is superb, offering another great collection of Elliott Smith-esque postcards from weirdos, losers & broken people. Sad indie-folk enjoyers must try.
2024's premier album telling tales of sadsacks (sorry, MJ Lenderman). Hutson's poetic eye for character is superb, offering another great collection of Elliott Smith-esque postcards from weirdos, losers & broken people. Sad indie-folk enjoyers must try.
December 21, 2024 at 1:56 PM
#19. Paradise Pop. 10 - Christian Lee Hutson
2024's premier album telling tales of sadsacks (sorry, MJ Lenderman). Hutson's poetic eye for character is superb, offering another great collection of Elliott Smith-esque postcards from weirdos, losers & broken people. Sad indie-folk enjoyers must try.
2024's premier album telling tales of sadsacks (sorry, MJ Lenderman). Hutson's poetic eye for character is superb, offering another great collection of Elliott Smith-esque postcards from weirdos, losers & broken people. Sad indie-folk enjoyers must try.
#20. Below the Waste - Goat Girl
This fascinating post-punk group's most interesting album yet. The sludgy production reminds me of early Let's Eat Grandma and is a weirdly perfect match for its theme of standing in the emotional mud with your friends so they know they're not facing it alone.
This fascinating post-punk group's most interesting album yet. The sludgy production reminds me of early Let's Eat Grandma and is a weirdly perfect match for its theme of standing in the emotional mud with your friends so they know they're not facing it alone.
December 21, 2024 at 12:03 PM
#20. Below the Waste - Goat Girl
This fascinating post-punk group's most interesting album yet. The sludgy production reminds me of early Let's Eat Grandma and is a weirdly perfect match for its theme of standing in the emotional mud with your friends so they know they're not facing it alone.
This fascinating post-punk group's most interesting album yet. The sludgy production reminds me of early Let's Eat Grandma and is a weirdly perfect match for its theme of standing in the emotional mud with your friends so they know they're not facing it alone.
#21. Playlist of Doom - Robert DeLong
I'd meant to pay more attention to this electronic pop eccentric for years and was rewarded well for doing so. This record is just a ton of fun, from the slightly swampy dance energy of the title track to the earwormy Soft Boy to moody, trance-y closer God 1.9.
I'd meant to pay more attention to this electronic pop eccentric for years and was rewarded well for doing so. This record is just a ton of fun, from the slightly swampy dance energy of the title track to the earwormy Soft Boy to moody, trance-y closer God 1.9.
December 21, 2024 at 11:10 AM
#21. Playlist of Doom - Robert DeLong
I'd meant to pay more attention to this electronic pop eccentric for years and was rewarded well for doing so. This record is just a ton of fun, from the slightly swampy dance energy of the title track to the earwormy Soft Boy to moody, trance-y closer God 1.9.
I'd meant to pay more attention to this electronic pop eccentric for years and was rewarded well for doing so. This record is just a ton of fun, from the slightly swampy dance energy of the title track to the earwormy Soft Boy to moody, trance-y closer God 1.9.
#22. Faith Crisis Pt 1 - Middle Kids
My favourite Middle Kids record so far. Peppy, poppy alt-rock that pushes the throttle on the guitars on bangers like Highlands and Terrible News but also does gentle sincerity really well (Bootleg Firecracker, All in My Head).
My favourite Middle Kids record so far. Peppy, poppy alt-rock that pushes the throttle on the guitars on bangers like Highlands and Terrible News but also does gentle sincerity really well (Bootleg Firecracker, All in My Head).
December 21, 2024 at 10:12 AM
#22. Faith Crisis Pt 1 - Middle Kids
My favourite Middle Kids record so far. Peppy, poppy alt-rock that pushes the throttle on the guitars on bangers like Highlands and Terrible News but also does gentle sincerity really well (Bootleg Firecracker, All in My Head).
My favourite Middle Kids record so far. Peppy, poppy alt-rock that pushes the throttle on the guitars on bangers like Highlands and Terrible News but also does gentle sincerity really well (Bootleg Firecracker, All in My Head).
