Sean Murray
@manicdepressean.bsky.social
✍️ Writer of Play It Again, Will You?
🎧 Essays on music and memory
💌 Latest piece: My Songs of 2025 ⬇️
smurray1987.substack.com
🎧 Essays on music and memory
💌 Latest piece: My Songs of 2025 ⬇️
smurray1987.substack.com
December 21, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Reposted by Sean Murray
It took me two weeks to decide, but here are my favourite songs from this year, feat. Geese, Smerz, Mandy, Indiana, Lil Baby, GELO, Westside Cowboy, FKA twigs, Charli XCX, Blood Orange, Oklou, and more:
smurray1987.substack.com/p/my-22-song...
smurray1987.substack.com/p/my-22-song...
My 22 Songs of 2025
Featuring Geese, Panda Bear, FKA twigs, Clipse, Bad Bunny, and the rest of my favourites from the Year of the Snake.
smurray1987.substack.com
December 15, 2025 at 2:18 PM
It took me two weeks to decide, but here are my favourite songs from this year, feat. Geese, Smerz, Mandy, Indiana, Lil Baby, GELO, Westside Cowboy, FKA twigs, Charli XCX, Blood Orange, Oklou, and more:
smurray1987.substack.com/p/my-22-song...
smurray1987.substack.com/p/my-22-song...
In case you missed it, I wrote about my favourite songs of the year:
smurray1987.substack.com/p/my-22-song...
smurray1987.substack.com/p/my-22-song...
My 22 Songs of 2025
Featuring Geese, Panda Bear, FKA twigs, Clipse, Bad Bunny, and the rest of my favourites from the Year of the Snake.
smurray1987.substack.com
December 17, 2025 at 12:40 PM
In case you missed it, I wrote about my favourite songs of the year:
smurray1987.substack.com/p/my-22-song...
smurray1987.substack.com/p/my-22-song...
It took me two weeks to decide, but here are my favourite songs from this year, feat. Geese, Smerz, Mandy, Indiana, Lil Baby, GELO, Westside Cowboy, FKA twigs, Charli XCX, Blood Orange, Oklou, and more:
smurray1987.substack.com/p/my-22-song...
smurray1987.substack.com/p/my-22-song...
My 22 Songs of 2025
Featuring Geese, Panda Bear, FKA twigs, Clipse, Bad Bunny, and the rest of my favourites from the Year of the Snake.
smurray1987.substack.com
December 15, 2025 at 2:18 PM
It took me two weeks to decide, but here are my favourite songs from this year, feat. Geese, Smerz, Mandy, Indiana, Lil Baby, GELO, Westside Cowboy, FKA twigs, Charli XCX, Blood Orange, Oklou, and more:
smurray1987.substack.com/p/my-22-song...
smurray1987.substack.com/p/my-22-song...
Reposted by Sean Murray
No Substack post from me this week, gang. I'm taking a breather after finishing my manuscript and using the time to finalise my yearly round-up of favourite songs and albums.
In the meantime, feel free to catch up on anything you may have missed.
See you next week ❤️
smurray1987.substack.com
In the meantime, feel free to catch up on anything you may have missed.
See you next week ❤️
smurray1987.substack.com
Play it again, will you? | Sean Murray | Substack
Words on music. Click to read "Play it again, will you?", by Sean Murray, a Substack publication. Launched 3 months ago.
smurray1987.substack.com
December 3, 2025 at 12:37 PM
No Substack post from me this week, gang. I'm taking a breather after finishing my manuscript and using the time to finalise my yearly round-up of favourite songs and albums.
In the meantime, feel free to catch up on anything you may have missed.
See you next week ❤️
smurray1987.substack.com
In the meantime, feel free to catch up on anything you may have missed.
See you next week ❤️
smurray1987.substack.com
Reposted by Sean Murray
A reminder: Spotify Wrapped season is really just free promo to a company that pays artists scraps and funds military AI
December 3, 2025 at 4:02 PM
A reminder: Spotify Wrapped season is really just free promo to a company that pays artists scraps and funds military AI
A reminder: Spotify Wrapped season is really just free promo to a company that pays artists scraps and funds military AI
December 3, 2025 at 4:02 PM
A reminder: Spotify Wrapped season is really just free promo to a company that pays artists scraps and funds military AI
No Substack post from me this week, gang. I'm taking a breather after finishing my manuscript and using the time to finalise my yearly round-up of favourite songs and albums.
In the meantime, feel free to catch up on anything you may have missed.
See you next week ❤️
smurray1987.substack.com
In the meantime, feel free to catch up on anything you may have missed.
See you next week ❤️
smurray1987.substack.com
Play it again, will you? | Sean Murray | Substack
Words on music. Click to read "Play it again, will you?", by Sean Murray, a Substack publication. Launched 3 months ago.
smurray1987.substack.com
December 3, 2025 at 12:37 PM
No Substack post from me this week, gang. I'm taking a breather after finishing my manuscript and using the time to finalise my yearly round-up of favourite songs and albums.
In the meantime, feel free to catch up on anything you may have missed.
See you next week ❤️
smurray1987.substack.com
In the meantime, feel free to catch up on anything you may have missed.
See you next week ❤️
smurray1987.substack.com
A new low in my Geese obsession: dreamt I saw them live last night. Cameron Winter put me on the guestlist, gave me £200, and asked me to mind his cat. I woke up like "cheers, lad".
December 2, 2025 at 2:00 PM
A new low in my Geese obsession: dreamt I saw them live last night. Cameron Winter put me on the guestlist, gave me £200, and asked me to mind his cat. I woke up like "cheers, lad".
ICYMI: new post on The Velvet Underground's 'Rock & Roll' went up on Wednesday
smurray1987.substack.com/p/the-velvet...
smurray1987.substack.com/p/the-velvet...
The Velvet Underground's 'Rock & Roll'
On the renewable joy of a song that always works
smurray1987.substack.com
November 29, 2025 at 11:43 AM
ICYMI: new post on The Velvet Underground's 'Rock & Roll' went up on Wednesday
smurray1987.substack.com/p/the-velvet...
smurray1987.substack.com/p/the-velvet...
Reposted by Sean Murray
Been having a Velvets week while reading Dylan Jones’ Loaded, so I decided to write something short about ‘Rock & Roll’
smurray1987.substack.com/p/the-velvet...
smurray1987.substack.com/p/the-velvet...
The Velvet Underground's 'Rock & Roll'
On the renewable joy of a song that always works
smurray1987.substack.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Been having a Velvets week while reading Dylan Jones’ Loaded, so I decided to write something short about ‘Rock & Roll’
smurray1987.substack.com/p/the-velvet...
smurray1987.substack.com/p/the-velvet...
Been having a Velvets week while reading Dylan Jones’ Loaded, so I decided to write something short about ‘Rock & Roll’
smurray1987.substack.com/p/the-velvet...
smurray1987.substack.com/p/the-velvet...
The Velvet Underground's 'Rock & Roll'
On the renewable joy of a song that always works
smurray1987.substack.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Been having a Velvets week while reading Dylan Jones’ Loaded, so I decided to write something short about ‘Rock & Roll’
smurray1987.substack.com/p/the-velvet...
smurray1987.substack.com/p/the-velvet...
That time of year
November 25, 2025 at 6:51 PM
That time of year
Sunday reads if you want 'em...
November 23, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Sunday reads if you want 'em...
Also, with the reissue of The Replacements' Let It Be out today, it seems like the perfect excuse to share this again
smurray1987.substack.com/p/the-replac...
smurray1987.substack.com/p/the-replac...
The Replacements' Let It Be
Four decades on, The Mats’ masterpiece still sounds like falling apart and holding on.
smurray1987.substack.com
November 21, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Also, with the reissue of The Replacements' Let It Be out today, it seems like the perfect excuse to share this again
smurray1987.substack.com/p/the-replac...
smurray1987.substack.com/p/the-replac...
Kelly Lee Owens’ new EP KELLY is out today.
I interviewed her earlier this week — we talked stencils, presence, no-phone clubs, Prodigy-esque samples, and what it means to be “an essence, not an image.” One of my favourite conversations I've had this year 👇🏻
smurray1987.substack.com/p/kelly-lee-...
I interviewed her earlier this week — we talked stencils, presence, no-phone clubs, Prodigy-esque samples, and what it means to be “an essence, not an image.” One of my favourite conversations I've had this year 👇🏻
smurray1987.substack.com/p/kelly-lee-...
November 21, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Kelly Lee Owens’ new EP KELLY is out today.
I interviewed her earlier this week — we talked stencils, presence, no-phone clubs, Prodigy-esque samples, and what it means to be “an essence, not an image.” One of my favourite conversations I've had this year 👇🏻
smurray1987.substack.com/p/kelly-lee-...
I interviewed her earlier this week — we talked stencils, presence, no-phone clubs, Prodigy-esque samples, and what it means to be “an essence, not an image.” One of my favourite conversations I've had this year 👇🏻
smurray1987.substack.com/p/kelly-lee-...
Reposted by Sean Murray
New post: spoke to Kelly Lee Owens yesterday about her new EP, KELLY, which is out tomorrow 👇🏻
smurray1987.substack.com/p/kelly-lee-...
smurray1987.substack.com/p/kelly-lee-...
Kelly Lee Owens: "It's true—I do get emotional over techno."
Owens on stencils, samples, no-phone dance floors, and the emotional immediacy driving her new EP, KELLY.
smurray1987.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 12:07 PM
New post: spoke to Kelly Lee Owens yesterday about her new EP, KELLY, which is out tomorrow 👇🏻
smurray1987.substack.com/p/kelly-lee-...
smurray1987.substack.com/p/kelly-lee-...