#23. Daniel - Real Estate
This won't dazzle you with lyricism or instrumental invention. A few songs pass me by. But much of it is just gently gorgeous, watch-the-world-go-by-through-the-window soft-rock that quietly lodges itself in your head and stays there. A comfort listen for me all year.
This won't dazzle you with lyricism or instrumental invention. A few songs pass me by. But much of it is just gently gorgeous, watch-the-world-go-by-through-the-window soft-rock that quietly lodges itself in your head and stays there. A comfort listen for me all year.
December 20, 2024 at 7:01 PM
#23. Daniel - Real Estate
This won't dazzle you with lyricism or instrumental invention. A few songs pass me by. But much of it is just gently gorgeous, watch-the-world-go-by-through-the-window soft-rock that quietly lodges itself in your head and stays there. A comfort listen for me all year.
This won't dazzle you with lyricism or instrumental invention. A few songs pass me by. But much of it is just gently gorgeous, watch-the-world-go-by-through-the-window soft-rock that quietly lodges itself in your head and stays there. A comfort listen for me all year.
#24. Chaos Angel - Maya Hawke
Moreishly quirky indie-pop that I returned to all year. From Hang in There's arm around the shoulder of a friend abused by a shitty man to the title track's building strings, it's a record that beckons you close to whisper secrets that sound like they're just for you.
Moreishly quirky indie-pop that I returned to all year. From Hang in There's arm around the shoulder of a friend abused by a shitty man to the title track's building strings, it's a record that beckons you close to whisper secrets that sound like they're just for you.
December 20, 2024 at 5:31 PM
#24. Chaos Angel - Maya Hawke
Moreishly quirky indie-pop that I returned to all year. From Hang in There's arm around the shoulder of a friend abused by a shitty man to the title track's building strings, it's a record that beckons you close to whisper secrets that sound like they're just for you.
Moreishly quirky indie-pop that I returned to all year. From Hang in There's arm around the shoulder of a friend abused by a shitty man to the title track's building strings, it's a record that beckons you close to whisper secrets that sound like they're just for you.
#25. All Hell - Los Campesinos!
Full of clever wordplay and lived-in authenticity, an album of anthems for wearying elder millennials that feels like it walks the walk on its collectivist convictions. My biggest complaint is that its best tracks all sort of sound the same, but it's a good sound.
Full of clever wordplay and lived-in authenticity, an album of anthems for wearying elder millennials that feels like it walks the walk on its collectivist convictions. My biggest complaint is that its best tracks all sort of sound the same, but it's a good sound.
December 20, 2024 at 2:07 PM
#25. All Hell - Los Campesinos!
Full of clever wordplay and lived-in authenticity, an album of anthems for wearying elder millennials that feels like it walks the walk on its collectivist convictions. My biggest complaint is that its best tracks all sort of sound the same, but it's a good sound.
Full of clever wordplay and lived-in authenticity, an album of anthems for wearying elder millennials that feels like it walks the walk on its collectivist convictions. My biggest complaint is that its best tracks all sort of sound the same, but it's a good sound.
#26. Underdressed at the Symphony - Faye Webster
It took a few tries for this to click for me, but then it really did. Though her voice is an acquired taste, Webster captures idle thoughts masterfully, creating an atmosphere of comfortable infatuation with some delightful piano and guitar refrains.
It took a few tries for this to click for me, but then it really did. Though her voice is an acquired taste, Webster captures idle thoughts masterfully, creating an atmosphere of comfortable infatuation with some delightful piano and guitar refrains.
December 20, 2024 at 11:09 AM
#26. Underdressed at the Symphony - Faye Webster
It took a few tries for this to click for me, but then it really did. Though her voice is an acquired taste, Webster captures idle thoughts masterfully, creating an atmosphere of comfortable infatuation with some delightful piano and guitar refrains.
It took a few tries for this to click for me, but then it really did. Though her voice is an acquired taste, Webster captures idle thoughts masterfully, creating an atmosphere of comfortable infatuation with some delightful piano and guitar refrains.