New post: spoke to Kelly Lee Owens yesterday about her new EP, KELLY, which is out tomorrow 👇🏻
smurray1987.substack.com/p/kelly-lee-...
smurray1987.substack.com/p/kelly-lee-...
Kelly Lee Owens: "It's true—I do get emotional over techno."
Owens on stencils, samples, no-phone dance floors, and the emotional immediacy driving her new EP, KELLY.
smurray1987.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 12:07 PM
New post: spoke to Kelly Lee Owens yesterday about her new EP, KELLY, which is out tomorrow 👇🏻
smurray1987.substack.com/p/kelly-lee-...
smurray1987.substack.com/p/kelly-lee-...
FKA Twigs quietly rebuilt EUSEXUA and released two competing versions simultaneously. It’s one of the most radical things a pop artist has done in years—here’s why it matters:
smurray1987.substack.com/p/fka-twigs-...
smurray1987.substack.com/p/fka-twigs-...
FKA Twigs and the Album That Won't Stay Finished
A look at EUSEXUA, Afterglow, and an artist redefining what a “finished” album even is.
smurray1987.substack.com
November 19, 2025 at 7:54 PM
FKA Twigs quietly rebuilt EUSEXUA and released two competing versions simultaneously. It’s one of the most radical things a pop artist has done in years—here’s why it matters:
smurray1987.substack.com/p/fka-twigs-...
smurray1987.substack.com/p/fka-twigs-...
I’ve spent the last few days sitting with FKA Twigs' newly revised version of EUSEXUA—the one released alongside Afterglow—and tried to make sense of what she’s doing. Here’s where I’ve landed: smurray1987.substack.com/p/fka-twigs-...
FKA Twigs and the Album That Won't Stay Finished
A look at EUSEXUA, Afterglow, and an artist redefining what a “finished” album even is.
smurray1987.substack.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:14 PM
I’ve spent the last few days sitting with FKA Twigs' newly revised version of EUSEXUA—the one released alongside Afterglow—and tried to make sense of what she’s doing. Here’s where I’ve landed: smurray1987.substack.com/p/fka-twigs-...
Sunday read: I spoke with Good Flying Birds about basement tapes, instinctive recording, and the slow evolution behind Talulah’s Tape.
smurray1987.substack.com/p/good-flyin...
smurray1987.substack.com/p/good-flyin...
Good Flying Birds: "I try to record as quickly as possible."
Kellen Baker on Good Flying Birds, reluctant visibility, and the quiet reach of Talulah’s Tape.
smurray1987.substack.com
November 16, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Sunday read: I spoke with Good Flying Birds about basement tapes, instinctive recording, and the slow evolution behind Talulah’s Tape.
smurray1987.substack.com/p/good-flyin...
smurray1987.substack.com/p/good-flyin...
Honestly, is there anyone better than FKA twigs? Today she’s dropped a sequel to EUSEXUA AND quietly rewritten the original alongside it—live canon editing before our eyes!
November 14, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Honestly, is there anyone better than FKA twigs? Today she’s dropped a sequel to EUSEXUA AND quietly rewritten the original alongside it—live canon editing before our eyes!
If you missed it the other day, I did a Q&A with Good Flying Birds for my weekly Substack post:
smurray1987.substack.com/p/good-flyin... @carparkrecords.bsky.social
smurray1987.substack.com/p/good-flyin... @carparkrecords.bsky.social
Good Flying Birds: "I try to record as quickly as possible."
Kellen Baker on Good Flying Birds, reluctant visibility, and the quiet reach of Talulah’s Tape.
smurray1987.substack.com
November 14, 2025 at 12:30 PM
If you missed it the other day, I did a Q&A with Good Flying Birds for my weekly Substack post:
smurray1987.substack.com/p/good-flyin... @carparkrecords.bsky.social
smurray1987.substack.com/p/good-flyin... @carparkrecords.bsky.social
This week’s Substack piece is a Q&A with Good Flying Birds, one of my favourite discoveries of 2025
🎧 smurray1987.substack.com/p/good-flyin... @carparkrecords.bsky.social
🎧 smurray1987.substack.com/p/good-flyin... @carparkrecords.bsky.social
Good Flying Birds: "I try to record as quickly as possible."
Kellen Baker on Good Flying Birds, reluctant visibility, and the quiet reach of Talulah’s Tape.
smurray1987.substack.com
November 13, 2025 at 12:28 PM
This week’s Substack piece is a Q&A with Good Flying Birds, one of my favourite discoveries of 2025
🎧 smurray1987.substack.com/p/good-flyin... @carparkrecords.bsky.social
🎧 smurray1987.substack.com/p/good-flyin... @carparkrecords.bsky.social
The new Mandy, Indiana song is fucking boss
www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOkH...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOkH...
Mandy, Indiana - Magazine (Official Visualiser)
YouTube video by Mandy, Indiana
www.youtube.com
November 12, 2025 at 2:37 PM
The new Mandy, Indiana song is fucking boss
www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOkH...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOkH...